The Chronicle of the Beginning and Climax

Chapter 22 – A Dance with Death

The Executioner moved.

The air split apart, the sheer force of its attack cracking the ground beneath its feet.

Jihwan barely had time to react.

> "MOVE!"

Sohyun yanked him backward, just as the Executioner's blade sliced through the space they had occupied a second ago.

The attack didn't just cut—it erased.

A gaping black void spread where the sword had passed, distorting reality itself.

Jihwan's breath hitched.

> "That thing… just cut through existence."

Sohyun clenched her fists.

> "It's adapting. The System won't let us keep breaking the rules."

Jihwan gritted his teeth.

This wasn't just a boss fight anymore.

This was the System fighting back.

And it was learning.

---

The Battlefield Erupts

The Executioner didn't wait.

It lunged forward—too fast to dodge.

Jihwan barely managed to raise his arm, but the moment the blade touched him—

SHHHHRRRK—!

Agony ripped through his body.

His left arm turned to static.

Not broken. Not bleeding.

Just—gone.

For a moment, his mind failed to register the pain.

Then it hit him all at once.

> "Hnngh—!"

He stumbled back, his vision blurring.

> "Jihwan!"

Sohyun's voice cut through his dizziness.

He felt her hand grab his remaining arm, steadying him.

Her grip was tight. Warm. Grounding.

> "…You're still here."

His breath came out ragged.

> "I'm still here."

Sohyun nodded.

> "Then let's fight."

And just like that—he forced himself to stand.

---

The Variable's Interference

> "Ouch. That looked painful."

Jihwan didn't even bother turning.

> "Variable. Fix my arm."

The Variable snorted.

> "Not how it works."

> "You rewrote reality before—"

> "Yeah, but that was me being nice."

Jihwan wanted to strangle them.

> "Fine. Then be nice again."

The Variable grinned.

> "Nah, it's fun watching you struggle."

Jihwan's eye twitched.

Sohyun exhaled sharply.

> "You two can flirt later."

Jihwan choked.

> "WHO IS FLIRTING?!"

The Variable just cackled.

> "Oh, she got you there."

Sohyun ignored them both.

> "Jihwan, we need to attack together."

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus.

One arm down.

The Executioner adapting.

The System closing in.

This wasn't just a fight.

It was survival.

> "…Alright. Let's end this."

---

The Counterattack Begins

Sohyun's hands glowed.

A burst of energy exploded from her palms, wrapping around Jihwan's body.

His pain dulled.

His body felt lighter.

For the first time, he realized—

> "…You're enhancing me."

Sohyun gave a small smile.

> "Don't get used to it."

Jihwan smirked.

> "Too late."

The Executioner charged again.

Jihwan moved first.

His remaining hand gripped his sword.

The world blurred as he pushed forward, using every ounce of speed in his body.

Sohyun matched his movements, moving in tandem.

Two figures—**one missing an arm, one glowing with power—**facing down a being that could erase them from existence.

The fight wasn't fair.

But for the first time—

It felt like they had a chance.