Three days later, Johnny entered the arena for the fourth elimination match.
With his formidable performance in the previous three matches, Johnny garnered the excited attention of countless spectators as he stepped onto the battleground.
"The Devourer!"
"The Devourer!"
The enthusiastic chants of the spectators reached Johnny's ears, earning him the moniker bestowed upon him by the crowd.
"The Devourer? Are they referring to me? Quite fitting..." Johnny mused, a smile playing on his lips as he anticipated the bloodshed to come.
As was his custom, Johnny scanned the arena for a suitable target before the battle commenced. However, amidst his survey, a chilling and bloodthirsty gaze locked onto him.
This ominous glare emanated from a cloaked figure of diminutive stature, yet it instilled a sense of impending danger in Johnny.
Meeting Johnny's gaze, the cloaked figure made a throat-slitting gesture towards him, a glint of bloodlust in his peculiar eyes.
"Here for me, huh..." Johnny remarked, unfazed by the ominous attention. Instead, he felt a surge of excitement coursing through his veins.
This was the thrill of combat—an opportunity to face a formidable adversary worthy of devouring.
As the knockout round commenced, a tense standoff ensued between Johnny and the cloaked figure. Despite the melee erupting around them, neither made a move, their eyes locked in a silent exchange of fierce determination.
Suddenly, the cloaked figure let out a strange roar, leaping high into the air and hurtling towards Johnny with ferocity.
Johnny remained steadfast, his gaze unwavering as he conjured a fiery orb in his hand. With a swift motion, he hurled the fireball towards his airborne assailant.
Confronted with imminent danger, Johnny refrained from underestimating his opponent, employing his skills in the knockout round for the first time.
Yet, despite his precision, Johnny's attack missed its mark.
The cloaked figure deftly maneuvered through the air, evading the fiery projectile with uncanny agility, despite having no solid ground beneath him.
As the figure darted past the fireball, Johnny seized the opportunity to scrutinize the obscured face beneath the cloak, illuminated by the fiery glow.
It was a visage shrouded in thick black fur, with jagged teeth bared at the corners of its mouth—a sight that triggered a familiar association in Johnny's mind: werewolf!
In an instant, the werewolf veered clear of the airborne fireball, closing the distance to Johnny with alarming speed. Its clawed hand, morphing into a dark phantom, surged from the cloak toward Johnny's throat.
With no chance to evade, Johnny instinctively raised his arm, attempting to intercept the incoming strike.
Meanwhile, his other hand, clenched into a fist ablaze with fearsome power, surged toward the werewolf's heart.
Johnny's block thwarted the werewolf's attempt on his throat, while the force of his punch forced the creature into a swift retreat.
A searing pain seared through Johnny's arm as he inspected the aftermath—a series of bloodied grooves etched into his flesh, resembling the work of a razor-sharp blade.
Thankfully, Johnny's body had undergone numerous enhancements, each cell brimming with potent energy. Thus, despite the injuries, the damage was minimal, swiftly mended by his body's rapid regenerative capabilities.
For an ordinary individual, the werewolf's ferocious grip would have shattered even the sturdiest of stones.
The fiery sting in his arm only served to heighten Johnny's senses, thrusting him into a state of heightened combat readiness.
The stronger the adversary, the more exhilarating the battle for Johnny.
As he brandished his arms, flames erupted, enveloping them entirely.
This technique had evolved following Johnny's skirmish with the red-haired foe—a fiery shroud that not only augmented his melee prowess but also bolstered his defensive capabilities to some degree.
Though the searing flames emitted intense heat, they left Johnny unscathed.
"He's utilizing his abilities. Did you see that? His arms are engulfed in flames. How thrilling!"
From his perch atop the highest stand, Grandmaster remained fixated on Johnny. Witnessing Johnny's injuries and the eruption of flames, Grandmaster's excitement mirrored that of a child.
While Johnny channeled immense flame energy, the short werewolf observed his opponent, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes.
Confident in his claw attack, Lightning Wolf believed his claws could shred steel. Yet, upon tearing into Johnny's flesh, he encountered unexpected resistance, leaving only a minor wound.
"Human, regardless of your abilities, you're nothing but prey for my Lightning Wolf!" A deep, resonant voice echoed from beneath the wide cloak.
Amidst the chaotic duel, Johnny heard the words clearly. Though the confidence in Lightning Wolf's tone brought a smirk to Johnny's lips, it was a cold smile.
"You talk too much..."
Rarely bothering with his opponent's identity, Johnny saw only a prime source of devouring points.
With flames engulfing him, Johnny charged at Lightning Wolf with fiery determination. His speed matched his fervor.
In an instant, Johnny closed the gap between them, his fiery aura bearing down on Lightning Wolf.
Flames danced around Johnny's arms as they transformed into blades, slashing down with searing intensity.
Lightning Wolf's cloak disintegrated, consumed by the inferno. The shredded fabric rained down as ash.
But as Johnny's strike met empty air, he realized Lightning Wolf had vanished.
"Terrifying speed!"
Johnny's eyes narrowed as he retreated, half-crouching, scanning for his elusive foe.
In Johnny's perception, Lightning Wolf had evaded his attack with unprecedented speed, then vanished from sight.
This velocity was unparalleled in Johnny's experience.
As Johnny scoured the arena for Lightning Wolf's elusive form, he caught sight of a faint black phantom darting between combatants.
A shrill scream pierced the air. A victorious fighter clutched his throat, blood gushing like a fountain.
.....
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