NOVEL NEXT Chapter 233: Stop playing
Damien swallowed as images from the night before appeared in his mind.
Flames singed the air inches from his skin, water lashed his limbs sharply, blades swung perilously close, yet none touched him.
"If we get through this day, watch what I'll do to you tonight." Damien growled as he smashed a head open with a powerful punch.
"Ooh! I love it when you are confident like that. What a refreshing change from the awkward, still looking virgin yesterday! Hee hee!" Lyrisa giggled cutely.
With graceful precision, Damien danced around the room and systematically dismantled the warriors, each strike perfectly timed and devastatingly effective.
The thirteenth round increased again to fifteen warriors, the intensity fierce and overwhelming. Damien's breathing quickened, senses overloaded by the storm of elemental attacks.
Damien fought valiantly, each strike precise and calculated. His ears rang with clashing weapons, eyes watering from smoke and dust, taste sharp and metallic on his tongue. Yet he persevered, finally emerging victorious amidst scattered bodies and debris.
Round fourteen delivered twenty warriors, and Damien felt exhaustion creeping subtly into his limbs. Lyrisa's encouraging cries echoed cheerfully, interspersed with playful admonishments.
"Don't get lazy now!" she called brightly, enjoying the spectacle immensely. "I expect a dazzling finish! Just like last night!"
Damien's energy surged with determination, his movements swift and forceful. Each strike echoed satisfyingly through his bones, the sound of each fallen warrior bolstering his resolve. Soon the last warrior collapsed, leaving Damien breathing heavily yet triumphant.
The fifteenth round brought an intimidating group of twenty-five warriors, a daunting wave of elemental fury that surged toward him relentlessly. Damien exhaled slowly, steadying himself.
"You can handle twenty-five, right, Monkey King?" Lyrisa cheered brightly. "Otherwise, I'll have to stop snacking and actually help!"
Damien shook his head, laughter bubbling despite his fatigue. "No need," he replied confidently. "Enjoy your snacks."
He charged boldly into the fray, punches and kicks a blur of focused, disciplined fury. Flames roared deafeningly, water surged powerfully, blades rang sharply, wooden tendrils reached hungrily, and earth warriors charged thunderously.
Damien's senses burned intensely, adrenaline coursing powerfully through him. Each strike landed precisely, each movement calculated flawlessly. Gradually, the warriors fell beneath his relentless assault, one after another, until finally, silence filled the arena.
Damien stood amidst the devastation, breathing deeply, sweat trickling steadily down his face and body. He turned slowly, finding Lyrisa grinning broadly, applauding dramatically.
"Magnificent!" she cheered enthusiastically. "Truly, Damien, you are a one-man spectacle. Bravo!"
Damien rolled his eyes, yet laughter escaped softly. "Glad you're entertained," he retorted dryly.
Lyrisa popped the last of her snacks into her mouth, eyes sparkling brightly with admiration and mischief. "Oh, thoroughly," she teased playfully. "But you know, I suppose I could help in the next trial."
Damien sighed dramatically, eyes sparkling with humor despite his fatigue. "How generous of you."
Damien let out a slow breath, his muscles tingling pleasantly from the exhilarating workout. He turned toward Lyrisa, his expression relaxed and amused. "That should do it, right?" he asked, raising a playful eyebrow. "Time for the next trial?"
Lyrisa, comfortably reclining against her pillar, popped another snack from her pouch, nodding approvingly. "I'd imagine so," she said lightly. "You've already handled more than enough. Really, Damien, you've spoiled me. I might never want to fight again."
Yet, even as her voice faded, the arena gave a sudden, ominous rumble, interrupting her cheerful banter. Damien and Lyrisa exchanged wary glances as another heavy, ornate door slowly ground open, a shadowy figure emerging from within.
Damien's eyes widened in genuine shock.
The figure stepping forth from the darkness was none other than himself, identical in every detail. The same build, the same features, the same calm and confident stance.
A cruel, twisted grin curled upon the doppelganger's lips, reflecting Damien's own confidence back at him in a distorted, sinister mirror. Behind the double floated five spheres, swirling with dangerous intensity, each sphere shimmering ominously with one of the five elements, fire, water, iron, wood, and earth.
Lyrisa, caught mid-motion, her hand halfway to her mouth with another snack, dropped it onto the sandy floor, staring in stunned disbelief. "What, Damien, careful!" Her voice suddenly serious, she straightened instantly, her posture shifting from relaxed to tense readiness.
But Damien, a grin already spreading across his face, simply raised his fists with a slow, deliberate grace, eyes gleaming with anticipation and challenge. He matched his double's evil grin perfectly. "Finally," Damien said, clearly excited, "this is interesting."
The doppelganger lunged forward without hesitation, movements fluid and incredibly precise, mirroring Damien's exact combat style with terrifying accuracy. Its fists swung rapidly, each strike quick and relentless, carrying precise form and execution.
Damien moved to intercept instantly, weaving between blows with expert timing, sensing the heat and power behind each strike.
Damien's breath quickened slightly, adrenaline surging through him, every nerve and muscle thrilling from the challenge. He ducked beneath a fierce swing, feeling the air brush past his cheek, warm and sharp.
He retaliated swiftly, his punches swift and precise, striking firmly at his double's defenses. Yet, remarkably, the doppelganger blocked with identical skill, smoothly shifting to counterattack.
Meanwhile, Lyrisa watched anxiously, her earlier calm and cheerful demeanor replaced by intense focus. "Damien, don't be reckless!" she called out, eyes locked onto the fight, her fingers twitching near the hilts of her scimitars. "He's matching you blow for blow. And he's controlling elements too!"
Indeed, the elemental spheres floating behind the doppelganger surged violently, releasing sudden bursts of flame, streams of water, flying shards of iron, thick branches, and spikes of hardened earth.
Damien twisted sharply, narrowly evading each strike, his senses screaming warnings as the barrage intensified around him.
Still, he stubbornly refused to draw upon his death energy, determined to win with raw combat skill alone. Every punch, kick, and dodge was purely physical mastery, a beautiful dance of skill and precision, each movement a demonstration of sheer human excellence.
Lyrisa's frustration grew evident, her hands clenching tightly. "Damien!" she shouted, voice edged with concern and impatience. "Stop playing around or I'll step in and spoil your fun!"