—

Due to the third contestant backing out, the atmosphere in Kieran’s portion of the platform grew incredibly tense.

After exhausting all of the Hunt stacks numerous times, he could no longer acquire them from his surroundings.

However, Kieran found solace in the remaining duration increasing to over 600 seconds. That meant he had 10 minutes remaining on his Predatory Form.

Considering his opponent’s strength, he needed every advantage he could claim if he didn’t wish to waste skills like Dread Culling and Deranged Spirit.

Zerim stood before Kieran, wearing a set of armor the color of flames. The sleek design offered the best mobility armor could provide, and the color wasn’t too obnoxious, instead giving insight into Zerim’s presence.

The colorway complemented Zerim’s features well.

His scarlet eyes shone with subtle confidence as his gray hair swayed across his face. His fingers danced across the handle of his silver broadsword. The blunt design specialized in destructive force rather than slicing like normal longswords or greatswords.

「Lv.50 Zerim Ignis, The Torrential Flame (Epic NPC)

Class: Flame Razer

Health: 28,900,000

/28,900,000 (100%)

Affiliation: «War Deity Council» 」

‘Level 50,’ Kieran thought to himself. His grip on Crimson Ashrune subconsciously tightened due to Zerim’s level. Lv.50 indicated a special state for denizen Intermediate Beings; it was the intemediary threshold.

Unlike players, an NPCs level wouldn’t change without first completing their advancement.

In this regard, Kieran was more similar to an NPC and not a player, thanks to his Zero Loss of Potential trait. It acted as a toggle switch to switch his leveling experience from that of a player to that of an NPC.

It had its drawbacks, but it also possessed immense benefits.

Although he could no longer obtain Unassigned Attribute Points or Skill Points due to his frozen level, it gave him time complete tasks that most players would otherwise forget if their level surpassed the permitted range.

With a frozen level, Kieran’s Experience would be stored in a pool for later access while he continued with his normal activities. And despite the temporary loss of UAP and SP, all hopes weren’t lost for Kieran.

He was well aware of a few extraordinary sources. For example, one could obtain the First Clears of more Dungeons or obtain the Firstblood of superior bosses. His path to additional points without leveling up wasn’t sealed as long as he could fulfill the criteria.

After falling silent for a few seconds, Zerim was the first to speak. “You’re the inheritor of Commander Scar’s power, right?”

“I am,” Kieran nodded.

Zerim’s expression remained unchanged while subtly nodding. “I will admit, I can’t disregard you—you’re strong. Despite your low level, which tells me you have yet to reach the pinnacle of our stage, you have continued to shock many people—myself included.”

“I appreciate the praise,” Kieran calmly remarked.

He could sense confidence but, most of all, pragmatism from Zerim. Scar had alerted Kieran of a few people beforehand, and Zerim was one of them. While he was unfamiliar with Zerim’s character, Scar stressed that his strength should be irregular for his level.

Why? Because the Ignis Family possessed a background similar to Scar’s, their power came from a source. It was incredibly diluted, but it was an authentic draconic bloodline.

Even though it thinned over the generations, even the slightest bit of dragon blood, particularly a Flame Dragon, was enough to increase an individual’s affinity with the Fire Element by leaps and bounds.

However, the Ignis Family’s bloodline didn’t just increase their flame affinity; it tampered with their tempers as a side effect. But from what Kieran witnessed, this side effect was lost upon Zerim.

Contrary to Scar’s warning, Zerim exhibited some of the highest control over his emotion he’d ever seen. Perhaps in Zerim’s case, he was affected by the inverse effect.

Many bloodlines carried side effects but also an infrequent inverse effect that would awaken sparsely throughout the generations.

Zerim’s control was the source of Ezrath’s confidence. Zerim accomplished what he never could, subjugating the innate flames of being a quasi-Dragonborne. With his potential, Ezrath estimated Zerim would at least become a future General within the War Deity Council.

“I will not dissuade you from fighting me. But, I want to warn you that I won’t be holding back. Should you suffer damage, it is not my fault. I have forewarned you,” Zerim said.

After speaking, the austere broadsword in his hand became engulfed in flames. Once the flames dissipated, the broadsword adopted a red sheen with several scales across the blade.

The handle changed to match the horns of an infant dragon, one that bestowed a presence of superiority. A ribbon of flames danced around Zerim as he immediately prepared for battle.

