The air crackled with tension as Dave stood over the fallen bodies of the last three fighters. Each movement was executed with a level of precision that was becoming second nature to him. It had been too easy, each opponent falling before him like wheat before the scythe, their desperate attacks merely an afterthought in the onslaught of his lethal skill.
The first had rushed him with reckless fury, swinging wildly. Dave had dodged with a grace that bordered on the supernatural, slipping behind the man and delivering a swift dagger to his throat. The second had attempted to charge, but Dave's teleports had made him a ghost, striking with lethal efficiency. By the time the last fighter realized the hopelessness of their situation, it was far too late.
As silence fell over the area, Dave wiped the blood from his daggers and surveyed the scene. "Is that really all they had?" he asked aloud, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.
Feeling invigorated by the thrill of the fight, he called upon the System. "How many more fighters are left in this massive trial?"
"There are approximately 100 fighters remaining in the trial," the System replied, its tone monotonous but its information vital.
"A hundred, huh?" Dave mused, his excitement surging. "Looks like I've got a bit more work to do." The thought of facing off against a hundred more opponents only fueled his hunger for battle. He had come this far, and he could feel the adrenaline coursing through him, urging him forward.
"And what about my rank?" he inquired, his mind racing with the possibilities.
"You have gained enough experience from the recent encounters to advance from Middle Rank SSS to SSS Peak Realm," the System confirmed.
A grin split Dave's face at the announcement. He could feel the power surging within him, the newfound strength igniting his senses. "Peak SSS Realm… I can't wait to see what that means for me."
He flexed his fingers, the daggers feeling like an extension of his own body. His heart raced as he anticipated the next battle, the next test of his skills. However, as he prepared to move forward, the atmosphere shifted.
"Warning! Enemy strong detected flying to your location!" the System announced abruptly, interrupting his thoughts.
Dave's senses heightened instantly. He turned, squinting against the sky as a figure broke through the clouds, soaring toward him with incredible speed. The silhouette was enormous, its presence exuding a weight of power that sent a thrill of anxiety through Dave's core.
"Just what I needed," he muttered, adrenaline spiking in his veins. "A new challenge."
The figure grew larger as it approached, revealing a warrior clad in dark armor, glowing with a malevolent energy. Large, menacing wings unfurled behind him, and his eyes glowed a bright crimson, piercing through the haze of the battlefield. He appeared to be a fusion of human and beast, his form radiating an aura that made Dave's instincts scream for him to flee.
The dark warrior landed gracefully on the ground, the impact sending a shockwave through the area. Dust and debris flew around them, momentarily obscuring the surroundings. Dave tightened his grip on his daggers, his heart pounding as he sized up his new opponent.
"I've heard whispers of a fighter like you," the dark warrior said, his voice deep and resonant. "A mere child playing with daggers in a world of titans." He laughed, a cruel, mocking sound. "You think you can challenge me?"
"I don't think," Dave replied, confidence surging within him. "I know."
The warrior's eyes narrowed as he prepared to strike. Dave could feel the tension in the air, thick and charged, and he was all too aware that this was a fight he couldn't afford to lose. The stakes were higher than ever, and the thrill of battle surged through him, igniting his competitive spirit.
As the warrior lunged, wings flaring and dark energy crackling around him, Dave activated his teleportation ability, evading the initial onslaught and repositioning himself behind the enemy. The ground erupted where the warrior had landed, leaving a crater in his wake.
"Not bad, kid!" the warrior growled, spinning around to face Dave, who was already charging forward.
"Let's see how long you can keep up," Dave shot back, launching himself at the dark warrior, daggers poised to strike.