Bloodlust Rising

Arthur stood in the middle of the arena, head bowed low, his body completely still. But the air around him was different—heavy. Suffocating. A thick, dark aura spilled out of him, swirling like a storm.

Callista flinched as she felt it. "Arthur…" she called out, taking a step forward. But she stopped. Her voice faltered. "That… that's not normal…"

Leo narrowed his eyes. "Is he planning to take revenge for what Kaelith did to Hyorinmaru?"

Riven's gaze sharpened. "No. Arthur doesn't just want revenge…" He swallowed. "He wants to kill him."

Seraphina's eyes began to glow as she activated her Shingan. Her breath hitched. "That's not just killing intent… that's bloodlust. Pure bloodlust… leaking out of him like a monster waking up."

Selene's hands trembled. "That aura… no doubt about it… he's not holding back anymore."

She looked on in disbelief. "Arthur… just who are you?"

In the stands—

Magnus said nothing at first, eyes fixed on Arthur. The tension in the air was undeniable.

"…Aldric," he finally said, voice low, "what exactly is your son?"

Draven and Drake both turned to look at Aldric, demanding answers.

But Aldric just sat there, eyes wide, fear in his expression. He whispered to himself, "There's no doubt… that's his bloodlust. He's awakened…"

He clenched his fist tightly. "Verona… the day we feared is finally here. The truth is surfacing."

[Meanwhile — Noble Realm, Valtoria Mansion]

An alarm blared in Aldric and Verona's room. Verona rushed in, heart pounding.

The alarm crystal was glowing bright red.

"No…" she muttered. "It can't be…"

She turned it off quickly and sat down, pale.

"He's awakened… hasn't he, Aldric?" she whispered to herself. "The truth… it's finally starting to spill out."

Just then, Evelyn knocked on the door. "Mom? What was that noise?"

Verona forced a smile. "It's nothing, dear. Just an alarm. Go on now—Elizabeth's waiting."

As Evelyn ran off, Verona looked up at the ceiling and whispered, "What's happening out there… Arthur?"

[Back at the Arena]

Garrick's face was pale. "That bloodlust… it's monstrous…"

He turned to Alaric. "Could he be a—?"

But Alaric just smirked. "The beast has awakened."

He looked across the arena at Julius. Their eyes met.

Julius's grin widened. "Now then… what will you do?"

Eldric leaned forward. "How… how can one person release such overwhelming bloodlust?"

Julius turned to him, eyes sharp. "This is Arthur's true strength."

He looked over at Kaelith. "He's the perfect opponent for you… so come on, Arthur. Rage. Let your hatred loose."

Eldric clenched his jaw. "Whose side are you even on…?"

Kaelith, standing across from Arthur, smiled. "There you are," he said calmly.

"It's about time you got serious."

He raised his blade. "Shall we begin?"

But before he could blink, Arthur vanished.

Flash.

He reappeared in front of Kaelith and slammed a fist into his chest, sending him flying backwards.

Kaelith skidded, wiping the blood off his lip with a grin. "Not bad."

But Arthur vanished again—this time appearing beside him, landing another punch that sent him crashing even farther.

Kaelith caught himself with his blade, breathing heavier now. "So you can use Flash Step now too… impressive."

He charged, disappearing with a burst of speed. He appeared behind Arthur, blade ready to strike.

But Arthur ducked, swept his leg, and kicked Kaelith back.

The audience was stunned.

Nathaniel's eyes widened. "How is this possible…? He couldn't even use Flash Step a moment ago!"

Kaelith tightened his grip on his sword. "Combination magic—Falling Earth!"

Huge balls of stone and sand formed above him and rained down toward Arthur.

Arthur raised his hand, forming a glowing dagger of compressed mana. With fluid grace, he slashed through the projectiles with ease.

Kaelith saw his opening and launched a massive boulder. "Got you!" he shouted.

It struck Arthur directly—his upper body exploded on impact. The crowd gasped in horror.

But then…

Water rose from the torn flesh. Arthur's form began to regenerate.

"…Liquidation," Arthur said, his voice cold.

Kaelith froze. "He… turned his body into water…?"

Arthur walked forward slowly, the wounds closing as fast as they were made. Kaelith hurled more rocks, punching holes into Arthur's chest—but each hole sealed shut. One smashed his head—but the water simply reformed it.

Suddenly, Arthur vanished again. His presence disappeared.

Kaelith's eyes darted around. "Where did he go…?"

Arthur reappeared—rising from Kaelith's own sweat on the ground.

Bloodlust exploded outward again, crawling down Kaelith's spine like ice.

He staggered back. Arthur disappeared once more—then appeared mid-slice, cutting across Kaelith's arm.

Kaelith stumbled. "He's… using my sweat… as transportation…?"

Selene was frozen in shock. "That dagger… that presence… that bloodlust…"

She whispered, "Arthur… are you… an assassin? Just like me?"

She shook her head. "But if you are… why don't I know you?"

Drake turned to Aldric. "Explain this! Your son couldn't even use Flash Step—and now he's using high-level assassination skills!"

Magnus narrowed his eyes. "Just who trained him…?"

But Aldric didn't speak. He stared at Arthur, fists clenched.

"He's already displaying assassination skills…" he thought. "This is going too fast. His bloodlust keeps growing… his personality is slipping… if I don't stop this, he'll lose control."

His eyes met Alaric's—who gave a chilling smile.

"This match will not stop," Alaric said calmly. "The winner must be decided."

Julius nodded. "I agree."

And with that, the matter was dropped.

Kaelith backed away, breathing hard.

Arthur emerged again—this time from beneath the ground. He rose silently behind Kaelith.

Kaelith turned—too late. A clean slash across his right eye sent blood flying.

He screamed and staggered back, clutching his face.

Arthur walked toward him, bloodlust pouring out like a tidal wave.

"You will pay," he whispered.

Arthur grabbed Kaelith by the head and slammed him into the ground. The entire arena shook. Kaelith's eyes rolled back, stunned.

But even then—he laughed.

"I don't know why…" he grinned, "but this… this is fun."

He stood back up, blood covering his face.

"I love this version of you. Let's keep going!"

Rock and sand swirled around him as he powered up.

"I'll be the one to kill you!"

From the stands, Julius grinned.

"Kaelith… you've finally found a real fight. A real battle. Someone worth going all-out against."

He leaned forward.

"No tricks. No games. This isn't a duel anymore…"

"This is war."

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