Leon stepped toward the water cage trapping Mysterious X. With a single swing of his sword—SHING!—the cage split apart, splashing water in every direction. Mysterious X leaped out, his spear crackling with lightning, ready to strike.
"Seems like this is the end for you," Leon said coldly, his gaze fixed on Iron Knight, Water Master, and Keen Observer, who were still bound by Forest Guardian's roots.
Then—
"HAHAHA! On the contrary, Zero!" Keen Observer laughed wildly, his eyes gleaming with cunning.
"You're the ones who'll meet your end!"
"The Silent Winding River!" Water Master raised his hand from below.
SPLASH!
A puddle of water suddenly formed beneath Group 1's feet, rising to their ankles. Before they could react, the water twisted into chains, binding their legs!
"What?!" Leon growled, trying to lift his foot, but the chains hardened like steel.
"Water Clone Technique."
The Keen Observer standing before them suddenly melted, turning into a puddle of water!
"That was just a water clone?!" Stone Sentinel gasped.
ZWOOSH!
Mist suddenly billowed behind Voice.
"Your weak point... is here."
THUD!
Keen Observer emerged from the mist, his fingers striking Voice's pressure point. A loud CRACK! echoed as Voice collapsed, instantly knocked out.
"VOICE!" Leon shouted.
But Keen Observer had already vanished back into the mist.
SHHINK!
He reappeared—this time behind Forest Guardian. "You're too slow, healer."
A precise strike landed on Forest Guardian's weak spot, sending him crashing to the ground, unconscious.
"No!" Stone Sentinel struggled to move, but the water chains still held him.
"THE ROOTS ARE GONE!" Iron Knight and Water Master broke free.
SHHINK!
Keen Observer reappeared among his teammates, smirking. "Too bad we're not allowed to kill in this fight... or you'd already be corpses."
The crowd erupted, jeering at Group 1. "CRUSH THEM ALL!"
"GROUP 1 IS WEAK!"
"It's time for our counterattack. Finish them!" Keen Observer commanded, his voice icy.
Iron Knight nodded. His sword began glowing red, absorbing all his remaining energy. "FINAL IRON EXECUTION!"
"END THEM!" someone from the stands roared.
BZZZT—BOOOOM!
A devastating slash tore through the ground, hurtling straight toward Group 1!
"Heh... HAHAHA!"
Leon's laughter rang out. Keen Observer frowned. "What's so funny?!"
"You think you're the only one who can read movements?" Leon raised his sword.
CRACK!
The water chains around his legs shattered!
"What?! Impossible!" Water Master gasped.
"Cheap tricks like this won't hold me," Leon sneered.
"You feel the same, don't you?" He glanced at Mysterious X.
Mysterious X smirked. "Naturally."
KRAAK! His chains exploded as well.
SHING!
Leon slashed his sword, freeing Stone Sentinel.
But it was too late—
"I'LL TAKE IT!" Stone Sentinel lunged forward, fists clenched.
"STONE SKIN!"
A layer of rock instantly coated his body—50% damage reduction!
BOOOOM!
The explosion rocked the arena. Stone Sentinel was sent flying, blood spilling from his mouth—but he was still standing!
Iron Knight, meanwhile, collapsed, drained from the attack.
The announcer screamed in excitement. "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! WHAT DID WE JUST WITNESS?! Stone Sentinel withstood Iron Knight's devastating strike! But both fighters seem unable to continue! The attack was too much for either of them!"
"But don't worry, folks! There are still four warriors ready to fight! Zero, Keen Observer, Mysterious X, and Water Master still have enough strength left to battle!"
"Who will emerge victorious? Will Group 1's Zero turn the tide with his overwhelming power? Or will Group 3's Keen Observer outsmart them all?"
"Come on, Keen Observer," Leon swung his sword.
"Show me that movement-reading ability of yours!"
"Gladly," Keen Observer replied with a confident grin.
"I'll predict your every move and crush you effortlessly!"
Thick mist swirled, and Keen Observer vanished. He reappeared behind Leon, his hand darting toward a vital point with lethal speed.
"You're slow," Leon taunted, dodging like a shadow. He countered with a powerful kick.
BOOM!
But Keen Observer had already shifted away, avoiding the blow and reappearing at Leon's side.
"You're strong... but I'm faster!" Keen Observer hurled a barrage of gleaming energy needles.
SHINK! SHINK!
Leon twisted away, but two needles lodged in his shoulder.
"Poison?!" Leon's eyes widened.
"Tch... dirty tricks," he spat, yanking the needles out. His vision blurred as the toxin took effect.
Meanwhile, Mysterious X spun like a lightning tornado, his spear evading Water Master's attacks as water pooled across the battlefield.
"Water vs. Lightning... who wins?" Mysterious X smirked, plunging his spear into the ground.
"CHAIN LIGHTNING!"
Electricity surged through the water, electrocuting Water Master!
"ARGHH—!"
But Water Master wasn't done. "DROWNING VORTEX!" A massive whirlpool erupted, swallowing Mysterious X!
"Aqua Mirage!" Water Master split into three watery illusions.
"Fool!" Mysterious X vanished, reappearing above him.
"Lightning always finds its mark!"
ZAP!
A bolt struck down all three illusions, sending the real Water Master flying.
Yet he forced himself up. "The ocean doesn't dry from one lightning strike," he growled.
Mysterious X scoffed. "Then I'll bring the storm."
Though slowed by poison, Leon stood firm. His movements were sluggish, but his will burned fierce.
Keen Observer, panting, wiped sweat from his brow. "You're strong," he admitted.
"But experience beats raw power."
Leon grinned. "Not when you can't keep up."
SHING!
His blade blurred. "Void Slash!"
Keen Observer barely dodged, vanishing into mist.
"My turn," he hissed, reappearing. "PRECISION STRIKE!"
His hand shot toward Leon's heart—
But Leon caught his wrist. "Too late."
"I've memorized your moves."
BAM!
A kick to the gut sent Keen Observer crashing down, unconscious.
At the same time, Mysterious X pressed his spear to Water Master's throat. "Yield?"
Defeated, Water Master nodded weakly.
The crowd fell silent—no cheers, only murmurs of disbelief.
Zenless Mammon smiled, satisfied. "Good... very good."
"GROUP 1 VICTORIOUS!" the announcer roared.
Leon exhaled, surveying his battered but triumphant team.
"We won," Mysterious X said, clapping him on the back.
Leon glanced at their fallen foes. "Next time... don't underestimate your opponents."
=== BAB 23 END ===