The air inside the Grand Competition Grounds felt heavier than it had all day. Four intense matches had been stripped on this day. One shocking upset after another had shaken the crowd's confidence in every prediction they thought they understood.
Now, only two competitors remain. Two numbers and two names. The elder floated above the arena, sleeves drifting like dark smoke in the fading light. When his voice fell, it dropped straight into the heart of every watcher.
"Number One… and Number Five." For a heartbeat, no one moved. Then the elder spoke again, his tone cutting the silence cleanly in two.
Aaden Walker and Robert Osborn. The arena erupted instantly.
"Robert? Against Aaden Walker?"
"He is going to die!"
"No way a Level 3 Peak Stage beats a Walker!"
"Aaden is Elder Rain Walker's son—second strongest after Harvey!"
The Walker Clan pavilion rose to their feet, grinning with anticipation.
