Countdown

The stars blurred and searing pain engulfed Ralph and Jayce, their senses reeling from the impact.

Jayce's fist, encased in hardened stone, collided with such force against Ralph's body that his vision faltered, replaced by ethereal white lights that danced before his eyes. Meanwhile, Ralph's mana-infused flame-imbued punch struck Jayce, delivering a scorching blow. Both combatants were sent reeling in the same direction they had come from, their anguished cries echoing through the air.

"Aaaaaargh!"

"Fuuuuuck!"

The torment was palpable, exacerbated by the realization that they had fallen victim to each other's attacks. Their carefully orchestrated two-pronged assault had failed, and the non-ranked Eren had slipped away unscathed.

Or had he truly escaped unscathed?

Eren expelled more blood from his mouth, internal injuries mounting in severity due to the audacious feat he had dared to perform. Yet, against all odds, a smile etched itself upon his face.

Unbeknownst to even Eren himself, he had executed a remarkable maneuver, relying purely on instinct and the principles of Jeet Kune Do. However, he also realized that such martial arts were a double-edged sword. Following its creed meant surrendering complete control over one's actions. Eren yearned for further practice and mastery, honing his instincts to maximize the potential of this martial art while maintaining its foundation.

Once again, a distinct mana pulse emanated from Eren, an enigmatic energy surge.

"How... How the fuck can he cast the movement spell? Has he visited the Numbered Oasis?" Ralph's mouth, filled with accumulating blood, spat out the words as he rose to his feet, fixing his gaze on his opponent.

"Aaaaargh. Fuck this!"

Jayce, gritting his teeth against the pain, forcefully relocated his dislocated shoulder and layered additional mana defense to protect the region from further harm. Although he had suffered a fractured bone, as an official ranker, he possessed remedies to alleviate the pain temporarily.

Jayce, Ralph, and Stan shared a momentary glance, realization dawning upon them. Eren was no ordinary adversary. It was as if he had single-handedly invented the movement spell, executing it effortlessly with his meager mana reserves.

Even Stan, having regained his footing, stood a few meters away from Eren. Now, Eren found himself surrounded by three official rankers, their intent focused on mounting a combined assault.

Drawing a deep breath, Stan channeled his mana, seeking to calm the inner chaos raging within his body. Flames burst forth, engulfing his arms and legs, mirroring the actions of Jayce and Ralph.

Narrowing his eyes, Stan fixed his gaze upon Eren, conveying his thoughts in a confessional tone, almost as if speaking to a condemned man.

"We underestimated you, Eren. We admit it. Initially, my intention wasn't to kill you outright. But you have changed. Oh, how you've changed. The more we've clashed tonight, the more evident it becomes.

It didn't take long for me to reach the decision that you must die, not because of Reece, but because your potential as a ranker surpasses ours. I can only imagine what you would do to us if you were to enter the official ranks."

A smirk crept across Stan's face, a semblance of the grace he often feigned.

"Hehe. Moreover, I can't bear the thought of witnessing the one I once called a loser surpass me as a ranker. What would that make me? An even uglier loser, no doubt. So, I shall nip this problem in the bud. Gentlemen... 3..."

Unfazed by Stan's ramblings, Eren's focus remained unyielding. He sensed that his opponents struggled to cast spells with the same ease as he did, despite their superior mana reservoirs. Stan was buying time, attempting to unleash his incantations.

But Eren acknowledged the memories and experiences stored within the Creator's Easter Egg, which had saved his life time and again.

"2..."

Eren inhaled deeply, mastering his breath, recognizing its crucial role in martial arts. Complete control over respiration unlocked the full potential of one's strength, irrespective of the circumstances.

Steeling himself, Eren extended his legs, positioning his right foot forward while keeping the left in place. Rising onto his toes, he lightened his body, pushing it to its limits. He knew his options were limited, yet he remained resolved to face his destiny head-on.

"1..."

Once again, a distinct mana pulse emanated from Eren, captivating Stan momentarily, causing him to forget his count. Invisible mana in the surroundings converged upon Eren, forming a tempestuous storm.

Within Eren's body, it felt as if a microcosmic bomb detonated beneath his navel, giving birth to a gaseous mana core. The inaugural breakthrough into official rank had transpired, empowering him to harness the full potential of his Rank 1 mana core.

As a non-ranked individual, Eren had initially struggled to perceive the intricacies of his mana circuits. However, the formation of the mana core initiated a profound transformation. Mana surged through his body, animating his mana points and veins, granting him unparalleled control. His wounds ceased bleeding as the natural defense layer of an official ranker manifested, shielding him from harm.

"0..."

The countdown concluded, yet it was not Stan or his comrades who completed it.

Eren's voice reverberated, simultaneously vanishing from his position, leaving behind trails of crackling lightning dancing upon the ground.