NOVEL NEXT Chapter 249: Semifinal 1- England vs Japan
[WARSTAR WORLD CUP – SEMIFINAL 1]
[ENGLAND vs JAPAN]
[Venue: Imperial Flame Pavilion, Beijing, China]
[Attendance: 150,000 live spectators]
[Viewership: Estimated 300 million worldwide]
[Commentary Team: Evelyn Kaori (Japan), Anthony Hales (England), Zhao Feng (China).]
The city was on fire.
Beijing, the ancient capital of dynasties past, now lit up with holographic banners and flaming phoenix-shaped drones circling above, had never known such fervor.
The Imperial Flame Pavilion stood like a massive burning temple to eSports glory; columns of obsidian and fire-glass, crimson banners suspected in the air, and digital kanji texts cycling the word "Glory" across the city sky.
Vendors outside sold replica Aetherforges and cosplay Ghost of Tsushima shields.
Flags waved, drums pounded, and fan chants mixed across languages in a symphony of anticipation.
Inside the colossal dome, flames traced patterns across the glass roof, and the center platform rotated slowly, shining light upon the two walkways from which the teams would enter.
The commentary at this stage was the perfect build-up to the game.
Anthony Hales of England started it.
"Welcome ladies and gentlemen, to the crucible of history, where the weight of nations and the fire of pride clash head-on!"
"It's England vs Japan, tradition vs fury, and at the heart of it all… redemption and revenge!"
Evelyn Kaori continued. "The Ghost of Tsushima has brought Japan to this point with unstoppable resolve. But across from him stands England's Lord Doom, Noah, the Combat Mage legend, the vanguard of Echelon's revolution".
"This match… this is the one the world's been waiting for".
Zhao Feng added with a grin. "China will wait in the final. But only one of these titans will stand beside us. The other? Lost to the flame".
As the names of the starting players were read aloud, an explosion of roars echoed from the stands.
Fans held LED placards with "RECKLESS STORM", "LORD DOOM", and "TSUSHIMA".
The English fans, dressed in navy and silver, waved their flags in unison. The Japanese fans, in flowing red and white robes, chanted rhythmic war songs with ritualistic reverence.
A pressure settled in the arena, like something was about to detonate.
Team Japan came out first.
7 figures, wrapped in sleek red-black digital cloaks. In front was Ghost of Tsushima, the Paladin of Light and Shadows, Japan's captain.
As part of the hype, he had a real sword with him as he walked to the player booth. His sword gleamed like liquid starlight as the walkway beneath his feet ignited with ancient kanji.
Finally, it was Team England's turn.
The arena went dark.
And then… lightning.
Aetheric streaks tore across the digital dome, and when the sparks cleared, the Echelon-led England squad stood at the opposite tunnel.
Lord Doom was at the center, a virtual version of Aetherforge hovering ominously at his side, lightning pulsing through his black and gold armor.
BOOM!
The stadium exploded at the sight of him.
Aria's Reckless Storm stood just beside him, a virtual version of her twin red blades shimmering, her smirk evident even behind her mask.
Caleb, Benjamin, and Genevieve followed, then the others, battle-hardened, confident, and quiet.
A thunderous British chant rang out.
"GLORY TO THE CROWN!"
From above, the arena resembled a blazing sigil, a flaming lotus fused with arcane runes pulsing beneath the transparent combat stage.
The referees floated in hover-pads above, giving the all-clear.
Then, a high-pitched, harmonic bell sounded across the pavilion.
[LOADING…]
[FIRST ROUND: INDIVIDUAL BATTLE]
[England – Lord Doom (Combat Mage) vs Japan – Ghost of Tsushima (Paladin)]
English fans at the Imperial Flame Pavilion felt a sense of déjà vu.
It felt like Lord Doom vs Dain Ironvalor all over again.
But nah, this was an even more terrifying Paladin existence, a Paladin with 2 SS-Rank skills and an SS-Rank unique skill.
The sky above the Imperial Flame Pavilion shimmered as the arena recalibrated.
The central battlefield condensed to a perfect dueling ground: a floating obsidian disc surrounded by molten lava rivers and elevated spectator platforms, casting golden-orange reflections across the stage.
Across it stood two figures.
Ghost of Tsushima, Japan's pride, an impenetrable bastion of discipline and grace. His armor gleamed with lacquered white-gold purity, layered like the scales of a mythic dragon, while his shield bore the sigil of rising sun over sakura petals, and his sword, Yamato, was already drawn.
Opposite him, Lord Doom, the monarch of devastation, stood unshaken.
