NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 26: Chapter 26
Chapter 26: Clash of Titans
The moment the signal to begin rang out, the air between the two teams turned electric. The crowd roared with excitement as Team 1 and Team Jae-min launched into action, both sides moving with a blend of precision and power that showcased their skills.
Leon, the captain of Team 1, was the first to act. With a wave of his hand, a golden barrier shimmered around his team, bolstering their defenses. "Formation A," he commanded, his voice calm yet firm.
"Se-ri, disrupt them!" Jae-min called out.
Se-ri fired a barrage of ice arrows toward the golden barrier, aiming to weaken it. Meanwhile, Tae-jun charged forward, his fists blazing with fire. The clash began in earnest, with the arena erupting into a storm of spells, weapons, and explosions.
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A Battle of Strategy
Team 1 was as formidable as their reputation suggested. Leon coordinated his team with expert precision, their movements fluid and synchronized. Their mage cast powerful elemental spells, while their tank absorbed blows effortlessly, creating openings for their vanguard to strike.
"They're too coordinated," Min-seok said, dodging a lightning strike from the enemy mage.
"Then we break their coordination," Jae-min replied, activating Zone Expansion. A shimmering dome of energy spread out from him, disrupting Team 1's movements and forcing them to adapt.
"Nice trick," Leon said, smirking. "But it won't be enough."
Leon raised his hand, and a pulse of energy surged outward, clashing with Jae-min's zone. The two forces pushed against each other, creating a spectacle of light and power that dazzled the crowd.
"Focus on the mage!" Jae-min shouted.
Min-seok nodded, channeling his lightning into a concentrated blast. The enemy mage countered with a wall of earth, but Se-ri's ice arrows shattered it, leaving them exposed. Tae-jun seized the opportunity, landing a devastating punch that knocked the mage back.
"First blood!" Tae-jun shouted triumphantly.
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The Tide Turns
With their mage temporarily incapacitated, Team 1 adjusted their tactics. Their vanguard pushed harder, targeting Ji-a in an attempt to disrupt her healing.
"They're going after Ji-a!" Min-seok warned.
"Not on my watch!" Tae-jun intercepted the vanguard, his flames roaring as he forced them back.
Ji-a, unfazed, continued to cast healing spells and reinforce barriers. Her calm focus was a testament to her growth throughout the tournament.
"Keep it up!" Jae-min encouraged.
Seizing the moment, Jae-min used Shadow Step to teleport behind Leon. His dagger flashed as he aimed for a quick strike, but Leon reacted instantly, deflecting the attack with his blade.
"You're good," Leon said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "But you'll need more than that to beat me."
Jae-min smirked. "I was hoping you'd say that."
The two captains engaged in a fierce duel, their weapons clashing with a speed and intensity that left the crowd on the edge of their seats.
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The Final Gambit
As the battle wore on, both teams showed signs of fatigue. Team 1's tank and vanguard were slowing down, while Team Jae-min's members were pushing their limits.
"We can end this," Jae-min said to his team through their communication link. "Follow my lead."
Jae-min activated Zone Expansion once more, but this time, he poured every ounce of his power into it. The dome expanded, engulfing the battlefield and tilting the balance in their favor.
"Se-ri, target their healer!" Jae-min commanded.
Se-ri fired a series of arrows, each one enhanced with ice magic. The enemy healer struggled to block them, leaving an opening for Min-seok to unleash a lightning strike that knocked them out of the fight.
"Only three left!" Tae-jun said, charging at the enemy tank. With a fiery uppercut, he sent the tank crashing to the ground.
Now it was three against five. Team Jae-min pressed their advantage, overwhelming the remaining members of Team 1.
Leon, however, was far from defeated. He unleashed a powerful spell, creating a storm of golden energy that forced Jae-min's team to retreat.
"You've impressed me, Jae-min," Leon said, his voice steady despite the chaos. "But this is where it ends."
"We'll see about that," Jae-min replied.
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The Decisive Moment
The final clash came down to Jae-min and Leon. The rest of their teams had been incapacitated, leaving the two captains to decide the match.
Leon's golden aura flared as he charged forward, his sword gleaming with power. Jae-min met him head-on, his dagger and spatial skills allowing him to keep pace.
The two traded blows, their movements a blur of speed and precision. Jae-min used Shadow Step to dodge an overhead strike, countering with a slash that grazed Leon's side.
Leon staggered but quickly recovered, his determination unshaken. "Not bad," he said, wiping blood from his lip.
"Same to you," Jae-min replied, breathing heavily.
With one final burst of energy, Jae-min activated Zone Expansion and Shadow Step simultaneously, creating an unpredictable pattern of attacks. Leon tried to block, but Jae-min's dagger found its mark, landing a decisive blow.
The crowd erupted in cheers as the announcer declared the result. "Victory to Team Jae-min!"
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A Moment of Triumph
The arena was filled with deafening applause as Jae-min helped Leon to his feet.
"That was incredible," Leon said, a genuine smile on his face. "You've earned this victory."
"Thanks," Jae-min said, shaking his hand. "You weren't half bad yourself."
Back in the waiting room, Jae-min's team celebrated their hard-fought victory. Though they were exhausted, the joy of their accomplishment made it all worthwhile.
"We did it," Ji-a said, her voice filled with emotion. "We're the champions."
"Yeah," Jae-min said, smiling as he looked at his teammates. "But this is just the beginning."
To be continued...
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