How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game

[Congratulations! You have unlocked a new skill!]

[Skill: Hidden Blade Technique (S) acquired]

[Skill: Hidden Blade (Proficiency: 0%)]

[Forms unlocked: 1/5]

[Note: User does not meet the required sword skill proficiency to use Hidden Blade techniques.]

[Note: User's Agility stat does not match the required proficiency to fully utilize the skill.]

[Note: Skill effects will now be lowered according to user skill and stat proficiency.]

[Note: Congratulations! You have acquired an S-rank skill.]
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[Bonus points acquired!]

[Available Status Points: 94 + 10]

[Note: User Riley Hell… Life Force: 0]

[Note: Trial Tutorial breakthrough is now completed!]

[Congratulations! You have passed your trial!]

The light surrounding my sword began to flicker and fade, its energy gradually dispersing into the air.

The weight of exhaustion finally caught up with me, and my legs gave out as I collapsed onto the cold ground.

Each breath was a struggle, my chest heaving as though the act of inhaling was a battle of its own.

My body screamed in pain—muscles torn, mana reserves depleted, and the aftershock of overextending my limits threatening to pull me into unconsciousness.

The adrenaline that had been driving me moments ago drained away, leaving my mind foggy and my senses raw.

System notifications flooded my vision, their relentless chiming and glowing text overwhelming my tired eyes and ears.

Yet none of it mattered.

'I couldn't lose focus—not yet.'

Forcing my trembling hands to push me up slightly, I blinked through the haze, searching for him.

My eyes darted across the dimly lit arena, and then... I saw him.

The other me.

He sat slumped against one of the stone pillars, his body resting lazily as if the intense battle we'd just fought was nothing more than a passing amusement.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he met my gaze.

"Congratulations... You won,"

Before I could even respond, his form began to fade, dissolving into fragments of light that danced and shimmered before disappearing completely.

I wanted to say something—to ask why he had put me through this trial, what it all meant—but the words caught in my throat.

As the silence of the arena enveloped me, I let my head fall back against the ground, my breathing heavy and uneven.

Despite the pain, despite the confusion, a faint sense of satisfaction welled up within me.

'I actually won…?'

A faint, disbelieving laugh escaped my lips, shaky and uneven, as I struggled to process what had just transpired.

My body trembled from exhaustion, and every breath I took felt like fire spreading through my chest.

Yet, amidst the haze of pain and lingering adrenaline, the reality of my victory began to settle in.

The other Riley had clearly been holding back for most of our bout—his skill, his aura, and his technique had all been leagues ahead of mine.

But at the last possible moments, when the intensity spiked, it felt like he was genuinely trying to kill me.

And yet… somehow, I still won.

I let my gaze drift to the space where the other Riley had disappeared, the faint residue of his aura still lingering in the air.

Despite everything—despite my desperate use of [Time Stop] to freeze the world and create an opening—it shouldn't have been enough to land a decisive blow.

My instincts told me that much.

Because after all, just like me, he could move in the frozen world.

"Did he do that on purpose?" I wondered aloud, my voice raspy and strained.

The question lingered in the empty arena, unanswered, as I let out a deep, heavy sigh and tried to relax my aching body.

Every inch of me protested as I shifted slightly to ease the pressure on my side.

My thoughts swirled in chaotic circles, replaying the fight over and over.

It was pointless to overanalyze everything now.

The trial was over, and whatever purpose the other Riley had, he clearly hadn't intended to share it with me.

"He really didn't tell me anything…" I muttered, the frustration bubbling in my chest.

Despite the satisfaction of victory, a gnawing sense of incompleteness refused to leave me.

My body ached, my mind swirled with questions, and the system notifications flashing before my eyes were the only tangible proof that any of this had happened at all.

Leaning my head back, I let out another sigh, this one tinged with both relief and exasperation.

As I closed my eyes, exhaustion washing over me, a sudden warmth began to spread across my body.

It was soothing, almost comforting, as though I were being wrapped in an invisible blanket of energy.

My reprieve was short-lived, however, as another barrage of system messages lit up in my mind's eye.

[Note: Sanctuary's blessing is reacting to your divine energy...]

[Note: All injuries suffered will now be healed.]

"Huh?"

Before I could fully register what was happening, the warmth enveloped me entirely, coursing through my veins like liquid light.

The exhaustion that weighed down my limbs began to fade, the sharp ache in my body dissolving as if it had never existed.

My energy surged back, rejuvenating me in a way that felt surreal.

For a brief moment, I allowed myself to relax, savoring the unexpected reprieve. But that moment of peace was shattered as more system messages appeared, their tone far less reassuring.

[Note: Trial Breakthrough progress will now continue!]

[Do you wish to proceed?]

[Yes / No]

"Wait—!?"

Before I could even think, the system continued, as though my input were inconsequential.

[Yes…]

[Note: Tutorial will only end after user life presence is confirmed to be ZERO.]

"What?"

