Raizen stood by the shore, staring at his trembling hands. The pain from the race still burned through his bones. He took a deep breath, then turned to the tournament organizer.
Raizen:
"Do you have a healer? A woman with recovery abilities? My hands… I can't move them."
Tournament Organizer:
"Yes, we have a Healing Stone user."
He paused for a moment before adding dryly:
Organizer:
"But she can't help you. Healing is prohibited under Rule Number 10."
Raizen clenched his teeth, staring at his damaged fists.
His power was the reason they broke… and now it might be the reason he loses.
---
The commentator stood before the roaring crowd, raising his speaker with excitement.
Commentator – Rakto:
"Welcome back, viewers! After the incredible performance by contestant Kwarasi Raizen in the first round, we now move on to the second challenge of the Thunder Stone Trials!"
Cheers erupted across the livestream as he continued:
Rakto:
"The second challenge is simple:
First to complete 500 push-ups wins!"
Raizen looked at his broken hands… then muttered bitterly:
Raizen:
"Damn it…"
Valen rushed toward the commentator.
Valen:
"This isn't fair! Raizen's hands are injured—he can't compete like this."
Rakto shrugged indifferently.
Rakto:
"His problem, not ours. He can still participate in the third challenge."
Raizen turned to Valen with a strained, confident smile despite the pain.
Raizen:
"Win this one… so I can beat you myself in round three."
Valen smirked back.
Valen:
"We'll see about that."
---
Rakto raised his hand high.
Rakto:
"We start in… one… two… three! Go!"
His voice echoed across the island as competitors launched into the exercise with explosive force.
---
Minutes later…
Rakto:
"Note! Thirty contestants were eliminated in round one."
He grinned mischievously.
Rakto:
"And this challenge is the easiest one we have!"
A voice from the livestream chimed in:
Online Viewer:
"It's easy—just make sure you're in the top thirty!"
But Valen wasn't fooled.
Valen – internally:
"This is a trap… They want us to relax. I'll go all out from the start."
He tightened his fists and roared:
Valen:
"Haaaaaa!!"
And moments later—
Rakto (shocked):
"First-place winner… VALEN!!"
Cheers erupted, applause, disbelief.
Ten minutes later…
Rakto:
"And second place goes to… 29 contestants?!"
The crowd burst into laughter.
Rakto:
"So we have 31 finalists… A big number, but the third challenge will be the toughest!"
---
Raizen stood before Valen, eyes burning.
Raizen:
"Ready to lose?"
Valen:
"Ask yourself the same."
---
The Third Challenge: The Storm Room
Rakto raised his hand to the sky.
Rakto:
"The third round will take place inside a sealed chamber. Whoever walks out conscious… wins!"
He motioned toward both of them.
Rakto:
"Since Raizen won the first round and Valen the second… they'll enter last."
The audience roared in excitement.
Rakto:
"Starting in… one… two… three! Begin!"
---
Valen stood near the door, watching competitors enter one after another… only to collapse unconscious as they came out.
The first exited—collapsed.
The second… the third…
Until 28 contestants emerged, all unconscious.
Valen raised an eyebrow.
Valen – whispering:
"When the first participant comes out… focus on his reaction."
Raizen:
"You actually know what you're doing?"
---
Valen Enters
He stepped into the room.
Nothing… just white walls and absolute emptiness.
Then a mechanical voice echoed:
Voice:
"Challenge duration: two minutes. If you exit conscious… you win."
Valen lifted his head defiantly.
Valen:
"Just a room? Maybe they'll release a beast. Fine. Where's the test?"
Suddenly—
BOOOOOOOOOM!!
A blast of thunder detonated right beside his skull.
Valen:
"Aaagh!!" (grabbing his ears)
"It's sound… a lethal sound!"
He began counting silently.
Valen – internally:
"1… 2… 3… 4…"
He continued until he reached 100 seconds.
Valen:
"Twenty seconds left! I lasted a minute forty… I can do this!"
He lifted his head proudly.
Valen:
"Just 10 more sec—"
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
A far stronger shockwave exploded through his head.
Valen dropped to the ground… unconscious.
Outside, Raizen clenched his teeth.
Raizen:
"Did… he pass out?"
Rakto:
"I can't believe it! If Raizen fails too… the stone will be reset!"
---
Raizen Enters
The door shut behind him. Same room. Same emptiness.
Raizen – internally:
"Expect anything…"
BOOOOOOM!!
Raizen:
"Aaah— I can't use my aura yet… I'll hold out until the last 30 seconds, then reinforce my ears!"
Ninety seconds passed.
Raizen:
"Now!"
He surged his aura toward his head—
But at that exact moment, another blast hit—
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!
His aura shattered—
But his body endured.
The door opened…
Raizen walked out standing.
---
Rakto:
"The monster… Kwarasi Raizen exits conscious!!"
He raised his hand high.
Rakto:
"And the winner of the Thunder Stone…
KWARASI RAIZEN!!!"
---