Ken was called to the stage, his gaze sweeping over the curious crowd. As he stepped into the arena, the other group eyed him warily, aware of his top rank from the initial stage. They were a trio of formidable opponents: one fire mage hunter and two warrior hunters. Their names resonated through the stadium, but Ken's focus was elsewhere.
The large display cast a glow over the arena, showcasing the hunters' abilities and ranks. The crowd jeered at Ken, suspecting him of cheating his way to a low rank.
As the battle commenced, Blume, the fire mage, began his incantation, targeting Ken's feet. Suddenly, a tornado of flames encircled Ken.
Damn, Ken taken aback. His clothes singed, his body swiftly healing from the burns. Time slowed to a crawl, the flame tornado appearing to freeze. He stepped out of it, leaving behind a shadowy imprint. He saw the two warrior hunters, Eldric and Isolde—their expressions calm, as if they had executed this strategy countless times. They were suspended in stasis, mid-air, ready to slice through the flaming tornado. He walked through the air, palming their backs with just enough force to ensure they'd be slammed when time resumed.
He pivoted back to the center, facing the mage. The mage's expression was calm yet cautious. Ken moved behind him, assuming a chokehold position, then snapped time back to its regular pace.
Eldric and Isolde slammed into the stadium's concrete floor, blood splattering. The audience felt the tremor. The mage, caught off guard for a moment, was rendered unconscious gracefully.
Silence enveloped the arena. The commentators were speechless. Sir Leonard squinted, taking in the scene.
After the smoke from the fire tornado cleared, Eldric's once gleaming armor, made of the strongest metal from the dungeons, bore the imprint of a palm. The force of the impact had mangled his body, leaving him unconscious. Isolde was barely conscious, her awareness sustained by pure adrenaline, oblivious to the events that had unfolded. Alerted healers rushed to the stage, beginning their work on Eldric, and as they carried Isolde away, she lost consciousness. The healers' magic restored their mangled bodies to their original state, with only their severely damaged armor bearing witness to their injuries.
Blume, the only one unscathed, awoke offstage, gasping and bewildered.
Amidst the silence, Ken observed the healers, relieved they were up to the task.
I'll need to find better ways to incapacitate the other side without killing or injuring them. Maybe I should let them do their thing? Ken pondered, strategizing for the future, but no matter, at least I'll be winning the prize.
----
Sir Leonard, ensconced in the shadows of the VIP box, watched the spectacle unfold with an eagle's gaze. The battle below was not just a display of power, but a chess game of strategy and skill, and he prided himself on being able to read the board better than anyone else.
The hunters, Blume, Eldric, and Isolde had reputations that preceded them, yet they fell like dominos before Ken's might. Such potential wasted on a poorly matched fight,
Leonard tsked softly, his disappointment palpable even in the silence of his secluded perch.
The Hunter Corp's decision to not solve the blacklisted, Ken was a curious one, and Leonard couldn't help but wonder at the motive behind it. A misstep he concluded.
Ken, the enigma in the center of the arena, had captured his full attention. What are you playing at, Ken he mused, a thin smile playing on his lips. And more importantly, what's your next move?
Leonard knew he was but a spectator in this grand tournament, yet he felt a thrill at the thought of unraveling the mystery that was Ken. The tournament was far from over, and Sir Leonard was content to observe, to analyze, and to wait for the moment when all would be revealed.
----
Danny and his team observed the battle's outcome, their foreheads glistening with sweat. Danny knew how right Blake was about Ken. The range of emotions that had coursed through them was as varied as the moves in the fight itself—from pride in Ken's prowess to a creeping fear of his capabilities. Danny couldn't shake the feeling that Blake had been right about Ken all along.
----
Meanwhile, Blake lay on his bed, a soft chuckle escaping his lips as he watched the replay on his screen. "Glad I forfeited", he murmured to himself. The image of Ken, standing victorious yet contemplative, lingered on the screen. Ken, you're going to cause a huge headache for everyone.
----
After the arena's tumult quieted, Ken found himself whisked away and teleported back to the sanctuary of his room. He placed an order for some food, a simple pleasure before the next day's battle. The commentators, usually so loquacious, found themselves at a loss for words after his match. The crowd, too, was caught in a moment of stunned silence, unsure of how to process the spectacle they had just witnessed.
