Laying down on the coarse, sun-warmed grass, I felt the prickling sensation against my skin. My eyes, heavy with slumber, gradually peeled open, only to be greeted by an overwhelming brightness that seared through my eyelids. "It's... bright!" I muttered to myself, bewildered by the intensity of the light. I blinked repeatedly, trying to adjust, but it seemed as though the sun had conspired against me. With a groan, I reached up to rub my eyes, the motion causing the brilliance to dim to a more manageable level. As my senses slowly came into focus, a sense of disorientation swept over me. "Where am I?" I murmured, casting my gaze around the unfamiliar landscape. My body felt intact, a relief amidst the confusion that clouded my mind. Taking stock of my surroundings, I observed the expanse of the floating island upon which I lay. It hovered serenely above a sea of billowing clouds, a solitary oasis in the vastness of the sky.
Despite its barren appearance, there was a certain tranquility to the island, a quietude that belied its surreal setting. Clumps of verdant trees and weathered rocks dotted the landscape, offering a semblance of life amidst the emptiness. I pushed myself up onto my elbows, then leveraged my hand against my knee to rise to my feet. The world spun momentarily as I steadied myself, taking in the breathtaking panorama that stretched out before me. "Woah... this is... not Earth," I breathed, the realization dawning upon me like a revelation. I stood upon a celestial isle, a mere speck in the vast expanse of the heavens.
To the North, a massive brick bridge stretched across the sky, its sturdy structure beckoning me with silent insistence to traverse its length. Beyond it stood a grand Colosseum, its towering walls echoing with the cacophony of voices and activity. The air buzzed with excitement, reminiscent of the bustling atmosphere of the Gifted Tournament back on Earth, where children and adults alike thronged in anticipation of spectacles and challenges.
As I stood at the precipice of this unfamiliar world, two pressing concerns weighed heavily on my mind. Firstly, the disorienting realization that I had no knowledge of my whereabouts, a disconcerting sensation that gnawed at the edges of my consciousness. Secondly, the presence of humanoid figures milling about the Colosseum, their forms both familiar and foreign, leaving me to ponder whether they were indeed human or something altogether different. Despite these uncertainties, a resolute determination welled within me, urging me to press onward into the unknown. But before I took another step, a thought struck me—a need to consult the book. With a practiced gesture, I extended my left palm skyward, summoning forth the ancient tome.
The book materialized before me, its weathered pages whispering secrets of untold wisdom and power. I flipped through its contents, my eyes alighting upon the familiar stats. The power to adapt and evolve was my greatest asset.
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Book Level: 4
Name: Oren Hashigana
Health: 8600 (+4600 Max)
Strength: 450
Speed: 470
Defense: 11%
Soul: 400 (+150 Max)
Skills:
Lvl. 2 Skill Combination
Lvl. 3 Lazarus
Lvl. 1 Hard Slam
Lvl. 1 Strength Booster
Lvl. 1 Speed Booster
Lvl. 1 Triple Strike
Lvl. 1 Cross-Arm Guard
Lvl. 1 Critical Hit
Lvl. 2 Danger Sense
Lvl. 1 Sledgehammer
Lvl. 1 Rage
Lvl. 1 Stealing Skills
Lvl. 2 Guaranteed Dodge
Lvl. 2 Peeking
Lvl. 2 Sword Power
Lvl. 1 Passive Healing
Lvl. 3 Roulette
(+) Lvl. 3 Solomonic Adaptability
Lvl. ??? Infinite Growth Limit (Passive) - No growth limit.
Points: 38
Shop:
Stats: 90p
Lvl. 3 Protection - For each person you are actively protecting in a fight, gain much higher defense and strength. 0 soul to use, one week cooldown. 3000p
Lvl. 1 Nullify - Nullify one ailment or status. 20 soul to use, one week cooldown. 1000p
Lvl. 3 Weapon Mastery - Any weapon that you pick up is able to hurt Gifted. Consequently, you are able to use it at an expert's level. 50 soul every minute of use, one day cooldown. 6000p
Upgrade Book: 50000p
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Having completed my much-needed upgrades, a sense of accomplishment washed over me, bolstering my confidence in the face of uncertainty. I felt invincible, each skill was poised for action, their cooldowns ticked away. With determined strides, I set off towards the shady entrance of the arena, my pace quickening with each passing moment. The minutes flew by as I traversed the lengthy bridge, its solid structure guiding me unerringly towards my destination. Unlike the floating island, there was no separation here; the bridge seamlessly led directly to the imposing edifice of the arena itself.
