The crowd gathered in the grand arena, their voices rising with excitement. The names of the duelists were announced in a booming voice, and everyone eagerly awaited the appearance of the seventh-level warrior—the mysterious figure who had seemingly emerged from nowhere.
Elliot stood in the corner of the arena, his gaze fixed on his opponent.
"A fifth-level fighter... not someone to underestimate."
His opponent was a burly man, his arms covered in scars, with a smug grin stretched across his face.
"I am Karon, the Iron Tiger Forger. And you?"
Elliot smiled faintly. "Elliot."
"Oh, the mysterious seventh-level fighter? I'll show you that numbers mean nothing here."
"Maybe... but he doesn't know that I barely understand my own strength."
"The match begins now!"
Karon lunged forward like a tiger.
BOOM!
A fist coated in spiritual energy shot toward Elliot. He barely managed to dodge it.
"He's fast...!"
Before he could react, Karon's punch slammed into his chest.
CRACK!
Elliot was sent flying, crashing into the arena's wall.
"Hahaha! Seventh level? Just a number!" Karon roared.
Elliot coughed, blood staining his lips.
"I can't rely on strength alone... I have to think."
His eyes darted across the battlefield. The stones were uneven, and there was a patch of sand in the corner of the arena.
"The sand... that's my key."
Karon charged again.
Elliot waited.
"Three... two... now!"
He leaped toward the sand and kicked it forcefully into Karon's face.
"Argh! My eyes!"
In an instant, Elliot focused his spiritual energy into his fist and struck Karon's chest.
"Shadow Burst!"
BOOM!
The arena trembled as Karon collapsed, unconscious.
Silence... then thunderous applause.
Elliot barely remained standing, his breath ragged.
Elliot stood at the center of the arena, watching as his next opponent stepped forward with steady strides.
"Kyber... who is this man?"
He was tall, lean, with silver hair that shimmered under the sunlight. His deep blue eyes pierced through Elliot as if reading his thoughts. His black attire was adorned with strange symbols, and an aura of cold mystery surrounded him.
Kyber lifted his head and gave Elliot a calm smile.
"Elliot, right? I've been waiting for this round."
A shiver ran down Elliot's spine.
"This man... he's different from any opponent I've faced before."
"The match begins now!"
The moment the words echoed—Kyber moved.
"He's fast!!"
No one saw him move, but suddenly—he was behind Elliot!
BOOM!
A swift strike slammed into Elliot's back, sending him rolling across the ground.
Before he could process what happened, Kyber's hand hovered above him, radiating a deadly energy.
Elliot barely dodged and leaped back.
"How did you do that?"
Kyber smirked. "Just a simple technique."
"That's not simple at all!"
The real battle began.
Elliot tried all his usual strategies, but nothing worked.
Using sand again?
Kyber closed his eyes and avoided the attack as if he had predicted it.
Setting a trap to lure Kyber in?
Kyber didn't fall for it—in fact, he made Elliot look like a fool.
"Is this your limit?" Kyber asked, standing confidently, showing no signs of exhaustion.
Elliot was panting.
"I've never faced anyone like this before..."
"But I won't give up."
Gritting his teeth, Elliot gathered his remaining energy and launched a desperate attack at Kyber!
But in an instant—
BOOM!!!
Before his fist could connect, he found himself crashing to the ground, unable to move.
Kyber stood over him, extending a hand.
"You lost."
Elliot stared at him in shock.
"Why don't you finish it?"
Kyber laughed. "Because I want us to be friends."
Silence... then a faint smile from Elliot.
Elliot descended from the arena with sluggish steps, still feeling the impact of Kiber's blows. He sat on one of the benches designated for the contestants, his hand resting on his aching ribs.
"Kyber... he's a monster."
But he wasn't angry. He was excited. He had lost this time, but he had learned more than ever before.
But now, it was time for the next battle.
"The second-to-last match of the tournament!"
"Kyber vs. Liza!"
As the announcer's voice boomed, the lights focused on the fighters.
Kyber stood with his usual calmness, while Liza appeared on the other side.
She was a tall woman with blazing red hair and piercing green eyes. Her light armor was adorned with golden engravings, and her long sword emitted a faint blue glow.
"Kyber... I've heard a lot about you."
Kyber smiled. "I'm honored. But don't expect an easy fight."
She smirked confidently. "You're the one who shouldn't expect an easy win."
"The match begins now!"
BOOOOM!
In less than a second, Liza vanished, leaving behind a trail of fire!
Kyber appeared in the middle of the arena, raising his hand to block Liza's sudden strike, but—
BOOM!!
A massive explosion erupted in the air, blasting Kiber backward!
Kyber staggered a few steps, but Liza didn't give him a chance to recover.
"Flame Tornado!"
She swung her sword, unleashing a massive swirling inferno!
Kyber didn't move. He waited until the last second, then—
"Phantom Void Technique."
He disappeared. The fiery tornado crashed into the ground, erupting in a deafening explosion!
"What?! He vanished?!"
BOOM!
Before Liza could comprehend what happened, Kyber reappeared behind her and delivered a direct punch to her back!
But—
"Molten Shield!"
A fiery aura enveloped her, absorbing the impact entirely!
She spun around swiftly and slashed her sword with immense force, splitting the ground beneath her!
"You're fast, but I'm stronger!"
Kyber smirked. "And I'm faster than you."
The battle turned into an epic spectacle.
Strike after strike. Liza attacked relentlessly, unleashing fiery whirlwinds and blazing swords, while Kyber evaded with his otherworldly agility, like a phantom that couldn't be touched.
But as time passed...
Liza began panting.
"Impossible... why haven't I landed a single hit?!"
Meanwhile, Kyber remained standing, gazing at her calmly.
"Playtime is over."
He raised his hand, then—
"Void Breaker Technique!"
BOOOOM!!!
A massive energy wave erupted, striking Liza directly and sending her rolling violently across the arena!
Her sword slipped from her grasp.
She tried to stand, but her legs wouldn't respond.
"Did I... lose?"
Kyber stood above her, extending a hand.
"You're strong, but I was always one step ahead."
Liza looked up at him, then smiled as she took his hand.
"Looks like I need more training."
"Winner: Kyber!"
Elliot watched in silence.