Clash of Beasts

The circular arena buzzed with tension as the crowd settled into their seats. At its center stood two figures—ten feet apart—both calm, yet radiating an unmistakable pressure.

Eden Vortane stood relaxed, his simple armor giving off the impression that he wasn’t taking this seriously. His posture, his smirk—everything suggested he believed this would be easy.

Nate, however, didn’t seem fazed. If anything, he mirrored the smirk.

“So,” Eden asked, “aren’t you going to use a weapon?”

“I don’t need one,” Nate replied smoothly. “Not if you’re not using one yourself.”

From just a few steps away, Eden studied him. Nate’s aura had shifted. It was darker now, heavier. Stronger. The kind of presence that made one question—was he a hero? A Holy Knight? Or something else entirely?

There was only one way to find out.

With a flash step, Eden vanished—and reappeared directly in front of Nate.

Nate hadn’t moved.

Eden’s fist flew forward, aiming straight for Nate’s chest. Dust exploded from the point of impact, obscuring the moment from the crowd, who barely reacted—they’d seen Eden do this before.

But then—

“That was close.”

A voice cut through the haze.

As the dust cleared, gasps rippled through the crowd.

Nate stood there—completely unharmed—holding Eden’s fist in his hand.

The silence was deafening.

Even Eden’s eyes flickered with surprise.

Then he smirked.

Nate returned it, confident and calm.

“Not bad,” Eden admitted, stepping back and pulling his fist free.

---

Owen leaned forward from the audience seats, stunned.

What he’d just witnessed was unthinkable. No one—no one—had ever stopped one of Eden’s punches like that. Not without suffering broken bones… or worse.

Back in the arena, Nate rolled his shoulders.

“So,” he said, voice light. “When do we take this seriously?”

Eden chuckled, doing a few lazy jumping jacks. “Whenever you do.”

“Alright then.”

In the blink of an eye, Nate vanished.

He reappeared in front of Eden, leg swinging toward him—but it was a feint.

The real attack came a second later, a devastating punch to Eden’s gut.

The crowd shot to their feet.

Eden reeled from the blow.

He tricked me, he realized. And I fell for it.

That punch—it had the force of eight golems behind it.

Eden grinned wide.

This was what he’d been waiting for.

In Nate’s other hand, flames flickered to life.

Fire magic, Eden noted.

But then, dark smoke erupted around him, obscuring his vision.

“How’s that for taking things seriously?” Nate’s voice called from within the haze—arrogant, cocky.

It irritated him.

“Not bad,” Eden muttered, voice low and cold.

He lunged through the smoke, grabbed Nate’s arm, and slammed him into the ground.

---

The first impact knocked the wind from Nate’s lungs.

The second made his vision spin.

He knew that if Eden landed a third, he’d be out.

Just before it came, Nate activated his shadow ability—his body sinking into the arena floor and disappearing from Eden’s grip.

He reappeared twenty feet away, panting.

But Eden was already in motion.

One step—and he was there.

Nate barely had time to react.

“Lightning Dash,” he muttered.

Electricity surged around him, launching his body backward as Eden’s fist smashed into the spot where he’d stood. The ground cracked violently beneath the impact.

Eden’s eyes widened. “Three abilities? How?”

Nate gave a tired smirk. “Oh, there’s more.”

Eden’s expression hardened. “I use two elements. You should know that.”

Two? Nate thought. I haven’t even seen the second one yet.

Who the hell is this guy?

---

Up in the stands, Athena watched with growing dread.

This wasn’t a normal fight.

Eden was a war veteran—experienced, ruthless, and ten times stronger than Nate.

“Nate…” she whispered, barely audible.

Owen placed a hand on her shoulder. She turned to him.

He wasn’t smiling.

He wasn’t worried, either.

Just calm.

A small nod from him was all it took.

Athena exhaled slowly.

Nate will pull through.

---

Back in the arena, Eden could feel it.

He’s still holding back.

They’d been trading blows for a while now, and yet Nate hadn’t gone all out. It was infuriating.

“Why won’t you show me your power?” Eden asked, his voice low and rough.

Nate frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Don’t play dumb.” Eden’s fists clenched. “I can tell—you have enough power to beat me. So why… why aren’t you using it?”

He kept his gaze down.

There was something almost desperate in his tone.

And Nate realized—this fight wasn’t just about rank or pride.

Eden wanted a challenge. A true battle. A clash between equals.

Nate sighed.

“I’d love to go all out, but…”

A blue notification appeared before him.

> [System: You are to keep your abilities secret until further notice.]

Of course.

The same warning he got when those beasts said they wanted to meet him.

He looked up, ready to explain—but Eden interrupted.

“Say it.”

The voice was harsher now.

Eden’s head lifted, his eyes burning with raw emotion.

“What, am I not worthy enough?” he asked, stepping forward.

The anger in his voice was personal now.

Nate met his gaze and sighed again. “Fine. If you want to see my full power, then show me yours first.”

Eden stopped in place, caught off guard.

“You sure?” he asked, voice lower.

“Nate, don’t do it!” Owen shouted from the stands.

His voice was full of concern.

But it was too late.

This was the only way.

Eden needed to see his strength.

And Nate… wanted to see Eden’s.

He didn’t care what the system said anymore.

This would be the fight Eden wanted—

A clash between monsters.

A fight between beasts.

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