Genesis Code: The Genetic Awakening-Chapter 54: Tournament (4)

’This Crusher fellow’s stance is clear,’ Jess reasoned. ’Even without an advantage over his opponent, he’s confident he’ll come out on top.’

The beastkin’s confidence reminded her of a certain someone. ’Haa... I sure hope he isn’t dead.’ She could only hope, though reason told her otherwise.

Putting that thought aside, she focused on the arena as Elyndra solved the puzzle in record time. When it was announced that she was the winner, it came as no surprise to Elyndra.

What did cause her to raise her brows slightly, however, was what the host said about Crusher.

’I should have expected as much.’ Elyndra didn’t dwell on the issue as she waved her staff around, preparing for the real challenge.

"Now that that nonsense is out of the way, let’s see just how much your advantage will help you," Crusher said, unfolding his arms and lowering himself into a combat stance.

His fingers extended into sharp claws, and his muscles bulged slightly. His mana was blocked, but it didn’t matter—his raw power came from his body, and nothing could take that away.

"Your arrogance will be your downfall," Elyndra finally spoke, her voice calm but cutting. The environment shifted into a freezing tundra, the cold biting and relentless. "Let’s see how you fare against extreme cold."

Their feet sank into the snow, the icy layer reaching just above their ankles. Elyndra remained unfazed, her element now surrounding her. Her staff glowed brightly as she channelled her mana, a spell ready at her fingertips.

As soon as the host gave the order to begin, Crusher wasted no time. He bolted toward the elf, a savage grin plastered across his face.

In a split second, the beastman appeared before Elyndra, his spine-chilling claws glistening in the sunlight as he swiped at her with his right hand.

"Fare against this first!" Crusher bellowed, his claw slicing through the air, aimed to cleave her in half—from her left shoulder down to her right waist.

"Hmph!"

Elyndra snorted, leaping backwards as she conjured an ice wall two meters tall and fifteen centimetres thick.

BOOM...!!!

The ice wall shattered instantly, unable to withstand Crusher’s overwhelming power. But that was all the elf needed to execute her next move.

The shattered debris of the ice wall didn’t go to waste. Elyndra manipulated her mana, flowing through the ice’s lattice structure to transform it into water that clung to the beastman—only to freeze solid again in an instant.

"Hm?" Crusher was momentarily taken aback as he felt his movements come to a halt. "Clever," he admitted, a slight grin forming on his face.

The biting cold attempted to invade his body, but it could do little to slow him down. With absolute control over his muscles, he flexed, and cracks began to form in the icy cage.

Suddenly, his instincts flared. He looked up just in time to see a flurry of icicles raining down from above.

’Damn it!’ Crusher cursed inwardly as he sped up his movements, leaping out of the way just in the nick of time. ’Fuck. That bitch is troublesome.’

His gaze shifted to the elf, who stood at a distance, weaving another spell. Her movements were fluid, her technique flawless, leaving everyone who watched her in awe.

’Not on my watch!’ Crusher bolted forward again, but Elyndra had already completed her spell. She unleashed it without hesitation. ’Fast!’

A second barrage of icicles rained down from the sky, and the ground erupted into jagged spikes, threatening to impale him at the slightest misstep.

But Crusher wouldn’t be one hell of an adventurer if he couldn’t navigate through a storm of death.

With swift, evasive manoeuvres, he sidestepped, barrel-rolled, and dove, narrowly dodging the attacks. A few icicles managed to leave shallow scratches on his body, but they were irrelevant.

The beastman closed in on the elf, but Elyndra didn’t stay in one place. She constantly shifted her position, unleashing a flurry of spells that, while unable to harm him directly, kept him at bay.

’That guy is strong—incredibly so,’ Jess thought, her eyes glued to the battle. ’I’d be crushed within seconds.’ She gulped, realizing just how formidable Crusher truly was.

Her own advantage lay in her speed, but Crusher had both speed and strength to match. He wasn’t ordinary; he was a prime candidate to be chosen, regardless of the outcome.

’Unfortunately, he’s being led by the nose,’ Jess observed, seeing through the subtle signs. ’It’s his loss.’

While the beastman was relentlessly trying to close the distance and force the elf into close combat, Elyndra was quietly manipulating her surroundings, weaving a trap he couldn’t escape.

Finally, Elyndra appeared exhausted. Her movements grew sluggish, and her mana seemed to be running dangerously low after casting so many spells with little visible effect.

Crusher, on the other hand, was bruised and battered. His arms bled from shallow wounds, and a few spikes had lodged themselves into his thighs. Yet, the man remained unyielding, his strength undiminished.

However, his singular focus on the elf blinded him to the changes happening around him. He believed he was finally about to make her pay.

"It’s over for you, woman!" Crusher grinned widely as he finally closed the gap, his right hand swooping in to grab her by the face. "I’ve got you!"

But the reaction he expected never came. Instead of fear or resistance, the elf met him with a knowing smile.

"You lose, fool," Elyndra muttered, her voice barely audible over the howling cold winds. "Next time, pay attention to your surroundings."

"!"

Crusher’s instincts screamed a warning. He shifted his gaze, scanning his surroundings, and his heart sank to the pit of his stomach.

All around the beastman, the snow—once white but now tainted with Crusher’s blood—abruptly transformed into an icy lake. Elyndra’s mana surged, channelled into creating the ultimate prison for her opponent. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

While she could have defeated him in other ways, she wanted him to understand the vast difference between them.

’Hehe... It’s my loss indeed.’ Crusher accepted his fate like a man, turning to face the elf. Her previously weakened and pale expression vanished as if it had been a lie.

A sudden blast of wind erupted from her, striking Crusher with full force and sending him plummeting into the depths of the icy lake.

In an instant, the entire lake froze over, trapping the beastman within. This time, there was no escape.

Elyndra stood on the frozen surface, her expression cold and unyielding as she observed the small grin on Crusher’s face. Despite his defeat and awkward posture within the ice, he seemed almost... content.

’He’s definitely worth keeping...’