The tension in the air was thick, suffocating.
The crowd was restless, eager to see blood spill upon the stone arena.
They had already decided the outcome before the first move had even been made.
Jack was the underdog, the sacrificial lamb.
But they were about to witness something entirely different.
The announcer raised his arm.
"Contestants, please entertain us."
The moment his hand dropped, the match commenced.
Jack reacted instantly, his body moving with the precision of someone who had fought countless battles.
His opponent wasted no time either, slamming the base of his staff against the ground. A pulse of dark energy erupted from the impact, sending jagged tendrils spiraling toward Jack.
They were like white snakes... almost see-through.
[Ding: Soul attack detected. Soul snakes will reduce life force by 5% with each successive hit.]