Chapter 16: The Danek Arena (2)
Leeward wasn't entirely certain his plan would succeed, but he was willing to gamble. Should it fail, he would simply fall back on his primary alternative: acting completely natural.
The Kalvin Beast lunged with staggering force, leaving a thick cloud of dust in its wake. Its footsteps were heavy as steel, and the impact of its feet against the earth sounded like rolling thunder.
Night and Ellen were ill-prepared for such a monster, yet desperation drove them forward. They sought a foothold in the army or a security organization within the Dragon Empire; these arena matches weren't merely for show—special committees monitored every move, scouting for talent to recruit into their ranks.
"Damn it, it's too fast! We have to cooperate to bring it down!" Night's voice trailed off as he saw Leeward dash toward the beast alone.
His steps were swift and decisive. The arena was vast, and he was confident in his ability to evade Kalvin's strikes.
*Has he lost his mind?! Attacking solo?!* Ellen wondered, his face twisted in a mixture of shock and indignation.
"Look at that, ladies and gentlemen! Fighter Number One has charged the Kalvin Beast single-handedly! Does he have what it takes to stop it?!" the announcer roared, and the stadium vibrated with the crowd's fervor.
At that moment, Leeward fully unleashed his **Spiritual Field**, channeling the energy into his muscles. He felt the intensity of his field gradually deplete, but it granted his body a surge of momentum unlike anything he had felt before.
He was fast.
*I need to see if it can regenerate... the venom of this beast is said to be capable of rebuilding its body from scratch.* This curiosity was what drove his reckless advance.
He drew his sword with fluid grace, coating it in his spiritual field, and leaped toward the beast's shrieking visage. Kalvin lashed out with three of its six tentacles simultaneously—a barrage of interlocking, rapid strikes.
Six strikes... tangled... relentless.
Leeward condensed his field behind his back and detonated the energy all at once. The explosion acted as a sharp gust of wind, propelling him forward with blinding speed. He evaded three strikes... but three remained.
He landed directly before Kalvin's chest. He raised his sword and delivered a piercing vertical slash.
But before the motion was complete, one of the beast's tentacles slammed into his shoulder with devastating force. He felt as if the bone had shattered under the weight. He grit his teeth, and before being hurled away, he completed his swing—tearing through the beast's chest from the side.
His body was flung by the impact, nearly crashing into the arena wall, but he twisted mid-air and landed on his feet, leaving a visible skid mark on the dirt.
"My God! What an extraordinary assault by Fighter Number One! I have never witnessed such a move! This is a battle worth watching until the very end!" the announcer exploded with hype, and the crowd ignited with him.
*He's a nightmare to fight... if I hadn't coated my body in my spiritual field, my shoulder would be pulverized. Still, the pain is unbearable,* Leeward hissed through clenched teeth, tightening his grip on his shield and sword. *Even at that speed, I couldn't fully penetrate its defense... I'll have to coordinate with the other two. But at least I've opened a wound.*
Suddenly—his eyes widened.
One of the beast's tentacles stretched toward him with absolute speed. He leaped to his right immediately; the blow missed him and struck the arena wall, leaving a deep crater.
*Damn... it can stretch too?* It was a variable he hadn't accounted for.
He fixed his gaze on the beast's chest. The wound... hadn't healed. A clear gash, with green blood dripping slowly from it.
He deduced quickly: This Kalvin, due to its youth, was incapable of using its venom for regeneration; it could only utilize it to extend its limbs. A critical realization.
And though its overall level was low compared to Fourth or Fifth-Rank monsters, its venom belonged to the Fifth Rank. That was enough.
*This Kalvin hasn't matured yet. Fully grown Kalvins usually rank between Fifth and Sixth due to the potent venom in their blood.* He breathed slowly. *I won't use my techniques, and I won't reveal **Stenmai**. I must remain cautious; the person tracking me is undoubtedly watching, and I won't show him all my cards.*
And with that, he took off running.
The relationship between **Stenmai** and **Spiritual Energy** is simple in essence.
