Chaos Carrier With A Broken Talent

Everyone received their rewards.

Sera looked at the Soul Stone in her hands with a greedy gleam in her eyes. Kael chose an unusual item that looked like a glass raven, but black and fragile.

Aime didn't know what she wanted, because the reward from the Lost Knight wasn't the reason she had come to the Desolate Meadow that night. So, she chose a red cloak to protect her from the cold, but that was only one of its features.

Usually, that would have been the end of it.

On average, three to four participants made it to the final stage. Not everyone managed to get the bell and pass through the Walking Crypt, but this time was one of the few exceptions to that rule.

Step.

Ethan stepped forward as he rang the bell.

It wasn't written in the rules, but since everyone else had already used their bells, he had no way to challenge another participant to a fight to get two rewards.

That wasn't a problem.

In fact, the problem was that Ethan only needed one reward, not some artifact or product, but a way to evolve and create the First Ring.

Even though everyone except Loena got their reward, some even got two at once, Ethan didn't know if he would get anything for himself.

Still, he was ready to fight.

'I have no idea what I'll have to do to find the Element Spark somewhere else. I'll have to buy another Hollow Orb, save up money for it, and go on a long search... Hell no! I have to do it now!'

Ethan was willing to wait; he was patient if it was necessary for the cause. However, like most people, he hated waiting and starting all over again. It was one of the worst feelings in the world.

If there was anything he could do now, Ethan was ready.

Crystal dust fell at his feet as he pointed his dagger at the Lost Knight.

"I challenge you."

Ethan shrugged.

"That's what you wanted to hear, isn't it?"

The Lost Knight let out a short, low laugh.

"Hahah, young man, I like your attitude and your decisions. What is your name?"

"Ethan, that will suffice for a simple battle, won't it?"

The Lost Knight nodded.

"Sure, but I'm afraid the battle won't be so simple. I don't know what special reward you were talking about, but you'll have to earn it first."

All previous battles had ended in a matter of seconds.

The Lost Knight had no intention of showing that he was stronger. No one doubted that. Moreover, the Lost Knight had not killed any of the participants; his servants had done that, but not his sword.

He wanted to see if the participant was ready to fight for his life. It was the fire in his eyes that influenced the Lost Knight's decision the most.

As the last participant to face the Lost Knight, Ethan had the opportunity to guess this beforehand.

But... the Lost Knight understood this as well.

Instead of a quick victory, the Lost Knight appeared right in front of Ethan, and his sword moved unusually slowly, enough for Ethan to react and block.

Clang!

Sparks flew before his eyes, but in the next moment, he realized that the Lost Knight didn't need fencing to defeat him.

The impact shook Ethan's body like an earthquake, throwing him several meters back.

Ethan's eyes widened in disbelief. He had never felt so helpless, not even when he sparred with his grandfather as a child.

Before his feet could touch the ground, the Lost Knight's frame shook and disappeared from Ethan's field of vision.

Tap.

The armored hand fell on Ethan's shoulder, causing him to turn around in shock.

"What? When did he get behind me... That's... Fuck!"

To avoid being cut to pieces, Ethan used his Catalyst. The dark cross ran across his arm as a vertical line shot forward.

Of all his attacks, the direct shot by dark blast was the strongest he could do. From that distance, even the Lost Knight should have been hurt.

At least Ethan hoped so, otherwise, he would suffer the most humiliating defeat among all the participants.

In response, the Lost Knight put his palm forward, blocking the dark blast as if it were not a destructive ability but a simple gust of wind.

Clutch.

The Lost Knight grabbed Ethan by the wrist, and before he could even realize it, his back crashed to the ground.

"GHA!"

A painful gasp escaped Ethan, but that wasn't all.

With a swing of his sword, the Lost Knight knocked the dagger out of Ethan's hand and towered over him, as if preparing to deliver the final blow.

Sera, Klaus, and the others exchanged glances. They didn't understand why the Lost Knight was being so cruel to Ethan.

He had spent more time on Ethan than on all of them combined.

Could there be some special reason for this, or was it simply curiosity on the Lost Knight's part?

"Is that all you've got, Ethan?" the Lost Knight asked, gripping his shoulder tightly. "Come on, if you want to get your reward like the rest of them, you have to show some fire in your eyes. Show me you're willing to do whatever it takes to achieve your goal."

Before Ethan could respond, the Lost Knight jerked his arm, dislocating Ethan's shoulder as easily as breaking a matchstick.

Crunch.

The crunch spread across the field, causing the others to gasp, and only the Twilight Reapers remained motionless.

His veins bulged as Ethan's face flushed with the pain that washed over him. Gradually, anger and fear of the Lost Knight began to stir within him.

But the Lost Knight was seeking a third emotion.

Perhaps on this day, not only the members of the Thunder of Four Howls would receive a reward, but the Lost Knight as well.

A special reward that only a special Carrier could give him.

Was that one right in front of him now?