Chapter 18: Void
The two challengers stood opposite each other.
Marcus was busy balling his fists and playing with them as he waited for his opponent to get ready.
Then a transparent barrier instantly rose around the two of them.
A thought crossed Tony’s mind at that moment.
’Is this guild really going to allow a member of another guild to cause ruckus here?’
Seeing that the barrier that formed the boundary between them and the spectators was activated, Tony couldn’t help but wonder if the Monarchs Guild also has a hand in this.
If they did, what are they planning? What pieces was he missing to understand what was going on?
Oblivious of the thoughts running through Tony’s mind, the spectators quickly moved closer.
Kratos stood at a spot where he could see clearly what would happen, his arms folded across his chest.
"This should be interesting," Marcus rolled his shoulder. "Don’t worry. I won’t kill you."
Tony remained silent, his response was the unsheathing of his sword.
The moment the blade left its sheath, Marcus’ playful expression faded slightly, replaced by a focused intensity.
"I see."
Up until this moment, Tony had been enduring the character of this powerful young man before him. He might be powerful and a high ranked Player, but...
Tony pointed the sword at him. "You talk too much."
The crowd gasped.
Marcus laughed. "I was thinking you won’t say anything."
BOOM!
Marcus moved before he could complete his speech, the floor exploding beneath him.
In one moment, he had been standing some meters apart from Tony. In a fraction more, he was already—
Tony’s pupils contracted.
Fast!
A fist wrapped in black-golden energy appeared before his face.
CLANG!
Tony barely raised his sword in time. The impact from the collision launched him backward. His boots carved two trenches across the floor before he stabilized.
The audience widened their eyes.
"One punch?!"
"That’s Marcus of the White Tigers!"
"His Void class is terrifying!"
Only now did the spectators seem to be truly realizing the opponent Tony had accepted to challenge.
Kratos’ eyes glistened where he stood.
’That player is indeed outstanding. But, little brother should be able to... oh, I get it now.’
Kratos thought that if Tony was able to keep up with him when they trained, then defeating this opponent should be easy peasy. But, he seemed to understand what the latter was planning.
In the arena, Marcus tilted his head.
"You reacted. For an F-rank, you’re indeed amazing."
Tony didn’t answer. His body hurt from that impact.
Was this guy trying to end his life?
The pressure behind that punch alone was monstrous.
Without warning, dozens of black cracks appeared around Marcus.
[Void Energy.]
’Oh, seems like he’s applying his skills now.’
Tony’s thoughts were put in shambles by the distortion of the surrounding space.
Then—
SHOOOOOM!
Spears made of darkness erupted from every direction.
Tony immediately moved. With his sword held tightly in his grip, the blade flashed in the air.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
One spear after another shattered. The attacks came endlessly, not giving him space to even assimilate how they were being formed or where they came from.
His feet, though, moved like lightning, as he continued to deflect the spears one after another.
Until the attacks suddenly receded.
Tony slid to a halt, the sweat on his forehead becoming evident even to those outside the arena. His breathing gradually became heavier.
Meanwhile, Marcus stood completely still.
The spectators slowly realized something horrifying.
Marcus had not moved a single step. He was overwhelming Tony while standing in place.
But even more shocking than that was the fact that the latter was still keeping up until this moment, although barely.
"Damn..." was the only word Kratos could mutter.
The gap was larger than expected.
Back in the arena, Tony jumped backward. The instant he landed, a hand emerged from a shadow beneath him.
His eyes widened.
[Void Grasp.]
He didn’t have the opportunity to process the situation beforehand before the black hand caught his ankle. In that fleeting moment, Marcus suddenly appeared in front of him.
This time, he moves even faster than before. Much too fast.
The only thing Tony’s mind could process was a knee crashing into his stomach.
BOOOOM!
Tony shot across the arena like a cannonball, his body hitting the invisible barrier, which trembled, and bouncing back.
Several spectators involuntarily stepped backward.
Tony coughed blood. His vision blurred as he looked to his side and unknowingly caught sight of Kratos.
The latter had his fist clenched, a fiery passion to kill glinting in his eyes, his silver-white hair fluttering in the absence of wind.
Once again, the people around him shivered from the pressure he was exuding. If only they knew this pressure didn’t measure up to three-quarter of its original potential.
And once again, understanding the signal from Tony’s stare, he seemed to release himself a bit. But in his mind, he decided that if things turned out for the worse, then he would have no choice but to interfere.
On the other hand, the now quiet crowd was simply amazed at what they were seeing.
Was this the difference between having a Class with no skills and a genuine skills user? The rarity of the class doesn’t it matter? If only Tony had some skills, would he have been able to keep up with this monster?
In the arena, Marcus let a sly grin spread to his chin as he slowly walked forward.
"Get up."
Tony planted his sword into the ground. Using it as support, he rose.
The hall shockingly erupted into cheers. Even Marcus raised an eyebrow.
Were they cheering Tony’s or what? No, that’s not right.
They were not cheering him in the right sense, but were questioning his courage.
Most people would’ve surrendered after that last attack.
Tony simply wiped the blood from his mouth. "That’s all? Is it my turn now?"
The spectators exploded into gasps.
"How can he say that even in that condition?"
Marcus simply stared, then laughed a genuine laugh.
"You know... I like you."
The moment he muttered those words, the air around him changed. The playful atmosphere disappeared once again, giving way to a crushing pressure that filled the arena, a palpable tension that seemed to vibrate in the very air.
Dark-yellow energy poured from Marcus’ body, the floor beneath him cracked, and the barrier seemed to groan from pressure.
Even the spectators who were outside the barrier’s reach felt their breathing become difficult.
Tony’s instinct screamed danger. Or no, at second thought, a smile plastered across his face.
This was the moment he had been waiting for. For the first time since they entered the arena, Marcus was never serious.
Now that he became serious, Tony knew that his plan had worked.
"In that case..." he whispered, but his attention was drawn to the void energy that exploded and gathered behind Marcus.
So, he decided to watch for now.
From the void energy, a gigantic phantom formed. A colossal silhouette with glowing yellow eyes.
The manifestation towered over the arena like an ancient god.
Gasps echoed throughout the hall.
"That’s impossible..."
"His Void Avatar..."
"He’s actually using it? Against someone with no skill?"
"Does that mean Tony’s going to die?"
Hearing these words, Kratos didn’t hold back. He tightened his grip on his sword and readied himself to move any instant.
Tony tightened his grip. Every muscle in his body trembled.
He must admit, this Marcus is something else. But, he was even more excited now.
Oblivious to the spectators who were so focused on the show Marcus was putting on, they didn’t notice that Tony’s sword had begun to hum.
Brown energy streaked along his blade like snakes as Tony readjusted his stance and flourished his sword to his side.
Marcus didn’t see this. He was already in oblivion due to the exuding pressure of the power he had called upon.
[Void Avatar.]
The Void Avatar slowly raised its hand.
At the same time, Tony lowered his stance, and without warning, streaked forward.
Only now did Kratos finally relax.
’Good to see you serious, little brother.’
The entire arena shook once more. And it was only when they heard a familiar voice that they even understood what was happening.
"...now it’s my turn!"
Fading brown energy replaced where Tony had been standing battered just seconds ago, while the tendrils of this brown energy were only what they could see streaking past where Marcus was standing.
