{Top of the Leaderboard}
His name burned gold at the top—Ryu Jin-Seok, Rank 1.
The air itself seemed to tighten.
---
{The Division Begins}
Zephyr said nothing, eyes narrowing.
Joshua's expression tightened, intrigued.
Noah blinked up at the sky—then grinned like a kid on his birthday.
> Noah
"…Already first? Man, you just can't let anyone else have fun, huh?"
He yanked his arm free from Zephyr's grip.
> Joshua (to Noah, tilting his head)
"Four of us. You good with him?" (nods at Zephyr)
> Noah (cracking his neck, grinning)
"Always. You taking Jin Jin?"
> Joshua
"I need a proper match too. Let's see who gets bragging rights."
> Noah
"Done. But don't cry if he breaks your jaw."
> Joshua (grins)
"Same to you."
They both nodded.
Zephyr and Jin-Seok had been silent the entire time. Stone-faced. Calm. Watching.
> Jin-Seok
"Just checking… you guys know we're standing right here, right?"
> Noah (waving it off)
"Relax, Jin Jin. I've got business with Z here. Go entertain Josh."
> Jin-Seok
"Okay, hold up—who the hell is Jin Jin? That's not my name."
> Zephyr (without blinking)
"He forgets names and makes up nicknames. Just ignore him."
> Noah (grinning wider)
"Jin Jin suits you. You've got the vibe."
> Jin-Seok (deadpan)
"…I'm gonna punch you for that."
> Noah
"Get in line."
---
{Lines Drawn, Fights Chosen}
They split.
Noah turned back toward Zephyr, his madness meeting cold steel.
Joshua stepped forward to face Jin-Seok, tension humming in the air.
And in that brief silence—
> Jin-Seok (rolling his shoulder, blood still streaked across his cheek)
"Alright. Let's make this quick. I've got a leaderboard to protect."
> Joshua (smiling faintly)
"Good. I've got a point to prove."
---
{Scene – Demon vs Dragon: The Real Fight Begins}
[Timer: 17:43 Remaining]
Wind howled through the fractured clearing.
Noah cracked his knuckles. Zephyr rolled his neck.
No words now.
Just pressure.
They dashed in at the same moment—
---
➤ Phase 1 – Raw Combat
Noah struck first—
A blur of kicks. Sharp, whip-fast, unpredictable.
His feet spun and twisted in midair—heel catching Zephyr's shoulder, then flipping into a cartwheel kick—
Zephyr blocked one, two, three—
But the fourth slipped through—smashing into his ribs.
> Zephyr (grunts, sliding back)
Noah didn't stop.
He dashed forward with a backflip feint, landed behind Zephyr, and jabbed a heel straight toward his spine.
Zephyr spun, barely dodging.
> Noah (grinning)
"Surprised, Z? I'm not all jokes."
Zephyr finally stepped in—calm, controlled—delivered a brutal elbow.
Noah ducked.
But Zephyr pivoted, swept his legs.
Noah fell—twisted midair—and used the fall to launch another low kick, clipping Zephyr's shin hard enough to crack the earth.
They broke apart.
Breathing. Tense.
---
➤ Phase 2 – Bloodlines Stir
[Timer: 14:10 Remaining]
They met eyes. Both understood.
Noah rolled his shoulders. His skin darkened—veins glowing demonic red.
Muscles twisted, eyes sharpened, teeth a little too sharp now.
> Noah (Demon Lineage – Body Fortification)
"Let's make it interesting."
Zephyr exhaled. Heat radiated from his form.
His forearms shimmered—draconic scales layered across his limbs.
His eyes turned cold gold.
A low rumble echoed from his chest.
> Zephyr (Dragon Lineage – Body Fortification)
"Finally."
---
➤ Phase 3 – Fortified Showdown
They clashed again—
And this time—
The clearing shattered.
Noah roared, a blitz of punches, fists like wrecking balls.
Zephyr met him clean—steel arms colliding with demon bone.
Flesh cracked. Shockwaves rang.
Noah grinned like a devil. He was enjoying this.
He jabbed Zephyr's chin—faked a low kick—then smashed his knee into Zephyr's gut.
Zephyr grunted, staggered, but didn't fall.
He countered with a swift draconic chop—Noah caught it—and headbutted him.
Both reeled.
> Noah (laughing)
"Come on, Zeph! Where's that noble fire-breathing pride?"
> Zephyr (flat)
"Tired of your voice."
Zephyr blurred in—dragon-powered burst—
One-two-three strikes—bone-shattering precision—
Noah blocked the first two—but the third rocked his jaw.
Still, he laughed. Blood trickled down his lip.
He twisted, grabbed Zephyr by the collar, and spun him midair, slamming him into the dirt.
> Noah
"We're even now."
---
[Timer: 13:20]
They circled.
Breathing heavy. Bodies battered.
A pause.
Then—
Noah charged again, this time with a flicker of red-black flame licking at his fists—
Zephyr responded—his scales glowing faint gold, arms like molten iron.
They clashed.
This time—
Dragon vs Demon.
Noah's feral style—chaotic, unorthodox—gave him the edge.
He slammed Zephyr into a tree, then gut-punched him so hard the bark exploded.
Zephyr coughed blood.
But his eyes burned brighter.
---
➤ Final Phase – Zephyr Turns the Tide
[Timer: 12:00]
Zephyr stood tall. Wiped his mouth.
