“What’s this, folks? Is it just me, or is the ground beneath the rookie’s feet completely frozen? And there’s some kind of frost emanating around him!” the commentator exclaims.
In the audience, a few spectators, each surrounded by an aura—activate Gyo, focusing their enhanced vision on Alex.
Finur, meanwhile, instinctively retreats, darting backward to avoid Alex’s advance. As he leaps into the air, he pulls several throwing knives from within his robes and hurls them toward Alex.
With his [Shield of Pluto] raised, Sealion’s Icewing Embrace lvl 3, and Ken, Alex notices with delight that he isn’t taking a single point of damage! However, Alex also makes a frustrating discovery: his [Nimbus Cloak] does not activate, despite casting his conjuration. It seems the conjuration is no longer recognized as a spell, as it now functions as a full-fledged Nen ability instead.
Sealion’s Icewing Embrace Durability -1
Alex chases after his opponent, enduring hits from a variety of blades but avoiding any real damage. Only the durability of his conjuration takes a hit. Finur, as it turns out, is an expert in a hit-and-run fighting style. Despite Alex’s best efforts, he struggles to close the distance.
You have taken 6 damage
Sealion’s Icewing Embrace Durability -1
“SHIT, that actually hurt! ENOUGH!” Alex roars, frustration boiling over. He activates Blizzard Sword lvl 3, causing his sword to glow faintly with a blue light. Thankfully this is not too obvious, and Alex’s magic is not too flashy.
Nimbus Cloak effect activates - Increasing Evasion by 5%, and Movement Speed by 40%
With his boosted speed, Alex pretends to struggle to catch Finur, deliberately telegraphing his movements. But at the last second, he bursts forward in a sudden dash.
Caught off guard, Finur, with no way to dodge or evade, resorts to drawing the two massive blades strapped to his back. He swings one blade offensively while holding the other defensively to block Alex’s charge.
“FOOL!” Alex screams, his thoughts racing. Take this MOTHERFUCKER! KO!
To most of the spectators, Alex’s [Sword of Pluto] appears unchanged. However, those with Nen-enhanced vision can see the truth: the blade is wrapped in a dense, frosty aura from his conjuration, Ko, and glows faintly with an otherworldly blue light.
Finur moves slightly faster and manages to strike Alex with one of his massive blades while defending himself with the other.
You have taken 21 damage
Sealion’s Icewing Embrace Durability -7
Alex feels the sting of real damage for the first time in the match, but he doesn’t let it distract him. His focus is locked on delivering a decisive blow. His sword meets Finur’s giant blade, which is raised in a desperate attempt to block the strike. To Finur’s horror, Alex’s sword slices cleanly through it and digs deep into his body, carving into his shoulder, upper arm, and chest.
You have dealt 121 + 54 damage to Finur
You have dealt 14 damage to Finur
You have caused bleeding to Finur
You have slowed Finur
“STOP! BACK OFF!!” the referee shouts. “Clean hit for Finur, 1 point. Critical hit and down for Alex Kerber! Fighter Alex Kerber is leading 3-1. Finur, you have 10 seconds to get up—can you keep fighting?”
Finur lies on the ground, clutching his wound. A vicious slash stretches from his shoulder and arm down to his lower stomach, blood soaking through his robes.
Alex shudders at the sight, a chill running down his spine. This is insane. He’s nearly dead, and that hit was even poorly aimed—it didn’t even strike an organ. He’s bound to end up with a scar as nasty as Zoro’s.
Finally, Finur struggles to his feet, swaying unsteadily. His robes slip off his shoulders, revealing the gruesome new wound. Beneath it, Alex notices another cruel scar on Finur’s opposite side, where a chunk of flesh is missing. Moments later, Finur collapses to the floor, unable to continue.
“STOP!! This is a knockout! Finur can no longer fight! Alex Kerber wins!” the referee declares.
The arena erupts into cheers as Alex raises his fist triumphantly. He exits the ring, his thoughts racing cheerfully. I did fine. I didn’t panic, carefully analyzed my opponent, and used my abilities to my advantage. The rest of those pathetic rookie hunters must be shitting their pants right now.
This guy was supposed to be one of the stronger ones, judging by his impressive abilities. Without my [Nimbus Cloak], I couldn’t have won so easily. Anyway, my tactic of using Sealion’s Icewing Embrace lvl 3 to make up for my lack of defense when using Ko worked out wonderfully! Without it using Ko that recklessly would be suicidal!
As Alex leaves through the same dark entrance tunnel he came from, he suddenly senses someone ahead. Despite looking straight forward, he doesn’t see anything. Feeling uneasy, he activates En, ensuring it’s safe to proceed.
Alex’s aura expands outward, giving him nearly 30 meters of 360-degree vision in every direction. To his shock, he detects a figure clinging to the ceiling like a damn spider.
“COME OUT!” Alex shouts, his voice echoing through the tunnel. “If you want something, talk to me and don’t stick to the damn ceiling like a stalker! I already told you fucking rookie hunters—I’ll take you on inside and outside the damn arena!”
To Alex’s absolute horror, the figure that leaps down isn’t one of the rookie hunters. Instead, it’s a familiar face. A chill runs down his spine as the shock sets in.
Immediately, Alex panics, screaming inwardly: Fucking hell, it’s that absolute disgusting, perverted madman! I’m fucked!