A cold, vicious will followed the power of the curse and slipped silently into Dragon Soaring World's mind.
"Why you?"
"Why should you bear all this alone?"
"Look behind you. Your companions are safe behind their defenses, while you're out here fighting for your life... Is that fair?"
The voice was seductive, like a venomous snake trying to plant the seeds of jealousy in his heart.
Dragon Soaring World sensed the will, but a sneer of utter contempt crossed his face.
Jealousy?
Since when had he, Dragon Soaring World, needed to envy anyone?
He had fallen from the rank of Lesser God, endured Bone Scraping Marrow Extraction, and severed with his own hands the path that had never belonged to him. What had it all been for?
So he could do exactly this: face the fiercest enemies head-on with the blade in his hand and fight the hardest battles!
This was what he longed for!
This was what he had chosen!
"Fair?"
A low growl rose from Dragon Soaring World's throat, thick with mockery and arrogance.
"I am the fucking definition of fair!"
Boom—!!!
A pure, ferocious will that belonged to a warrior and no one else erupted from the depths of his soul!
He stopped resisting the curse. Instead, he opened his arms and welcomed this baptism of blood and fire!
A warrior was born on the battlefield and died on the battlefield!
Cowardice, jealousy, retreat... Those words had no place in a warrior's vocabulary!
The moment his will reached its peak—
Hum—
The entire world seemed to freeze.
An ancient, vast will descended in silence, carrying the stench of rust and blood.
He knew that presence all too well!
It was the War Ladder!
``` [Candidate "Dragon Soaring World" has held fast to the warrior's path under the