Chapter 12: John vs Volnis

At the same time the two opponents where preparing for the battle, the referee that was an guild employee, walked into the ring.

He stood on the middle of the two and raised his hand, immediately the noisy arena became quiet, he coughed a little to relax his throat and announced with his voice being enchanted by essence, thus reaching the entire arena.

"We are here today for another duel! This time it is about a Dwarf and a Human, so let's not waste time and let's hear the introductions." He then looked at the dwarf since he was the one to declare the duel.

With the okay from the referee, the dwarf introduced himself: "My name is Volnis Stoneward, a C Rank adventurer and I'm here to teach this youngster a lesson!" He declared loudly causing a wave of cheers from the spectators, especially the dwarves.

Everyone then looked at John waiting for his speech: "I'm John Eclipse, and i just came to this city, I'm here to win your money!" He declared with a big grin while looking at everyone.

Silence.

"What? Don't tell me he just came to the city after leaving his village?"

"Damn, and i thought that he was strong."

"So all of that excitement for nothing..."

"Heh, I don't care, i never underestimate anyone!"

"He doesn't look weak."

Even through there were some people that choose to not underestimate John, the majority was not that smart, or they just were realistic.

Since it wasn't the first time this happened, many arrogant people accepted duels from stronger opponents thinking that they could quickly rise to fame, since if you are more famous, the more likely you would be assigned a personal quest.

And those pay much, much more than the normal ones.

The referee looked at John and signed: 'Hahh, another arrogant fellow? Or a hidden gem?'

He didn't ponder much before raising his hand in the air, with the arena full of expectations, while John and Volnis took their stances with the tension increasing.

Volnis gripped firmly his big hammer and spread his legs, while placing the hammer on his shoulder, even through his short stature was a disadvantage, his dwarf strength and power were not to be underestimated.

At the same time, John simply removed his bag and threw it to Muwi who grabbed it with his tail, while John stood with his back straight and his hands forming into fists.

He took the iconic Gapryong Kim stance, an extremely powerful man of the generation 0, from the manhwa Lookism.

His fists compacted even more like his entire body muscles, his face becoming neutral while he enveloped his being into essence like his opponent.

The referee lowered his hand while shouting and at the same time immediately retreating outside of the ring: "Start!"

The moment the voice was heard the two men disappeared from theirs places, with the ground previously below Volnis cracking into cobwebs of five blocks, showing the power of his leap.

While John didn't damage his surroundings as he used a more refined and effective footwork, consuming the least stamina but exerting the best balance of, strength and speed, gaining a power no inferior to Volnis.

Boom

The two clashed in the air as Volnis unleashed a powerful and heavy hammer blow, while John punch meet the attack with precision.

The two stayed on the air for one second and distanced themselves from each other.

The spectators widened their eyes and a round of cheers and excited shouts was heard, seeing John matching Volnis power they were elated as this would be an exciting battle.

'After absorbing the purified ant essence, my overall stats increased, especially my durability that allowed me to contend with that hammer.' John smiled in satisfaction while dodging the sudden attack of the dwarf by sidestepping on the right leaving an after image.

'Even with the hammer weight, this Dwarf is not lacking in speed, i like it.'

"What? Are you gonna dodge for the entire battle? Are you scared?" Volnis mocked John while trying to get a reaction out of him, but, does John care?

Nah.

He smiled and dodged another swing but before Volnis could continue John unleash a powerful punch on his torso taking a good sum of air from his lungs.

Sbamm

"Ugh?!" Volnis widened his eyes while spurting saliva, he looked at John face and could only see a big smile of excitement': "Show me where your pride come from!" John shouted while grabbing the dwarf leg and throwing him away while keeping the hammer for himself.

Boom

Volnis smashed into the ground twenty blocks away, he coughed while getting up in time to see his big hammer one block from his face.

!!!

His eyes widened and he hurriedly raised his arms to block the hammer, getting pushed for some blocks by the force behind the throw, sliding on the ground.

John walked slowly towards the dwarf who grabbed the hammer handle while glaring at him, the spectators were surprised by the outcome of thirty seconds.

Volnis breathed out and said: "Good, you're strong, so i don't need to hold back" he spoke and placed the hammer on the ground, then he removed his upper armor and let it fall on the ground.

Bum!

The armor cracked the ground by it's weight while Volnis continued to remove the rest.

After removing every armor piece leaving his area full of cracks he looked up the ceiling and took a good breath, and then exhaled from his nose and ears like a train.

John decided to let him take his time since he was here to gauge the strength of a C rank adventurer.

After expelling all the air on his lungs he begun to breathe normally again, but the air around him completely changed, his bulging muscles were barely covered by the black t-shirt while his eyes glowed yellow.

He touched the hammer and enveloped it into his essence causing it to transform into an imposing double axe.

John raised his brows.

"Now, the warm up has finished." The Dwarf declared while waiting for John to power up, since Dwarves are a prideful race, they despise fighting with tricks, since John waited for him, he will wait for John.

John looked at this man with a new sense of respect, not everyone has that quality, with a smile his body caught fire while an armor of flames formed around him.

He spread his right hand where the flames took shape into a long staff.

He opened his mouth while taking his stance with the staff on his shoulder: "Fire Veil: Staff Mode."

The entire arena burst into loud cheers after seeing the two opponents prepare.

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