Call from Lana

[Duel Request: Aaron]

[Type: Deathless]

[Y/N]

Stark smirked as he saw such a panel in front of him, it reminded him of his fight against Daniel on his second day in this world.

But… Stark didn't want to waste his time on such a matter.

Without even accepting the duel request, he activated [Domination], allowing his crimson aura to surround his body, and dashed toward the man.

Of course, he had already used [Perception] to analyze his opponent and make sure he could take him.

…

[Name: Aaron Winston]

[Level: 29]

[Class: Warrior]

[HP: 8530]

[Strength: 271]

[Speed: 102]

[Stamina: 321]

[Defense: 193]

[Skills: Endure; Strike; Charge; Defensive Stance; Sword Mastery…]

…

Aaron wasn't able to draw his sword that Stark closed the distance between them, and with his intense speed and power, he managed to smash the man's chin, sending him flying.

"-5728!" this number appeared next to the man as he was hit.

Launched a few feet in the air, the man didn't know what just happened to him, and soon after the pain came rushing.

~CRASH~

He hit the ground hard, resulting in him falling unconscious without the battle even starting for real.

"If you set up a duel and put the type as 'deathless', then you are just a pussy," Stark spoke, taking the man's sword as his reward and putting it inside his inventory void, and no, this isn't stealing since no one stopped him.

This was probably the quickest duel these people had ever seen since it didn't even start that it ended, but it was enough to cause a commotion as many cheered for Stark and his nonchalant attitude.

"NICE JOB, KID!"

"Pretty damn nice!"

They cheered for him, but all Stark wanted was to leave, and so they allowed him that by forming a straight path toward the exit of the trading district.

'I'm sure it's because of the chosen one talent and its perk that this keeps happening…' he groaned.

As Stark exited the trading district, he couldn't help but shake his head at the whole incident. He had learned that people would always look for reasons to stir up trouble, and sometimes, it was hard to avoid such situations.

He hailed for a taxi and after a short ride, arrived in front of his hotel, where his room was waiting for him.

Not even bothering to change clothes, he jumped on his bed, plunging his head into his pillow even though it was only around 8am.

And soon… he fell asleep.

***

By a string of fate, though, Stark found himself in the same space he had first entered when he slept beside the bonfire inside the [City Ruins].

In his sleep, he saw the infinite void, stretching on and on, and of course, just like last time, the doppelganger of himself could be seen in the distance, standing idle and smiling.

"Maybe it can help…" he mumbled, approaching it slowly, though he found it hard.

Panels appeared in front of him each time he got closer to the other him.

[The Domination Trial starts in 5 days, it is something every person with the 'domination' class must go through once they reach the adequate level.]

'…'

[Though these trials are extremely hard, they aren't impossible: there is always a way to survive, but it depends on the person inside the trial.]

'…'

[These trials are classified in five categories: Hell, Nightmare, Doom, Godless, Death.]

[These are based on luck, but are still possible, just much harder.]

'Keep pushing,' he was getting closer and closer to the other Stark, who was still smiling, almost inviting him to come.

[Those that complete the domination trials are granted incredible rewards, so be one of them, Stark Heartsouls.]

He was now right infront of his other self, but as he extanded his arm to touch it, the figure vanished, and the world began to shake again.

[Good luck, more information will be given later.]

And then, Stark woke up.

***

~Beep, Beep, Beep~

'Hm…?' Stark opened his eyes, hearing the sound of his phone ringing beside him even though he had set no alarm.

He didn't know how much time had passed, but it was still morning and the sun was in the sky, so it couldn't have been more than a few hours, right?

Taking a few seconds to adjust to his surroundings, he grabbed his phone to see who was calling him on this number.

[Unknown number]

'…'

He didn't know who it was, maybe someone close to Stark, although he doubted that since no one had called him before and that he wasn't liked in general.

Curiosity got the better of him, and he pressed the green button to answer the call.

"Hello?" he heard an extremely familiar voice on the other side.

"…" Stark blinked a few times, trying to make sense of it, "Lana…? Is that you?"

"O-Oh, you found me out! What have you been doing these past two days, i've been calling you non-stop yet you weren't answering at all!"

"The past two days? What are you talking about-" Stark didn't know what she was talking about, after all there was no way that…?

He looked to his right, and he saw a panel that confirmed what she said:

[The first Domination Trial is in 3 days, good luck.]

'Ah shit…'

He had slept for two entire days, maybe it was because of that weird dream of his, or because he used so much aura inside the rift that he was finally able to rest from all the action.

In the end, it didn't matter.

"How do you even have my phone number? I don't remember giving it to you," Stark raised an eyebrow, confused as to how the archer got his contact.

"Huh… surprise…?" on the other end of the call, Lana was lying on her stomach on her bed, swinging her legs back and forth while in her luxurious condo in the capital of Fellarburg, "Anyway, it doesn't matter, I have called you for a job opportunity!"

"Not interested," he tried to hang up.

"WAIT! It involves getting stronger, and i'm sure you won't be going back to the [City Ruins], so it's a good way to increase your level!"

"…" Stark wasn't interested at all, after all he had the domination trial to expect in three days, but… "Okay, just explain."

"It's a level 35-50 Hell-Level rift that just appeared, many classifiers will be there to explore it-"

"NOW WE'RE TALKING!" Stark nodded.

"Well, I won't talk more on the phone, let's set up a meeting in the capital, and we'll meet there in one week as I have things to do in the meantimes"

"…" Stark thought about how long it would take for him to beat the Domination Trial, but not knowing the answer, he still responded positively to her request, "Okay, i'll try to be there, but not guaranteed."

And just like that, both of them hang up the call.