Deep black hair swept by the wind, eyes glowing with arcane fury. Gold-white armor shimmered with energy, and Aetherforge spun slowly around him like a star collapsing in on itself.
The tension was holy.
The commentary began, Anthony Hales' passionate voice stealing the show.
"The Paladin who's never lost a 1v1 this year… versus the Combat Mage who's never lost a 1v1 this year, and never played fair. It's honor against chaos. A hero of light… against the one who became darkness".
Evelyn Kaori chipped in. "And Ghost isn't just Japan's best tank. He's our symbol. If there is any man who can tame Doom, it is he".
"Let the first dance begin". Zhao Feng said, and it started.
The gong rang.
Ghost moved first, exploding forward with shield raised, footwork tight, sword angled for control rather than chaos. His Divine Aegis pulsed, buffing his defenses and setting a sacred barrier around his body.
Noah smiled, and vanished.
{Psychic Skill: Levitate=}
A boulder shot into the air behind the Paladin.
Ghost spun, deflected the projectile, but Lord Doom was already behind him, Aetherforge roaring to life.
{Combat Mage Skill: Tempest Discharge=}
A chained arc of lightning leapt from Aetherforge into Ghost's back. But Ghost barely flinched.
His shield slammed the ground.
{Paladin Skill: Bulwark Shockwave=}
A seismic blast flung Lord Doom away.
Ghost advanced.
1 minute, 12 seconds in…
The arena trembled as the two circled each other.
Lord Doom fired quick bursts of magic, testing Ghost's angles; fireballs, force pulses, even a summoned Golem to box him in. He used everything.
But Ghost deflected everything with surgical perfection. His positioning was flawless.
A quick [Piercing Shot] from Lord Doom's Rifle cracked through the shield.
Ghost lunged.
{Smite of Dawn=}
His blade glowed like a solar flare, and in one clean motion, he slammed it down on Lord Doom's shoulder.
Aetherforge's shield cracked; Lord Doom rolled, bleeding.
Evelyn Kaori roared.
"He hit him! He actually hit him clean!"
"And Doom's bleeding!" Anthony Hales added. "This isn't a one-sided show, it's war!"
3 minutes, 3 seconds in…
Lord Doom was smiling.
He began to whisper, hands dancing.
{Combat Mage Skill: Ether Rewind=}
{Gunner Skill: Bullet Storm=}
{Psychic Skill: Force Push=}
A combo detonated.
He blinked behind Ghost, fired dozens of arcane bullets, then shoved him across the platform with force magic, right into a floating wall of summoned energy blades.
"He used the map geometry!" Zhao Feng screamed. "But Ghost's shield, he still has it!"
Ghost emerged from the assault, breathing heavy. His armor was scratched, cape torn.
He dropped to one knee, but not to give up though.
He punched the ground.
BAM!
{Paladin Skill: Heaven's Revival=}
A beam of golden light restored his HP partially, and his blade burned with divine might.
4 minutes, 30 seconds in…
The next clash was mythic.
Aetherforge vs Yamato.
SSS-Rank shapeshifting weapon vs SS-Rank long sword.
Magic pulses vs divine counters.
Teleport dodges vs perfect parries.
Both were now at less than 30% HP, having given their all to kill their opponent. Every mistake would be fatal, though they haven't made one yet.
Their gameplay was perfect.
Ghost of Tsushima roared.
Then, he activated his finisher.
{Paladin Awakened level Skill: Divine Judgement=}
Golden swords formed above, twenty glowing blades of light, and they began crashing down on Lord Doom.
Lord Doom didn't run.
Rather, he whispered, too softly for any mic to catch.
Suddenly, he stepped into the falling swords.
And vanished.
BZZZ!
5 minutes, 1 second in…
Anthony. "What?! H-he phased?! Where the hell did Lord Doom go?!"
For a moment, even the omnidirectional cameras could not pinpoint Lord Doom's location in the arena.
{High level Combat Mage Skill: Arcane Reflection Field=}
Lord Doom had baited the ultimate, phased into an invulnerable reflection field, and now redirected the final swords, not at Ghost, but at the ground below him.
KABOOM!
The platform cracked.
Ghost staggered, his footing lost.
Lord Doom appeared midair, Aetherforge spinning like a divine executioner.
'Checkmate'.
{Awakened Level Combat Mage Skill: Ragnarok Pulse=}
He struck.
Aetherforge smashed into Ghost's chest, followed by an explosion of blute-white energy that obliterated the remaining HP bar.
---<VICTORY>---
[England: 1 point]
[Japan: 0 point]
"…!"