Danial sat on the edge of the bed, his fingers interlocked and his face stoic, though his mind churned with conflicting thoughts. Pavan, pacing back and forth like a caged animal, threw his arms up in frustration. "Danial!" Pavan snapped, his voice rising. "Are you even listening to me? How can you sit there so calmly when Kuroâs life is on the line? And Crystalâsheâs a target too!" Danial finally looked up, his eyes sharp and cold. "Calm? Do I look calm to you, Pavan? Iâm just not panicking like you are. If we lose focus now, Kuroâs as good as dead. And if Crystal gets caught in this... itâll be worse." Pavan stopped pacing, running a hand through his hair. "Then tell me, whatâs the plan? What are we doing? Because I canât just stand here waiting for them to kill Kuro." Danial leaned back, exhaling deeply. "We canât afford to act recklessly. Whoever this is, theyâre not some common thug. They know Kuroâs strength, and they still managed to take him down. That tells me this is pers
The trio made their way through the desolate industrial district, their steps echoing faintly against the cracked asphalt and rusted pipes that sprawled across the ground. The Lapanzo Foundry loomed in the distanceâa massive husk of steel and concrete, its faded name barely visible on the old factoryâs rust-eaten board. Broken windows and gaping holes in the walls stared back at them like the hollow eyes of a corpse, and the air was heavy with a metallic tang mixed with an unexplainable decay that clung to their senses.There were no birds, no stray dogs, not even insects. The silence was unnatural, almost suffocating. Each breath they took felt too loud as if the factory itself might hear them.Pavan looked around, his face pale and his voice just above a whisper. "Yeah, this is the place where Iâm going to die."Danial shot him a sideways glare. "No one is going to die." His voice was steady, but his jaw was clenched.Ahead, the board with âLapanzoâ scrawled in faded letters jutted
Santigo leaned back in his chair, the flickering light casting long shadows across the room. His smile stretched wider, full of mockery and malice, as his gaze shifted lazily between Danial, Pavan, and Crystal. "Took you long enough," he drawled, tapping his fingers on the armrest. "I was almost about to start another session with Kuro, but you arrived on time. Tsk tsk, what a pity."Danialâs eyes darted to Kuro, his chest tightening at the sight of his friend slumped over, bruised and barely conscious. Rage bubbled beneath his calm exterior, his fists clenching so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. He knew what "session" meantâand judging by Kuroâs state, it was far worse than heâd imagined.Gritting his teeth, Danial stepped forward, his fists clenching at his sides. âWhat do you want from us, Santigo?â His voice was low but edged with anger. âWeâve never crossed paths. We have nothing to do with you. So why drag Kuro into this?âSantigo waved his hand dismissively as if bru
Danialâs mind raced as the hooded figureâs words echoed in his ears. âFine meal? What does that mean?â A chill ran down his spine. There was no time to dwell on fear. His gaze shifted to Kuro, slumped and barely conscious, and a surge of determination coursed through him. No matter what, Iâm getting us out of here.He glanced at Crystal and made a subtle hand gesture, signaling her to prepare. She caught his movement, her eyes widening in surprise, but she quickly composed herself. Taking a deep breath, she began circulating her internal energy, her frosty aura intensifying as she prepared for whatever was to come.Danial turned back to the hooded man, mustering every ounce of courage he had. His voice trembled slightly, but he managed to ask, âW-what do you mean? And who are you?âThe hooded figure tilted his head, his hidden gaze boring into Danial. âYou are not qualified to know,â he said, his voice low and dismissive. Without further ado, he raised his hand, which began to glow a
The hooded figureâs tone was dripping with malice as he slowly advanced on Danial, his crimson aura flaring with every step."You made a mistake, boy. I was offering a painless way to die, but you didnât appreciate my mercy. Be assured, you will dieâbut Iâll make sure you beg for it first."Danial didnât respond, his mind racing as he desperately tried to formulate an escape plan. The hooded figure exuded the power of a Master Level Cultivatorâa whole stage above Danialâs abilities. The disparity was immense, and Danial knew it. Running would be futile unless he could create a miracle.The figure chuckled as if reading Danialâs thoughts. âDonât waste your energy,â he said, his tone mocking. âYou wonât escape me.âDanial clenched his fists, his breathing steady despite the rising panic in his chest. Realizing there was no other option, he decided to take the offensive. If he was going down, heâd make sure to leave a mark. He activated his Iron Fist Technique, his arms glowing with a br
Danial gritted his teeth, clutching his arm as the Blood Curse spread slowly but surely. The black veins snaked across his skin, pulsing with an ominous glow. Each second felt like a countdown, and Danial knew that if he didnât act soon, the curse would consume him entirely. Yet, his focus was momentarily broken as Marvin stood between him and the hooded figure, calm and commanding.Marvinâs voice carried a steady authority, never turning to look at Danial. âDanial, return to the academy immediately. Find Gloria and show her your arm. Sheâll know how to help.âDanial stumbled to his feet, his body trembling from the relentless pain. âMaster,â he managed, his voice strained, âbe careful. Heâs... powerful.âMarvin smiled faintly, his gaze fixed on the hooded figure. âNot in front of me, heâs not.âThe hooded man let out a guttural laugh, the sound echoing ominously in the ruined area. His crimson aura flared, pulsating with malevolent energy. âYou think strength at the Master Level mean
