Jake was patiently waiting on his side of the circle.
He was empty handed, and it was impossible to know what his archetype would be. Physically, he looked like a fighter or tank, but appearances didn't mean much.
"What are you waiting for? Would you rather be failed?" asked Jake, chuckling.
"Sunder was clear that I shouldn't—"
"Sunder doesn't speak for the adventurer's guild. We're the ones who decide who gets to become a dungeon runner, not him. The fact that a cultist is even allowed to participate…"
Alexander glanced at the officials, who all looked away.
So this is it? I need to fight him?
He glanced at Fae beside him once more.
Sunder was clear about using my powers against others, but I don't see how I can win against him without using them. [ The Gift ] is the only way I'd have a chance, if I tried to win. Unless I lost on purpose…
All he needed, was to get a few tentacles out, have them lash out before giving up.
"Alright," replied Alexander.
Jake grinned, before getting in a fighting stance.
Alexander nodded at Fae, who took a few steps sideways to leave some room for them.
"You'll fight without your beast? A mistake."
Alexander frowned.
His eyes turned into crosses, across the circle appeared three tendrils quickly whipping toward Jake.
He jumped over the first one, then crouched for the second one, and lay flat on the ground for the third one.
He was a lot more agile than his muscular build let him believe.
I thought at least one would hit him…
The moment his foot inched toward the edge of the circle, Jake pushed against the ground, breaking the tiles as he launched himself toward Alexander.
Alexander quickly moved his foot back, ready to leave the circle, but Jake was already right in front of him.
How can he be this fucking quick?!
He braced for a punch, yet Jake's hand firmly grabbed his collar.
In a single motion he lifted Alexander and flipped him over his shoulder, before launching him toward the ground in the middle of the circle.
Air left his lungs as he hit the ground.
He would've fainted right then and there, his mind somehow hanging onto consciousness a little while longer.
In the corner of his eyes he could see as Fae was getting in a stance close to the ground.
With what little strength he had, he raised his hand toward her.
Don't.
She remained still, considering Alexander's will while Jake slowly approached him.
"So that's it? What trick did you use to beat my squads, earlier?"
'My squads'? Is that why he's so upset?
Alexander groaned in pain, as he slowly sat upright.
Everyone looked thrilled. Smiles even painting some faces that avidly awaited Alexander's beat down.
Only Silver had worried look, watching the events unfold.
"I… give up," said Alexander.
"All you have to do is leave the circle," said Jake with a smile.
Alexander then chuckled, a reaction that amused his opponent.
"What's so funny?"
"You're not gonna let me leave the circle, are you?"
Jake's laughter could've been heard miles away, as he stood a meter away from Alexander.
He then turned his gaze toward Fae.
"As I recall, you also did some damage to my juniors…"
Jake took a step toward her.
She inched closer to the ground, tightly clutching the sickles in her hands.
She looked like a cornered cat, ready to pounce.
Alexander got onto his hands and knees, attempting to regain his balance to stand up.
"Wait," he said.
Jake looked over his shoulder.
"Huh? I doubt you waited for my juniors."
"They're the ones who attacked me," replied Alexander.
Jake raised his fist, visible cackling energy came out of it.
The pressure exerted from it was palpable.
Air was displaced, a strong gust of wind emanating from his fist. It felt as if gravity was stronger, a feeling of impending doom coming out of it.
Jake's grin quickly faded with the energy surrounding his fist.
His eyes turned into crosses, his head tilted backward with a grimace of pain flashing through his face.
Eyes bloomed across Alexander's body, some frantically looking around while others fixated on Jake.
On his hat and clothes, their appearance brought pressure measurable to Jake's.
Beneath him the ground cracked. Through the abyssal depths of the opened a void through which more tendrils appeared.
They didn't lash out, randomly whipping around.
One tightly swirled around Jake's neck, reeling him and holding him flat to the ground.
Alexander took a few steps closer to Jake.
An official took a step forward and neared the circle toward his back, something his eyes didn't miss.
The ground cracked open before them, whipping against the circle's edge.
Frowning, Alexander glanced back with a look that would scare even Silver.
"He didn't step out of the circle, did he?"
His tone was dry, yet commanding.
The official, frightened, took a step back.
Alexander approached Jake, the tendrils tightening around his neck. His face became redder, panting, trying to breath yet unable to.
His eyes were frantically looking around, his body shaking against the tiled floor beneath him.
Alexander raised his hand, commanding the tendrils.
And then, he was there.
It happened in the span of a second.
Jake on the ground before him, with Fae right behind.
He could see it happen, yet it was too quick to even react to.
Standing between them, right in his face.
He was short, with grey hair and a t-shirt with an anime protagonist printed on it.
He looked bored and tired, yet his gaze was intensely studying Alexander's sight. He looked like a kid.
Behind him was someone crouched over Jake.
Two others were by Fae's side, tightly holding her arms and shoulders to keep her from moving.
"Don't," said the kid in his face.
How could he tell I was about to activate [ The Gift ]?!
"You wonder how I could tell? Your emotions are quite transparent, right now. I can read it on your face. Desperation. Just let go of whatever's going on with him," said the kid while pointing at Jake.
Alexander's face tightened.
"Titan, he's…" said the one looking over Jake.
Titan?
Shock and confusion flashed across his face as he recalled the first time he had seen him, moments before going into his inner path when the eye first appeared in the sky.
"Either you let go of your spell or I make you let go," said Titan, slightly annoyed.