Ch 51: "Tournament of Power" (Part 3!!)

As Lefa watched Dazzling Dagger's astonishing performance, she turned to Hina's body double, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Did you see that? She obliterated the enemy even when it was three against one! This is getting so exciting! The Hero's Party is doing great too!"

Hina's body double, mimicking Hina's usual enthusiasm, replied, "Yeah, that's the spirit!"

Meanwhile, the real Hina, in the guise of Dazzling Dagger, felt a sudden disturbance in her connection to her body double. Alarmed, she thought, *Oh no, I'm losing connection. Is it because I'm too far away?*

The system promptly responded in her mind, *Negative. It's because your magic reserve is almost depleted. This is going to be dangerous, master.*

Hina felt a wave of fatigue wash over her. She had been expending a significant amount of her magic reserves to maintain both her intense combat and the body double. Her senses were sharp, yet the drain was becoming more pronounced.

Around her, the battle's sensory overload continued: the scent of sweat and earth mingled in the air; the sharp clanging of swords and the explosive crack of magic echoed across the arena; the sight of combatants moving with lightning speed filled her vision; she could taste the metallic tang of her own effort, and her skin tingled with the constant barrage of energy.

Back in the stands, the crowd's roars were deafening, chanting, "Dazzling Dagger! Dazzling Dagger!" Their excitement was palpable, adding a surreal quality to the intense scene.

Despite her dwindling reserves, Hina's resolve hardened. She steadied herself, feeling the fabric of her mask shift with her deep breaths, and prepared to face whatever challenge came next. She couldn't afford to falter now.

Carrion, the Goddess of Five Elements, watched Dazzling Dagger with a keen eye. Something about this new warrior seemed fishy. He turned his gaze toward Hina's body double, seated in the royal box. The body double was sweating profusely, despite the relatively calm circumstances. Carrion's eyes narrowed with suspicion.

Back on the battlefield, Hina, disguised as Dazzling Dagger, felt a chill run down her spine. *Phew, that was close,* she thought, her heart pounding.

The senses around her were overwhelming. The sharp tang of metal from clashing swords filled the air, mixed with the acrid smell of sweat and dirt. The crowd's roar was a constant, deafening hum in her ears, their excitement almost tangible. The ground beneath her feet vibrated with the force of the ongoing battles, each explosion and spell casting a shockwave through the arena. She could taste the adrenaline, a bitter edge on her tongue, and her skin prickled with the intense energy of the magic surrounding her.

Carrion shifted his focus back to the battlefield, his suspicion deepening. The shimmering heat of the arena made the scene look almost surreal. As he watched Dazzling Dagger, he noticed the warrior's seamless, fluid movements. It was almost too perfect, too calculated. His thoughts raced as he tried to piece together the puzzle.

Hina took a deep breath, feeling the fabric of her mask press against her face. The weight of Carrion's gaze felt almost physical, a pressure bearing down on her from afar. She knew she had to stay sharp, to not let any slip-up reveal her true identity. She steadied herself, her senses on high alert, ready for whatever came next.

In the stands, the body double continued to sweat bullets, a clear sign of strain. Carrion's eyes flicked back and forth, his suspicion growing stronger. He could sense something was amiss, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

The arena continued to buzz with energy and excitement, the crowd chanting louder with each passing moment, "Dazzling Dagger! Dazzling Dagger!" Their voices echoed through the space, a wave of sound that added to the surreal atmosphere of the tournament.

As Hina, in her guise as Dazzling Dagger, dashed through the battlefield at lightning speed, she suddenly encountered a formidable opponent. A martial arts master known as Brick stood in her path, his presence radiating raw strength and confidence. He was a hulking figure, known for his hand-to-hand combat skills enhanced by magic, making him a force to be reckoned with.

Without a word, Brick lunged forward, delivering a powerful kick aimed at Dazzling Dagger. Hina managed to block it just in time, but the force behind the kick sent her staggering back. She gritted her teeth, feeling the impact resonate through her arms. "That was a strong kick," she admitted, trying to steady herself.

Brick smirked, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "You're welcome," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of respect. "How about we settle this with hand-to-hand combat? Let's see who is the strongest among us." He took a fighting stance, his muscles tensed and ready. "You might be only ten years old, Dazzling Dagger, but your strength is not something to laugh at. You've already gained quite a reputation in the crowd at such a young age."

The air was thick with tension, the sounds of distant battles fading into the background as the crowd focused on this new showdown. The cheers and gasps of the spectators created a pulsating rhythm, amplifying the excitement in the arena. The sun glared down, casting harsh shadows on the rocky terrain, highlighting the determination in both fighters' eyes.

Dazzling Dagger and Brick faced each other, their senses heightened. Hina could feel the rough texture of the ground under her feet, the scent of sweat and dirt mingling in the air. Every breath she took was filled with anticipation, the taste of adrenaline sharp on her tongue. She focused on Brick, analyzing his stance, his movements, ready to react.