“In a battle, the one who is dissuaded is one of broken confidence. The moment you lose your confidence is the moment you lose the battle,” Kieran said.

Like Zerim, a ribbon of blood swirled around Kieran’s body as he slowly lifted Crimson Ashrune

“I agree with your views,” Zerim said with a slight smile.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Bang!

Their swords met in the middle of their isolated stage. The exchange happened swiftly, but neither side retreated.

“Sanguine Slashes!”

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Kieran and Zerim exchanged attacks at a frightening pace. Despite the size of their large weapons, they were wielded as if they were simple longswords.

A destructive strength flowed through Kieran’s arm as he noticed something unusual about Zerim’s striking pattern. During every swing, a subtle combustion accelerated the movement, thereby greatly increasing the force of his swing.

‘A skillful application of his Fire Element to increase the destructiveness of a simple sword swing. I’m beginning to understand the reason for his class. As for his title….’

Kieran analyzed the ribbon of thickening flames that swirled around Zerim’s body. The gradual increase of his flames made Kieran assume a large strike was bound to occur.

“Flames of Subjugation: Descending Raze,” Zerim said calmly.

The angle of his sword attack shifted, creating the image of a flaming beast. The beast’s presence wasn’t the focus of this technique; the true focus was the claws of the beasts—sharpened and giant, made to resemble the weapon in Zerim’s grasp.

“Ordinance of Protection!”

Kieran activated the Item Ability attached to the Shaman’s Bracelet of Ordinance. It only sufficed for one attack, but Kieran rushed through the aftermath of the flames with the ability’s protection.

‘A truly difficult opponent. I’ve yet to place a single Bleed stack upon him despite the disparity in our speed,’ Kieran thought.

Due to the passives in play, Kieran’s Attack and Movement Speed surpassed Zerim. However, his adept usage of his Fire Element filled the gaps in their speed. If used properly, any element could produce unquestionable superiority.

Although it was lauded for its capacity to destroy, the Fire Element could be utilized in various ways. Zerim’s method of applying the Fire Element was merely one of many.

During times like these, Kieran disliked his lack of an Element. Even if it didn’t make a significant difference damage-wise, the auxiliary properties were too great to ignore.

‘Unfortunately, outside paths that intersect with Mages, naturally acquiring an element is extremely difficult. If I meet with Agrianos soon, I should ask him how he accomplished such a thing,’ Kieran thought to himself.

A second later, he stepped to the side and Zerim’s attack.

“I can see your mind traveling elsewhere during the battle. That is a sore mistake.”

Kieran’s eyebrow arched as he felt this situation was laughable. ‘Oh? I’m being schooled in the ways of combat?’

The light in Kieran’s eyes changed, becoming deeply focused. The sudden switch of demeanor surprised Zerim, but it was nothing abnormal in his eyes. Zerim had fought against several people of extreme combat ability.

As long as he kept his cool, Zerim felt he could overwhelm Kieran. He had noted Kieran’s Mana usage, or rather the lack thereof. He perceived this as a direct sign that his Mana capacity was sub-par.

‘I’m sure Commander Scar has taught him destructive techniques. But, the fact he hasn’t revealed them means his sights are set on the future. Unfortunately, I will make you reveal them. We should all know the extents of our strength before attempting the impossible.’

“I can tell you desire to go far. But that is impossible without the prerequisite strength. We must suffer through grueling circumstances to even consider the notion of standing above all,” Zerim said.

Kieran’s eyes narrowed as he sensed a hidden meaning in Zerim’s words. ‘Is he saying I can’t emerge victorious?’

As someone who defied odds once before, Kieran felt Zerim’s opinion was incorrect. In Kieran’s eyes, while strong, Zerim wasn’t an obstacle that could stop his inevitable uprising.

“Flame Practice: Razing Torrent,” Zerim called out.

Zerim drew back his sword with his arms crossed. After drawing his weapon back far enough, the blade ground against his armor, creating a spark that grew into an outrageous flame.

A second later, Zerim released the attack with a thrust of his broadsword.

The torrent of flames engulfed more than half of the stage, robbing Kieran’s ability to evade the attack. If he wanted to deal with it, he would have to use a skill of similar power.

Based on the flame’s intensity, this attack rivaled an A Rank Skill or an exceptional B Rank Skill at the very least.

‘Trying to leave no way out for me? Unfortunately for you….’

Kieran lifted his palm as his body exuded an imperious aura. “I am known to make a way even when the odds seem impossible.”

Bang!