As the dust of the previous confrontation settled, the atmosphere began to shift. The next match commenced, and it was Danny's team that now basked in the limelight. They delivered a performance that captivated the audience, erasing the remnants of shock with a display of skill and valor. The crowd's mood transformed, their earlier astonishment replaced with cheers and excitement. The commentators found their rhythm again, their voices rising and falling with the tide of the new battle that unfolded before them.
----
In the days leading up to the final, the tournament took on an air of inevitability. Ken’s previous performances had been so dominant that his scheduled opponents chose to respectfully forfeit rather than face him in combat. The arena buzzed with whispers of Ken’s might and the quiet respect he commanded. Blake had warned him that this might happen. Still, although Ken was looking forward to the money prize, he had a twang of regret.
Danny’s team, however, stood apart from the rest. They dazzled the crowd with S-rank performances, their synergy and skill a stark contrast to the fear that shadowed Ken’s path to the final. Ken watched from the tablet in the confound of his suite living room with Blake, a mix of admiration and a tinge of regret coloring his thoughts. He had been too heavy-handed, and it weighed on him.
"You should try to be a little bit of a showman; it would be helpful for you in the future." Blake recommended.
"Yeah, I have a strategy in mind to do just that." Ken listened.
----
The tournament's finale was set against a backdrop of inevitability. Ken's march to the last stand had been unaccompanied, his would-be challengers conceding their ground, their forfeits a silent tribute to his dominance. Whispers of his formidable presence stirred among the crowd, a blend of awe and deep respect. Blake had foreseen this solitude, likening Ken to the revered heroes of old. Yet, amidst the looming glory, Ken harbored a sense of loss—the true exhilaration of combat was what he yearned for, not the unearned accolades.
In stark contrast, Danny's team exemplified valor. Their harmonious and expert displays ignited the crowd's spirit, embodying the tournament's essence—the rank's royals. Watching from his suite, Ken felt a mix of admiration and introspection. His focus had been narrowed by the prize, his approach perhaps too unyielding. The weight of his unchecked power was a burden he now acknowledged.
Blake's voice, steady and strategic, pierced the quiet. "You should be more of a showman; it's a skill that will serve you well," he advised, a sentiment he had echoed since Ken's first uncontested victory.
Ken faced Blake, his eyes alight with determination. "I plan to do just that," he said, a rare smile hinting at the spectacle to come—a performance set to transform the tournament's very soul.
As the final battle neared, Ken's resolve was clear. It was no longer about mere victory; it was about captivating the audience, creating an enduring memory that would outshine the ephemeral triumphs. He was ready to be the showman Blake envisioned, to forge memories that would stand the test of time. For Ken understood that while fortunes may fade, the stories etched in the hearts of the world would remain immortal—a legacy he would cherish in reflection.
At that moment, something clicked inside of Ken, and he smiled even more.
------
The day of the finale had arrived.
On the televised display of the tournament, the crowd's cheers for Danny's team were deafening. Ken, however, was an afterthought for most in the audience. Preparing in solitude, he had requested a fresh set of clothes from the tournament hosts.
"That looks sharp on you," Blake remarked, eyeing Ken's new attire. Clad in his pajamas, coffee cup in hand, he seemed out of place amidst the competitive fervor.
"Thanks," Ken replied with a grateful smile. His gaze lingered on Blake, concern etching his features. "You're holding up okay, right?"
"Yeah, I'm good. Just... remember what I said about showmanship. And hey, try not to thrash my brother's team too hard, okay?"
"Wouldn't dream of it," Ken assured him, his voice a mix of jest and solemn promise. Blake's brotherly affection for Danny was unmistakable, even now.
Ken's attention shifted back to the televised display. The tournament was moments from commencing, and he was ready to put on a spectacle. Control the healing factor, showcase resilience. Use the time-slowing ability sparingly—just enough to dazzle with speed and strength. He mused, hunched over, the weight of the finale pressing upon him.
Blake, now donning a suit and a sleek black overcoat, had left his arsenal secured within his storage ring.
