Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle

The quarterfinals began with the crowd finally turning back their attention to the tournament.

The eight fighters already had designated opponents.

The first match, Daymos Stormbreaker vs. Butcher Bae, was quite brutal with so much blood spilled to the ground...

After all, both of them were using their hands and feet like knives or swords!

Daymos’ fists moved like thunder, but Butcher Bae’s resilience was unmatched.

Every strike Daymos landed was answered with a heavier blow.

In the end, Butcher Bae’s sheer ferocity overwhelmed Daymos, sending him against the barrier.

The announcer declared, ”Winner... Butcher Bae!”

The other matches continued quite fast...

The second battle was Neri vs. Asad. Neri didn’t want to be in the top four, but she didn’t make it too obvious...

She still moved swiftly with her strikes, forcing Asad to be on the defensive at first... However, Asad was calm, as he knew that even if he got hit, he wouldn’t even flinch...

Thanks to this mindset, his movements remained minimal yet devastating.

She continued to annoy him, but soon, he caught her wrist, twisted, and dropped her to the ground with effortless strength.

Thud!

The audience gasped as Neri failed to rise again... She was either too injured or perhaps... she didn’t want to win either.

”Winner... Asad!”

Just like that, the mysterious fighter advanced...

The next match was Korrin vs. Hanes... Korrin fought savagely, his strikes wild, his strength brutal. But Hanes was steady, absorbing the blows and countering with precise shoves and throws. Each time Korrin charged, Hanes redirected his momentum, slamming him into the ground.

”Y-you’re just playing around!” Korrin knew that there was no way to win anymore...

So, after a final shoulder strike, Korrin collapsed, and he no longer bothered to stand up, or he’ll get humiliated once again...

”Winner... Hanes!”

The crowd cheered as they already had a feeling that this mysterious fighter from the outside was going to win.

He really looked too confident.

Then, the fourth match was Ronan vs. Maribel...

Ronan the Iron Monk faced Maribel, known to have killed numerous Vampires, with extreme caution...

Their match was quite close, unlike any others.

Ronan’s fists weren’t that fast, but his body was like iron. Maribel’s body enhancements were soon triggered, and thanks to that, her strikes were faster and more solid...

Still, Ronan’s defense was simply too strong... He was built for physical combat after all.

Soon, with a decisive palm strike, he sent her crashing down and the Vampire Hunter decided not to continue anymore.

”Winner... Ronan!”

Just like that, the top 4 were made. Ronan, Butcher Bae, Asad, and Hanes...

After providing them about an hour of rest and some elixirs, the match continued.

The semifinals followed swiftly.

The first one was Butcher Bae vs. Ronan.

As the two titans clashed, even the stage itself was shaking...

Ronan’s power as a monk was simply too strong... He was using a strange energy that couldn’t really be classified as a Skill.

However, Butcher Bae’s savage power, was also revealed!

”Bloodlust!”

”This is too strong...”

”This killing intent... Butcher Bae’s reputation can’t be ignored.”

”He’s still hiding his strength after all this time.”

Blow after blow echoed, but in the end, Butcher Bae’s ferocity broke through.

Ronan fell and was defeated.

”Winner... Butcher Bae!”

Finally, there was Asad and Hanes!

The crowd was so excited about this battle between two mysterious fighters...

This was the match everyone had been waiting for...

Clang! Clang!

The bell rang, signaling the start of the match...

”I’ll start...” Asad moved first, as he charged forward...

His fist shot forward,aimed directly at Hanes’ chest.

Hanes blocked with his forearm, the impact reverberating like thunder.

Boom!

The crowd gasped, impressed that Hanes had absorbed the strike without flinching.

Asad expected this much as his kicks sliced through the air...

Hanes then sidestepped, his body shifting just enough to avoid the brunt of each blow.

He countered with a push, forcing Asad back. The Necromancer smirked, unfazed by that move but he continued...

Their clash was fast as Asad’s strikes hammered against Hanes’ guard, each one was so heavy that the crowd could feel the vibration of each attack...

Still, Hanes absorbed those attacks calmly, with his body moving precisely to redirect the momentum, twisting, and pushing Asad off balance.

”Is he... playing around?” someone whispered in the stands.

The crowd roared louder as the two fighters collided again.

Asad’s leg whipped toward Hanes’ ribs, but Hanes braced, absorbing the strike, then drove his shoulder into Asad’s chest.

”Ha!”

The force lifted Asad slightly, forcing him back a step.

Asad narrowed his eyes. ”You’re strong! I really wish to fight with all my strength.”

Unfortunately, this tournament was different.