While Marvin was having a stand-off against the cultist, the taxi sped through the bustling streets, leaving behind a cacophony of honking horns and startled pedestrians. Pavan sat beside Kuro, who was slumped and unconscious, his battered body leaning awkwardly against the seat. Crystal, sitting in the front, glared impatiently at the road ahead.âDrive faster,â Crystal urged, her voice sharp.The taxi driver, a middle-aged man with a balding head and a pair of aviator sunglasses, replied in a calm but slightly amused tone, âMadam, I am following the rules of the road. I canât just drive faster because you said so.âCrystal huffed in frustration, then reached into her bag, pulled out a fat bundle of cash, and dumped it onto the passenger seat. âNow, will you drive faster?âThe driverâs eyes widened at the sight of the money. His professionalism crumbled instantly. âYes, maâam. You have no idea how fast I can drive.âHe slammed his foot on the accelerator, and the taxi lurched forward,
While Pavna and Maria were confused by the sudden turn of events, the battlefield quaked as Marvinâs power reached its peak at the Lapanzo Foundry, the air charged with an oppressive, electrifying energy. Lightning crackled around him, arcing off his body in jagged streaks that seared the ground. His previously calm demeanor was replaced by a fiery intensity that left no room for doubtâthis was the full might of Master Marvin unleashed.Marvinâs body surged with power as the Nine Star Acupuncture Technique reached its climax. Sparks of lightning crackled along his arms, illuminating the battlefield with a brilliant glow. But then, to Danialâs astonishment, Marvin pressed another point on his chest, and the energy around him seemed to stabilize, halting its rise just before reaching its peak of the Third Stage Martial Arts Master.Danial noticed this and thought in shock, He stopped the Nine Star Acupuncture Technique at the end. That means he's holding back even his full strength.The
Egbert stood up while clenching his blade, his entire body trembling. His eyes, wide with disbelief, locked onto Danial as his voice cracked with confusion."How can this be? How could this ever be possible?" he muttered, his face twisted in shock. He staggered back, gripping his sword so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "How could your basic technique be so powerful? How could your technique overpower my divine Crimson Reaper Arts? That is not possible. You must have cheated!"Egbert could not accept reality. His technique was not just some ordinary martial skill; it was crafted by Norman Ray, a war deity of immense power and wisdom. The Crimson Reaper Arts were revered as one of the strongest sword techniques, refined through generations, yet Danialâs seemingly simple Sword Drawing Technique had shattered it, breaking through his proudest ability as if it were nothing. It defied all logic. It was unacceptable.Egbert's voice echoed through the now-silent hall, but no one came
The battle hall was filled with murmurs and hushed voices as Danial and Egbert stepped onto the duel arena. The place still carried traces of previous battles, the floor marked with faint scars from past clashes, including Danialâs fight with Sara. But today, the tension in the air was differentâmore electric, more charged.Egbertâs arrogance was on full display as he sneered, his voice laced with mockery. âKid, Iâm taking pity on you for whatâs about to happen. Maybe if you kneel and crawl, Iâll let you live.âDanial met his gaze calmly and replied, âNo.âThe single word was enough to darken Egbertâs face. His jaw clenched as his pride took a hit. âDanial, Iâm giving you a way out. Once in the duel arena, I wonât let you off even if you kneel and beg for mercy.âDanial tilted his head slightly, unfazed. âAre we going to fight or not?âEgbertâs eyes twitched in annoyance before he shrugged as if he had already won. âAlright, I hope you remember what I said.âBoth climbed onto the duel
Danial sat in the audience, watching the ongoing matches with mild interest. At first, he paid attention, analyzing the techniques used by different fighters, but after a while, he grew bored. The matches were too predictable, lacking the intensity of the battles he had been in. He tapped his fingers on the armrest, wondering when his final match would come.Crystal, who had been sitting beside him, noticed his bored expression. She smirked and leaned closer. âDanial, letâs go walk around the academy.âDanial glanced at her and considered it for a moment. Sitting here and watching these mundane fights wasnât going to help him. He nodded. âAlright, might as well.âAs they stood up and left the arena, they remained unaware of the shadow lurking in the distance, silently watching their every move.The academy grounds had transformed into a lively hub. Stalls lined the pathways, selling everything from cultivation manuals to exotic snacks. There were booths set up for visitors and student
