Beast Evolution Forge

Chapter 111 Tournament 7

"Today is the day, the day Vell faces off against Rana," Sara gulped, "I know he is strong but Rana is a whole different story, even the guild masters fear her."

The morning air was thick with tension as crowds filed into the arena. Sara had arrived hours early, yet still barely managed to secure her usual spot. The regular stands had filled up days ago – now people were paying extortionate prices just to stand in the aisles.

She understood why. In 3 years, no one had even scratched Rana's armor, let alone defeated her. The woman was more legend than person now, a shadow that descended into the arena only when truly worthy opponents appeared.

"Quite the turnout," Henry's voice startled her. She hadn't seen him approach.

"You look terrible," she observed. Dark circles ringed his eyes, and his usually immaculate guild uniform was wrinkled.

He attempted a smile that came out more like a grimace. "Haven't been sleeping well."

Before she could press further, a hush fell over the crowd. The arena doors were opening.

Rana entered first, and Sara felt the familiar chill that accompanied her presence. The woman's black armor seemed to devour light itself, each step accompanied by the subtle whir of enhanced joints. No weapon – she hadn't needed one since acquiring that armor. The stories said she'd killed a high-section noble for it, though no one dared ask her the truth.

Sara had seen Rana fight 2 times before. Each battle lasted less than a minute. Her opponents weren't just defeated – they were broken, their bodies and spirits crushed by forces they couldn't comprehend. The lucky ones survived. The others... well, the arena kept detailed records.

"3 years," Henry muttered beside her. "3 years without a single defeat. They say even Guild Master Lyon backed down when she challenged him last winter."

The opposite door opened, and Vell stepped out. Sara leaned forward, studying him intently. Gone was any pretense of the bumbling fighter. He walked with measured steps, his plain sword held loosely at his side. But something was different – there was an eagerness in his posture she hadn't seen before.

The air grew heavy as the two fighters took their positions. Rana's enhanced armor hummed quietly, the sound carrying in the dead silence of the arena. Vell stood perfectly still, watching her with undisguised interest.

"I've heard interesting things about you," she spoke, her voice distorted by her helm's respirator. The mechanical tone did nothing to hide her curiosity. "They say you're not what you appear to be."

"Funny," he replied, his voice carrying easily despite its softness. "I was about to say the same about you."

High above in the VIP section, the guild masters watched with obvious tension. Sara caught fragments of their whispered conversation carried on the breeze:

"...shouldn't have let it get this far..."

"...too late now..."

"...what if he actually..."

The referee, a small man who looked like he'd rather be anywhere else, raised his hand. The crowd held its collective breath.

FIGHT!!

Neither fighter moved.

Seconds stretched like hours as they studied each other, the air between them practically crackling with potential energy. Sara felt her hands growing slick with sweat as she gripped the railing.

"Well?" Rana's mechanical voice held a note of challenge. "Shall we begin?"

Vell's smile was barely perceptible. "Ladies first."

What happened next would be debated in taverns for months to come. Rana moved, her armor carrying her across the arena faster than most eyes could follow. Her first strike could have shattered stone.

"Get down here you fuckers, I am sick of all this bullshit, I will just force you all into submission, no more slow plans." He threw a mana ball at them, destroying the entire room. They jumped into the arena, carrying the severely injured body of Rana.

"What's going on?"

"Has he lost his mind."

"Rana lost?"

"My money."

People began whispering among themselves on the situations but their voices meant nothing, Vell was focused on the players in front of him.

"What is the meaning of this?" One of them asked, trying to look calm to not drop his reputation with the audience.

Vell's laughter echoed through the arena, a sound devoid of warmth. "The meaning? I thought I made that quite clear." His eyes swept over the gathered guild masters, predatory and gleaming. "Your pitiful hierarchy ends today."

The guild master in golden armor stepped forward, his expression a mix of anger and curiosity. "You dare challenge all of us at once? Even you must realize the foolishness of such an action." Stay updated through My Virtual Library Empire

"Foolishness?" His smile widened. "No. What's foolish is how you've all grown complacent, hiding behind your titles and traditions." He gestured to Rana's broken form. "Look how easily your strongest warrior fell. You're all just as weak as she is."

The air crackled with tension as the guild masters spread out, forming a loose circle around him. Sara watched from above, her heart pounding. This was madness – even if Vell was stronger than they thought, facing all the guild masters at once was suicide.

"I'll make this simple," he continued, his voice carrying to every corner of the arena. "Submit to my authority now, and I'll let you keep your positions – under my leadership, of course. Refuse..." His eyes flashed dangerously. "Well, I'm sure you can guess the alternative."

The guild master in the shadowy cloak spoke, his voice razor-sharp. "You speak of breaking traditions, yet you're nothing but a common thug seeking power. We've dealt with your kind before."

"My kind? No. You've never dealt with anything like me." He raised his hand, and the air itself seemed to grow heavy. "Allow me to demonstrate the difference."

The first strike came from the guild master in golden armor – a blade of pure light that could cut through steel like paper. Vell didn't dodge. The attack hit him squarely in the chest... and dissipated like mist.

"Is that all?" He asked, disappointment evident in his voice.

"What's wrong with you? I was on your side, rooting for you so why are you causing all this chaos?

"You will thank me eventually, this all for your sake."

The arena erupted into chaos. The guild masters attacked as one. Light, shadow, fire, and forces beyond normal understanding converged on Vell's position.

For a moment, he disappeared in the maelstrom of power. The crowd held their breath, many believing they had just witnessed his end.

Then came the laughter.

The energies swirling around him were pushed back, scattered like leaves in a hurricane. He stood unchanged, not a hair out of place. "not bad."

He moved.

The guild master in golden armor barely had time to raise his defense before Vell's fist connected with his chest. The sound of breaking ribs echoed through the arena, followed by his body crashing into the far wall.

"One."