With a deep breath, Hina nodded. "Alright, let's do this," she said, her voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins. She shifted into her own fighting stance, her body poised and ready for action.

Brick didn't waste any time. He charged forward, his fists glowing with magical energy. Hina met his advance, her own fists crackling with lightning speed. The first clash was explosive, their fists meeting with a resounding impact that sent shockwaves through the air. The force of their blows created small craters in the ground, dust and debris swirling around them.

"Impressive," Brick grunted, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Let's see how long you can keep up."

Hina responded with a flurry of strikes, her movements a blur of speed and precision. She aimed for Brick's vital points, each punch and kick delivered with calculated force. The sounds of their combat were a symphony of thuds and grunts, punctuated by the occasional cheer from the crowd.

Brick countered with powerful blows of his own, his enhanced strength making each strike feel like a sledgehammer. Hina could feel the vibrations of his punches through her bones, but she refused to back down. She ducked and weaved, her body moving with the grace of a dancer, her senses on high alert.

As they fought, Hina could feel the strain on her body. Her muscles burned with exertion, her breath coming in short, sharp bursts. The smell of sweat and the metallic tang of blood filled her nostrils, but she pushed through the pain, her focus unwavering.

The ground beneath them cracked and splintered from the sheer force of their battle. Dust and debris hung in the air, the echoes of their combat reverberating through the arena. The crowd's cheers grew louder, a cacophony of excitement and awe as they witnessed the epic showdown.

With a final, powerful strike, Hina managed to land a blow that sent Brick staggering back. He skidded to a stop, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. "Not bad," he said, wiping a trickle of blood from his lip. "But this fight isn't over yet."

Hina grinned, the thrill of the battle coursing through her veins. "Bring it on," she replied, ready to continue the clash. The fight was far from over, and both fighters were determined to see it through to the end.

As Hina, under the guise of Dazzling Dagger, continued her battle with Brick, she decided to use the rocky terrain to her advantage. Moving with ninja-like agility, she leaped from boulder to boulder, her speed blurring her figure. Brick's eyes widened as he struggled to keep up. "What speed!" he exclaimed.

In an attempt to disrupt her movements, Brick slammed his fist into the ground, causing a tremor. The earth shook violently, and Hina's balance wavered, her swift movements slowed by the sudden earthquake. Brick seized the opportunity and launched himself into the air, grabbing Dazzling Dagger by her clothes. "Let go of me, you pervert!" she shouted, delivering a powerful, magic-enhanced kick to his face.

The force of her kick sent Brick hurtling into the ground, creating a small crater as he landed with a resounding crash. Hina landed gracefully, assuming a combat-ready pose. The crowd roared with excitement, their cheers a thunderous backdrop to the intense battle unfolding before them.

Brick stood up, shaking off the dust and debris. "Not bad," he muttered, wiping blood from his lip.

Dazzling Dagger rolled her eyes. "Are you going to say 'not bad' all the time?" she taunted.

Brick's face hardened. "You should shut your mouth," he growled, launching himself at her with incredible speed. His punches came fast and furious, and Hina found herself pushed back against a mountain. Brick's relentless assault continued, his fists pounding against her as she crossed her arms in defense.

Unbeknownst to Brick, Hina had activated a magic barrier that looked like her skin, layering it five times for maximum protection. Each punch from Brick resonated through her body, but the barrier absorbed the impact, leaving her unscathed.

The sound of Brick's punches echoed through the arena, each blow creating a dull thud. The smell of sweat and earth mingled in the air, the ground beneath them cracking under the force of the onslaught. Hina's senses were heightened, every nerve in her body attuned to the battle.

"You're tough, I'll give you that," Brick grunted, still pounding away.

Hina smirked from behind her barrier. "You're not the only one with tricks," she replied, her voice steady despite the onslaught. She could feel the energy of the crowd, their excitement palpable, fueling her determination to win.

The audience watched in awe, the clash of titans before them more thrilling than anything they'd ever seen. Dust and debris swirled around the combatants, the air thick with the scent of battle. The taste of adrenaline was sharp on Hina's tongue, her heart pounding with the rhythm of the fight.

With a sudden burst of energy, Hina pushed back against Brick's assault. She parried his punches, her movements fluid and precise, each strike calculated to wear him down. The ground beneath them trembled with the force of their combat, small rocks and pebbles scattering with each blow.

"You think you can beat me?" Brick roared, his voice echoing through the arena.

"I know I can," Dazzling Dagger shot back, her confidence unwavering. She focused her magic, enhancing her speed and strength even further. With a swift, decisive move, she delivered a powerful uppercut, sending Brick staggering backward.

The crowd erupted in cheers, their voices a wave of sound that washed over the battlefield. Hina stood tall, her eyes blazing with determination. Brick, panting and bruised, glared at her, his respect for her growing despite himself.

"This isn't over," Brick vowed, preparing for another round.

"Bring it on," Hina replied, her voice steady and strong. The battle was far from over, and both fighters were ready to give it their all. The spectators leaned forward in their seats, eager to see what would happen next in this epic showdown.