The Grand Hunter Arena trembled with anticipation.
After the shocking performances in the first round of the World Hunter Tournament, the audience now expected even greater battles.
The massive holographic screens above the arena displayed the next matchup.
The announcer's voice echoed across the entire stadium.
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
"The next match of Round Two is about to begin!"
"This battle will feature two extremely dangerous fighters!"
The crowd leaned forward eagerly.
Because the previous fights had already revealed monsters among the competitors.
But this battle…
This one was different.
The announcer continued dramatically.
"Entering the arena first!"
"A rising berserker who shocked the world by defeating Talon Grimfang in the first round!"
"Please welcome… Kael Varyn!"
The arena exploded with cheers.
Kael stepped into the battlefield calmly.
The massive arena floor had already been repaired after the destruction from the previous battles.
But the cracks left behind were still visible.
Kael walked toward the center of the arena, his expression calm.
However, inside his mind, the system was already active.
System Status
Level: 40
Bloodline: Primordial Berserker (5% Awakened)
Strength: 128
Agility: 101
Endurance: 134
Spirit Energy: 87
Perception: 96
Kael clenched his fists slightly.
The energy of his bloodline pulsed beneath his skin.
This next opponent would be different.
Far more dangerous.
The announcer raised his voice again.
"And his opponent!"
"A silent killer who has eliminated dozens of hunters without ever being seen!"
"The Void Assassin!"
"Nyx Umbrael!"
The arena lights suddenly dimmed.
A strange silence spread across the stadium.
Then—
A shadow appeared in the center of the battlefield.
It slowly took form.
A slender woman dressed in dark armor stepped forward.
Her long black hair flowed behind her as violet energy flickered around her body.
Her eyes glowed with faint void energy.
It was Nyx Umbrael.
The atmosphere instantly became colder.
Even the audience felt uncomfortable.
Because void bloodline users possessed one of the most mysterious and terrifying powers in the world.
Nyx stopped several meters away from Kael.
Her expression was calm.
Almost bored.
"You're stronger than I expected," she said quietly.
Kael shrugged.
"I get that a lot."
Nyx tilted her head slightly.
"But strength alone won't help you."
Her voice remained calm.
"Void users don't fight head-on."
The referee stepped between them.
"Fighters ready!"
Energy barriers rose around the arena.
The crowd became silent.
"Begin!"
The moment the fight started—
Nyx vanished.
Completely.
The audience gasped.
"What happened?!"
"Where did she go?!"
Kael's eyes narrowed.
His system activated instantly.
Skill Activated
Battle Instinct
The ability enhanced Kael's perception.
But even then—
He couldn't see her.
Only faint distortions in the air.
Then—
SLASH.
A blade appeared from the shadows behind him.
Kael reacted instantly.
CLANG.
His gauntlet blocked the attack.
Nyx appeared behind him like a ghost.
Her violet blade pressed against the metal gauntlet.
"You're fast," she said calmly.
Kael pushed her back.
"And you're annoying."
Nyx vanished again.
The audience struggled to follow the fight.
Because the void assassin kept disappearing.
Appearing.
Disappearing again.
Every attack came from a different direction.
Above.
Behind.
Below.
SLASH.
CLANG.
SLASH.
CLANG.
Kael blocked each strike with brutal precision.
But Nyx wasn't slowing down.
Her movements were smooth.
Silent.
Deadly.
The system began analyzing her movements.
Opponent Ability Detected
Void Step
Description: Temporary movement through void space.
Effect: Short-distance teleportation.
Kael smirked slightly.
"So that's your trick."
Nyx reappeared on the other side of the arena.
"It's not a trick."
She raised her blade.
"It's death."
She vanished again.
But this time—
Multiple shadows appeared.
Three.
Five.
Ten.
Ten versions of Nyx surrounded Kael.
The crowd gasped.
"Are those clones?!"
Kael studied them carefully.
His system reacted.
Skill Detected
Void Mirage
Threat Level: High
All ten Nyx figures attacked at once.
SLASH.
SLASH.
SLASH.
Kael exploded with berserker energy.
Skill Activated
Berserker Impact
BOOOOOM!
Crimson energy erupted outward.
The shockwave shattered several mirages instantly.
But three remained.
One blade slipped past Kael's guard.
SLASH.
A thin line of blood appeared on his shoulder.
The crowd gasped.
Nyx appeared behind him again.
"You're bleeding."
Her voice was calm.
Kael looked at the wound.
Then smiled.
"Good."
Nyx frowned slightly.
Because something changed.
The berserker aura around Kael suddenly grew stronger.
His system activated again.
Skill Activated
Berserker Impact
Damage Converted → Power Increase
Attack Power +30%
Kael stepped forward.
His aura exploded outward violently.
The arena floor cracked beneath his feet.
Nyx's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So that's your ability…"
"The more damage you take…"
"The stronger you become."
Kael cracked his neck.
"Exactly."
He raised his fist.
"Now it's my turn."
Kael launched forward.
BOOOOOOM.
The ground exploded beneath him.
His speed had increased dramatically.
Nyx vanished instantly.
But Kael predicted it.
He turned sharply.
And punched the air behind him.
CRASH.
Nyx reappeared exactly where his fist landed.
Her eyes widened slightly.
The punch barely missed her face.
"You predicted my teleport?"
Kael grinned.
"My instincts are getting better."
Nyx stepped back slowly.
For the first time—
Her calm expression disappeared.
Because she realized something.
This berserker…
Was learning during the fight.
Adapting.
Evolving.
And that made him far more dangerous than she expected.
High above the arena, another figure watched the battle.
Lightning crackled around his arms.
It was Kaizer Stormborn.
He smiled slightly.
"This guy keeps getting more interesting."
Because if Kael survived this fight…
Then sooner or later—
They would meet in the arena.
And when that happened…
The entire world would witness a clash between two terrifying bloodlines.
Lightning.
And the Primordial Berserker.
But for now—
Kael's fight with the Void Assassin had only just begun.
And Nyx Umbrael still had far more deadly abilities hidden within the shadows.