The anticipation in the crowd was electric as the spectators scooted forward and clutched their seats with their eyes peeled on the soon-to-collide attacks.
The Mana fluctuations could be felt throughout the entire coliseum as the awaited attacks created a catastrophic scene within a small portion of the platform.
Crimson Ashrune continued rotating, releasing a fearsome and sanguine presence, while Zerim's Flame Devastation produced a considerable and almost perfect resistance.
Kieran lifted his hand and roared, straining his mind to control what remained of the blood chains to wrap around Crimson Ashrune's hilt.
The sudden appearance of the chains stopped the rotating Seethe Burst, but the skill and presence didn't disappear.
"Break!" Kieran roared as he swung his arm around his body, which caused Crimson Ashrune to perform a whiplashing motion and strike the Flame Devastation from above.
The sword cleaving down on the Flame Devastation seemed like it wanted to cleave the world in half and designate Kieran as the monarch of this domain.
Zerim's eyes narrowed when he sensed his Flame Devastation falter and begin splitting in the middle. 'The attacks were equal in the beginning, but he increased the force of his attacks by compounding the remnants of his initial attack. This control… it's quite incredible.'
Crrck! Crrrck! Pssssh!
A downpour of red flames with a faint blueish tint deluged the stage Kieran and Zerim stood upon, but before it could touch Kieran, a massive horizontal current of blood gushed toward Zerim, carrying the flames with it.
"Crimson Current!"
Kieran rushed behind the Crimson Current while yanking the chains wrapped around Crimson Ashrune. This action made the greatsword descend from the sky like a meteor seeking to destroy the earth.
Bang!
Kieran snatched Crimson Ashrune out of the air, unaffected by its extraordinary velocity. In the next second, his body vanished as a large draconic hand pierced through the bubbling and evaporating blood tide.
Although the Crimson Current was strong, relying upon a low-level skill against Zerim was foolish, which is why Kieran did no such thing.
Zerim sensed movement at his side and turned, barely noticing a presence wrathed in blood.
If not for him causing some of the Crimson Current's evaporation, Zerim wouldn't have noticed Kieran stepping through the tide like a bloody phantom.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Kieran released a relentless series of sword slashes that gradually increased in speed, weight, and precision. Even after using his broadsword and claw to deflect Kieran's attacks, Zerim found himself at a disadvantage in terms of speed.
'This guy… he's growing faster!' Zerim's eyes widened after concluding that Kieran's attacks were miraculously gaining a frightening speed.
What's more, Zerim figured something was amiss when his attempts to block hit an afterimage instead of Kieran's actual weapon.
After experiencing the mental cleansing that manually learning Dread Culling produced, Kieran's cognitive abilities had stepped into an echelon that marked the beginning of true inhuman feats—one of which being the arbitrary acceleration of specific actions.
When Zerim believed he could block Kieran's attack, Kieran arbitrarily accelerated his sword attack. But, given his current limits, he couldn't change the trajectory as he would have liked.
Nevertheless, abruptly increasing the speed of a strike was enough to bewilder many opponents, especially those without Advanced Senses—the refined senses of an Advanced Being.
"Ignis Art: Dragoon Fang!"
After feeling his advantage slip, Zerim began retaliating with techniques exclusive to his family.
A fiery image in the shape of a dragoon's maw attempted to swallow and clamp down on Kieran's presence, but he smirked.
Whoosh!
Kieran skillfully dodged the attack with an Accel Shift executed at the pinnacle of his current capabilities. A bloody trail followed his body as Kieran moved his right hand to Zerim's stomach.
Bang!
Zerim was blown back by a force that made his feet skid across the platform. A series of sharp inhales sounded within the stadium's crowd because this was the first time Zerim had suffered a loss.
"Don't blame me for asserting dominance. After all, it is you who asked for me to unleash whatever techniques I kept hidden. I intend to honor your request as one of my first respected opponents."
None of Kieran's words were disrespectful; in fact, he quite liked Zerim.
However, Kieran's tone was as cold as ice, utterly devoid of emotion.
Because his emotions were funneled entirely into his technique outside of his control, Kieran felt a void, the same void that surfaced against Vidal and Dusvim.
Aside from rage, what else was in his heart?
This was a question Kieran wished to answer, but unfortunately, he couldn't grasp an opportunity to truly explore the depths of his soul—his id—the part of his subconscious that genuinely defined him.
Zerim looked up at Kieran while spitting out a trace of blood. "No worries. I have no qualms with you, friend. This isn't personal—it is simply a battle. A battle that will forge a path for both of us."
"I concur," Kieran agreed. "Prepare, for I am coming."
Boom!
