บท 24: Round One: Deadly Battle

Noa, So-Rin, and Eden, alongside their fellow guildmates from the Shadow Syndicate Guild, huddled together in a corner of the tournament arena. The air crackled with tension as they anxiously awaited the commencement of the tournament.

When the System Announcement mentioned their guild name, So-Rin almost screamed.

"Damn. It's our turn now!" So-Rin exclaimed.

The two boys didn't talk and merely exchanged glances. They nodded at each other, as if saying that they were ready to fight.

For the first round, two groups would fight each other for one hour. One must fall, utterly unable to move, for the other to win. If the battle concluded into draw, both groups would be unable to proceed to the next round.

In other words, whether they like it or not, blood must be shed in the arena. One would not be able to move only if they're knocked out, severely injured, or dead.

For the sake of fairness, each team would be matched with an opponent of the same level.

The simple rule of the arena also meant that all participants must go all out and use everything in their disposal—weapons, armors, and boosters.

For this battle, the Shadow Syndicate Guild provided them with armor. Noa received a lightweight armor jacket. As for So-Rin, she got a protective jacket, while Eden got a body armor.

"Will you really join this battle, So-Rin?" Noa asked, worried. "You can still change your mind. We have a lot of guildmates who can take your place."

"I'm sure I want to join this battle." So-Rin smiled. "I'm still trained as a soldier, and… Eden and you are with me."

Noa reciprocated her smile. So-Rin's confidence amazed him. "Alright. Stay focused and trust your instincts. I assure you that you'll be safe with us."

So-Rin's expression softened upon hearing Noa's encouraging words. "Don't you remember? We make a great team."

Noa hummed in response. "Now let's go show our opponents what we're made of."

The trio got to the stage and waited for the battle to begin.

Before the battle starts, the trio prepared their weapons and got into a proper stance.

Noa held his cyber blade in an offensive stance, ready to attack the opposing team. He was warily eyeing them, waiting for the perfect timing to strike.

So-Rin had her hand on the grenade, and Eden was holding a shoulder gun, which he quickly assembled upon getting onto the stage.

Just like them, their opponents held weapons, poised ready to strike them.

The first man displayed metallic plates seamlessly integrated into his arms. The second man, concealed by a face-obscuring helmet, donned a sleek black suit. The tallest of the group, the third man, commanded attention with his imposing stature.

A single glance was enough to let them know that their opponents were formidable and that it might not be easy to beat them.

The air was thick with tension in the arena. The crowd buzzed with excitement, their cheers and shouts filling the air.

When the countdown started, Noa immediately charged forward with his blade, sharply slicing through the air.

He raised his voice, addressing his team, "Let's do this, everyone! Today, we fight for honor and show them what we are made of!"

So-Rin's gaze was steady and focused as she declared, "Yes! We won't stop until the last drop of blood!"

Eden hoisted his gun onto his shoulder, exuding raw strength. A grin formed on his face as he addressed his companions, "Let's unleash the thunder upon them!"

The men from the rival guild exchanged confident glances and readied their weapons. One of them, with metallic plates integrated into his arms, locked eyes with Noa and smirked, "You think your guild stands a chance? The sky is still bright—don't dream while you're still awake. Prepare to learn the true meaning of strength!"

Without further words, the man with metallic arms lunged at Noa with his sword, followed by his teammates.

In reflex, Noa, So-Rin, and Eden responded with excitement, their battle cries filling the arena.

As the clash of weapons echoed, they shouted words of encouragement, boosting each other's spirits.

"Eden, watch your back!" called out Noa.

"I'm good!" Eden screamed as he deftly avoided the opponent's attacks and returned fire.

His opponent laughed mockingly, "You shoot like a novice! I've seen better aim from blindfolded amateurs!" He retaliated with a flurry of bullets, forcing Eden to dodge and weave through the deadly onslaught.

The crowd watched in awe as the participants showcased their prowess, countering the experience and skills of their rivals.

The energy in the arena reached its peak as the battle raged on. Sweat dripped down their faces, and adrenaline coursed through their veins. They fought with unyielding spirit, determined to emerge victorious.

With precision, So-Rin hurled the grenade towards the trio, targeting their position. Simultaneously, Eden sought cover behind a nearby wall, swiftly aiming his gun at the adversaries, attempting to eliminate them.

However, to their dismay, the opponents were clad in protective garments designed to withstand explosions and deflect bullets, rendering their initial assault ineffective.

In the heat of combat, Noa and the other two exchanged quick, decisive words to maintain their cohesion. "Stay aggressive! Keep pushing, and don't let them regain their footing!" Noa's voice commanded, filled with passion and determination.

So-Rin nodded in response, her voice steady. "I won't miss a beat! We'll break them!" Her words resounded with unwavering confidence, defying fear in the face of battle.

They launched a fierce assault on their opponents, driving them back towards the corner of the arena.

Noa caught up to the man adorned with metallic arm plates. In a fierce confrontation, their blades clashed, creating a symphony of steel that echoed through the air.

"Is that the best you can do?" taunted the opponent with metallic arms. "You'll regret crossing swords with me!"

He pursued Noa relentlessly, parrying another strike with ease.

"Noa, watch out!" So-Rin's voice cracked with fear, her words strained and desperate.