The day of the War Game had finally arrived. The air in Orario was thick with anticipation, as the strongest adventurers from the Freya Familia and Loki Familia sat in their respective booths, awaiting the announcement of the war game rules. Tension filled the stadium-like arena that had been set up for this monumental clash, where the greatest of Orario's warriors would fight not just for pride, but for their Familia's future.
Bell Cranel sat at the center of the Freya Familia's booth, surrounded by Ottar, Allen, Hedin, and the other members who had fought alongside him in the Dungeon during the grueling month of training. Across from them, Loki Familia sat, with Finn Deimne, Ais Wallenstein, Riveria Ljos Alf, Gareth Landrock, Bete Loga, and the Amazon twins Tiona and Tione, all with grim expressions.
Freya leaned back in her seat, exuding confidence. Her eyes never left Bell, whose aura of power had grown so immense that even the gods felt it. Loki, seated across from her, wore a smug but tense expression, her eyes flicking between her Familia and the booth across from her.
The announcer, a god with a booming voice, stepped forward into the center of the arena, amplified by magic for all the spectators to hear.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Mortals and gods alike! Today marks a historic moment in Orario! A battle between two of the strongest Familias this city has ever known: Freya Familia and Loki Familia!" The crowd roared, shaking the very foundations of the arena. "The rules of this War Game are simple: one-on-one battles! However, the fighters do not need to switch out unless they are defeated! The winner will be the last Familia standing!"
The announcer's words hung in the air like a challenge to all watching. Everyone knew what was at stake—if Freya won, she would claim Finn, Riveria, and Ais along with Bete and the Amazonesses as her own. If Loki won, she would gain all of Freya Familia's members who were Level 7 or above. The weight of this clash wasn't just about power—it was about pride, influence, and dominance over Orario.
The first match was announced.
"First up! The warlord of Freya Familia, Ottar, vs. the Braver of Loki Familia, Finn Deimne!"
Fight 1: Ottar vs. Finn Deimne
Ottar stood from his seat, his massive frame looming over the other members of Freya Familia as he descended into the arena. Finn, ever composed and confident, followed suit, his spear gleaming under the sunlight as he stepped into the ring to face Ottar.
The crowd hushed as the two warriors faced each other. Finn, known for his strategy and precision, sized up Ottar, knowing that brute strength alone wouldn't be enough to win this fight.
With a signal from the announcer, the fight began. Finn dashed forward with blinding speed, his spear aimed at Ottar's weak points, hoping to strike fast and hard. Ottar, however, remained calm, blocking and parrying each strike with his greatsword, his movements far too swift for his size.
As Finn pressed the attack, Ottar countered with devastating force. Their weapons clashed, creating shockwaves that rippled through the arena. Finn's agility kept him in the fight, but Ottar's strength began to wear him down. The Boaz warrior was a fortress, and no matter how Finn tried to break through his defenses, Ottar remained impenetrable.
With a powerful overhead swing, Ottar knocked Finn's spear aside and struck him with a crushing blow to the chest, sending him flying across the arena. Finn struggled to rise but fell to his knees, unable to continue the fight.
"Ottar is victorious!" the announcer cried, and the crowd erupted in cheers. Freya's booth remained composed, but the tension in Loki's booth spiked.
Fight 2: Ottar vs. Ais Wallenstein
Before Ottar could leave the arena, the announcer's voice rang out again. "Next up! Ais Wallenstein, the Sword Princess!"
Ais stepped forward, her eyes blazing with fury. She had been waiting for this moment. Her hatred for Freya Familia and her thirst for vengeance against those who stood in her way had reached a boiling point. Without a word, she leapt into the ring, her rapier flashing as she drew it.
From the start, it was clear Ais was different. The air around her crackled with unstable magical energy. Her rage fueled her, and the wind spirits that aided her seemed almost out of control. Ais rushed at Ottar with terrifying speed, her rapier slicing through the air, each strike filled with lethal intent.
Ottar, already tired from his fight with Finn, blocked the first few strikes but found himself struggling to keep up with Ais' relentless assault. Her rage gave her strength, and her control over her wind magic grew erratic, creating gales that buffeted Ottar and sent cracks spidering across the ground.
With a final surge of power, Ais unleashed her magic—Ariel—in an explosion of wind and fury that engulfed the arena. Ottar roared, standing firm as he swung his sword to deflect the storm, but the force of Ais' attack was too great.
When the dust settled, both fighters were on their knees, barely conscious. Neither could continue.
"A draw!" the announcer declared, surprising the crowd.
Fight 3: Bell Cranel vs. Riveria Ljos Alf
The announcer barely gave the crowd time to process the draw before the next name was called.
"Next! Freya Familia's ace, Bell Cranel, versus Loki Familia's elven sage, Riveria Ljos Alf!"
Bell rose calmly from his seat. His training had taken him beyond his previous limits, and he was more than ready to prove it. Riveria, calm and composed, knew that she had to give everything she had in this fight. The two descended into the arena as the audience hushed.
Riveria opened with a barrage of high-level spells, her magic lighting up the arena as she unleashed a storm of fire, wind, and ice. But Bell, faster than the eye could track, dodged each attack, his Six Eyes allowing him to read the flow of magic before it even formed.
Bell retaliated with an elegant sweep of his sword, followed by a series of high-speed strikes that forced Riveria to go on the defensive. Despite her skill, Bell's overwhelming speed and precision were too much. With a final burst of magic, Riveria tried to create space, but Bell slipped through her defenses and landed a decisive blow, knocking her unconscious.
"Bell Cranel is victorious!" the announcer cried, and the crowd roared even louder than before. Freya smiled proudly from her seat, her gaze locked onto her champion.
Fight 4: Bell Cranel vs. Gareth Landrock
Next up was Gareth Landrock, Loki Familia's indomitable dwarf. Bell, however, had fought monsters stronger than any adventurer during his month of intense training. Gareth charged with a bellowing roar, his ax swinging with deadly force.
But Bell, unphased, ducked under each strike, his movements smooth and fluid. He countered with a flurry of blows, each one striking Gareth with precision. The dwarf swung wildly, but Bell was too fast, too sharp. A final strike to Gareth's midsection sent him crashing to the ground.
"Bell Cranel wins again!"
Fight 5: Bell Cranel vs. Bete Loga, Tiona, and Tione
Loki wanted to win at all cost and desperate times call for desperate means, so after bribing the anouncer she sat in her seat and watched with a happy expression as her final card went towards the arena.
Next came Bete, followed by the Amazon twins, Tiona and Tione. But no matter their ferocity, no matter their skill, they all fell one by one to Bell's relentless assault. His mastery over his techniques, his strength, and his endless reserves of energy made him unbeatable. His Limitless ability kept him untouchable, while his swordsmanship was flawless.
With each fight, the gap between Bell and the other adventurers became clearer. He stood above them all.
The final blow was struck, and the last of Loki Familia's fighters fell to the ground. The announcer raised his hands to the sky.
"Freya Familia is victorious! They are the strongest Familia in Orario!"
The crowd erupted, and the entire stadium shook with cheers and gasps. Freya, seated in her booth, gazed down at Bell with pride and satisfaction.
Loki, silent and bitter, knew the cost of this defeat. Finn, Ais, and Riveria and the others were now Freya's, as promised.
Freya Familia had proven its dominance over Orario, and Bell Cranel had cemented his place as the strongest adventurer in the world.