C7 Feel My Power! (Conclusion)

The place where Qildor was standing cracked as he appeared in front of Al, hurling his dragger right through him. Al just barely dodged his opponent’s attack, but his opponent spun so quickly that he could launch a kick. Unable to make another dodge, Al crossed his arms and prepared to block it. He took the hit but fell on the arena so powerfully that the ground where he landed crashed. The guarding adventurers were watching the fight and were ready to interfere.

For a beginner’s eyes, the battle is hard fought and dangerous. But Al is holding it easily, and one of the seasoned adventurers cannot understand how he can do such things at his current level.

Their fight continued and the only thing that one could hear in the arena was the clashing of the weapons and the ground that shatters around them. Qildor forces himself to take on the defensive as he exchanges blow and starts to take hits one after the other. Al was able to take a chance to land an attack with his dagger, throwing away his opponent’s weapon and his defensive stance. He also managed to connect a punch to his rival’s gut, taking down him to his knees.

Al distanced himself and waited for his opponent’s next move. His opponent’s menacing presence fills the air, creating a chill that runs through everyone in the arena. Qildor’s rage aura is revealing mists on his back. “Run! It’s a takeover!” one of the high-level adventurers then approached the two in the arena. As Al turns his attention back to his opponent, he was unprepared for what happened next. He saw a flash of light and was dragged to the ground, pinning him down is this figure covered in a white mist. It’s looking straight at him and shouted his name in a thunderous roar. “Al Gran!”, Qildor then raised his hand, and a mist converged on it, forming a mist dagger.

Al tried to break free, but he was not moving a single inch. His opponent lunged forward, the mist dagger slicing through the air with a hiss, and he raised his arms in a desperate attempt to defend himself.

CLANK!

The sound of the unsheathed sword banging on the ground echoed in the whole arena. It stopped the mist dagger right in front of Al’s face and disappeared. He then saw Qildor at the side of his eyes, falling to the ground.

THUD!

It was the stationed Swordsman in the arena who made it in time to jump in and end the battle. Jun, Isha, and Rey rushed to their friend to check on him and to see what happened. It went so fast all spectators just saw Qildor, overwhelmed with rage and blacking out. Al was unharmed and declared the champion of the battle, since they disqualified Qildor. The four departed the arena and opted to finish up for the day, as they had plans to explore the World Tower the following morning.

“I think I remember hearing his name somewhere.“

“Who? Al Gran? He’s the one who received a Legendary Unique Skill that the Iron Claw guild master said.“

“Ah yeah, so that’s what a legendary skill can do, huh? I’m pretty envious!“

The two seasoned adventurers overheard the conversation. They looked at each other like they realize the missing piece of their puzzle. Al Gran possesses a legendary skill, the most plausible explanation for how he could pull off such an extravagant battle.

“Good thing I stayed. I got to see an interesting fight!“

As she walked with the others out of the arena, the mysterious woman's words lingered with a strange echo. Her trembling hands showed her excitement as she remembered the battle. She kept walking until she eventually disappeared with the crowd, the sound of her footsteps slowly fading away.

"Hmm..." The Priest eyed the people leaving the arena, feeling an ominous chill in the air. Nothing to be found, she put aside her distractions and continued packing their things up.

“Hey, hurry up! Let’s eat first and call it a day.“ The Swordsman approached the arena manager, got their payment, and left with the Priest.

—-

Al received 2 golds for winning the tournament, so they bought food along their way to the Central Plaza.

“By the way, Al, you were amazing back there!“

Jun recalled the battles and recreated them with her silly moves. It brought laughter to the conversation as they kept talking.

“It was my first time seeing a takeover tho.“ Isha grabbed herself, still remembering what happened.

“I’m just happy that you’re alright Al.“

“Now that you mentioned it, it’s my first time to see one too. I haven’t even seen my father’s rage skill.“

After a long walk, they finally made it to the warp zone and returned to their village. They said their goodbyes and went in different directions, each heading back to their homes. Al was the first to make it to their residence while Isha was accompanied by Jun and Rey before they have gone to theirs.

—-

“Are you still getting the Fighter emblem, Al?“

“Yes, and I will be a Swordsman in no time! I can’t wait to have a spar with father!“

“Speaking of father, he’s been a bit busy, huh?“

“Yes, his party is currently working with Lady Gaelan in investigating about the field dungeons.“

Al paused and gave this faraway look while thinking about what kind of adventurer Lady Gaelan is and the legendary adventurers.

“Anyway mother, I always saw father’s emblem at the back of his right hand, but I can’t seem to remember seeing yours.“

“I see. I think you’re too young to recall it.“

Although Al was a bit confused, he chose to ignore it and instead kept on with his meal. Aryyn got her meal and placed it on the table just across from Al.

“Here!“

Al looked at her mother and saw tugging her shirt upward. When adventurers receive their emblem, a marking appears somewhere on their body, showing the type of emblem they have. Her mother’s emblem mark is in the lower part of her breastbone.

“Your face is beet red Al, are you sick?“

Al quickly stood up, thanked for the food and ran outside. Aryyn was confused to what happened and overlooked her son outside to check if he’s okay, but she saw that his three friends were there. Not long after, she realized what had happened and grin. “Ah! So my Al is at the age now~“

“So that’s what she meant by that!“ Al murmured, still flustered.

“Are you okay, Al? Your face is red!“

Jun asked as they saw Al running towards them. Al did not stop and just said he’s fine and that they need to hurry so that they can have their emblem today. Unsure of what is happening, they followed him and reached the village warp zone and teleported to the World Tower.

TING!

[World Tower]

When they saw the tower, the four were awestruck by its immense size and the sound of their wonder reverberated through the air. It was on the elevated ground at the front and is slightly far from where they were. Despite this, they could still hear the proud echoes of the magnificent structure. Its cracks and molds covered its surface, making it look ancient, yet it somehow radiated an aura of strength. Its towering height seemed to reach the sky, and the clouds that blanketed its entirety added a mystical and intimidating feeling.

The adventurers guarding it welcomed them as they climbed the stairs toward the tower. They proceeded to the front of the tower, where a platform is located surrounded by a magic circle. Al then took out their Moniker stone and slid it to the hole at the top of the structure. The magic circle then lit up, and they disappeared simultaneously.

—-

Up Next: The Emblemless Adventurer