Chapter 19: Ren's Moment
The crowd had just begun to settle after Akira’s stunning victory when the announcer’s voice boomed once again, signaling the next match. "Now, we move on to the next fight! Ren of the Silent Claw versus Auron the Unyielding!"
Ren’s heart beat with a steady rhythm, his hands relaxed at his sides. His opponent, Auron, was a towering figure—a hulking mass of muscle with scars crisscrossing his body. Auron cracked his knuckles with an ominous grin, his eyes full of bloodlust. The crowd murmured in excitement, eager to see this battle between the swift assassin and the unrelenting brawler.
Ren’s stance remained cool and calculated. He was well aware of Auron’s reputation—known for crushing his opponents with overwhelming strength. But Ren wasn’t intimidated. His eyes gleamed with focused determination, and his hand rested lightly on his twin daggers.
The announcer raised his hand, signaling the start of the fight. "BEGIN!"
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Auron's Savage Charge:
Auron wasted no time. With a terrifying roar, he charged at Ren, his fists raised high and ready to land a devastating blow. His fists were like wrecking balls, aimed to crush anything that got in his way. The sheer force of his approach shook the ground beneath him.
But Ren was already moving. He didn’t wait for Auron to reach him—he darted. With a flick of his wrist, Ren’s daggers flashed through the air in a blur of motion. His swift movements were almost too fast for the eye to follow, his footwork light and agile, dodging each of Auron’s wild attacks with ease.
Auron’s fists slammed into the ground where Ren had been moments before, sending dust and debris into the air. The crowd gasped as they watched the brawler try to recover, but Ren was already behind him, the sharp edge of his dagger glinting in the sunlight.
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Ren Strikes:
Auron spun around, eyes wide with fury as he aimed another brutal strike at Ren, but the assassin was too quick. In a single fluid motion, Ren leaped into the air, his daggers poised. With an almost unnatural precision, he aimed for Auron’s unprotected throat.
The first dagger found its mark, slicing deep into Auron’s neck. Before Auron could react, Ren was already landing behind him, spinning gracefully as he drove the second dagger into Auron’s back. The strike was swift, calculated, and precise.
Auron’s monstrous frame staggered for a moment, his roar of pain turning into a gurgle as blood poured from the wound in his neck. He collapsed to his knees, unable to continue the fight. The audience was stunned into silence, watching as Ren effortlessly took down an opponent who had been expected to dominate.
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The Moment of Triumph:
The announcer’s voice rang out in disbelief, breaking the silence. "The winner is Ren of the Silent Claw! A stunning victory in just 8.9 seconds!"
The crowd erupted into a mix of awe and admiration. Ren, as calm and collected as ever, pulled his daggers from Auron’s body and stepped back, his expression unreadable beneath his mask. His performance was nothing short of legendary.
Ren’s time was now officially the third fastest finish in Hunter Exam history, only outpaced by two other remarkable individuals who had finished even quicker. The whispers around the stadium buzzed with excitement, and the news would undoubtedly spread across the kingdom.
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Akira’s Proud Moment:
As Ren made his way off the stage, Akira was already waiting for him at the edge of the arena, a wide grin on his face. He raised his fist in the air in silent approval. "That was insane," Akira said, his voice full of admiration. "I barely blinked, and you finished him off. You’re on fire, Ren."
Ren returned the grin, a spark of pride in his eyes. "Had to keep up with you, right? You set the bar pretty high."
The two exchanged a brief handshake, both aware that they were now even more of a target. Their strength was undeniable, and the other participants would be taking notice. They had proven themselves in the first phase, but the real challenge was still ahead.
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The Audience Reacts:
As the roar of the crowd continued, murmurs of their victory spread quickly through the arena. Some spectators were talking about how Ren had taken down Auron so effortlessly, while others whispered about Akira’s devastating power earlier. It was clear that these two young men were already becoming legends in the making.
And in the midst of the excitement, Julian—still nursing his bruised pride from his earlier defeat—watched with a scowl. He had underestimated both of them, but now he realized that Akira and Ren were far more than just a pair of amateurs. If they kept up at this rate, they would be in the final phase of the exams in no time.
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Looking Ahead:
As Ren and Akira made their way toward the rest area, both of them were lost in thought. Their paths had just begun, and they had no intention of slowing down.
"The first phase is over, but now comes the real test," Akira said, his voice thoughtful. "Phase two is going to be a hell of a lot tougher."
Ren nodded, his usual quiet confidence returning. "We’ll be ready. Together, we’ll make it through anything."
And with that, the two friends prepared themselves for what was to come. The first phase of the Hunter Exams had been just the beginning.