CHAPTER 16 FIRST BLOOD
The clash between the two rooks intensified, and every impact sent vibrations through the ground that the others could feel even from a distance.
Daeven didn't blink.
He watched everything.
Kael's movements were becoming sharper with each exchange, her strikes cleaner, more efficient, while her opponent was slowly losing control of the rhythm.
Too much force.
Not enough precision.
Daeven saw it clearly.
He's already lost.
The man roared and swung again with brute strength, but Kael stepped aside at the last second and countered instantly, her strike landing directly into his side with enough force to break his balance.
The impact echoed.
The man staggered.
That was it.
Kael didn't hesitate.
She stepped forward and drove her attack straight into him again.
This time, he didn't recover.
His body collapsed onto the ground.
Silence followed.
A heavy, suffocating silence.
No one moved for a second.
Then—
The system reacted.
[ PARTICIPANT ELIMINATED ]
[ ENERGY TRANSFER INITIATED ]
A faint glow rose from the fallen body and moved toward Kael, merging into her mark.
She froze for a fraction of a second.
Then exhaled slowly.
…So that's how it works.
Daeven narrowed his eyes.
Absorption.
The strong get stronger.
Of course.
Lyria looked disturbed.
So we have to… kill each other to grow?
Daeven didn't answer immediately.
Then calmly:
Yes.
The boy looked like he was about to throw up.
That's insane…
But no one denied it.
Because it was the truth.
Kael turned back toward them, rolling her shoulder slightly as if testing her condition.
Stronger.
Not a huge difference.
But noticeable.
She smirked faintly.
Not bad.
Daeven studied her carefully.
So it stacks.
Kael nodded.
Seems like it.
Then her eyes shifted slightly.
Around them.
The other participants.
Watching.
Waiting.
Calculating.
The atmosphere changed again.
Before, there had been hesitation.
Now—
There was intent.
Daeven felt it immediately.
It begins.
One of the participants suddenly rushed forward from the side, aiming directly at the boy.
Easy target.
Weak presence.
Pawn.
The boy froze.
He didn't even react in time.
Lyria gasped.
Daeven moved.
Not fast.
Not rushed.
Precise.
He stepped in just enough to intercept the attacker's path and redirected the strike with minimal movement, using timing instead of strength.
The attacker stumbled slightly.
Surprised.
Daeven looked at him calmly.
Wrong target.
The man hesitated.
That hesitation was enough.
Kael appeared behind him in the next instant.
Too slow.
Her strike landed cleanly.
The second body hit the ground.
Another glow.
Another transfer.
Kael exhaled again.
Slightly stronger.
The message appeared again.
[ PARTICIPANT ELIMINATED ]
This time, no one was shocked.
The illusion was gone.
This wasn't survival.
This was selection.
The boy's breathing was unstable.
He looked at Daeven.
You… you saved me…
Daeven didn't look at him.
Don't stand still next time.
The boy nodded quickly.
Y-yeah…
Lyria looked at Daeven differently now.
You didn't even hesitate.
Daeven finally glanced at her.
A short pause.
Then:
Hesitation gets you killed.
She didn't argue.
Because she had seen it.
Then—
The ground trembled slightly.
All of them felt it.
Daeven's gaze shifted instantly.
Zone reduction.
The edges of their area began to collapse slowly, forcing everyone inward.
The remaining participants reacted immediately, moving toward the center.
Closer.
More dangerous.
Kael clicked her tongue.
They're forcing us together faster than I thought.
Daeven nodded slightly.
They want conflict.
Lyria looked uneasy.
There are too many…
Daeven's eyes moved across the field.
Counting again.
Analyzing.
Positions.
Threats.
Opportunities.
Then he spoke.
We don't stay here.
Kael looked at him.
You have a plan?
Daeven pointed slightly toward the side of the zone.
Less crowded.
Better angles.
More control.
We move there.
Kael smirked faintly.
Not bad.
Lyria nodded.
Okay.
The boy didn't argue.
Good.
They started moving together.
Not running.
Not rushing.
Controlled.
Deliberate.
Daeven stayed slightly behind.
Watching.
Always watching.
His mind kept working.
Faster.
Deeper.
Then—
A thought crossed his mind.
If energy transfer strengthens the mark…
A pause.
Then what does mine absorb?
His hand twitched slightly.
The hidden mark pulsed once.
Quiet.
Almost… eager.
Daeven's expression didn't change.
But inside—
He understood something important.
He wasn't playing the same game as the others.
And that…
Might be the most dangerous thing of all.