Then exhaled.
A deep, ancient dragon's growl rumbled in his chest.
He vanished.
> Noah
"Wha—"
Boom.
Zephyr reappeared mid-air, descending like a meteor—
Elbow drop.
Noah blocked—barely—
But the ground beneath him shattered, cratering deep.
Zephyr didn't let up.
Punch. Punch. Knee. Chop.
Each one landed heavier than before. Tighter. Cleaner.
Noah's guard began to break—
A final uppercut lifted him off the ground.
Then—
Wham.
A spinning dragon-fist to the gut sent Noah flying into a boulder.
Silence.
Smoke curled.
> Zephyr (panting, quiet)
"…Stay down."
> Noah (from the crater, groaning)
"Damn, forgot you were built like a tank."
---
[Timer: 11:01 Remaining]
Zephyr stood victorious.
Bruised. Bloodied.
But standing.
Demon vs Dragon.
This round went to the dragon.
---
➤ Cut Back to: Jin-Seok vs Joshua – Ready to Explode
Joshua skidded back after a near miss.
Jin-Seok was crouched, a lazy smile on his lips.
But his eyes… sharp. Calculating.
> Jin-Seok
"Guess it's our turn now, huh?"
---
➤ Phase 1 – Physical Clash
Joshua closed the distance like a bullet—
His fist came first—sharp, clean, precise.
Jin-Seok tilted his head. Dodged by a hair.
Another jab.
This time, Jin-Seok blocked—then twisted under, landing a counter punch to Joshua's ribs.
But Joshua didn't flinch.
He kicked low, feinted high, then elbowed straight into Jin-Seok's shoulder.
It landed.
Jin-Seok skidded back. Arm numb. Smiling.
> Jin-Seok
"You're fast. You've been holding back too."
> Joshua (calmly)
"Of course."
They dashed forward again.
Joshua took the lead.
His movements were tight, trained—every hit a soldier's precision.
Jin-Seok's were agile, adaptive—he bent like water around force.
But it wasn't enough.
Joshua landed a solid knee to the ribs, followed by an uppercut that knocked the wind out of Jin-Seok.
---
➤ Phase 2 – Jin-Seok Strikes Back
Jin-Seok exhaled.
Loosened his shoulders.
> Jin-Seok
"Not bad. But let's try this."
He weaved into Joshua's guard—
A punch to the ribs, dodge, spin-kick to the temple.
Joshua stumbled.
Jin-Seok chased him down—combo flowing like water.
Speed. Timing. Rhythm.
Joshua barely blocked the last strike—but he was grinning.
> Joshua
"Heh… now we're talking."
They clashed again—equal footing.
Thunder echoed. Trees trembled. Blood sprayed.
Then—
---
➤ Phase 3 – Zephyr vs Noah Ends
[Timer: 14:08 Remaining]
A distant shockwave erupted.
Both fighters paused mid-clash—turning their heads.
In the far distance—
Zephyr stood tall.
Noah lay on one knee, breathing hard—grinning despite the loss.
Ash drifted in the air.
The fight was over.
---
➤ Phase 4 – Bloodline Talk
Jin-Seok and Joshua silently watched.
They saw it.
Demonic muscle. Dragon-scale skin. Power from bloodlines.
> Joshua (without turning)
"You… you've been hiding power too. Like them?"
Jin-Seok tilted his head.
> Jin-Seok
"Not quite. I'm not from any noble family to have bloodline powers."
> "I'm from Blue Star."
Joshua froze for half a breath.
> Joshua
"Blue Star? So… you don't have any bloodline ability?"
> Jin-Seok
"Nope."
A moment of silence.
Then—Joshua chuckled. Shook his head.
> Joshua
"Thank god."
He exhaled, cracking his knuckles.
> "For a second, I thought you were another monster with hidden blood."
He looked back at Jin-Seok.
His eyes sharpened.
> Joshua
"Guess that means it's time to end this."
He stepped forward—full pressure unleashed.
His muscles tensed, feet dug into the earth—he moved like a bullet.
---
➤ Phase 5 – Legacy Awakens
But Jin-Seok didn't move.
He simply whispered—
> Jin-Seok
"Do you really think bloodlines are everything?"
He smiled.
> "Let me show you what I've really been holding back."
---
🟣 [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION – LEGACY SYNC ACTIVE]
Legacy Character Synced: Aris Telvhan – Eternal Necromancer
Sync Rate: 1%
> [STATS UPDATED]
• Health: 100 ➝ 394
• Strength: 10 ➝ 70
• Speed: 10 ➝ 60
• Stamina: 10 ➝ 72
• Endurance: 10 ➝ 75
• Mana: 10 ➝ 110
• Intelligence: 10 ➝ 98
→ Passive Boost: Physical Awareness Heightened
→ Reflex Sync: Active
→ Mental Link – Aris Telvhan: Stable
---
Joshua blinked.
Too late.
Jin-Seok moved.
One step. One breath.
One punch.
It connected clean—just below the ribs.
Crack.
Joshua's body folded.
He gasped. Crumpled to the ground.
> Jin-Seok (quietly):
"Bloodlines make you proud."
> "Legacy makes you unpredictable."
He looked down, then dropped a few of his own tokens onto Joshua.
A silent nod of respect.
And walked away