Chapter 4 – The Monster Slayer Revealed
The crowd was louder than ever. The Celestia Colosseum was buzzing with the echoes of ancient drums and enchanted loudspeakers. Magical projections flared to life over the arena, introducing the warriors who had passed the first stage.
Names that sent chills across kingdoms.
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"From the skies of Aerion: Abram Windspike – the Falcon Arrow."
A man floated above the arena, hir silver bow glowing. The wind obeyed him. They said he once shot a wyvern through the heart from two miles away.
"From the Iron Wastes: Gorvax of Thorns – the Unbreakable Shield."
A beast of a man. Eight feet tall, bald, covered in tribal tattoos and thick armor. His sword was wider than most men.
"From the Red Sands: Sylis the Whirlwind Assassin."
A shadow blurred across the platform — masked, lean, dressed in layered ninja-like robes. His steps made no sound. His speed alone made some warriors flinch.
The screens flickered.
More names. Mages, mercenaries, rune warriors, arcane knights…
Then—
"Entering… contestant number 49—"
The screen glitched for a moment.
A murmur swept the audience.
Then the name appeared:
"RAYDEN DRAVEN – THE MONSTER SLAYER"
The Colosseum went silent.
And then—
BOOM.
Screams. Gasps. Some even stood up.
"THAT RAYDEN!?"
"The Monster Slayer of Aegros?! That guy's a myth!"
"He's supposed to be working with the Beast Control Unit of the Steel Crown Kingdom!"
Kael's mouth hung open. "Wait… Monster Slayer?"
Rayden, still chewing roasted jerky in the stands, gave him a casual thumbs-up. "Yeah. Forgot to mention that part."
Kael blinked like an anime protagonist mid-trauma.
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[FLASHBACK – YEARS AGO]
The world remembered him. A lone man who stormed into infected beast zones where even elite squads refused. Who slew corrupted manticores, lichbound ogres, and dragonworms solo.
Driven by rage. By grief.
Rayden's parents—devoured by demonkin when he was just 14.
From that day, he declared war against every unnatural creature that crawled out of the cursed lands.
He became a storm.
But one day, he stopped.
People said he vanished.
No one knew why.
Not until now.
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[INT. COLOSSEUM BATTLE PLATFORM – ROUND ONE]
Match 6: Rayden Draven vs Sylis the Whirlwind Assassin
The announcer's voice was trembling.
"Are we… truly seeing this battle already?! The Silent Death versus the Lightning Butcher!"
The magic screen zoomed in. Kael clenched the edge of the railing, his heart pounding.
Rayden entered the arena calmly, casually dragging his red greatsword behind him, leaving small sparks in his wake.
Sylis was already there. Balanced. Tense. Eyes locked.
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[INT. ARENA – STARTING ZONE]
Sylis crouched slightly. His voice was like a whisper of steel. "Didn't think a legend like you would still chase cheap prize money."
Rayden stretched his neck. "Didn't think a human blender like you would be cocky enough to fight me head-on."
Sylis didn't reply. His body blurred—
CAST: [HASTE – ARCANE LAYERED LVL 4]
In a blink, he vanished.
The crowd gasped.
A sonic boom followed as he reappeared behind Rayden—dagger aiming straight for his throat.
Kael shouted. "RAYDEN—!"
But Rayden hadn't even drawn his blade.
He turned—smiling at the crowd.
Eyes briefly finding Kael.
A calm grin.
Then—
Sylis struck.
CLANG!
A second sword intercepted the attack.
Everyone froze.
It was reydan with lighting speed
His smaller blade clashed with the assassin's in mid-air.
The audience lost its mind.
"WHAT IS HAPPENING!?"
Sylis skidded back, blinking in shock. "That kid… he deflected me? "
It was no longer casual.
Rayden's smile had vanished.
His entire aura changed.
A cold wind passed through the arena.
His eyes — once soft and teasing — were now icy blue and deadly.
Kael had never seen this version of him before.
The legendary one.
Rayden's voice was low.
"I didn't want you to see this side. But guess it's showtime."
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[ACTIVATION: SWORD DANCE – LIGHTNING STYLE]
Rayden drew his sword fully.
The blade crackled — electricity dancing up the steel, glowing brighter with each second.
Sylis narrowed his eyes.
He moved again — faster this time. Three blurs. Four slashes from different directions.
Rayden didn't flinch.
He blocked every one.
With one hand.
[CAST: GIGA LIGHT SLASH – LEVEL 6]
The blade roared with energy as Rayden spun once—a wide circular arc of pure lightning blasted outward, tearing a deep scar into the stone floor.
Sylis barely dodged.
But a single line was drawn across his mask.
He froze.
His hands trembled.
"I didn't even… see that swing…"
Rayden's voice echoed across the stadium.
"Your anatomy tricks, speed, spells—don't matter. I've fought monsters that melt bones with breath."
He raised his blade slowly.
"And I don't miss."
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[CROWD – EXTREME HYPE]
The crowd exploded.
People screamed. Nobles fainted. Even the King was now leaning forward.
The giant from Iron Wastes—Gorvax—was sweating. "That's the guy? The number one Monster Slayer? Damn…"
The princess narrowed her eyes slightly, but don't give much expression like she knows hundred of fighter like him
Even the holy priest, mouth still half-open in sin from before, had now fully stopped breathing.
Rayden stood in the arena like a storm waiting to be unleashed.
Kael looked at his brother — shocked.
This… wasn't just Rayden.
This was a war god wearing a smirk.
Sylis slowly backed away, for the first time in his career—uncertain.
He saw Rayden's eyes.
They weren't just cold.
They were merciless.
Eyes that had stared down demons… and kept walking.
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