He charged again, fists flying, each strike faster than the last. Hanes then blocked the attack with his forearms, absorbing the punishment, then countered with a turn that sent Asad sprawling to the side.

The Necromancer rose quickly, as he couldn’t understand how this person was dealing with him so easily...

He charged once more, his fists hammering against Hanes’ guard. But no matter how hard he struck, Hanes endured, his body remained steady.

The crowd was stunned.

”Asad can’t break through!”

”Hanes is too strong!”

”This fight is unbelievable!”

Asad clenched his teeth as frustration was starting to build up.

He had fought countless battles, defeated Vampire Lords, Zombie Lords, and many more... Yet here, against this quiet outsider, his strikes felt meaningless.

Breathing heavily, Asad stepped closer...

Soon, he realized something as he looked at his opponent.

”Shit...”

Suddenly, he lowered his voice so only Hanes could hear.

”Ugh... I’m so slow! I just realized. You’re using a mask. You’re Shane, aren’t you? Hanes... that’s just Shane!”

Hanes chuckled softly, the sound barely audible over the crowd. He nodded, his eyes was filled with quiet amusement.

”I needed the Gate Stones,” Hanes admitted.

Asad nodded. ”Yes... I thought Raze just ignored my message. So she sent you out. I didn’t expect for you to come and get it personally.”

”Are you sure?”

Asad exhaled, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

”Yes... Go ahead and take it. I’ll step aside. I have a chance of winning if I used my summons, but this isn’t the place for that.”

”Thanks...” Hanes replied, his voice calm but sincere.

The two exchanged a silent understanding.

Asad launched one final strike, a heavy punch aimed at Hanes’ chest. Hanes caught it, twisted gently, and lowered Asad to the ground without hurting him. The announcer raised his hand.

”Winner... Hanes!”

The crowd erupted in cheers, unaware of the quiet conversation that had just taken place.

To them, it was another victory for the mysterious newcomer.

To Asad and Hanes, it was a transaction done...

Asad lay on the ground, smirking faintly.

Anyway, he didn’t feel ashamed of losing since if he had unleashed his undead army, the fight would have been different.

Hanes stood tall as he advanced to the top four...

’I wonder what mission this Clan Leader will request of us.’ Hanes muttered.

Soon, the announcer’s voice boomed across the arena. ”Winner... Hanes! The newcomer advances to the finals!”

The crowd roared, chanting Hanes’ name...

***

Unexpectedly, Galatea stepped forward, her presence commanding silence.

This time, it seemed that she had a different plan... Instead of just sending both Butcher Bae and Hanes into battle, she wanted to test the top four!

She raised her hand, and in it was a black crystal, pulsing with ominous energy.

”The Top four warriors,” she said while looking at Butcher Bae, Hanes, Asad, and Ronan... ”you have proven your strength in combat... and I have seen enough... I need to see your endurance. This crystal holds the weight of the Realm Lord’s will. To claim victory, you must withstand a tiny bit of its pressure.”

She then lifted the crystal high.

Instantly, the air grew heavy. A crushing force pressed down on the four finalists!

”This.. Shit! You should’ve given us a warning!”

Butcher Bae gritted his teeth, his muscles bulging as he resisted the invisible weight. Sweat poured down his face, but he stood firm, refusing to bend.

Asad’s cloak fluttered as the pressure bore down on him. He was also shocked, but as soon as he realized the situation, his body trembled slightly, and he endured.

Meanwhile, Hanes felt the force slam into him like a mountain. His chest tightened, his legs threatened to buckle, but he clenched his fists, forcing himself to remain upright.

’This is unexpected... Is that really from the Lord of the Realm?’

For now, Hanes’ regeneration skill flared, healing the strain as quickly as it came.

As for Daymos... He couldn’t even think or speak... the pressure was overwhelming. His knees hit the ground, his body shaking violently.

The crowd gasped as the wyvern killer struggled, unable to endure the crystal’s weight.

Galatea’s eyes gleamed. ”Only those who can withstand the crystal’s pressure are worthy. This is the true measure of strength.”

The black crystal pulsed again, and the pressure was intensifying.

Now they realized why she was looking for a strong fighter... why this Martial Arts Tournament had even been built!

Butcher Bae growled, his body was already trembling, yet he remained standing.

Asad’s breathing grew heavy, but his calm expression never changed. As for Hanes, he seemed to have adjusted to the strength of the pressure and was slowly returning to normal...

Finally, after about 15 minutes, Galatea lowered her hand, and the pressure vanished.

”Good job! As expected, I can use the three of you!”