Crystal descended into the rocky arena, her icy-blue eyes scanning the terrain. The environment was filled with jagged hills, uneven terrain, and rocky outcroppingsâan arena that would test movement and adaptability. Danial leaned against the railing, watching her with a small smile, fully confident in her victory.Just as the match was about to begin, Leonard approached from behind, patting Danialâs shoulder with a smug grin."Danial, did you see my match just now? The tricks I used had him completely baffledâhaha!"Danial turned to look at him, blinking. "That was your match?"Leonardâs face fell. The excitement in his eyes flickered. "YeahâĶ you didnât see it?"Danial quickly realized his mistake and tried to salvage the situation. "Leonard, I didnât know your match was happening. Iâm sorry."Leonard forced a smile, waving it off. "Alright, no worries." He turned and walked away, but as he did, the forced smile gradually faded.Danial sighed, feeling a little guilty, but his attenti
As the tournament progressed, the excitement in the air reached its peak. The crowd roared in anticipation as each match brought forth new surprises, showcasing the sheer talent and determination of the academy's young warriors. Danial sat with Crystal, both observing the ongoing battles with quiet interest.Crystal turned to him and asked, "You already won two matches. This guarantees your spot in the Final Stage tomorrow. Who do you think your final opponent will be?"Danial shrugged, his expression calm. "I don't know," he replied simply.Just as he finished speaking, movement from the side caught his attention. Pavan had returned from the infirmary, his head and shoulders wrapped in fresh bandages. His steps were steady, but the slight wince as he moved revealed that his injuries hadnât fully healed.Danial immediately got up and walked over to him, his brows furrowed in concern. "Why are you out of the infirmary? Your body needs rest."Pavan groaned, waving his hand dismissively.
Tyler staggered slightly as he stepped down from the arena, his legs trembling, his face pale. The match had been briefâtoo briefâbut the experience had left a lasting impression on him. No, it wasnât just the match itself; it was the gaze. That chilling, soul-crushing gaze that had locked onto him as if stripping away every ounce of his being. It was unlike anything he had ever faced before.His master approached, his eyes filled with concern as he placed a firm hand on Tylerâs shoulder. âAre you okay?âTyler did not answer immediately. He walked in silence, each step feeling heavier than the last. His master was about to repeat the question when Tyler finally spoke, his voice hollow.âI want to withdraw from the tournament.âThe words were so unexpected that his master was momentarily stunned. Tyler was not one to give up easily. He had trained relentlessly, fought fiercely, and had dreams of proving himself. Yet now, standing before him, was not the same student who had entered thi
As Kyle Drakon stepped into the light, an almost ethereal presence seemed to radiate from him. For someone so young, he was nothing short of stunningâmajestic in a way that defied mere good looks. His face, strikingly symmetrical with high cheekbones and a sharp jawline, carried an air of effortless majesty. His nose was straight and refined, giving him a noble appearance, while his lips, neither too thin nor too full, were naturally set in a calm, unreadable expression. His skin was smooth, almost flawless, as if sculpted by the finest artisan, carrying a faint glow under the arenaâs illumination.His jet-black hair, slightly messy yet undeniably stylish, fell in layered waves around his forehead and temples, enhancing the intensity of his features. Each step he took exuded confidence, his strides measured, unhurriedâhe moved like a sovereign who did not need to prove himself, yet commanded attention wherever he went.But it was his eyes that truly held everyone captive.A deep crims
The air inside the arena buzzed with excitement as the next match was announced. The announcerâs voice boomed across the coliseum.âNext match! Crystal Kirk of Somerland versus Zaria Dvornik of Krolea! The battle conditionsâdesert environment, no elemental abilities allowed!âDanial's expression hardened. He understood the gravity of this situation. Crystalâs greatest strength lay in her ice element, and now, she was being forced to fight in the most unfavourable terrain possible. A desert battlefield? There was no moisture in the air, no chance of manipulating frost, and worst of allâsweltering heat sapping her stamina.As Crystal stepped forward, she caught Danialâs expression and smirked. âWorried about me?âDanial folded his arms. âJust assessing the conditions. This isnât exactly in your favour.âCrystal chuckled. âIt never is.â With that, she strode toward the arena entrance, her icy confidence unwavering.Danial exhaled sharply, watching as she disappeared into the tunnel leadi
Danial and Crystal lingered in the infirmary for a while longer, chatting with Pavan, who continued to grumble about his forced diet while sneaking glances at the nurses, hoping one of them would take pity on him. When it became clear that none of them were willing to defy Abbyâs orders, he slumped back onto the bed with a defeated sigh.âYou guys better eat well while you still can,â Pavan muttered dramatically. âI might never taste good food again.âDanial rolled his eyes while Crystal smirked. âYouâre acting like youâre being sent to prison,â she said. âItâs just a diet.âPavan sat up and pointed at her with a solemn expression. âFor a man like me, a diet is worse than prison.âCrystal laughed while Danial shook his head. âJust rest, Pavan. Youâll need your strength for the next rounds.âWith that, Danial and Crystal left the infirmary, walking side by side through the long corridors. The scent of antiseptics and medicine slowly faded, replaced by the crisp air of the academy halls