The eruption wasn't subtle.
It wasn't gentle.
It was like a sun had ignited on the arena floor.
A shockwave of blinding gold tore outward from Terrence's body. It was clean, divine, oppressive enough to make the air quiver like it feared him. The nearest rows recoiled. Spectators shielded their eyes. Heat rolled across the coliseum in waves.
And when the light died..
Terrence looked nothing like the man who stood there moments ago.
[Stat Distribution Complete!]
[New Class Acquired!]
[Eternal NecroSummoner]
[Prime-Grade clothing set equipped!]
What the light revealed was a towering 7'1 figure wrapped in authority that didn't belong to mortals.
The armor clinging to him felt forged from the bones of dying gods.
Black as polished voidstone, veined with molten gold, streaks of white glowing like burning starlight. Jagged pauldrons flared like celestial war-wings, each angle promising annihilation. The chestplate pulsed once. It was an ancient insignia flickering beneath the surface like it recognized him.
The mask completed the transformation. Bone-white. Curved golden horns. Eyes hidden behind a soft cosmic glow. And behind him, a drifting cape that faded from sacred white to dissolving shadow.
He didn't look armored.
He looked anointed.
Terrence flexed his fingers, feeling the energy throbbing inside him like a star begging to explode.
"Dammn.." he muttered, stunned by his own power.
[Looking fresh as hell my boy! How do you feel?]
'Hard to describe the feeling..it's like I'm pent up with a lot of energy after not having sex for months.'
[Interesting way to put it. Anyway, go Dante and Doomguy on that wannabe Ghost Rider ass demon!]
The crowd was already losing their minds.
"What happened to the human?!"
"Is that his Talent?!"
"No way muscles and height alone beat Surtur, he'll die instantly!"
"..I don't know. Something about him feels different."
Terrence ignored the noise, scanning the crowd until he found his group-
then immediately snapped his gaze forward when he saw the way they were looking at him.
[Looks like it's gonna be a LONG night for you haha! They were looking at you like a thousand bunnies in heat!]
'Yeah no kidding..almost thought they were gonna jump me when I made eye contact.'
Surtur scoffed loudly, dragging attention back to the arena.
"Tsk. Is that all, human? Pathetic. I expected more, but don't worry..I'll end this quickly. After I embarrass you, you'll be kicked out of Xyani and never welcomed back."
But before he could finish-
A platform rose from the crowd.
The arena shifted instantly. Conversations died. Even the rowdiest spectators straightened with fear and respect.
At the center stood Phoebe Phoenix. She was tall, blazing crimson hair flowing like living fire. Her eyes flickered with literal flame, her skin warm with a golden glow, and the dress she wore shimmered like molten plasma shaped into silk. She radiated beauty and volcanic excitement.
At her sides-
Two legends.
Master Drago Black who was the Shadow Renders Master.
He was a towering black dragon wearing a smoky cloak that barely hid the grandiose gold armor beneath. Red slit pupils glinted with predatory delight.
And Master Neumon Goo who was the Rendseekers Master.
He had Ichneumon beastkin, mongoose-like in face but built like a war mage carved from steel and discipline. Gold and purple magewear hugged his tall frame. His expression? Calm. Perceptive. Locked onto Terrence.
Drago's fanged grin widened.
"It always gets my blood pumping seeing an insignificant, pathetically weak human get punched into mist by one of my members. Wouldn't you agree, Ichie?"
Neumon scoffed at the nickname.
"I wouldn't count this one out. This human..there's something special about him."
"Tsk. Of course you'd say that. You let humans into your guild. Hurry up, Phoebe. Start the match. My dinner appointment is waiting."
Surtur and his Master exchanged a knowing nod.
"One hit kill."
[Looks like the Masters of the top guilds are out today so you know what that means.]
'Lose and get humiliated..or win and watch Drago make that Patrick "who you callin' Pinhead" face, right?'
[More or less haha. You already know what to do. Make me proud.]
Terrence stifled a laugh as Phoebe raised her hand.
"Ladies and gentlemen of Xyani! And all honorable guests watching from afar!"
Her voice boomed like ceremonial thunder.
"We stand witness to a rare treat tonight. A duel between an elite Shadow Render.."
Her fiery gaze slid to Surtur, who puffed himself up like a flaming rooster.
"..and a newcomer whose transformation nearly cracked the protective shield around the arena."
The crowd detonated.
"THE SHIELD?!"
"IMPOSSIBLE!"
"No way THAT human did that!"
Phoebe lifted her hand. Silence obeyed.
"Both combatants and this match have been approved by the respective guild overseers…"
Her eyes flicked to Drago and Neumon.
"..and so, by authority of Xyani Arena, this match-"
A glowing interface appeared before both competitors.
[Name: Terrence Danbrose]
[Ranking: Unknown]
[Class: Eternal NecroSummoner]
[Name: Surtur]
[Ranking: S]
[Class: Demon Sovereign]
Laughter erupted.
"A fucking Summoner haha?! No way he's winning this!!"
"He's done already!"
"No way an UNKNOWN beats an S-Rank Demon Sovereign!"
Terrence didn't hear them.
His entire focus locked onto Surtur.
"Just start the match already! We can clearly see who's gonna lose!" Surtur barked.
A spark burst from Phoebe's palm.
"-begins now!"
Surtur launched forward at FTL speed, flames ripping behind him like a demonic comet. His fist cocked back, aimed at Terrence's head, ready to end the fight in one blow.
His grin stretched wide.
Terrence's eyes widened comically.
"Oh shit! Please! I'm sorry!!"
"Too late now, pussy!"
His blazing fist slammed down-
SQUEAK.
A sound that should NOT have existed echoed through the arena.
Terrence had blocked the punch..
With his pinky finger.
[Punch Nullified.]
Gasps exploded everywhere.
Terrence smirked and turned his head toward Master Drago, then toward the demons.
"Is this your King?"
His tone dripping amusement.
Surtur snarled and threw another fist.
Terrence let it hit him.
SQUEAK!
[Punch Nullified.]
"Is this your King?" Terrence repeated, laughing.
Surtur roared and shot a knee toward Terrence's solar plexus-
Terrence flicked him.
Just a flick.
Barely an effort.
BOOM.
Surtur was launched backward like a rocket, slamming into the arena shield so hard cracks spiderwebbed across its surface. Silence fell across thousands.
Terrence raised his chin toward the guild masters.
"Nah.."
A slow, devastating grin spread beneath the mask.
"I'm the King."