As I approached the arena's entrance, I noted its construction of weathered brown bricks, mirroring the sturdy façade of the bridge that had brought me here. The entrance loomed before me, an open half-circle beckoning challengers and spectators alike into its shadowy depths. Yet, despite its openness, an inexplicable barrier seemed to obscure my view of the interior, shrouding its secrets from prying eyes.
A frown creased my brow as I pondered this enigma, a nagging suspicion tugging at the edges of my consciousness. Determined to unravel the mystery, I leaned back, summoning forth a potent gust of wind with a forceful right overhand strike aimed squarely at the entrance. The air crackled with energy as my fist connected with the invisible barrier, the resulting blast dispersing into nothingness before it could penetrate the veil that cloaked the arena's interior. I withdrew my hand, my mind racing to comprehend the inexplicable phenomenon before me. Something beyond my understanding was at play here. I'm not going to let it dictate me.
I stepped forward into the shadowy depths of the arena, fully aware of the vulnerability that accompanied my solitary journey. Surprisingly, however, no ambush lurked within the shadows, and I emerged unscathed on the other side. The clamor of noise within the arena grew louder as I proceeded, yet it lacked the unmistakable edge of hostility that I had anticipated. As I reached the end of the tunnel, a beacon of light pierced through the darkness, illuminating the heart of the arena with an ethereal glow. At its center lay a massive gray stone slab, its surface worn smooth with age yet still bearing the marks of countless battles. It's a stage for combat, where champions clashed in mortal combat for the entertainment of unseen spectators.
But what greeted my gaze next put me on guard. Arrayed around the perimeter of the arena were figures—humanoid in appearance, undeniably resembling humans in every aspect. My mind recoiled at the impossibility of the sight before me. Humans were creatures of Earth, confined to the boundaries of our Earth—or so I had believed. Yet here they stood, their forms indistinguishable from those of Earth, their features eerily familiar yet unsettlingly out of place in this alien realm. There were no orcs or elves, no fantastical beings from the pages of myth and legend—only humans, as if plucked from the annals of history and transplanted into this surreal arena.
My thoughts whirled with incredulity as I struggled to make sense of the inexplicable phenomenon unfolding before me. How could humans exist in this otherworldly realm, so far removed from the confines of Earth? It defied all logic and reason, shattering the very foundation of my understanding of the universe. Caught in the grip of disbelief, I scarcely noticed as one of the humans—a woman with piercing eyes and a warm smile—shifted her gaze towards me, her expression alight with recognition and welcome. With a wave of her hand, she beckoned me forward, her gesture imbued with an inexplicable sense of camaraderie and acceptance.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
Returning the woman's friendly wave with a nod, I knew I made the right decision, for that at least. Kindness extends to all who show respect. I abandoned my hesitations and strode towards the center of the arena, my footsteps echoing against the cold stone floor. The anticipation of battle hung heavy in the air, mingling with the fervent cheers of the unseen spectators that reverberated throughout the arena. The roar of the crowd reached a deafening crescendo, their excitement strong in the charged atmosphere. They hungered for a spectacle, for the clash of champions in mortal combat—a desire I was prepared to fulfill. Yet, as I stood upon the ancient stone slab, my gaze swept across the empty expanse of the arena, searching in vain for my opponent. Despite the thunderous applause that enveloped me, there was no sign of the enemy I was meant to face, no challenger to test my mettle against. Where was my opponent?
The arena fell into a hushed stillness as a deep, resonant voice reverberated through the air, cutting through the tension like a blade. "You must be the one, then," it intoned. But where was it coming from? My eyes scanned the dimly lit edges of the arena until they settled on a figure leaning casually against the perimeter. There, amidst the shadows, stood a towering humanoid, its imposing figure outlined by the faint glow of the arena lights. A massive purple sword was gripped firmly on its back. As my gaze traveled upwards, I couldn't help but notice the muscular build of it, which seemed to rival, if not surpass, my own physique.
But it was the figure's arm that truly caught my attention—a limb composed entirely of shimmering purple energy, its pulsating surface casting an eerie glow in the darkness. I watched as the figure regarded me with an inscrutable expression, its eyes roving over my form with a keen intensity that rivalled my own. Before I could think about the situation, the figure launched itself off the arena wall with astonishing speed and agility. Debris scattered in its wake as it landed gracefully on the other side of the stone slab, poised and ready for action.
I tightened my fist, bracing myself for the inevitable clash that loomed on the horizon. With a furrowed brow, I addressed the enigmatic figure before me. "Are you the one who brought me here?" I inquired, my voice tinged with a mix of urgency and apprehension. The figure seemed momentarily taken aback by my question, its expression clouded with confusion. "No idea what you're talking about," it responded, its voice gruff and dismissive. "I thought you were the one who brought me here." If neither of us were responsible for our sudden arrival in this surreal arena, then who—or what—had orchestrated our presence here?
