With light steps and a heavy mind, Dae-Jung stepped on the bridge. He began to walk towards the arena. He felt compelled to from the moment he first stepped onto the bridge. As if there was something else influencing his feet. Still, this was where he needed to go anyways so he didn't resist. After only a few seconds, he could see his opponent from afar. He was walking on the opposite bridge steadily. His robe was torn and drenched in blood. Even from this kind of distance, he could see the horrendous state of the garment. But what scared him was that the skin he saw beneath wasn't hurt. Was all this blood from others?! He hesitated no more and pushed his own hand within the gourd. He whispered dejectedly: "Time to feed, little gourd"

He felt a mental pain very different from the usual kind of pain one experienced. It didn't hurt but felt the something similar. It was...loss. He was feeling loss. And aging.

An instant later, the gourd shined. It was charged and ready to activate at any time. As he took out his hand, he noticed a few wrinkles on it. It was like seeing a stranger's hand where his should have been. He chuckled sadly. What a horrible price to pay...

After walking for a few minutes, he reached the arena and stepped upon it as the same time as his opponent. The figure of a bloodied young man greeted him with a glare...

Only a barrier separated them from beginning this final fight.

...

In the grand hall, everything was heating up. As the last fight, there should have only been two thrones remaining yet there were four. Cao Lei's and Hae-Hyuk's were a given. Their champions were the ones going to fight. But there were two more. Saint Sharonna was still there with a broad grin on her face. But there was another who refused to step down. It was the dragon clan patriarch.

Saint Patron Bôrakos asked him to vacate his seat but he refused it, stating that his champion was nether dead nor out. Saint Patron Bôrakos had to admit that it wasn't wrong. Technically, he had lost but in reality, he was still there and alive. In the end, it was the last one remaining and alive who would win. As such, the sealed dragon champion wasn't out of the game.

As if this wasn't enough to create madness in the hall, Saint Arialdo Vassi made a proclamation: "Who dares to bet against me on the issue of this final battle?"

From there, it became pandemonium as every ex-contestant and even guests began to place their own bets. A four-way bet for a final one-on-one... It was unexpected but not unheard of. It was not the first time that Saint Sharonna messed up with the trial while remaining within the rules. And she was not the only one with tricks up her sleeves. There were always some contestants with strange and new ideas.

That being said, it was the first time that the final issue was so controversial. It wasn't clear who would win in the end. While all the contestants still in competition believed in their own champions, the others had varying opinions.

Most believed in Saint Sharonna and the fewest believed in the sealed dragon. Such things were expected. Some bet on Cao Lei since his champion could probably seal the death knight. And some picked Hae-Hyuk since he had, in theory, his two champions up there. Of course, some had followed Min-Su's steps all the way and were believing in his ability. It was undeniable that he was powerful.

Isla did not even hesitate to bet really high on Hae-Hyuk. She would have even bet her city under her daughter's arguments if not for Hae-Hyuk calming her down.

He was calm and strongly believed that he would win. Still, anything could happen and he didn't want it to affect Isla too much.. At least, she couldn't go all-in on this. Once she regained her sane mental state, she glared at her daughter who had encouraged her to bet high. Sophia sheepishly acted cute, hoping to decrease her mother's anger. It didn't work but her mother had better things to do than to discipline her at the moment.

All eyes were fixed on the arena.

...

Min-Su fought hard throughout his way up. Lost quite a lot of his body parts while climbing up as well but earned much more. He became stronger as he went up. Especially by being taught by his Master's master. He ended up calling him his Grandmaster down the line and considering him a real teacher. Though his teachings were the most painful of all. Having to take out his own bones to refine them was...He didn't want to think about it anymore. He shuddered just at the memories of it.

But it helped him get to the top. And here he was. At the pinnacle. The man in front of him looked to be middle-aged but closer to old age than young age. He held nothing but a shining gourd in his hand. Was that his weapon? Definitely. No doubts.

There was nothing else after all!

As to what it did though, he wasn't sure. He had no ways to know. He had asked his Grandmaster many times to give him hints but that man had refused. He stated that might was the only truth required. Though Min-Su did not disagree, he wouldn't have rejected some useful clues either... But he had no regrets since he managed to get this strong thanks to his grandmaster.

As to what this opponent would throw at him, he would just face it with all he had. Just like he had done while climbing to where he was. This was the last hurdle separating him from going back home. This was the last wall between him and his family.

His mind was long prepared and his focus was solely on how to break this final wall.

For freedom.

For life.

For happiness.