Inside the earthen arena, Dante cracked his neck, a feral grin appearing on his face.
"You wanted a Hero Rank kill," he said. "Congratulations."
The ground beneath Gabriel's feet suddenly collapsed.
At the same time, Dante vanished.
BOOM.
Gabriel twisted just in time as a massive earth fist smashed upward from the ground where his head had been moments ago.
He leapt back, barely landing before another strike followed.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Each blow was heavier than before. Dante was no longer testing. He was executing.
"You think strength alone can bridge the gap?" Dante snarled as he emerged from the earth behind Gabriel. "Hero Rank is not just stats."
He slammed both fists together, and the arena walls began to glow.
"Earth Prison."
The ground compressed violently as gravity increased within the enclosed space.
Gabriel felt his body sink an inch into the soil. Pressure crushed down on his shoulders. His bones creaked loudly, and the strain was clearly visible on his face.