**Stenmai** is the foundation of techniques, whether innovative or inherited; it is the "engine." It is categorized into three types: Standard, Inherited, and Sublime Stenmai. **Spiritual Energy**, on the other hand, is the fuel tank that feeds and drives those techniques. Without Stenmai, an Ascendant lacks a specialized technique. Without Spiritual Energy, an Ascendant cannot activate their techniques, for they lack the fuel to move them.
When Ascendants take their first steps on the path of power, their initial training focuses on awakening their spiritual energy and mastering its basics.
Some reach a level that allows them to awaken their Stenmai and craft their own technique, while others remain below that threshold. Those who do not awaken Stenmai rely on **Ether Pieces**, spiritual tools, and weapons that do not require Stenmai to function. This, of course, does not prevent Stenmai users from employing such tools as well.
Leeward understood this as clearly as one understands how to drink water. Thus, he decided to rely on an Ether Piece instead of his Stenmai, protecting his hidden cards.
He continued to leap aside, dodging the beast's relentless attacks, his mind working without pause. However, a hurdle soon emerged: *I don't own an Ether Piece or a spiritual tool. This sword I carry is only capable of detonating spiritual energy, which won't end this fight. I have no choice—I must rely on my team.*
Meanwhile, Night and Ellen had witnessed Leeward's daring assault. That sight had ignited a spark of confidence within them that wasn't there moments ago.
"Fighter Number One, let's unite! We'll be more capable of bringing this beast down together!" Ellen shouted.
"Did that strike hit you?" Night asked, trying to confirm Leeward's condition before they moved as a unit.
Leeward sprinted past them, saying without slowing down: "Split into three; each takes his position, and we strike together in a single formation."
"Good idea," Ellen smiled calmly, unstrapping a long black spear from his back and readying himself.
"Agreed, but stay alert—its tentacles can stretch." Night raised his sword and shield. The three took a triangular formation: Night in the center, Ellen to the left, and Leeward to the right.
And they surged forward.
"The battle has only just begun, and the excitement is consuming me!" the announcer's voice echoed throughout the arena, momentarily breaking Leeward's focus.
*Damn it... I'm going to smash that annoying piece of junk one day. Wait—I have an idea,* he whispered to himself, a half-formed plan flashing in his mind.
In the stands, Kante watched with unerring eyes. He had analyzed Leeward's risky attack and noted his speed and mastery in deploying his spiritual field. This only deepened his suspicions.
*A man at this level undoubtedly masters Stenmai or carries a high-grade Ether Piece. Why hasn't he used either? If he did, he could have finished this young Kalvin with a single blow.* He concluded that Leeward was intentionally hiding his cards to avoid revealing his techniques to any onlookers.
The trio pressed on with rapid strides. When they were within ten meters, the beast's tentacles suddenly lashed out toward them like whips.
Night ducked nimbly, evading one, and dashed forward. He looked up to see another tentacle descending and met it with a powerful strike, but it barely left a mark.
"Damn... am I really this weak?" Night muttered bitterly.
"It's not weakness; you struck the limb while it was extended. Its hide becomes twice as tough then. We must target the limbs when they are in their natural state," Ellen replied quickly, jumping to avoid the incoming strikes.
"And how do you know that?"
"I studied everything regarding Kalvin Beasts before I stepped into this arena. Their true weakness is physical, but what grants them their status and high rank is their venom—that is why they are so dangerous."
"And you're telling me this now? You idiot!" Night snapped, but Ellen felt a surge of secret pride. He had read about these beasts days ago in a book, though the gap between paper and the field was wider than he had imagined. Ellen was at the First Rank, Third Tier—its peak. He was a full tier below Leeward and below Night as well.
Suddenly—
"Watch out!" Leeward shouted, noticing a change in the beast's movement.
The tentacles paused for a split second, then... sharp spikes erupted along their entire length.
Night hadn't expected this. Even Ellen was caught off guard, but he was far enough away and retreated instantly. Night, however, was in the heart of the range. Before his feet could carry him away, one of the tentacles swept past him, its spikes raking across his arm.
A sharp pain pierced him like a blade. He retreated immediately, his chest heaving. He glanced at the wound. The venom had already begun to seep in. Thin green veins started to branch beneath his skin, crawling slowly... but with undeniable clarity.
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