James was shaken and almost lost his form when the whole hall started trembling and the floor below him started rising up creating a circular fighting arena with surrounding them both.
James took in his surrounding this time around trying to imprint the surrounding into him mind and then he focused on his opponent once again, Veskya was already in the center of the arena, standing calm and still. His imposing figure was bare-chested, revealing corded muscle rippling beneath tanned, scarred skin. His arms were folded across his chest, and he gazed at James with an expression that seemed more curious than aggressive. It was as though Veskya had faced so many opponents that he no longer saw them as threats but rather as fleeting distractions.
The test was deceptively simple: James only had to land a single blow on Veskya to pass this test. But the more James stared at the Tower Guardian, the more he realized how difficult that single hit would be.
James could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins. His heart thudded heavily in his chest, but he forced himself to calm down. He had been in countless fights before, but he knew this one was going to demand more than just raw skill. He took a deep breath, centering himself. In through the nose, out through the mouth. His breathing was steady, controlled, and deliberate. This was one of the many techniques he had honed over years of training—not just for relaxation, but to conserve his energy, to fuel his movements, and to sharpen his focus. Every breath he took in would prepare him for a strike, and every breath he exhaled would release tension.
Veskya's stance didn't change, his hands remained folded, and his eyes never wavered. He wasn't underestimating James—he was simply patient, waiting for James to make the first move.
James began to circle him, his feet light, moving with the fluidity of a seasoned fighter. His fists were up, but not clenched too tightly, ready to strike or defend at a moment's notice. His mind worked furiously, trying to anticipate Veskya's movements. James knew this fight would require more than just power or speed, it would demand creativity, strategy, and precision.
Suddenly, James lunged forward with lightning speed, throwing a sharp jab at Veskya's face. It was a feint, meant to probe, to draw out a reaction. But Veskya didn't move. His eyes followed the jab, but his body remained still. In that split second, James recognized the level of discipline in Veskya's style. He wasn't reacting to anything less than a real threat.
James took another deep breath, slowing his pace. He couldn't afford to burn through his stamina early on, not against someone like this. He exhaled slowly, calming his nerves, and shifted his stance, adopting a more defensive posture. He would need to wait for the perfect moment, the perfect opening.
The two fighters danced around each other for what felt like an eternity. Every now and then, James would throw a quick combination of jabs, hooks, low kicks trying to break Veskya's stillness. But each time, Veskya would move just enough to avoid the strikes. He was eerily efficient with his movements, using minimal effort to evade, his breathing steady and untroubled.
James's frustration began to mount. The exertion of throwing punches into thin air was wearing on him. His muscles were beginning to burn, but he focused on his breathing, keeping his energy reserves in check. He knew from experience that if he let his frustration dictate his movements, he would lose. Instead, he inhaled deeply through his nose, filling his lungs to capacity, and then released the breath slowly, feeling the tension melt from his shoulders. He was resetting himself, refusing to let the pressure cloud his mind.
Veskya finally moved. His hands unfolded, and with a swiftness that startled even James, he launched a series of attacks—a blur of fists and elbows aimed directly at James's head and torso. James barely had time to react, ducking and weaving, blocking some strikes while narrowly avoiding others. The force behind Veskya's punches was incredible, and James knew that taking even one direct hit would end the fight. He danced backward, his heart pounding, but his breathing remained calm, controlled.
And then, in the middle of Veskya's relentless assault, James saw it a small opening, barely there, but enough. Veskya overextended slightly on a punch, leaving his ribs exposed for the briefest of moments. James didn't hesitate. He pivoted on his left foot, driving his right fist with all the power he had left, directly into Veskya's ribs.
The impact was solid, reverberating through both their bodies. Veskya's eyes widened, just for an instant, betraying his surprise. He hadn't expected James to last this long, let alone land a hit. But there it was, undeniable. James had done it.
Veskya stepped back, his expression calm once more, though now tinged with respect. He nodded slightly, acknowledging the hit, and then folded his arms again. The fight was over.
James stood in the center of the arena, his chest heaving from the effort, but his breathing still controlled. In through the nose, out through the mouth. He had won, not just because of his strength or speed, but because of his discipline, his ability to control his own body, to conserve his energy, and to strike with precision when it mattered most.
The crowd silent until now erupted into cheers. But James barely heard them. He was still focused, still breathing not noticing as his body vanished from the floor with his mind focused on playing back the scenario of the fight, his body vibrating with the aftermath of the fight. Veskya gave him one final nod before facing the crowd "Who's next " he voiced loud enough to silence the cheering crowd, hitting them with the reality that they have to fight him to have a chance of leaving the Hall.
