NOVEL NEXT Chapter 15: Chapter 15: The Top Rankers Move
Chapter 15: The Top Rankers Move
The crowd was still roaring from Jin's victory over Tyran the Titanbreaker, but he barely had time to breathe.
Because now, the real predators were watching him.
From the VIP section of the Arena of Kings, several figures sat in thrones of energy, their gazes locked onto Jin. These weren't just fighters.
They were the strongest warriors in Elysium's Selection.
> [Arena Rankings: Top 5 Contenders]
1. ???
2. ???
3. Vincent Albrecht (Radiant Dawn)
4. Raven (Silent Fang)
5. Darius Bloodfang (Crimson Reapers)
Jin felt their intense presence, even from across the arena. These weren't normal challengers.
Aerin, watching from the stands, leaned forward. "I think you just pissed off some very powerful people."
Jin smirked. "Good. I was starting to get bored."
And then, one of them stood up.
---
The Crimson King Steps In
The entire arena fell silent as a towering man leaped from the VIP section, landing on the battlefield with a thunderous impact.
Jin recognized him immediately.
> [Darius Bloodfang – Rank #5, Crimson Reapers' Warlord]
A berserker who thrives in battle, wielding an indestructible greatsword.
Darius grinned, his blood-red eyes glowing with excitement.
"You're making a lot of noise, rookie."
Jin crossed his arms. "You interested in testing me out?"
Darius cracked his knuckles. "Damn right I am."
The system chimed.
> [Arena Battle Assigned: Jin Seol vs. Darius Bloodfang]
[Battle Begins in 5 Minutes.]
Aerin exhaled. "He's ranked fifth, Jin. He's not like the others."
Jin rolled his shoulders. "Then I'll just have to be better."
---
Jin vs. Darius Bloodfang
Darius grinned as he unsheathed his greatsword, the weapon humming with raw destructive energy.
> [Darius' Unique Skill: Blood Berserker]
The more damage he takes, the stronger he becomes.
Jin's instincts flared. This guy… he's dangerous.
The system's voice echoed.
> [Arena Battle Start!]
And Darius charged.
---
A Clash of Power
Jin dodged just in time as Darius swung his greatsword in a brutal arc. The moment it hit the ground, the entire arena floor cracked apart.
Jin didn't waste time—he countered with a Lightning Step-enhanced punch.
BAM!
His fist struck Darius' chest—but instead of staggering, the berserker laughed.
"That all you got?"
> [Blood Berserker Activated: Strength Increased]
Darius' body glowed crimson, his aura intensifying.
Jin exhaled. Great. He gets stronger when I hit him.
Darius lunged again, swinging with monstrous speed.
Jin activated Phantom Stride, dodging by inches before delivering a spinning kick to Darius' ribs.
CRACK!
Darius staggered—but his smile widened.
> [Blood Berserker Stacking…]
Damn. He's enjoying this.
---
Breaking the Berserker
Jin knew he couldn't fight Darius in a battle of endurance.
If he kept attacking, the berserker would just get stronger.
So he changed tactics.
He let Darius charge again—but this time, Jin didn't dodge.
Instead, he activated Titan's Might and caught the greatsword with both hands.
BOOM!
The force of the impact shook the arena, but Jin held firm.
Darius' grin finally faded. "What?"
Jin smirked. "Your strength increases when you take damage, right? Then what happens if I don't let you land a hit?"
Darius' eyes widened. "You—"
Jin activated Crimson Overdrive + Celestial Fang.
> [New Skill Unlocked: Berserker's End]
Jin twisted Darius' blade, using his own momentum against him—then drove his knee straight into his gut.
BAM!
Darius gasped, the air knocked from his lungs.
Jin followed up with a devastating uppercut, sending Darius flying.
The berserker crashed into the ground, motionless.
The system chimed.
> [Victor: Jin Seol!]
[Ranking Updated: Jin Seol – Rank #5]
The arena exploded in cheers.
Aerin shook her head, smirking. "You just keep climbing, huh?"
Jin exhaled. "And I'm not stopping yet."
But before he could even process his victory—
A second figure from the VIP section stood.
And this time, it was Vincent Albrecht, Rank #3.
"Enough."
The crowd fell silent.
Jin turned, locking eyes with the golden-haired knight.
Vincent slowly descended into the arena, his sword radiating divine energy.
> [Vincent Albrecht – Rank #3, Holy Knight of Radiant Dawn]
A warrior who wields celestial magic to enforce absolute judgment.
Vincent gazed at Jin with calm, calculating eyes. "You're strong. But strength alone isn't enough to rule this arena."
Jin smirked. "Then come show me."
The system chimed.
> [Arena Battle Assigned: Jin Seol vs. Vincent Albrecht]
[Battle Begins in 10 Minutes.]
The stakes had just been raised.
Jin wasn't fighting regular warriors anymore.
He was now challenging the kings of Elysium.
And he wouldn't stop until he reached the top.
> [Phase One Progress: 10% Complete.]
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End of Chapter 15