As I pondered the mystery, a sudden burst of light illuminated the arena, heralding the arrival of the System—a towering blue board that materialized before us with an imposing presence. Its vast expanse seemed to dwarf us both, radiating an aura of authority and knowledge. In a flash, the System sprang to life with its text, explaining what we needed to know.
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Welcome, Oren and Roman. For one of you, you know who I am. For the other, I extend my greetings. I am a higher power
that has brought you here to fight. Call it a curiosity, if you will. You both are close enough in strength for this to be fun.
Oren, you will be given a quest. For Roman, I will give you the whereabouts of your mother if you win.
The win condition is the other's death. I will give you a few minutes to talk.
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As Roman faced me once more, his gaze flickered momentarily to the towering blue board of the System, his expression betraying a hint of sorrow as a solitary tear welled in his left eye. With a resigned sigh, he brushed it away, his features contorting into a mixture of frustration and determination. "Haha, you bastard, you," he muttered, his voice laced with bitterness. "I get teleported here and forced to fight this guy, and now I have to... since my mother is in the balance." His words evoked a pang of sympathy for his plight. I couldn't fault him for his reluctance, for his reasons were undoubtedly as compelling as my own. I have my own reasons too, though. Summoning my resolve, I addressed Roman with a firm yet diplomatic tone. "Hey, Roman," I began, meeting his gaze head-on. "I assume we have an accord to fight. I want to make some of our own rules, though. Are you fine with this?"
Roman paused, his muscles tensing as he considered my proposal. With a nod, he began to stretch his hands, a silent acknowledgment of our impending duel. "I get how you feel," he replied, his voice edged with a begrudging respect. "What rules?" As I mirrored his movements, stretching out my own limbs in preparation, I outlined the terms of our agreement. "No 'dirty fighting'," I asserted firmly. "We can use whatever skills we possess, and of course, you can wield your sword. But let's keep it honorable—no cheap shots like groin hits or eye gouging." Roman inclined his head in agreement, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Fine by me." he conceded, his tone laced with confidence. "But just know, I'm going to win."
Roman may possess strength and skill but he also harbors his own uncertainties about my abilities. This is a double-edged sword. Looks can be deceiving, so let me circumvent this.
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Soul: 390 (-10)
Skills:
Lvl. 2 Peeking - Peek into other's stats and skills by squinting really hard. 10 soul to use, thirty minute cooldown. (Activated) The thirty minute cooldown has commenced.
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Name: Roman Yakuhisto
Strength: 292
Speed: ???
Defense: 20%
Skills:
???
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As Roman completed his stretches and reached for his sword, a sudden realization dawned upon me. His stats were not displaying properly—his strength was impressive but paled in comparison to mine, and crucial details like his speed and skills remained conspicuously absent. He's definitely from a place that doesn't have the gift. Roman's voice cut through the silence, his accusation catching me off guard. "Hold on," he exclaimed, his tone sharp with suspicion. "You just invaded my soul, didn't you?" Surprised by his perceptiveness, I hesitated for a moment, weighing my options. There was no malice in his demeanor, no hint of ill intent, so I opted for honesty. "Yes," I admitted, meeting his gaze squarely. "It's one of my abilities. You or someone hid everything other than your strength stat."
To my surprise, Roman's response was not one of anger or hostility, but rather a curious intrigue. He raised his head high, a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Oh? What was it compared to yours?" he inquired, his tone laced with a hint of challenge. With a confident smile, I delivered my response with a touch of bravado. "Much higher." I replied coolly. Before our exchange could continue further, the System interrupted with a small beep, signaling the beginning of the fight.
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You both have done your scouting on each other, so now it is time to fight.
When the the timer reaches 0, you are given permission to begin.
0:10
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As I took measured steps towards Roman, my gaze locked onto his with unyielding determination. He mirrored my approach, each stride a testament to the unwavering resolve that burned within us both. The distance between us closed with every passing moment until finally, we stood face to face in the center of the arena.
There was a sense of death between us. One of us would die here. In that moment, as the countdown continued with a sound reminiscent of a gameshow buzzer, it reverberated through the arena with a deafening intensity. Each beat of the countdown echoed in my ears, a beat that was felt within the very depths of my soul.
With every passing second, the anticipation mounted, the weight of the impending clash hanging heavy in the air. Yet, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, there was a strange sense of clarity—a singular focus.
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0:01
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With just one solitary moment remaining, the world around us slowed to a crawl. I opened my eyes, denying my fate.
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0:00
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The fight begins.