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Arrival at the Coliseum
The Ranker Association's grand coliseum loomed on the horizon like a modern-day fortress. Its massive walls, etched with the names of past champions, gleamed under the morning sun. Rankers from across the world streamed in, their powerful auras colliding in the air, creating an oppressive atmosphere.
Jin stepped out of the shadows near the entrance, his Abyssal-crafted combat suit absorbing the surrounding light. The faint hum of chatter died as heads turned in his direction. His presence was an enigma—his aura too powerful for a low-rank entrant yet unregistered in the system.
"Who's that guy?" whispered one ranker.
"Never seen him before. Must be a nobody trying to make a name."
"Don't underestimate anyone here," said another. "This is the Ranker Selection Trials. Even a 'nobody' could be hiding monstrous power."
Jin ignored the murmurs and walked toward the registration desk, where a stern-looking man in a military uniform greeted him.
"Name?" the man asked curtly.
"Jin Shang," Jin replied, his voice calm but firm.
The man's eyes flicked to a screen. After a brief moment, he frowned.
"No official rank, no prior association records, and... no mana signature classification?"
Before the man could question further, the screen flickered. A black symbol, shaped like a swirling void, appeared next to Jin's name. The man stiffened, recognizing the emblem of Abyssal influence.
"Welcome to the trials, Mr. Shang," the man said, his tone suddenly respectful. "Proceed to Gate 7."
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The Rules of the Trial
Inside the coliseum, the Ranker Association's Vice Chairman, a man named Victor Carmine, stood before the gathered contestants. His commanding voice echoed through the arena.
"Welcome to the Ranker Selection Trials! This is where legends are born, and failures are forgotten. Over the next three days, you will face a series of challenges designed to test your strength, strategy, and survival instincts."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.
"Only the top ten participants will earn official rankings and privileges. The rest... well, you'll return to obscurity. For those of you who survive, of course."
The crowd murmured as Victor continued.
"There will be three stages:
1. The Arena Clash: A battle royale to eliminate half the competitors.
2. The Labyrinth of Trials: A test of strategy, endurance, and mental fortitude.
3. The Final Duel: One-on-one battles to determine the ranking order."
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Stage One: The Arena Clash
Jin found himself in a massive circular arena surrounded by high walls. Hundreds of rankers stood ready, each exuding varying levels of power. A holographic screen displayed the countdown.
"Remember," Erebus said in Jin's mind, "this is about survival. You don't need to show your full strength yet. Observe, analyze, and strike when necessary."
As the countdown hit zero, chaos erupted. Spells, weapons, and abilities filled the air as the rankers clashed.
Jin kept his movements minimal, avoiding attention while watching the field. He noticed a group of rankers banding together to dominate weaker opponents. Others, like him, stayed on the outskirts, conserving their energy.
Suddenly, a towering figure charged toward Jin—a muscular man wielding a massive hammer.
"Out of my way, weakling!" the man roared, swinging the weapon down with brutal force.
Jin sidestepped effortlessly, his movements almost too fast to track. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a tendril of void energy, tripping the man and sending him crashing to the ground.
"Too predictable," Jin muttered, walking away as the man struggled to recover.
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Unveiling the Strongest
As the battle raged, four figures stood out from the chaos, each exuding immense power:
1. Thomas Boaris, the colossal celestial from the UK, effortlessly threw opponents out of the ring with raw strength.
2. Chris Walker, engulfed in flames, incinerated anyone who dared approach him.
3. Park Hae-in, with lightning crackling around her, moved like a blur, taking down multiple enemies at once.
4. Mr. Singh, cloaked in shadows, dispatched foes with deadly precision.
"They're Celestials," Erebus whispered. "True monsters. Avoid them for now."
Jin smirked.
"For now."
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Jin's Moment
As the number of contestants dwindled, Jin noticed a group of five rankers converging on him. One of them, a woman with ice manipulation, sneered.
"You've been lurking long enough, mystery man. Let's see what you've got."
The group attacked simultaneously. Ice shards flew toward Jin, while another ranker launched fireballs. The remaining three charged with weapons.
Jin sighed, raising his hand.
"You want to see what I've got? Fine."
With a wave, a surge of void energy erupted from Jin, swallowing the incoming attacks and disarming the attackers. The group collapsed to their knees, overwhelmed by the oppressive aura.
"Stay down," Jin said coldly, walking past them.
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The Stage Ends
A loud horn signaled the end of the first stage. A system announcement echoed through the arena.
"Stage One complete. Remaining participants: 150. Proceed to the Labyrinth of Trials."
Jin glanced around, noting the battered and exhausted state of the remaining rankers. His gaze shifted to the Celestials, who remained untouched and calm.
"This is going to get interesting," Jin muttered, a sly grin on his face.
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