This didn't seem to dampen their spirit at all as they gained some form of confidence from nowhere pumping themselves up and getting ready to challenge the guardian, it seems James do have a way of getting people motivated but none of this is his concern as he reappeared right outside the building, the change if scenery seem to wake him up from his contemplation as he looked around once more and looking up to finally notice the plaque above that had 'Fighters Arena' written on it. he shook his head wondering how he missed that good thing he didn't enter the wrong hall, he couldn't imagine himself being a healer, the thought alone giving him chills.
Ding!
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Congratulations on completing Demigod Veskya's test of Will:
Face off against Demigod Veskya for 60 Seconds
Reward: 100 Exp points, Access to the Fighters Profession.
Remarks: Perhaps you'd get a job as the Library Guard
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Ding!
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Congratulations on completing the Hidden Mission: Land a Blow on Demigod Veskya
Reward:
Veskya's Gauntlet (Legendary, Growth)
Description:
Once worn by Demigod Veskya during his mortal days, this ancient gauntlet is bestowed upon those who prove their worth. Imbued with residual divine power, it enhances the wearer's strength and resilience
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Seeing the notification on the interface James couldn't help but smile ruefully at the whole scenario, pitying the players that will challenge Veskya with everything they have in order to land a hit not knowing they just have to last as long as a minute against him to pass, then he noticed some another notification on the interface that was there without his notice, then opened it with a click
Ding!
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Congratulations you've created a new ability categorized as a Breathing Technique.
END + 50
Legend+1
Please name the Technique to add it your Status page that shows your state of being
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"Ohh, so you can create your own ability huh?, that seem very convenient, haha, now I can have my own skillset", James was very happy with this inclusion.
"Ugh, let's logout for now, I feel exhausted, that fight really took alot out of me, I guess it's been awhile huh" James thought with a smile before giving the command to logout and his body disassembled into tiny pixels.
...
"Ugh, what the hell, why am I this exhausted " James groaned as he stood up from the gaming pod looking at the familiar room.
"Welcome back Master, your brain activity shot up dangerously while you were immersed in the game, I contacted the gaming pod company which has now been acquired by Neon Corporations and they sent a reply that the hardware of the gaming pod has to be updated to support the deep immersion required by the Game, I need your permission to request for the update.
"Go ahead", James gave the go ahead, he doesn't want to go into the game and wake up feeling sore all over his body again "any messages for me", he asked his trusty AI
"You got 43 missed calls and 99+ text messages from Adam" the AI replied.
"What!!!!, did someone die?!!, call him back James was shocked speechless wondering if someone came to cause trouble at the Gym, but uncle Blake should be able to resolve any issue, there's no use calling him.
Beep Beep
"Hey Adam, what the Hell!!!, what happened?, what's with the calls!!!!", James asked incredulously after Adam big head showed up on one of the holo-screen in the room
"Boss your face is all over the Cyberspace, there was a video of you fighting a huge guy and you're currently trending again by the way, Boss was that you playing the new Game?, damn that's so cool, the graphics is fucking too good", Adam was obviously too excited to care about the consequences of James real face showing up on the cyberspace, neither did James, just mildly surprised at not expecting it "Ohh I guess the game has a capture and recording function" he thought out loud rubbing his hairless chin.
"Don't keep us hanging boss, I for one could hardly sleep expecting your thoughts on the game, I can't wait", James spoke with a grin while rubbing his palms against each other, God knows what's on his mind.
"Ohh yeah"James began while raising a finger, "the game immersion is great, you can grill the orb in front of the Tower with different questions as long as you're polite, each professions building has a hidden mission, the hidden mission, the mission for the Fighters Arena is to land a hit on the guardian, that's all". James finished after highlighting his points.
"That's all", adam was shocked, he wasn't expecting so little "boss, there's got to be more", Adam could almost start crying.
"That's all, I left after fighting that guy since I was feeling tired and ohh don't forget to update your gaming pod if you don't want to wake up feeling like you've been hit by a truck" James added after he remembered his own experience.
"Alright boss, I'd hit you up later" Adam nodded his head with understanding.
"Good night*
"Good night "
James then cut the call and went to his bed that was at the end of the room and laid down.
"What a Day" James thought out loud to himself *wake me up early tomorrow we need to research that gaming company and the Game" James said to his AI.
"Yes master and Good night" the AI replied
"Yeah, Good night " James replied as he drifted off to sleep, the game really took a lot out of him .