'Again?'

A melodic, almost mocking hum echoed through the Sanctuary, breaking the silence that had settled around me.

"Hmm~ you actually won… Well, Second did hold back quite a bit, but it's a bummer that's all he was allowed to do. Oh well~!"

The voice was familiar but off—playful and taunting, yet unsettlingly close to my own.

My head snapped up, and standing before me was… me. But not quite.

This version of me grinned from ear to ear, a wild, chaotic energy radiating from him that made my skin crawl.

His colorful, clown-like costume clashed violently with the muted tones of the Sanctuary, and his hypnotic hair shifted through a kaleidoscope of colors, ever-changing and mesmerizing.

"Since we're in a pickle with causality's interference, it's not like I can complain~! Second did his job passing you his little gift, so all's well that ends well, I guess~?"

His voice carried a singsong quality, like he was reciting a nursery rhyme meant to unsettle.

His gaze locked onto mine, sharp and piercing despite the manic grin on his face.

"What the hell are you?" I asked, my voice steadier than I expected given the situation.

The other me tilted his head, his grin widening impossibly.

"Oh, come now, Riley. Isn't it obvious? I'm you—just a version of you that wasn't supposed to exist~!"

As his words echoed in my ears, I let out an internal sigh, piecing together the implications of his sudden appearance.

This wasn't just another trial or an extension of the system's twisted sense of progression—this was something else entirely. Something far more personal and dangerous.

The strange version of me continued to grin, his sharp, unsettling gaze locking onto mine like a predator to prey.

"Riley Hell~!" he sang, his voice dripping with mockery. "Since we're both the same identity, it'd be awkward to just call each other Riley, right? Why don't you address me as Ripper? That's what the people in my world used to call me~! Hehe~ Don't worry, unlike Second, I'm actually quite gentle~"

There was nothing gentle about the way his grin widened as he spoke, nor the way his hand moved in a blur.

Before I could fully register what was happening, something sharp glinted in the faint light—then it was flying straight for my face.

-Shhhhk!

Instinctively, I twisted to the side, narrowly dodging the dagger.

It sliced through the air where my head had been, embedding itself into the ground behind me with a sickening thud.

"Fuck!"

Ripper chuckled, a low, menacing sound that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Oh, come now~ Don't be so tense. That was just a friendly hello~!"

...

Meanwhile, back in the void-like world, two of the other Rileys stood in the empty expanse, their apathetic gazes fixated on the screen before them.

The image displayed the chaotic antics of the clown-like Riley—Ripper—as he toyed with the current Riley, his unpredictable behavior sending ripples of unease through the void.

For a moment, silence reigned, until one of the Rileys broke it.

[Did he forcibly push us aside?]

The other nodded, his expression a mixture of irritation and detached curiosity. [It would seem he did.]

[Who was supposed to enter next?]

[That would be you.]

[Oh...] The Riley's apathetic facade cracked ever so slightly, his brow twitching as he let out a faint sigh. [Can I kill him?]

The second Riley didn't hesitate, his voice cool and matter-of-fact. [After he passes on his gift, you're free to do so. I'll help.]

The two continued their quiet conspiracy, their monotone voices exchanging plans for disposing of the clown-like Riley once he'd fulfilled his purpose.

Their detached manner seemed almost surreal—until a presence behind them shifted.

The second Riley, who had been quietly observing, turned to see the screen flicker as another Riley appeared.

A faint smile played on his lips as he watched the ongoing struggle of their counterpart.

Despite the chaos and brutality of their earlier fight, there was a strange satisfaction in his expression.

[It would seem you're satisfied with the results,] a new voice chimed in, cutting through the stillness like a blade.

From the shadows emerged yet another Riley, this one shrouded in an aura of creeping darkness.

Long, writhing tentacles extended from his back, their movements unnaturally fluid and alive.

His face bore the weight of a life lived in endless struggle, a weary, hollow expression that hinted at an abyss of unresolved pain.

[Yes] the second Riley replied simply, his gaze still locked on the screen.

The Dark Riley tilted his head slightly, the flickering light from the screen reflecting in his lifeless eyes.

He stepped closer, his tentacles curling and uncurling as if sensing the air around them.

[I assumed you'd kill him and force him to relive your life. That's the only way for him to truly understand even a fraction of what you've mastered.]

The second Riley's faint smile deepened. [I was convinced of that as well. But it seems... I was wrong.]

He turned to face the Dark Riley, his voice calm but laced with a hint of pride.

[He learned it on his own. Through sheer observation and willpower. The boy has potential... even if he's still painfully naive.]

The Dark Riley didn't respond immediately, his gaze shifting back to the screen.

For a brief moment, the endless void seemed to thrum with a sense of anticipation.

The clown-like Riley, now fully immersed in his chaotic game, laughed maniacally as the current Riley struggled against his relentless attacks.

[Perhaps...] Dark Riley murmured, his voice barely audible, [but potential alone is never enough.]