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Chapter 8 - KUJO TGE FIGHTING LEGEND PART 8

Episode 8 — "The Edge of Two Hundred"

[Current Level: 150]

[Current Rank: 150]

[Skills: Instinct Combat, Blink Step, Ripple Step, Force Ripple, Mana Surge]

[Trait: Unlimited Cooldown]

The arena sand was still warm under Kujo's boots. The roar of the crowd was no longer surprised — now it was hungry. Every victory stacked a weight on his shoulders.

Draven's voice came over the intercom:

"Three more wins, Kujo. Ten levels per fight. That'll put you at one-ninety — just shy of the big leagues."

Kujo rolled his shoulders, his muscles humming with anticipation. "Then line them up."

Match 1: Rank 160

A woman stepped onto the arena floor, her frame wiry, her expression calm. Her hands glowed with pale green light that wrapped around her like silk ribbons.

Healing magic? Kujo thought. No — the aura sharpened into blades.

The gong rang. She sprinted forward, each step slicing the air. Kujo Blink Stepped to her side, throwing a Ripple Step toward her ribs — but her body bent unnaturally, evading with impossible flexibility.

She countered with a spinning slash of magic, forcing Kujo back.

Alright… this is a dance.

They circled, the pace accelerating. Kujo's movements blurred — Blink Step in, Ripple Step strike, Blink Step out. Each hit chipped away at her defenses until she overextended on a swing.

He caught her wrist, drove a knee into her stomach, and unleashed three Force Ripples point-blank.

She crumpled.

[Victory Achieved]

[Level Increased: 150 → 160]

[Rank Increased: 150 → 160]

Match 2: Rank 170

The next fighter strode in with no shirt, no shoes, and skin covered in glowing scars. He said nothing, simply raised a hand. The ground beneath Kujo's feet exploded.

Earth magic.

A jagged spike shot up where Kujo had been standing — but Blink Step saved him. He reappeared behind the man, driving a kick into his back. The man barely moved.

The ground split again, this time in a web that chased Kujo's steps. Unlimited Cooldown let him teleport as much as he wanted, but the real problem was closing distance without being impaled.

Kujo dropped low, Blink Stepping between the fissures, dodging the rising stone like weaving through falling spears. The instant he was within reach, he activated Mana Surge, his strikes doubling in force.

Three Ripple Steps to the chest cracked the man's ribs. The fourth put him down.

[Victory Achieved]

[Level Increased: 160 → 170]

[Rank Increased: 160 → 170]

Match 3: Rank 180

The Rank 180 fighter appeared in a swirl of black mist — tall, cloaked, eyes glowing red beneath a hood. His presence was cold, not from temperature, but from something inhuman.

Shadow magic.

Before Kujo could move, the fighter vanished. A fist slammed into his jaw from behind, then a kick to the ribs from the other side.

The arena lights dimmed. Shadows pooled under Kujo's feet, trying to drag him under.

So… this is a fight where I'm not the only one who can vanish.

Kujo closed his eyes. Instinct Combat took over. The moment the air shifted behind him, he Blink Stepped and countered with a Force Ripple. It connected — the shadow form distorted, hissing in pain.

The man tried again, appearing above this time. Kujo didn't dodge — he Blink Stepped upward as well, meeting him midair with a Ripple Step to the skull.

When they landed, Kujo's foot was on his chest.

[Victory Achieved]

[Level Increased: 170 → 180]

[Rank Increased: 170 → 180]

Match 4: Rank 190

The announcer's tone shifted — not excitement, but reverence.

"Entering the arena… The Iron Palm Sage."

A bald man in simple robes walked slowly to the center. No aura, no magic glow. Just hands like weathered stone.

The gong rang.

Kujo attacked first, Blink Stepping into range. The Sage's palm moved lazily — and met Kujo's chest with a single strike.

It felt like being hit by a truck. Kujo staggered back, gasping for air.

No magic… but that force…

Every exchange was a test of patience. The Sage never chased, never overcommitted. Every strike was a kill-shot.

Kujo switched tactics — Blink Stepping constantly, attacking from unpredictable angles. The Sage blocked them all.

Then Kujo saw it — the faintest shift in his stance whenever a left palm strike was coming.

The next time, Kujo feinted toward the left, then dropped low, Ripple Stepping into his ribs. The Sage grunted.

From there, Kujo chained strikes — Ripple Step, Force Ripple, Blink Step behind — until the Sage finally fell to one knee, then toppled forward.

[Victory Achieved]

[Level Increased: 180 → 190]

[Rank Increased: 180 → 190]

The crowd was roaring now, but Kujo's eyes were already on the far gate. He could feel the weight of the next presence, even before the doors opened.

Draven's voice cut through the noise.

"You've done it. Level one-ninety. The next fight… he's Rank 200. Not just another step up. He's beyond the scale."

Kujo cracked his neck, sweat dripping down his chin. "Good. I've been waiting."

The gate opened.

A man walked through, tall, with eyes like molten gold and a faint shimmer around him — space itself warping in tiny ripples.

When he spoke, the sound came from everywhere at once.

"Kujo of Earth. You've climbed fast. Too fast."

Kujo smirked. "Then slow me down."

The Rank 200 fighter smiled — and vanished.

[End of Episode 8 — Level Lock: 190]

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