Chapter 185: The Nullborns are not Invisible
As the final digit slowly faded from the air, the entire Central Arena did not erupt into deafening cheers like it had during the previous matches.
Instead, an eerie silence descended over the arena because, whether it was the hundreds of thousands of spectators present or the countless players watching from viewing centers across the real world, everyone held their breath in unison. No one wanted to miss what was widely regarded as the most anticipated battle of this Chosen Tournament.
At the center of the battlefield, Zich did not charge forward immediately. Nameless remained completely motionless as well.
Separated by nearly a hundred meters, the two simply stared at one another in silence. Neither was willing to be the first to shatter the suffocating calm.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds...
Many spectators had already begun sweating nervously.
"Why aren’t they moving?"
"What are they waiting for?"
At the commentator’s platform, Mithrash lowered his voice as well.
"In a battle between true experts, victory or defeat is often decided in the very first instant. The slightest opening can become the deciding factor between life and death, so both of them are waiting... waiting for the other to reveal a weakness first."
The moment his words fell...
Buzz!
Nameless moved!
Without the slightest warning, or any buildup, the figure concealed beneath the black robe seemed to vanish from where he stood, leaving behind only a wisp of black afterimage that had yet to completely fade.
"He disappeared!"
Someone in the audience cried out in shock.
Almost at the same moment, Zich’s eyes narrowed sharply. After his agility, which was tied to his perception, had increased dramatically, he was finally able to barely capture a trace of the path left behind by Nameless’s movement.
’Fast!’
So fast that even though he could see it, he could barely react in time.
’Behind me... to the left!’
Without the slightest hesitation, mana instantly erupted throughout Zich’s body.
[Shadow Blink!]
Whoosh—
His entire body transformed into a streak of black light as he instantly vanished from where he stood. Almost at the exact instant he disappeared, a jet black slash silently swept through the spot where he had been standing.
Sshhk—
The razor sharp blade of energy effortlessly carved a crack several meters long into the arena floor.
Had he been even half a beat slower, it wouldn’t have been the ground that was split apart.
"He dodged it!"
Mithrash shot to his feet in excitement, his voice rising noticeably.
"Zich dodged it! For the first time today! Someone has finally avoided the Nullborn’s unbelievably bizarre opening attack!"
However, the battle was far from over. The instant Shadow Blink ended, Zich didn’t pause for even a moment. He forcefully pushed off the ground, using the momentum from his high speed movement to reverse direction like an arrow released from its bow, charging straight toward Nameless.
"What?"
Countless spectators widened their eyes.
They had assumed Zich would use the opportunity to widen the distance.
No one had expected that he wouldn’t retreat at all.
Instead, he charged right back in!
Even Nameless clearly hadn’t expected Zich to launch such an immediate counterattack. The very moment his body stabilized, a crimson streak of light was already slashing toward him.
[Blood Arc!]
Buzz—
A scarlet crescent instantly tore through the air, carrying an incomparably fierce momentum as it crashed toward Nameless.
Boom!
For the first time, the black robed figure raised an arm. With a dull collision, a thin layer of black energy suddenly materialized before him. However, the force behind the overcharged Blood Arc still sent his body sliding several steps backward.
Step!
Step!
Step!
Only after taking three consecutive steps did Nameless finally regain his footing. His wide black cloak fluttered gently from the impact. Although his true appearance still remained hidden, that alone was enough.
The entire Central Arena fell silent for a brief moment.
The very next instant...
Boom!!!
The Human spectators completely erupted.
"It hit!"
"Hahahaha! Someone finally landed a hit on a Nullborn!"
"Zich!!"
"Beautiful!!"
Countless people leaped to their feet in excitement as thunderous cheers surged through the arena wave after wave. Even many spectators from the other races revealed expressions of astonishment.
Because this was the first time since the knockout stage had begun that someone had genuinely forced a Nullborn backward in a head on confrontation.
In the real world, the viewing centers exploded with excitement as well. The crowds that had been staring intently at the massive projection screens erupted into overwhelming cheers almost simultaneously.
"He landed it!"
"He actually landed it!"
"Zich can keep up with a Nullborn’s speed!"
Among the crowd, a middle aged man was so excited that his entire face had turned bright red. Completely ignoring the stares around him, he wildly pumped his fist into the air as he burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! That’s my son!"
"That’s my son! Zich!!"
The people standing beside him were startled before turning to look at the white haired young man on the projection screen, then back at Leon, whose eyes had already begun to redden with emotion.
"So that’s Zich’s father?"
"No wonder he’s so excited..."
High above the Central Arena, Mithrash’s face had turned completely red with excitement as he practically shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Amazing!!"
"Absolutely amazing!!"
"Against the Nullborn’s greatest strength, their lightning fast surprise attack, Zich not only successfully avoided the opening strike, but counterattacked almost instantly and even forced his opponent backward in a direct clash!"
"What does that mean?"
"It means the Nullborns are not invincible!"
At that moment, the hope that had nearly been extinguished within the hearts of countless Human spectators ignited once more into a blazing fire.
Meanwhile, at the center of the battlefield, Zich showed no joy whatsoever despite successfully landing the first hit. He merely raised his head and looked toward Nameless, who had regained his footing dozens of meters away.
Zich’s expression was even more serious than before because only after truly crossing blades with him did he clearly realize something.
Although that strike had connected, it had dealt almost no real damage at all.
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