Kailash ducked under another swing from Jorik, using his smaller size to slip around the larger fighter.
He activated the Gale Strike, sending a burst of wind that knocked Jorik off balance. Taking advantage of the moment, Kailash delivered a quick series of punches with his Qi-Infused Gloves, targeting Jorik's ribs.
Jorik grunted, stepping back with a scowl. "You've got some fight in you, kid. But it won't be enough."
"That's what they all say," Kailash replied, panting as he kept his sword raised.
As the fight raged on, the number of competitors began to dwindle.
Some were knocked unconscious, while others were forced to yield when overwhelmed.
The spiritual beast had been taken down by a coordinated effort from three fighters, but not without leaving a trail of injured contestants in its wake.
Kailash found himself in a brief lull, crouching behind a stone pillar to catch his breath.
His body ached, his Qi reserves were running low, and his sword buzzed faintly in his grip, as if mocking him.
"Still standing," he muttered to himself. "Barely."
A sudden shout snapped him back to attention.
One of the remaining fighters, a tall girl with a glowing whip was engaged in a fierce duel with Haren.
The whip cracked through the air, but Haren's lightning staff deflected each strike with precision.
The two seemed evenly matched, their attacks creating bursts of light and sound that drew the crowd's cheers.
Nearby, Lian's puppets continued their relentless assault, but Jorik had turned his attention to her, his axe carving through one of the wooden constructs with a single swing.
Lian frowned, her hands weaving intricate patterns as she directed the remaining puppet to defend her.
Kailash saw his chance. With most of the fighters distracted, he emerged from behind the pillar, targeting a lone opponent who was already injured.
A quick burst of Qi into his sword and a well-timed Gale Strike sent the fighter tumbling out of the ring.
By the time the dust began to settle, only three fighters remained standing in the ring: Lian, Jorik, and Kailash.
The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement at peak as the announcer stepped forward.
"Ladies and gentlemen! After an intense and grueling battle, we have our final three competitors!"
Kailash stood hunched over, his chest heaving as he tried to steady his breathing.
His grip on his sword was tight, his knuckles pale.
Across the ring, Jorik looked just as battered but still managed to smirk, his massive axe resting on his shoulder.
Meanwhile, Lian, unnervingly composed despite the chaos, stood silently, her last puppet battered but operational beside her.
The announcer's voice boomed through the arena, his excitement unmatched. "What a fight! Three incredible competitors remain each one proving their worth through grit, strategy, and sheer willpower!"
Kailash rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath, "Yeah, sure. Let's call it strategy and not sheer dumb luck."
The crowd roared as the announcer gestured to each of them in turn. "Jorik of the Ironfist Clan! Lian of the Crimson Viper Sect! And Kailash Varuna of Kalith Village!"
Kailash flinched slightly at the lukewarm applause his name received.
He shot a glance at the crowd and noticed a few spectators exchanging confused looks.
One even mouthed, "Who?"
"Don't let it get to you, kid," Jorik called out, his grin wide. "They'll remember you after I knock you out in the finals."
Kailash straightened up, wiping sweat from his brow. "Big talk for someone who still hasn't figured out how to dodge."
Jorik barked out a laugh, pointing at him with the end of his axe. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. Not much else, but guts for sure."
Lian, still eerily quiet, flicked her fingers, and her puppet took a single step forward.
Kailash couldn't tell if the move was a threat or a warning, but it sent a chill down his spine regardless.
The announcer gestured for calm. "These three finalists will now face off in tomorrow's grand duel! Until then, let's hear it for our competitors!"
The crowd exploded into cheers as the three of them stood there, exhausted but victorious.
As Kailash exited the arena, Ravi was waiting for him just outside the gates.
His usual smirk was in place, but there was a glimmer of something else in his eyes, pride, maybe.
"Well, you're still alive. That's a start," Ravi said, clapping him on the shoulder.
Kailash groaned. "Barely. Did you see that fight? I thought that giant wolf thing was going to take my head off."
Ravi nodded thoughtfully. "And yet, here you are, standing with the final three. You've done well, kid. But tomorrow's going to be a different beast altogether."
Kailash sighed, leaning on his sword for support. "Thanks for the pep talk. I'm really feeling the encouragement."
Ravi chuckled. "You'll need more than encouragement to take down those two. Lian's puppets are nasty, and Jorik? He's built like a mountain."
"Great," Kailash muttered. "Remind me why I'm doing this again?"
Ravi grinned. "Because you're too stubborn to quit."
That night, the lodge was eerily quiet. Most of the other competitors had left after being eliminated, leaving the hallways empty and the dining area almost silent.
Kailash sat on his bed, staring at the glowing screen of his System, which had appeared the moment he was alone.
[System Notification]
Congratulations on surviving the Battle Royale!
Rewards for Final Round Preparation:
1. Item: Advanced Qi Replenishment Elixir
2. Skill Upgrade: Gale Strike Lv. 2
Kailash blinked at the notifications, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "An upgrade to Gale Strike? Now we're talking."
He mentally selected the skill upgrade first. The System's explanation popped up, detailing the changes.
[Skill Upgrade: Gale Strike Lv. 2]
Enhanced wind pressure for greater range and power.
New feature: Targeted strikes capable of precision damage.
Kailash grinned. "Precision damage, huh? Might come in handy against Puppet Girl."
Next, he focused on the elixir, which materialized in his hand.
The vial glowed faintly, the liquid inside swirling with an almost hypnotic pattern.
"I'm guessing this isn't for sipping like tea," he muttered, studying it.
He decided to save it for the next day, tucking it safely into his bag.
As he lay back on the lumpy mattress, Kailash couldn't help but let out a tired chuckle.
The final round was going to be brutal, but at least he wouldn't be going in empty-handed.