The next morning, Kannan remembered Dransart's words: "If you win the first round, the crystal ball will glow. If not, you fail. But don't worry—we think of you as family."
He joined the long line at the qualifier board. After two hours, he placed his hand on the crystal. It glowed brightly—he had passed. The Petvan brothers sneered from afar, but Kannan ignored them.
Second Round: Dodge with Holy Shield
The God Father announced, "This round is Dodge with Holy Shield. Each participant will face another once. If your shield shatters, you lose. If both shields break, you will fight again in one-on-one combat."
Kannan thought calmly, I have legend-level holy shield. I need not worry. I'll keep a low profile.
The board revealed his opponent: White Cilvan, a skill master.
Kannan sighed. Am I cursed with bad luck?
The Duel Begins
White smirked. "I am a skill master. Leave now, and I'll spare you from being crippled."
Kannan bowed slightly. "I know I am not mighty in skill. Please teach me."
White scoffed. "You cannot withstand even one attack."
The duel began. Both summoned holy shields of equal strength, shocking White. Kannan seized the moment, striking with Holy Slash. White dodged with Holy Steps.
White retaliated, shaping his holy slash into bow and arrows. Kannan escaped using Holy Path.
Angered, White transformed his slash into a gun, opening fire. Kannan's shield cracked. If only I had Swift Sword… but weapons are forbidden. He endured damage, then invoked Holy Recover, restoring his shield.
The Battle Intensifies
They clashed wildly, their duel drawing gasps from other contestants—even the Petvan family. Kannan cleverly used the recoil of White's gun to counter with holy slash, damaging White's shield. White recovered, focusing mana only on the damaged part to conserve energy.
For three minutes, they fought—White shifting his slash into rifle, sniper, and SMG, while Kannan pressed with relentless holy slashes.
Finally, both shields shattered simultaneously. The match ended in a draw.
Resolution
As per the rules, both were sent to fight other gods. Yet their opponents surrendered immediately, intimidated by Kannan's skillset—and White's as well.
The Holy Eye whispered, "You could have defeated him. Use Holy Path to distract, then strike with Holy Slash."
Kannan replied, "I know. But if I humiliated White, his anger would destroy the Zevan family. Ending in a draw was safer."
Thus, the second round concludes.
Kannan proves his resilience and cunning, surviving against a skill master. Though he held back, his strategy preserved his family's safety. The competition grows fiercer, and the next round looms, promising even greater trials.