"Strength is more than just power. It's knowing when to advance, when to retreat… and when to end a fight."
1. Joshua vs. Zhao Xian – A True Challenge
The coliseum trembled with excitement as Joshua stepped into the simulated battlefield.
Across from him stood Zhao Xian, a high 4-star Aura specialist, known for his overwhelming speed and aggressive combat style.
✔ Wielding dual curved blades, Zhao Xian's fighting style was a relentless storm of offense.
✔ His Aura mastery allowed him to push his speed to unnatural levels.
✔ He was famous for breaking opponents with pure, rapid assault—never giving them time to breathe.
The announcer's voice boomed across the arena.
"Next match: Joshua Lim vs. Zhao Xian!"
Joshua smirked.
"Let's see how good you really are."
2. The Fight Begins – Speed vs. Strategy
The moment the match started, Zhao Xian moved first.
✔ His footwork was flawless. His blades cut through the air like streaks of lightning.
✔ His speed was too fast for most to track—his Aura-enhanced movements leaving afterimages behind.
✔ He didn't stop attacking for even a second.
Joshua dodged, weaving between slashes, but even he had to admit—Zhao Xian was fast.
"Finally! Joshua is being pressured!"
"Zhao Xian isn't letting him dictate the fight!"
Joshua let Zhao Xian push forward, studying every movement.
Then—he vanished.
3. The Counterattack – Joshua Reveals His Stealth Skills
✔ One moment, Joshua was there—then he was gone.
✔ His Aura signature vanished. His presence disappeared completely.
✔ It was like he had never existed.
The crowd gasped.
"Wait, what? Where did he go?!"
"Did he just use an assassin technique?!"
Zhao Xian froze mid-strike.
His eyes darted around the battlefield, searching.
But there was nothing.
A sudden chill ran down his spine.
Then—a whisper brushed against his ear.
"You rely too much on your speed."
A sharp, precise strike landed against his ribs.
Zhao Xian stumbled, eyes wide.
Joshua reappeared, twirling his dagger effortlessly in his grip.
"You're fast," Joshua said with a smirk. "But speed is useless when you can't see your opponent."
Zhao Xian gritted his teeth.
"Damn it… I didn't even sense him move!"
4. The End of the Fight – The Arena Stands in Shock
Zhao Xian charged forward for a final attack.
Joshua sidestepped effortlessly.
✔ One precise strike to Zhao Xian's ribs.
✔ A second strike to his wrist, disrupting his grip.
✔ And then a powerful kick, sending Zhao Xian crashing to the ground.
[Victory – Joshua Lim Wins!]
The arena erupted into cheers.
✔ "Joshua Lim isn't just a Hybrid—he's an assassin too?!"
✔ "How many different fighting styles does he even know?!"
✔ "What else can he do?!"
Up in the VIP stands, Yue chuckled softly.
"Joshua Lim… you just keep getting more interesting."
Sung En, watching from the sidelines, crossed her arms.
He was too strong.
But she wasn't planning to lose.
Especially since…
She was his next opponent.
5. Joshua vs. Sung En – A Battle That Should Have Been the Finals
"Next match: Joshua Lim vs. Sung En!"
The crowd exploded.
✔ "Are you serious?! Why isn't this the finals?!"
✔ "They're engaged, aren't they?!"
✔ "An engaged couple fighting in the tournament—this is insane!"
Joshua stepped onto the battlefield, rolling his shoulders.
Across from him, Sung En stood tall, her rapier glowing with wind-enhanced flames.
For the first time, Joshua hesitated.
Not because he was afraid.
But because he didn't want to fight her.
But Sung En?
She had no hesitation at all.
"Don't hold back, Joshua," she said, her eyes locked onto his.
Joshua exhaled.
"Alright, Princess. Let's see how far you've come."
6. The Battle Begins – A True Rivalry
The moment the match started, Sung En moved.
✔ No hesitation. No delay.
✔ Her wind-enhanced speed was faster than ever before.
✔ Her flames burned hotter, striking with precision and force.
Joshua dodged and countered, his Aura-infused strikes clashing against her fire-enhanced rapier.
Every movement was calculated.
Every attack was perfectly executed.
The crowd watched in stunned silence.
✔ "Neither of them is giving an inch!"
✔ "This isn't just a fight—it's a war!"
And then—Sung En stepped past her limit.
7. Sung En Breaks Through – Overwhelming Joshua
A sudden burst of energy erupted from Sung En.
✔ Her flames roared to life, more intense than ever before.
✔ Her speed doubled, her strikes growing sharper and faster.
✔ She was no longer fighting normally—she was forcing herself beyond her limits.
Joshua's eyes narrowed.
"She's going too far."
For the first time in the tournament—Joshua was forced back.
✔ "She's overwhelming him!"
✔ "Sung En is actually pushing Joshua to his limit!"
But…
Joshua was still holding back.
Because he had already seen it.
A small misstep. A brief moment of imbalance.
And in one precise counter, he ended the fight.
8. The End – A Gentle Finish
Sung En's body finally gave out.
She stumbled forward—only for Joshua to catch her before she fell.
[Victory – Joshua Lim Wins!]
The stadium fell silent for a moment.
Then—an explosion of cheers.
✔ "That was the best fight of the tournament so far!"
✔ "She almost had him! If she had just controlled her power better…"
✔ "Joshua Lim isn't invincible after all!"
Joshua gently lowered Sung En to the ground.
She was breathing hard, her body trembling from exhaustion.
Her violet eyes looked up at him.
"…You're still annoying," she muttered.
Joshua chuckled.
"And you're stronger now," he replied, smiling down at her.
Sung En grinned weakly.
The crowd went wild.
And as Joshua walked away, he knew—
"This tournament just became personal."