"Opting for the sidelines this time?" Ken inquired, noting the change somewhat quickly.
"Indeed. A spectator's view for me today," Blake confirmed, his demeanor a stark contrast to the tension around them.
---
Danny, Sarah, John, and Zeus sat in a tight circle, strategizing. They had dissected Ken's abilities to the best of their abilities. Blake's silence since their last encounter was disconcerting, but not unexpected.
I hope he's alright, Danny mused, his thoughts drifting despite the critical discussion at hand.
"Hey Danny, you with us? Will this plan work?" Zeus's voice cut through the haze of Danny's worries.
"Oh... yes, it's solid," Danny affirmed, refocusing. Sensing his lapse, John reiterated their strategy.
"I'll confront Ken head-on—immobilize him if I can," John declared.
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"I'll envelop you in a healing zone once the assault begins," Sarah chimed in, her voice steady.
"And while that's happening, I'll unleash lightning through portals aimed at Ken, forcing him to evade," Zeus added, his eyes sparking with anticipation.
"I'll ensure the portals open seamlessly and will also hem Ken in with a gale-force barrier. If I can sever his mobility, even temporarily..." Danny's resolve hardened. "Sarah, keep John safe. He'll be Ken's primary target."
"Zeus, when you spot an opening, seize Ken. Electrocute him as you drop him from on high. I'll amplify the descent with a vortex, slicing through the air," Danny instructed, his role as leader crystalizing.
Sarah's voice wavered with uncertainty. "Is this honorable, though? Our past tactics were less... drastic."
"We're facing Ken, not some run-of-the-mill opponent," Danny countered, his tone resolute. "He's bested Eldric, Blume, and Isolde—none of whom are pushovers. We're strong, but Ken... Ken is a force of nature. We must meet him with equal ferocity."
With that, they steeled themselves for the impending clash against the formidable Ken—their final adversary.
----
Sir Leonard, his fingers threading through his hair in frustration, replayed Ken's match against Blume's team for the umpteenth time. The secret to Ken's prowess eluded him—how could mere healing abilities account for such dominance? He was grateful, at least, that Danny's Team was advancing to the finale, not succumbing to fear. More opportunities to study Ken might yet present themselves.
As he rose from his chair, the door creaked open, and his servant's voice broke the silence. "Sir, Michael has arrived. Shall I send him in?"
"Yes, bring him forth," Sir Leonard commanded, his pen thudding onto the desk with finality.
Michael entered, his suit impeccable but his demeanor betraying fear.
"Do you understand the gravity of this summons?" Sir Leonard inquired without preamble.
"I... I do not, sir."
Sir Leonard presented an image of Ken, his hunter rank of G prominently displayed. "Do you recognize this man?"
Michael's eyes widened, his words stumbling out in a panic. "Sir, it's not— I had no inkling—"
"A simple 'yes' or 'no' will suffice," Sir Leonard cut him off.
"Yes," Michael admitted, a tear betraying his composure.
"Has the Hunter Corp blacklisted him?"
"No, sir."
"And the guilds?"
"Yes, they have."
"Did he violate any of their stipulated rules?"
"Not to my knowledge, no."
"Then enlighten me, Michael. Why were these guilds not held accountable for their actions against Ken?"
"I attempted to intervene, but my superiors... they resisted," Michael confessed, the weight of the confession bowing his shoulders.
"Why? Withhold nothing," Sir Leonard pressed, his patience thinning.
"I... I cannot say," Michael gasped, the strain evident.
"And why has the Hunter Corps not issued direct quests? Why this lack of oversight?" Sir Leonard's voice rose, his frustration with the systemic corruption boiling over.
"It's the way it's always been, sir!" Michael crumpled, the pressure too much to bear.
Sir Leonard's expression hardened. The status quo was a festering wound, and Ken's rise had cast a stark light on the inequities plaguing low-ranked hunters—condemned to menial tasks and paltry wages.
A sweeping reform was needed, from the Hunter Corp to the Guild management. But he would not undermine Ken. No, Ken was the catalyst for change.
"You are dismissed," Sir Leonard declared, his resolve steeling him for the battles ahead.
