CHAPTER 265: CHAPTER 265: SEALED IN THE ARENA

The dwarf moved first. His boots tore cracks into the arena floor as he exploded forward, the sheer force behind him almost distorting the air.

"Tch—" Noel barely had time to bring Revenant Fang up in a diagonal guard.

CLANG!

The impact rattled up his arms, and the dwarf was already winding up for a second strike. Noel’s grip tightened. "Ignition Surge!"

Flames roared to life along the black blade, heat radiating outward in a sharp wave. The next clash sent sparks and embers spraying between them.

Noel twisted his stance, stepping to the side and swinging in a tight arc. "Fire Arc!"

A crescent of burning mana tore free from his blade, streaking toward the dwarf. The enhanced warrior ducked low, the arc grazing past his shoulder and scorching the floor behind him.

Noel immediately followed with a snap of his left hand. "Glacialis!"

A shard of condensed ice burst forward, whistling through the air. The dwarf’s reflexes were unnatural—he swayed aside at the last instant, the ice splintering harmlessly against the arena wall.

’Too fast...’ Noel took a quick step back, keeping his distance.

The dwarf answered with a savage charge, his strikes less disciplined than before but far more forceful. Each swing carried enough raw power to crush bone. Noel deflected the blows, sparks dancing between them as the heat of Ignition Surge met the cold metal of the dwarf’s weapon.

Another slash came in low; Noel hopped back, feeling the blade slice the air just inches from his knee.

’His rhythm is erratic... if I misread him once, that’s it.’

The crowd roared at the rapid exchanges, but Noel’s focus was locked on the unnatural gleam in his opponent’s eyes. Whatever was driving him, it wasn’t just tournament pride.

The dwarf snarled, lunging forward again, and Noel set his stance lower, the next move already forming in his mind.

’If I can’t match his speed, I’ll have to control the pace myself.’

The dwarf came in again, his boots hammering the stone with every step. Noel flicked his fingers and slammed his palm down toward the ground. "Frost Wall!"

A wall of jagged ice erupted between them, the temperature in the arena plummeting. The dwarf didn’t even hesitate—he lowered his shoulder and smashed into it, cracks spiderwebbing instantly across the frozen barrier.

Noel used the moment to reposition, circling wide. "Ice Spike!"

Spears of ice tore up from the ground in a fan-shaped burst, forcing the dwarf to sidestep or smash through them. Two spikes caught his leg and shoulder, drawing thin lines of blood, but he barely flinched.

’Even with hits, his momentum barely drops. That enhancer... it’s keeping him in overdrive.’

Noel raised two fingers, focusing lightning into a razor-thin point. "Voltage Needle!"

A blinding spark shot across the space between them, punching straight into the dwarf’s shoulder. The impact made the man jolt violently, his arm twitching from the electric shock.

Noel surged forward to capitalize, Revenant Fang sweeping for the opening—only for the dwarf to catch the blade on the flat of his axe, locking them in a contest of raw strength.

The smell of ozone and scorched steel filled the air as the two pushed against each other, muscles straining.

"R-run..." the dwarf’s voice trembled, barely above a whisper. "...Please... run... I don’t... want to..." His face twisted in pain, eyes wide with panic even as his body kept pressing forward.

Noel’s brow furrowed. ’What the hell? He’s... begging me to run? But his body—he’s still attacking full force.’

The dwarf’s muscles tightened, his weapon bearing down harder as if another will was moving them.

’Torwan. This isn’t just an normal enhancer... he’s done something else to him.’

Noel abruptly let the pressure go, stepping back to break the lock. Electricity began to dance along his arms, gathering at the edge of Revenant Fang.

If the dwarf’s plea was genuine, there was no way to end this without disabling him completely.

His stance shifted, weight forward, grip adjusting on the blade. Power coiled in his legs and chest like a compressed spring.

The crowd’s cheer dipped into a hush, sensing something was coming.

Noel’s voice was low but sharp. "Stormpiercer."

A deafening crack split the air as his form blurred into a streak of blinding light. He crossed the arena in less than a heartbeat, the impact sounding like a thunderclap when Revenant Fang drove into the dwarf’s side.

The force of the blow hurled the smaller warrior across the stone, smashing him into the far wall. Armor dented and cracked, a deep scorch mark marring his flank where the lightning had burned through.

The crowd roared, some rising from their seats in shock at the sheer speed of the attack. High above, Torwan simply leaned back in his chair, a thin smile playing at the corner of his lips.

Noel landed lightly, the last arcs of lightning dissipating from his body. He kept his guard high, watching for any sign the fight was over.

Instead, the dwarf began to push himself up. His breathing was ragged, his movements jerky, almost puppet-like. The black mark on his neck pulsed brighter, veins bulging under his skin as if his body was being forced beyond its limits.

"P-please..." The words escaped between clenched teeth, trembling. Before Noel could respond, the dwarf suddenly roared—an unnatural, guttural sound—and launched forward again, closing the gap faster than before.

’His speed... it’s increasing?!’

Noel barely brought Revenant Fang up in time to block, the impact driving him back several steps. Sparks flew as blade met axe in a flurry of crushing blows, each strike carrying enough force to rattle his bones.

A wild slash slipped past Noel’s guard, grazing his side. Pain flared hot, but he twisted away before the next strike could land.

The distance between them collapsed again, and Noel found himself being forced toward the arena’s edge. One mistake here would be fatal.

The dwarf’s next swing slammed into Noel’s side with brutal force, the shock jolting through his ribs. A sharp chime rang, the defense device had activated automatically, a failsafe meant to prevent serious injury.

The crystal embedded in it glowed red. By tournament rules, that was the end. Noel was out.

The crowd murmured in confusion, waiting for the announcer to declare the result.

But the dwarf didn’t stop.

He came forward again, his axe cutting a savage arc through the air. Noel’s eyes narrowed. "Hey—match is over!" he barked, stepping back.

There was no sign of hearing in the dwarf’s eyes. Only that same burning, unnatural focus.

High above, the announcer’s voice cracked with urgency. "S-stop the fight! Guards, restrain the competitor!"

Two guards sprinted for the arena’s entrance—only to smash into the still-active protective barrier. The wards that kept spells from hitting the crowd were still sealed, and they weren’t letting anyone in or out.

"What? Why isn’t it down?!" one of them shouted, pounding on the shimmering wall of mana.

Inside, Noel felt the tension in the air change. This was no longer a sanctioned duel—it was an execution attempt.

The dwarf lunged, and Noel narrowly sidestepped, sparks flying as the axe carved deep into the stone floor where he’d been standing.

"P-please..." the dwarf’s voice came again, buried under the growl in his throat, "run... I... can’t..."

Noel gritted his teeth. ’Fuck.’

The crowd’s cheers had turned into a mix of shouts and panicked voices, the atmosphere electric with fear.

The dwarf came again, unrelenting. Noel slid back, his stance tightening, Revenant Fang low at his side. Mana surged through his body, the air around him swirling with heat and crackling light.

’Fine. If I’m fighting for my life.’

Flames coiled up his arms, lightning arcing between his fingers, the temperature spiking around him.

"Alright..." Noel’s voice was low, cold. "...let’s end this."