As the crowd roared with excitement, the host stepped onto the platform, his voice cutting through the chatter. "Ladies and gentlemen, the betting window is now closed! Prepare yourselves for a spectacle unlike any other as the legendary warriors of the Age of Cataclysm take to the stage!"
The holographic arena shimmered to life, revealing a rugged battlefield encased by flowing rivers and jagged cliffs. On one side, the silhouette of a towering figure materialized. The crimson aura surrounding him left no doubt about his identity.
"On one end, we have Doran Forester, the first king of the Nexus Kingdom and the originator of the fabled Red Thunder Talent! A man whose might and leadership shaped the very foundation of modern civilization!" the host exclaimed, his tone swelling with reverence.
The crowd erupted into cheers, the name of Doran Forester evoking pride and awe. But at the opposite end of the battlefield, a smaller, unassuming figure emerged. The man's features were sharp, his movements calculated. He carried no weapon but a crafting bench strapped to his back and a satchel filled with mysterious materials.
"And facing him is Steve, the legendary Crafter from the post-Cataclysm era, a being born of the Rift! Known for his unparalleled ingenuity and resilience, he carved his name into history with the versatile Minecraft Talent!"
The arena's atmosphere grew electric as the host announced the start of the match. "Let the battle begin!"
Doran wasted no time, his body surging with crimson lightning. The air around him crackled as bolts of Red Thunder arced toward Steve, their destructive power enough to scorch the very ground they touched. Steve, however, stood his ground, pulling materials from his satchel with uncanny speed.
A wall of obsidian erupted before him, absorbing the lightning with ease. The crowd gasped as the clash of power and defense sent shockwaves across the arena. Doran's eyes narrowed. He charged forward, his massive sword alight with energy, intending to break through Steve's defenses with sheer force.
Steve didn't flinch. As Doran's blade came crashing down, a platform of pistons beneath his feet launched him skyward. From his elevated position, Steve quickly constructed a flurry of projectiles made from TNT and flint, which he hurled toward Doran.
The explosions rocked the battlefield, momentarily obscuring Doran in a cloud of smoke and debris. When the dust settled, Doran emerged unscathed, his crimson aura shimmering brighter than before. "Your tricks won't save you," he growled, his voice resonating across the arena.
"It's not about saving myself," Steve replied calmly. "It's about adapting."
The crowd watched, mesmerized, as the battle unfolded. Doran's relentless offense clashed against Steve's innovative defenses. Every time Doran thought he had cornered the Crafter, Steve would pull another trick from his arsenal. He created water trenches to dampen the effects of Red Thunder, used slime blocks to deflect attacks, and even constructed decoys to mislead Doran.
"What a battle!" the host exclaimed, his excitement contagious. "This is not just a clash of power but a demonstration of ingenuity versus brute force! Truly, a spectacle for the ages!"
In the stands, Ned watched intently, his eyes darting between the combatants. Parth's words echoed in his mind. "Steve will win." Though initially skeptical, Ned now saw the logic in his brother's prediction. Steve's adaptability and strategic foresight were keeping him in the fight against overwhelming odds.
As the match approached its climax, Doran unleashed his ultimate move. He raised his sword to the heavens, channeling an immense amount of Red Thunder. The sky above the arena darkened, and a massive bolt of lightning descended, aimed directly at Steve.
Steve's response was swift. He built a structure—a tall lightning rod—in mere seconds. The bolt struck the rod, diverting its energy harmlessly into the ground. But Steve wasn't done. Utilizing the energy from the lightning, he activated a series of redstone contraptions that sent an array of explosives toward Doran.
The resulting explosion left the arena in chaos. When the dust finally settled, Steve stood tall, his crafting bench now a makeshift shield, while Doran knelt, his sword shattered and his aura dimmed. The crowd erupted in cheers as the host declared Steve the winner.
As the leaderboard updated, a collective gasp swept through the stands.
"Unbelievable! Ladies and gentlemen, take a look at the leaderboard! Ned Forester is at the top with an astronomical number of points! How is this even possible?" the host exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief.
The crowd murmured, their attention shifting to Ned, who sat calmly beside Parth. Despite the scrutiny, Ned remained composed, a faint smile playing on his lips. Parth, on the other hand, looked smug. "Told you," he whispered to his brother.
The betting rounds continued, each match a new opportunity for Ned and Parth to analyze and strategize. With Parth's historical knowledge and Ned's ability to learn from the combatants' techniques, they managed to win most of their bets, accumulating an impressive number of points.
For Ned, these matches weren't just about betting. Watching the simulations gave him invaluable insights into the talents and skills of history's greatest warriors. Though his Spectator's Insight couldn't copy the abilities of the simulations, he still gleaned a wealth of knowledge about their fighting styles and strategies.
As the day progressed, the final match of the betting round was announced. The crowd buzzed with anticipation as the holographic arena transformed once more. At one end, a dark, menacing figure emerged. His presence alone was enough to send chills down everyone's spine.
"On one side, we have the Shadow Sovereign, Sun Jin-Woo, the legendary necromancer and master of the shadow army! A warrior whose name is synonymous with domination!" the host announced.
The other end of the arena lit up, revealing a familiar face that made Ned's blood run cold.
"And facing him is Iver Bacardi, the enigmatic warrior whose strength remains unmatched in recorded history! A man whose disappearance after the Monster Wars remains one of history's greatest mysteries!"
Ned froze. The sight of Iver, even as a simulation, brought back memories he'd rather forget. Beside him, Parth was already analyzing the matchup, oblivious to his brother's discomfort.
The match began with Sun Jin-Woo summoning his shadow soldiers, an army that filled the battlefield with an overwhelming presence. Iver, however, remained unfazed. He moved with unparalleled grace, dismantling the shadow soldiers with a combination of martial skill and ingenuity. Unlike other combatants, Iver didn't rely on a visible talent. Instead, he used weapons and potions, crafting them mid-battle to counter Sun Jin-Woo's attacks.
Despite Iver's prowess, the Shadow Sovereign's control over his army proved too much. As the battle reached its climax, Sun Jin-Woo unleashed his ultimate move, engulfing the arena in a sea of shadows. When the darkness lifted, Iver was defeated, his simulation flickering and disappearing.
Though Sun Jin-Woo was declared the winner, the crowd's reactions were mixed. Many had expected a more even fight, while others were left in awe of the Shadow Sovereign's dominance.
For Ned, the match was unsettling. The simulation of Iver felt too real, as if it were alive. The experience left him rattled, his mind racing with questions he couldn't answer.
As the round concluded, the host stepped forward to announce the results. "After an intense and thrilling round, we now have our top 32 contestants! These are the warriors who will move on to the final stage of the tournament!"
Ned's name was among them, as were Parth's, Reena's, Ambessa's, and Bonita's. However, Lily hadn't made the cut, having lost too many points in this round. Among the other qualifiers were familiar names like Zara, Lucius, and Marco, along with several others Ned didn't recognize.
The host's voice rang out once more. "The final stage will commence tomorrow! Contestants, take this time to rest and prepare. The true test lies ahead!"
As the crowd began to disperse, Ned couldn't shake the unease that lingered in him after watching Iver fight. Just considering the possibility of him being alive shook him to the core.