Michael fled, leaving Sir Leonard alone with his thoughts and the burgeoning revolution they heralded.
----
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the grand finale of the S-rank stage," the announcer's voice boomed, resonating through the colossal arena. The S-rank stage was the pinnacle of the tournament, where legends were forged and heroes made.
As Danny's team from the Flare Guild ascended to the platform, a thunderous applause erupted from the stands. They took their place with a confident poise, the crowd's energy fueling their resolve.
"Now, please welcome Ken—the enigmatic independent hunter of G-Rank!"
A hush fell over the crowd, a collective breath held in anticipation. No cheers, no jeers—just the palpable silence of intrigue.
Sensing the need to pivot, the announcer hastened his pace. "We stand on the cusp of history, with two formidable finalists before us. Who will emerge victorious? The answer lies within the coming clash. And now, I present to you King Valeut, to inaugurate this momentous battle."
The anthem of the Kingdom swelled, a solemn melody that spoke of valor and tradition. King Valeut descended from the balcony, Sir Leonard at his side, embodying the regal poise of a ruler in his prime.
As the last notes of the anthem faded, the king addressed his people. "Welcome, citizens of Valaria, to our 321st royal ranking event. Today, we bear witness to the strength of our nation. Two finalists stand ready—Team Flare Guild and the lone hunter, Ken. I bid you both, show us the might that has brought you here."
The audience erupted once more, a sea of voices united in excitement. Ken, indifferent to the royal presence, was already strategizing. He would yield the first move to Danny's team, a silent concession to the challenger's spirit. The match was about to begin, and with it, a story that would be etched into the annals of Valarian history.
----
The king reclined on his throne, a contemplative frown creasing his brow as the final match loomed before him.
"Sir Leonard," he began, his voice carrying a weight that matched the gravity of the occasion, "what's the story with this Ken fellow? Still a G-rank after all this time?"
Sir Leonard leaned closer, ensuring their conversation remained private amidst the din of the crowd. "Your Majesty, it appears there's been a gross oversight. The Hunter Corp's evaluation systems have failed to recognize the advancements in Ken's healing abilities. Moreover, he's been shunned by the guilds, not for lack of skill, but for his disruptive impact on their financial schemes. It seems he's been unwittingly entangled in a web of money laundering."
The king's eyes narrowed, a spark of intrigue igniting within. "Money laundering, you say? That's a serious allegation. I want a thorough investigation. It might be high time we reassess the influence these guilds wield, along with the Hunter Corp's autonomy."
"Understood, Your Majesty. I'll proceed with discretion," Sir Leonard assured, his voice a whisper lost in the roar of anticipation from the stands.
----
"The moment you've all been waiting for—the finale can now commence!" The announcer's voice cut through the charged atmosphere, signaling the start of the tournament's climactic battle.
On one side of the stage stood Danny's team, united and resolute, the emblem of the Flare Guild emblazoned on their gear. They faced the arena with the poise of seasoned warriors, their eyes alight with the fire of competition.
Opposite them, Ken stood alone, a solitary figure whose calm demeanor belied the storm of prowess within. His presence was an enigma, a stark contrast to the team he was about to confront.
The stage was set, the players in position, and with a final, suspenseful pause, the announcer unleashed the battle cry that would echo into legend: "Let the finale begin!"
-----
The roar of the crowd crescendoed into a thunderous ovation as the announcer's voice was swallowed by the waves of anticipation. The finale unfurled with palpable tension in the air.
John, muscles tensed like coiled springs, launched himself at Ken with a warrior's resolve. Ken, ever the enigmatic showman, feigned struggle, his face contorted in an artful display of resistance. Time around them decelerated, a testament to Ken's mastery over its flow, amplifying his strength to staggering levels. Yet, John's fortitude did not waver; he stood unyielding, a bastion against the temporal tide.
In the periphery, Sarah's hands glowed with a soft luminescence, weaving a tapestry of healing energies around John. Her zone of rejuvenation was a serene oasis amidst the storm of combat, ensuring John's vigor remained unassailable.
