The arena trembled with a low, constant hum as Davis and Mash stepped into the ring.
Dust rose faintly beneath their feet, carried by the restless wind that circled the massive stadium. Thousands of eyes locked onto them from every direction, the air thick with anticipation. The sunlight above cast long shadows across the battlefield, making the two figures seem even more imposing.
Both of them stood firm.
Their bodies were well-built, hardened through training and battle. Davis, a Rank 3 mortal, carried himself with clear confidence, while Mash, also a Rank 3 but at the base stage, stood slightly quieter—yet no less steady.
Both were skilled qi users.
Davis followed the fire path.
Mash… the stone path.
Davis glanced at Mash and let out a faint, mocking smile. His lips curled slightly as arrogance flickered across his face.
"So… you know my path and still chose to step in?" he said, his tone dripping with ridicule. "Then I guess there really is no one more foolish than you."
Mash didn't react immediately.
His gaze remained calm. Steady.
Then he spoke, his voice quiet but firm.
"An elephant is powerful… yet even an ant can bring it down," he said. "It doesn't matter who the opponent is—strong or weak. What matters… is focusing on your own actions."
Davis clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Huh… what nonsense."
---
Above them, the announcer stood elevated on a high platform, his voice booming across the arena.
"Today's match rules are as follows—"
He began listing them one by one.
A death match was allowed, but only if both sides agreed.
If someone died mid-fight, full responsibility would fall on the players—but their safety during the tournament would remain protected.
Surrender meant defeat.
No insults toward clans.
No interference between rings.
No attacks outside the ring.
The rules continued, echoing through the stadium.
---
Finally—
The match began.
Davis moved first.
Flames ignited around his fist, swirling violently as he activated his Fire Fist. Heat spread instantly, distorting the air around him. Without hesitation, he lunged toward Mash, his speed sharp and aggressive.
But—
Just before the punch could land—
A wall of stone erupted from the ground.
Boom!
The fiery strike slammed into the stone barrier, sparks scattering in all directions. Mash had already reacted.
Davis smirked.
Mash's arms quickly became coated in a thick layer of stone, forming solid gauntlets. Without wasting time, he stepped forward, each movement heavy yet controlled, as if the ground itself supported him.
Davis narrowed his eyes.
His fingers sharpened, flames compressing into a more concentrated form. He aimed directly at Mash's chest and thrust forward.
Mash blocked.
Stone met fire.
The impact sent a shockwave through the ring.
But in that same instant—
Davis shifted.
His leg whipped upward, striking toward Mash's head with brutal speed.
Bang!
Mash was sent flying, his body crashing onto the ground several meters away. Dust scattered as he slid across the arena floor.
A thin line of blood trickled from his nose.
---
From the stands, Jeju watched carefully.
"…Seems like there's no one particularly impressive this year," he muttered. "Not much entertainment."
Beside him, Mili remained expressionless.
"Let's keep watching."
---
Mash slowly pushed himself up.
His expression didn't change.
No anger. No panic.
He inhaled deeply—then suddenly flipped backward into the air.
At that moment—
The ground behind him trembled.
Dozens of stones shot upward like arrows, then curved sharply toward Davis.
Davis's eyes widened.
"…!"
There was no time to react.
The stones came crashing down—one after another.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
More than twenty heavy impacts struck him directly. The force shattered his stance, his body trembling under the relentless assault. His left arm twisted unnaturally, nearly breaking under the pressure.
Mash landed, his breathing slightly heavier now.
Blood spilled from his mouth as he coughed.
---
Davis stood there, barely holding himself upright.
His face had turned pale, a strange mix of blue and green.
Yet—
He smiled.
"…All that qi… for this?" he said weakly, a mocking tone still lingering. "What a waste…"
Then he started laughing.
A low, unstable laugh.
From the corner of his eyes, thin streaks of blood began to flow.
---
Cross leaned forward, surprise flashing across his face.
"The new generation… they've got guts."
---
Mash raised his hand again.
The ground responded.
Stone hands rose from behind him, gripping his body tightly as if anchoring him in place, drawing out the last of his strength.
At the same time—
A ring of fire erupted beneath Davis's feet.
Flames spiraled upward violently.
One of his eyes transformed completely—turning into a blazing orb of fire.
The temperature around him surged.
Without warning—
He dashed forward.
Fast.
Wild.
Unstable.
"You're finished!"
---
But
The moment he closed the distance—
A sharp stone spike shot up from the ground.
CRACK!
It struck him directly.
Davis's body jerked violently as the attack landed. The force completely broke his momentum, leaving him heavily injured.
---
And then—
Silence.
Mash collapsed.
His body hit the ground with a dull thud.
Unconscious.
---
The arena erupted.
Cheers. Gasps. Excitement.
And then—
Silence.
Mash collapsed.
His body hit the ground with a dull thud.
Unconscious.
"Winner of this match—Mash!" the announcer's voice thundered across the arena.
---
Mili finally spoke, her tone calm yet analytical.
"Davis had multiple opportunities," she said. "But he failed to utilize his offense properly."
Her gaze shifted slightly.
"Mash, on the other hand… was clever. He relied on his strongest defensive techniques and turned them into offense."
A faint pause.
"Impressive."