Josen tried not to let the overwhelming pressure consume him. He felt a powerful wave of essence as soon as he stepped in.
The striking colour and patterns of the auditorium sized room intrigued him it was always either a matte black finish or a polished grey, all the walls gleamed faintly.
A butler walked beside them, immediately guiding them down a pair of helical stairs spiralling downward, he could he turned back and could see kids learn martial arts for man instructor and at the complete other side another set if badly bruised kids getting yelled out my another instructor pointing at the screen furiously , it didn't take a genius to realised they failed a test.
Along the way were frames with ancient blades from a giant golden-plated claymore to a thin, stone-carved longsword all encased in essence-proof glass.
If these are just for display, I wonder what more rare and ancient gear they have hidden deeper within the Drakovich estate. Such an amazing collection
They reached a massive chamber — calling it a room wouldn't do it justice. The ceiling stretched endlessly, curving upward with chandeliers made of orbs, guns, and knives.
Josen tilted his head, admiring the view, when he noticed a higher layer — an indoor balcony where several old men stood, all glaring down at him with bored, judgmental eyes.
At the far corner stood Augustus, the Defector of the Malkador household. He tapped Josen's shoulder lightly, getting his attention as they made their way up another flight of stairs toward the large circular balcony.
There, an old man awaited them he wore white long robes draped around him like royal nightwear, though his posture was far too proper for sleep. The man smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. It was the kind of smile that hid contempt.
He was clearly pleased by this opportunity the chance to make his grandson famous in the capital. Corin Drakovich, the genius prodigy rumoured to have awakened an S-ranked Gift. The supposed next heir to the family.
But Josen didn't see him anywhere. He scanned the vast room, his senses stretching, yet he couldn't find Corin. The delay was irritating. It felt disrespectful.
Before he could dwell on it, the old man spoke in a slick, almost mocking tone.
"Well, hello young man. It's really nice to finally meet you, I'm so glad your agreed to this match especially when regarding your situation"
Josen nodded politely, forcing a calm smile.
"It's a pleasure, sir. I can't wait to add this victory to my resume — it'll be great."
The old man's expression twisted into rage. "How da—"
But before he could finish, Josen turned, sensing a new presence.
Finally, he thought. We can get this started.
Corin walked in, his face void of emotion. His sharp eyes studied Josen intently, like he was searching for something familiar.
He remembered their first meeting years ago maybe nine years ago, when all seven major families gathered in the capital of Liones, for a mandatory meeting. They had been seven years old then — the top prospects among all the noble children.
Josen Malkador and Corin Drakovich — two names once whispered in awe.
Corin remembered how he used to look up to Josen — the brightest kid in the play hall, his unwavering posistively and gleaming personality, he was always laughing with friends, full of life. Now that same boy was probably a shadow of his former self. A fallen heir.
Corin did awakened an S-ranked Gift and was now the rising star of his family. His only competition had vanished, but now he was back but he was probably a struggling fighter, they go around challenging system users thinking their fighting skills can overcome natural ordained strength, he planned to end it quickly to honour his fallen equal.
Yet as he stepped forward, something shifted. He felt a wave of essence. The air thickened. Poison miasma crept faintly through the hall. Corin hid his discomfort as his eyes locked on a tall figure standing at the center — six foot two, maybe three, with a lean but powerful frame. A black hood draped over his head, white curls poking through.
Weapons hung by his side, one of which gleamed faintly with gold.
They locked eyes. The silence between them was deafening.
This guy... he's..he's done it once again, again his is my equal .
Corin's lips twitched into a restrained smile — like an brother refusing to admit he was proud of his sibling
I don't know what you went through..., I don't know what you've overcome but you're back. My rival for life.
Josen peeked at Corin's system. His face hardened in bewildered.
Class: [Assassin]
Subclass: [Perfect Body Bandit]
Rank: S (Level 83)
Skills: Shadow Bindings, Shadow Bloom, Blood Chain
Passives: Essence Veil, Murderous Intent Suppression
Josen was impressed. Corin's aura rivalled Vaelith's. His passive skills allowed him to vanish almost completely — a dangerous advantage.
Shadow Bloom... right. That's the skill that lets him split his shadow into multiple clones depending on level. At S-rank... he could have anywhere from six to fourteen. This could be difficult
He clenched his palm, moulding his poison essence into a miniature scythe, then reabsorbed it. His wind and space resonances responded well, and though his healing remained basic, it could handle minor wounds, cuts and gashes. Fire burned brightly in his veins.
He was ready.
Josen blimped into the barrier below. It resembled Augustus's dual field but was fifty to seventy feet wider and taller. He landed lightly and gestured with his finger for Corin to join him.
Corin smirked, then leaped down. The moment his feet touched the ground, the barrier sealed shut with a flash of blue light.
A cold, automated female voice echoed:
"Round One will strictly martial skill. No weapons or magic may be used until further rounds permit. Begin."
They rushed in simultaneously, fists meeting midair.
Their brilliance was undeniable. Corin threw an overhand. Josen deflected with his leg and countered with a crescent kick that grazed Corin's chin. Corin retaliated with a straight jab; Josen blocked with his elbow.
Corin feinted low, twisted, and sent a high kick that smashed Josen backward, nearly slamming him into the barrier. Josen skidded but landed gracefully on his feet.
Formless Fang: Ghost Step.
Corin's eyes widened as Josen vanished and appeared behind him, palm striking his back. His nerves froze for a fraction of a second — just long enough for Josen's spinning hook kick to connect. Corin was launched into the barrier, which flashed red and electrocuted him briefly before releasing.
He steadied his breathing, eyes narrowed.
That wasn't teleportation... it was something else. A technique I've never seen before. A blend of several styles? Strange. I need to find its limit.
But before he could think further, a hook came from the right. Corin leaned back, narrowly dodging it, flipped over Josen, and launched a back kick.
Josen caught it midair with his inner foot and pushed forward, unleashing a barrage — a jab was blocked, hook weaved, low kick flipped over.
A perfect stalemate.
Then Josen stepped slightly to the outside, feigning a big hook before twisting his body.
Formless Fang: Triple Side Kick!
Three rapid kicks — one to Corin's knee rocking it inward, one to his gut piercing his stomach, and the final straight to his face. Corin twisted midair to lessen the impact, landing awkwardly before thrusting his palm toward Josen's gut.
"I've got cool moves of my own, try this"
One Inch Punch.
The blow felt like his organs were pierced. Josen's breath hitched. He gritted his teeth, forcing his legs to stay grounded.
Feels like my intestines are torn apart... I wasn't planning to use this, but—fine.
He twisted his body midair, muscles coiling unnaturally, as they tensed and built-up energy. Essence surged through his legs, swelling with compressed energy, he prepared to send back double damage
Predator Coil!
He launched himself downward, landing a devastating twisted axe kick onto the back of Corin's head, sending back double damage — the impact doubled the power of the one-inch punch.
Corin hit the ground, unconscious.
Josen staggered, panting.
"Round one... is mine."
He smirked faintly, brushing blood from his lip.
That was a fantastic bout. Someone who can rival Formless Fang techniques impressive. But I've already used one of my cards — and I can only use Predator Coil twice a day. This is going to be interesting.
The voice echoed again:
"Round Two — start. Magic-infused weapon round."