Ken, seeking to break free from John's iron grasp, vaulted skyward. But Danny, the tactician, summoned a ferocious gale, an invisible hand that slammed Ken back to the earth with unrelenting force. Ken's arm lashed out in defiance, attempting to scatter the wind barrier, but it held firm, an unyielding wall of air.
Above, Zeus's eyes flickered with electric fury as he conjured portals, gateways for his tempestuous bolts. Lightning surged forth, a serpentine dance of raw power arcing towards Ken. The impact was immediate and devastating; Ken's form crumpled, rolling away as his flesh bore the brutal testament of Zeus's wrath.
Pain, an unfamiliar specter, now haunted Ken. His breaths came in labored heaves, each one a battle in itself. For the spectacle, for the narrative they had all crafted, he endured. His arm hung limply, a clever ruse of incapacitation. With a burst of will, Ken leapt into the fray once more, only to be ensnared by John's unwavering hold.
With a thunderous clap against his own skin, Ken unleashed a shockwave that rippled across the battlefield. It was a display of raw power, a declaration that his healing abilities were as unstoppable as the tides. The force of the blast sent John reeling, but Sarah's swift intervention wove a cocoon of healing light around him, mending his wounds with her nurturing energy.
Ken rose, his stance defiant, as the shockwave barreled towards Danny's team. Danny, ever vigilant, conjured a shield of swirling winds, enveloping Sarah and John in a protective embrace. The shockwave crashed against the barrier, its fury spent against the unyielding vortex.
Meanwhile, Zeus maneuvered stealthily behind Ken, his hands crackling with the promise of a storm. He unleashed a torrent of lightning, bolts streaking towards Ken with lethal intent. But Ken, evaded each strike, his body moving with the fluidity of time itself.
The two titans clashed, fists meeting in a flurry of blows. Zeus, adept in the art of combat, matched Ken's ferocity with his own, each punch a testament to his prowess. Sarah, her focus unwavering, channeled vigor into Zeus, her powers bolstering his strength for the grueling fight ahead.
Danny, with a tactician's eye, manipulated the winds to send shards of cutting air towards Ken, threading the needle between friend and foe. The wind shards sliced through the battlefield, grazing Ken, whose flesh began to knit together with a smoky haze, his regenerative powers on full display.
Ken's fists hammered down towards Zeus's abdomen, a barrage meant to overwhelm. Yet, Zeus's combat instincts shone through, his body weaving through the onslaught, dodging the majority of Ken's relentless punches.
As the battle raged on, a heavy silence fell over the arena. Zeus, his body aching from the relentless combat, struggled to keep pace with Ken's supernatural resilience. Sensing his comrade's distress, Danny and John leapt into action, their movements a blur of desperation and hope.
John, with the strength of a titan, catapulted Danny skyward. Danny, master of the winds, soared through the air, his hands carving a Cross-wind slash that cleaved the atmosphere itself. Sarah, her heart pounding with fear for her friends, enveloped Danny in a shroud of healing mist, ensuring his safety amidst the chaos.
Zeus, seizing the moment, dodged aside, allowing Danny to crash into Ken with the full force of the gale. Ken, taken aback by the brunt of the assault, grunted as he absorbed the impact. In an instant, Danny vanished, whisked away through Zeus's portal, a testament to their teamwork and tactical acumen.
John, his resolve unshaken, resumed his hold on Ken, locking him in a chokehold as the wind-slash wounds began to mend on Ken's flesh. But Ken, ever the indomitable force, drew John close, lifting him with ease and slamming him to the ground with a force that shook the very foundations of the stadium.
Ken's onslaught continued as he hurled John towards the stadium's edge, where Danny, ever vigilant, conjured a barrier to shield his fallen comrade. Together, Danny and Zeus unleashed a barrage of gale thunder, a storm of combined fury that roared towards Ken.
Ken, undeterred, closed the distance, creating a shockwave that rippled towards Danny. In a swift motion, he seized Zeus, slamming him down with a vicious intensity. Danny, caught in the maelstrom of the shockwave, could only watch as Zeus groaned in pain.
With a predator's instinct, Ken dashed towards Sarah, intent on breaking the healer of the group. But Sarah, her instincts honed in the crucible of battle, quickly generated a protective zone around herself. Zeus, rallying his strength, electrified the zone, sending jolts of lightning that staggered Ken, his flesh burning and bruising under the assault.
