The air turned violent.
No one moved.
No one spoke.
Because everyone felt it—
The collision of two forces that refused to yield.
At one end of the arena stood:
Kael Varyn
At the other—
Nero Valk.
Two berserkers.
Two monsters.
And only one would stand above the other.
Zarek leaned against the arena wall, a faint grin on his face.
"…This is going to be messy."
Ragnar cracked his knuckles.
"…I like messy."
Lyra remained silent, eyes locked on the battlefield.
Because she understood something the others didn't.
This wasn't just a fight.
It was a statement.
Nero stepped forward.
Each step cracked the reinforced arena floor.
"…No weapons," he said.
"…No tricks."
He raised his fists.
"…Just strength."
Kael smirked.
"…Perfect."
His gauntlet flickered—
Then vanished.
Raw.
Unfiltered.
For a moment—
Silence.
Then—
They moved.
BOOM!
The arena exploded.
Their fists collided mid-charge, releasing a shockwave that shattered the outer barriers.
Darius stepped forward instinctively.
"…That impact—!"
Zarek held out an arm.
"…Relax."
"…They're just getting started."
Inside the arena—
Kael and Nero exchanged blows faster than the eye could track.
Punch.
Block.
Counter.
Each strike carried enough force to destroy entire buildings.
CRACK!
BOOM!
THUD!
Nero grinned wildly.
"…Yes!"
He swung again—
Kael ducked—
Countered—
BOOM!
Nero slid back, leaving a deep trench in the ground.
"…You're strong."
Kael rolled his shoulders.
"…You're loud."
Nero laughed.
"…I like you."
His aura surged.
Wild.
Unstable.
Pure destruction.
Berserker State Activated
The ground beneath him shattered completely.
His muscles expanded slightly.
Veins glowing faintly with violent energy.
Kael's eyes sharpened.
"…So you've got a second gear."
Nero grinned.
"…This is where it gets fun."
He vanished.
Faster than before.
He appeared behind Kael—
And punched.
BOOOOOOM!
Kael was sent flying across the arena, crashing through multiple reinforced walls before stopping.
Dust filled the air.
Ragnar clenched his fists.
"…Leader—"
The dust exploded outward.
Kael stepped out.
Unshaken.
"…Not bad."
His aura began to rise.
Deeper.
Heavier.
Primordial Awakening: 30% → 32%
Zarek's grin widened.
"…There it is."
Back in the arena—
Nero's expression changed.
Not fear.
Excitement.
"…That's what I wanted to see."
He charged again.
This time—
Kael met him head-on.
Their fists collided—
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
The entire arena shook violently.
Cracks spread through the structure.
Even the spectators were forced back.
Darius planted his feet.
"…This place won't hold!"
Zarek shrugged.
"…Then don't blink."
Inside—
The fight escalated.
Faster.
Harder.
More brutal.
Kael landed a strike—
CRACK!
Nero's ribs dented inward—
But Nero didn't stop.
He grabbed Kael—
And slammed him into the ground.
BOOM!
The arena floor shattered completely.
Both fighters dropped into the lower levels.
Underground Arena Level
Dark.
Broken.
Unstable.
Nero stood over Kael.
Breathing heavily.
Grinning.
"…You're holding back."
Kael slowly stood.
"…So are you."
A pause.
Then—
They both smiled.
At the same time.
"…Good."
Their auras exploded.
Simultaneously.
Crimson.
And violent red.
Clashing.
Colliding.
Dominating the entire space.
The ground began to collapse around them.
Because the arena—
Couldn't handle them anymore.
Nero stepped forward.
"…Let's end this."
Kael cracked his neck.
"…Yeah."
They vanished.
Final clash.
Fists collided.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
The entire underground level collapsed.
A massive explosion erupted upward—
Destroying what remained of the arena.
Aftermath
Silence.
Dust filled the air.
No movement.
No sound.
Then—
A figure stood.
Kael.
Breathing heavily.
His body bruised.
His arm shaking slightly.
But standing.
Across from him—
Nero knelt.
Blood dripping from his mouth.
Laughing.
"…Damn…"
He looked up at Kael.
"…You win."
Kael didn't respond immediately.
He exhaled slowly.
"…Barely."
Nero stood.
Still smiling.
"…Good."
He wiped the blood from his mouth.
"…That means next time…"
His eyes sharpened.
"…I'll win."
Kael smirked.
"…Try it."
Nero turned.
Walking away.
"…I will."
The tension faded.
But something had changed.
Not just in the arena—
But in the world.
Because now—
Everyone knew.
Kael wasn't just a rising force.
He was already competing with the strongest.
Zarek walked up beside him.
"…You're enjoying this too much."
Kael glanced at him.
"…You're next."
Zarek laughed.
"…Looking forward to it."
Above them—
The crack in the sky pulsed again.
Slightly wider than before.
And beyond it—
Something moved.
Watching.
Waiting.
For the moment—
Everything breaks.