Chapter 21 – Final Match: The Abyss KnightThe Arena Before the Storm
The crowd was restless.
The last two fights had been brutal, fast, and unforgettable. Leon's victory over the Bone Shaman had left spectators murmuring, bets being adjusted in real time, and some fighters in the back rows suddenly watching him with more respect than before.
But none of that mattered now.
This was it.
His final fight.
Win, and The Path of the Deathborn was his. Lose… and well, that wasn't an option.
Leon leaned against the stone wall of the waiting area, arms crossed, eyes locked on the iron gate that led into the arena. His Elite Sorcerer hovered behind him, its blue eyes flickering, while his Warrior Zombie remained still, greatsword resting on its shoulder.
He could feel the energy in the air—excitement, bloodlust, and something else.
A challenge.
Whoever he was about to face… was waiting for him.
Then the announcer's voice thundered across the coliseum.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE'VE SEEN BLOOD, WE'VE SEEN MAGIC—BUT NOW, THE FINAL FIGHT BEGINS!"
The crowd roared, stomping their feet against the stone stands.
Leon cracked his knuckles.
Time to end this.
The Abyss Knight Appears
The iron gate across the arena groaned open, revealing his final opponent.
A tall figure stepped forward, his entire body clad in black and silver armor, engraved with ancient runes that pulsed with a faint violet glow. A greatsword rested on his back, much larger than any normal weapon.
But it wasn't just his gear that was unnerving.
It was his presence.
The air around him felt heavier, like gravity itself was pressing down. The torches that lined the arena flickered, their flames twisting unnaturally.
Leon's fingers twitched.
This guy wasn't a normal fighter.
He was cursed.
"FACING OUR NEW CONTENDER—THE UNDEFEATED, THE NIGHTMARE OF THE BLACK MARKET, THE ABYSS KNIGHT!"
The crowd exploded.
Leon didn't move, his eyes narrowing as he studied his opponent.
The Abyss Knight tilted his head slightly.
Then—he spoke.
"You fight well," he said, his voice low, distorted—almost like two voices speaking at once. "But you are not ready."
Leon smirked. "Guess we'll find out."
The bell rang.
The fight began.
The First Clash – Overwhelming Strength
Leon fired first.
His Elite Sorcerer unleashed a Mana Bolt, while he raised his gun and pulled the trigger three times in quick succession.
The Abyss Knight didn't move.
He simply raised his hand—and the air around him twisted.
A dark barrier erupted, swallowing the attacks like a black hole. The bullets vanished, the Mana Bolt dispersed into nothing.
Leon's mind raced.
Abyssal magic.
Not only did this guy have pure physical power, but he could cancel ranged attacks.
Then the Abyss Knight moved.
He closed the distance in an instant, his greatsword a blur of silver and darkness.
Leon barely dodged as the blade carved through the air, slicing through stone like butter. The shockwave of the strike alone sent him skidding backward.
His Warrior Zombie stepped in, intercepting the next attack.
The two massive swords clashed, the impact sending a ripple through the arena floor.
Leon gritted his teeth.
This fight was going to be hell.
Adapting – Finding a Weakness
The Abyss Knight was relentless.
Each strike was brutal, precise, unrelenting. His movements were flawless, refined—like someone who had fought in hundreds of battles and never lost.
Leon dodged to the side, firing another shot—but the bullet was swallowed by the Abyss Knight's armor.
That wasn't just metal.
It was absorbing damage.
Leon narrowed his eyes.
There had to be a limit.
He glanced at his system notifications.
[Enemy Analysis: Abyss Knight]
Strength: Extreme
Speed: Above Average
Defense: High – Absorbs Minor Attacks
Weakness: ???
Leon exhaled. He needed to push harder.
"Enhance."
A blue glow surged through his gun as he activated his Weapon Augmentation skill.
The next bullet cracked with undead energy.
Leon aimed low—and fired directly at the Abyss Knight's knee.
The shot connected.
For the first time, the Abyss Knight staggered.
Leon smirked.
So, he wasn't invincible.
The Turning Point – Breaking the Knight's Power
The Abyss Knight straightened, tilting his head slightly, as if impressed.
Then—his aura exploded outward.
The air turned black, the torches dimming, shadows crawling up the walls.
Leon's undead flinched, the Elite Sorcerer's mana flickering.
Then came the voice.
"You will break."
Leon felt his chest tighten, like something was pressing down on his soul.
It was some kind of fear magic—a spell meant to make weaker opponents submit before the fight even ended.
Too bad it wouldn't work on him.
Leon clenched his jaw.
"Shut up."
He fired again—this time, straight at the Abyss Knight's chest.
The shot hit dead center.
But instead of absorbing it, the armor cracked slightly.
Leon's eyes widened.
His armor could only take so much before breaking.
A plan clicked into place.
"Sorcerer! Mana Explosion! Warrior, keep him locked in place!"
His Elite Sorcerer flickered, building a massive surge of energy.
His Warrior Zombie clashed swords with the knight, forcing him into a defensive position.
Leon lined up one final shot.
The Abyss Knight realized too late.
BOOM.
The explosion of mana shattered the weakened armor, sending the knight crashing to one knee.
Leon didn't hesitate.
He fired the last bullet.
The shot pierced through the knight's exposed chest.
For a long moment—silence.
Then, the Abyss Knight's body collapsed onto the arena floor.
Victory – The Arena Crowns a New Champion
The crowd was frozen.
Then—an eruption of cheers.
Leon exhaled, lowering his gun.
The announcer's voice boomed across the arena.
"AND THE WINNER OF THE BLACK MARKET ARENA—LEON!"
The betting halls exploded with arguments, celebrations, and stunned silence.
But Leon wasn't paying attention.
His eyes were locked on the book vendor's stall.
The Path of the Deathborn was his.
He had won.