John, rising from the ground with a warrior's tenacity, tackled Ken, joining the fray once more. The air was thick with anticipation, the crowd torn between their support for the Flare guild and the dawning realization of the horror unfolding before them. Danny's team, united in their struggle.
Ken, with a feral intensity, spat at John's leg, the force of his attack piercing through flesh and bone. John's agony was palpable, his blood seeping into the ground as he clutched his wounded limb. The pain was a white-hot blaze, but John's resolve did not falter; he gripped onto his consciousness with sheer willpower.
But Ken was relentless. He freed himself from John's hold and turned the tables, his hands wrapping around John's throat in a vice-like grip. The sound blasts that Ken emitted were like sonic daggers, slicing through the air towards Danny, Zeus, and Sarah. The cacophony was disorienting, and despite their best efforts, John succumbed to darkness, his body going limp in Ken's grasp.
With a dismissive toss, Ken flung John aside, leaving the team without their stalwart defender. The loss was a heavy blow, the reality of their situation sinking in like a cold weight in their stomachs.
Danny, his mind racing, retreated towards Sarah, seeking solace in her healing presence. Ken, however, shifted his focus to Zeus, who was weaving a complex web of portals, his lightning crackling with pent-up fury.
Sarah, her hands moving with practiced grace, created pockets of zones, amplifying Zeus's electrical onslaught. Ken, stoic in the face of adversity, dodged the arcing shots, his body a testament to his indomitable will. Yet, some strikes found their mark, eliciting a primal scream from Ken that sent vibrations rippling through the air, disrupting the portals' stability, this affected Zeus abilities to jump around.
In a swift motion, Ken closed the distance, his hand snatching Zeus's leg as the lightning-wielder attempted to retreat. With a brutal slam, Zeus was brought to the ground, and Ken's fists descended upon him, each blow a hammer of vengeance.
In the midst of chaos, Zeus fought valiantly to defend himself, but the relentless assault proved too much, and he succumbed to unconsciousness. Sarah, her hands aglow with healing energy, desperately tried to mend Zeus's wounds, but the force of Ken's attack was overwhelming.
As Ken turned his fierce gaze towards Sarah, Danny leapt into the fray, positioning himself as a shield between them. He engaged Ken with a series of calculated strikes, each blow exchanged with the precision of a seasoned warrior. Yet, as Ken's fists found their way through Danny's defenses, a wave of stress washed over him, igniting a spark within.
I must become stronger. I have to protect my team, Danny's thoughts crystallized into a resolute will. In that moment, he experienced an awakening; his wind magic surged with newfound potency, drawing power from a dimension beyond their reality. The air around him hummed with intensity as he unleashed a barrage of ethereal wind slices towards Ken, each one burning and cutting deeper than the last. But the exertion took its toll, and Danny collapsed, his energy spent in the wake of his awakening.
Unbeknownst to Ken, John had risen, his own strength magnified to titanic proportions. With a protective fervor, he summoned a spiritual shield to safeguard Sarah and hastened to Zeus's side. Yet, the effort drained him, and he too fell, his energy expended in the noble act.
Zeus, roused by the urgency to protect Sarah, found himself in the throes of his own awakening. His speed now matched the velocity of lightning, and with a crackling energy, he fashioned a lasso of lightning to ensnare Ken. But the power surge was too much, and Zeus collapsed, his consciousness slipping away.
Sarah stood alone, the gravity of the situation dawning on her. We must prevail. I have to heal everyone! she resolved. With a surge of willpower, she conjured an impenetrable zone of protection and healing, enveloping her team in a bastion of restorative light.
Ken, witnessing the simultaneous awakenings of his adversaries, felt a grudging respect. As Sarah's strength waned and she too fell into unconsciousness, Ken remained standing, bruised and bloodied but unbroken.
He raised his eyes to the announcer, awaiting the inevitable. The declaration came, resounding through the arena: "Ken is the champion!"
As the healer attended to Danny's team, Ken, needing no such aid, made his exit from the platform, his victory solidified, his legacy as a hunter etched into the annals of the Rank Royal.