A sonic boom occurred as Kieran leaned forward and executed a Surge Step the moment his front foot touched the ground. The sudden acceleration took everyone by surprise, but Zerim similarly dashed toward Kieran with a burst of flames beneath his feet.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Their battle devolved into an extremely primitive one, consisting solely of brutal basic attacks. There was no flashy skill involved, only a cacophony of metallic rings piercing the atmosphere from their every exchange.
Unfortunately, the difference in their condition began to surface rapidly. The immense Stamina Consumption from unleashing these rapid and forceful attacks exceeded what Zerim could handle.
Kieran, on the other hand, thanks to his Tenacious Warrior Title and Breath of Life effects, remained in a surprisingly vigorous state.
'Does he not tire? What is with his inhuman endurance?' Zerim wondered.
Every one in ten of his strikes faltered, which allowed some of Kieran's strikes to break past his defenses and chip away at the scaled layer added to his red armor.
Soon enough, Kieran gained the advantage and again moved his palm to Zerim's stomach faster than he could react. The difference in this strike, however, was the presence of an intense suction force.
Zerim's feet momentarily lifted from the ground as Kieran activated another skill.
"Peril Implosion!"
Bang!
Zerim's body flew back like a lifeless ragdoll due to the Savage Beast Lord's set effect and Crimson Ashrune's effect activating.
The damage from his Peril Implosion experienced ridiculous augmentations, and combined with the increased effects of Predatory Bloodlust, the skill unleashed a devastating amount of damage.
-14,049,036! «Critical Hit»
Coupled with the faint bits of damage from his earlier attacks, Kieran's Peril Implosion dropped Zerim's Health under 50% within an instant.
However, despite receiving this barbaric attack, Zerim struggled to get to his feet.
"I commend your bravery, courage, and resilience. But…" Kieran's walk gradually turned into a run before performing a herculean bound. "This match is over! You were an extremely worthy opponent!"
"Grand Stomp!"
Kieran landed, and his right foot crushed Zerim's chest, creating a massive crater on the stage. The spectators gawked, wondering how an Intermediate Being could cause so much destruction.
Meanwhile, Zerim had no opinion.
He fell unconscious after receiving Kieran's final attack. His Ignis Inferno dissipated as Kieran tossed Crimson Ashrune into his inventory and picked up Zerim to carry him out of the stage.
Kieran understood honor, and Zerim had completely earned his respects, so he wouldn't leave him to lay limply on the stage.
At that very moment, when Kieran walked off the stage carrying Zerim, General Zieg's throat quaked as he struggled to commentate the second stage's results after witnessing that magnificent sight!
"The second stage has come to an end," General Zieg finally announced after regaining his wits. This generation of nominal members possessed boundless potential in his eyes. They were full of surprises!
…
Meanwhile, in the stands behind General Zieg…
Ezrath quivered after watching Kieran's imperious leap. After witnessing Kieran's landing, Ezrath's heart dropped. However, warmth and relief surfaced in his heart when he watched Kieran hoist up his grandson honorably.
Scar even cracked a proud smile. "Didn't I tell you? My twerp is better than I was back then. I didn't care who I destroyed, mutilated, or minced to obtain victory. But him… he isn't influenced by the source of power as deeply I was. I can honestly say I am extremely proud of him."
"Indeed, that boy is a fine specimen. I can feel the depths of his rage from here, yet he understood what it means to be lenient and upright. My impression of him would have whittled away if he mutilated a defenseless opponent that didn't taunt or disrespect his honor as a man," Caecus chimed in, lightly praising Kieran.
Ezrath released a deep sigh and looked toward Scar. "It is my loss. May I?"
"Of course, your grandson's condition precedes the importance of our small bet."
Swoosh!
Ezrath disappeared with a gust of ember-filled winds.
…
Kieran looked up and saw Ezrath standing before him. He could see the resemblance, so he passed on Zerim to Ezrath. "I'm not sure of your relation, but he is a valiant fighter. Tell him I would like to speak with him when he wakes up."
"Understood," Ezrath nodded. "As for my relation, I am this young child's grandfather, Third Commander of the War Deity Council, Ezrath Ignis."
"Aatrox, Inheritor of the Bloody Hero's Mantle, Traveler of the Berserk Path," Kieran said respectfully.
"Very well, Aatrox; I will let Young Zerim know."
Ezrath disappeared before Kieran's eyes, but at that time, General Zieg's magnetic voice sounded.
...
A/N: I need you guys to understand how seriously amazing you all are! We actually made it! We broke past the 2nd Win-Win threshold! I can't thank you enough for the amazing support; we'll continue to flourish next month! Please continue to support <3
