NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 13: Chapter 13: The Selection Begins
Chapter 13: The Selection Begins
The city of Elysium was unlike anything Jin had ever seen. Massive spires of golden light stretched into the sky, floating platforms hovered over crystal-clear rivers, and the streets buzzed with warriors from countless worlds.
This wasn't just a resting point—it was a war zone of opportunity.
> [Phase One: Selection Begins.]
[New challengers must prove themselves in the City of Elysium.]
[Time Limit: 72 Hours.]
Jin glanced around at the thousands of players who had survived the first trial. Only the strong made it here—but that didn't mean they would all move forward.
Aerin stood beside him, scanning the surroundings with sharp eyes. "This place feels… different."
Jin nodded. "Because now, we're not just fighting to survive. We're fighting to prove we belong."
And then, the system announced their first challenge.
> [Challenge One: The Arena of Kings]
All challengers must enter combat to prove their worth. Only those who succeed will be granted access to Elysium's inner city.
Jin smirked. "They're not wasting any time."
Aerin cracked her knuckles. "Good. I was getting bored."
And with that, they stepped into the Arena of Kings.
---
The Arena of Kings
The arena was a colossal coliseum, its walls engraved with the names of past warriors who had fought and died here. The stands were packed with spectators—some were challengers, others were mysterious figures watching from the shadows.
Jin scanned the gigantic leaderboard hovering in the air.
> [Arena Rankings: Top 10 Contenders]
1. ???
2. ???
3. Vincent Albrecht (Radiant Dawn)
4. Raven (Silent Fang)
5. Darius Bloodfang (Crimson Reapers)
Jin raised an eyebrow. The top two were hidden? That meant they were either too strong to be challenged yet… or something else was going on.
A system prompt appeared.
> [You Have Been Assigned an Opponent.]
[Battle Begins in 5 Minutes.]
Jin glanced at the name.
> [Opponent: Kieran the Stormblade]
Ranked #25 in the Arena of Kings
Aerin smirked. "Looks like you got a tough one."
Jin rolled his shoulders. "Good. I need a warm-up."
And then, the announcer's voice boomed across the coliseum.
> "WELCOME TO THE ARENA OF KINGS! LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!"
---
Jin vs. Kieran the Stormblade
Kieran stepped into the ring, his long silver hair flowing behind him, lightning crackling around his twin blades. His piercing blue eyes locked onto Jin with intensity.
> [Kieran the Stormblade – Lightning Swordsman]
A master of dual-wielding techniques infused with storm energy.
Kieran grinned. "I don't know who you are, but you made it this far. Show me what you've got."
Jin smirked. "You'll find out soon enough."
The system chimed.
> [Arena Battle Start!]
And then—Kieran moved.
---
A Battle of Speed and Power
Kieran vanished in a blur of lightning, reappearing behind Jin in an instant.
CLANG!
Jin barely managed to block as twin swords crashed against his defenses, sending sparks flying. The force of the impact sent him skidding backward.
> [Skill Copied: Lightning Step]
Increases movement speed drastically, leaving afterimages.
Jin activated it immediately. His body flickered, moving faster than before.
Kieran's eyes widened. "You can keep up? Interesting."
Jin grinned. "Let's see if you can keep up with me."
He vanished—then reappeared behind Kieran, launching a devastating counterattack.
> [Skill Activated: Crimson Overdrive]
His fist burned red as he struck—
BOOM!
Kieran barely dodged, the impact shattering the stone beneath them.
Jin smirked. He's fast. But I'm faster.
---
Pushing to the Limit
The two clashed over and over—lightning and fire colliding in a deadly dance of speed and power.
The crowd roared as sparks flew, the arena shaking with every clash.
But then—Kieran gritted his teeth.
> [Skill Activated: Thunderstorm Burst]
A final move that condenses all storm energy into a single strike.
Lightning surged through Kieran's blades, forming a massive vortex of electricity.
Jin exhaled. Time to end this.
> [Skill Evolution: Divine Blade → Celestial Fang]
A fusion of divine and physical energy, able to cut through magical defenses.
Jin's fists glowed gold and red as he charged forward.
> [Final Clash: Lightning vs. Celestial Power!]
BOOOOOOM!
The impact shattered the arena floor, sending both fighters skidding across the battlefield.
Dust settled.
And when it cleared—
Kieran was on one knee, his swords shattered.
Jin stood tall, barely scratched.
The system's voice echoed.
> [Victor: Jin Seol!]
[Ranking Updated: Jin Seol – Rank #24]
The crowd erupted into cheers.
Aerin grinned from the stands. "Not bad."
Jin exhaled. One fight down. Many more to go.
And this was just the beginning of the Selection.
> [Phase One Progress: 1% Complete.]
Jin smirked. "Let's see what this city has to offer."
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End of Chapter 13