The crowd's cheers were quickly replaced by a heavy, judgmental silence as a new figure stepped into the arena. This wasn't another cocky student like Kael. This was Master Thorne, a veteran tamer with a scar running across his eye and a beast that didn't roar it hissed.
Beside him slithered a Shadow Stalker, a serpent-like creature made of living mist and jagged scales. It didn't have the brute force of a dragon, but it moved like liquid, invisible against the dark stone of the Colosseum floor.
The New Challenge
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION:
Urgent Quest: Survival of the Quickest.
Opponent: Master Thorne (Rank B Tamer).
Condition: The Shadow Stalker is immune to physical Chaos attacks.
A lucky sneeze won't save you twice, kid, Thorne rasped. "My Stalker doesn't have eyes to cloud. It senses heat. Your little lizard is a glowing beacon in the dark.
Lin Z looked at Scrappy. The little dragon was shivering, his tiny scales clinking together. If the Shadow Stalker struck once, it was over. Lin Z scanned his System interface, his fingers flying through the menus.
If it senses heat... we give it too much to look at, Lin Z muttered.
The Tactical Play
Scrappy! Don't attack the snake, Lin Z shouted. Target the floor torches
Scrappy, now Level 2 and feeling a surge of new energy, didn't just puff smoke. He used his new 'Scrappy Chaos' ability. Instead of aiming at the opponent, he zipped around the perimeter of the arena, unleashing rapid-fire "Sneeze Sparks" at the decorative braziers lining the walls.
Action 1: Scrappy tips over the North brazier.
Action 2: Scrappy ignites the banners hanging from the stands.
Action 3: Scrappy uses Tail Flick to scatter glowing embers across the floor.
The arena transformed into a chaotic map of heat signatures. The Shadow Stalker froze, its head darting left and right, completely blinded by the overwhelming thermal noise.
The Turning Point
Now! Lin Z commanded. Combine Scrappy Chaos with Beast Coordination!
Scrappy didn't lung for the throat. He dove into the thickest pile of embers and used his wings to create a miniature firestorm. To the Shadow Stalker, it looked like a supernova was exploding in its face.
The serpent recoiled, hissing in agony as its misty form began to evaporate under the intense, concentrated heat. Thorne tried to recall his beast, but it was too late the Stalker retreated into its soul-stone, exhausted and defeated.Experience +250 XP
Scrappy Level Level 5 (Evolution Path Unlocked)
New Title Giant Slayer (Passive: +10% Crit chance vs. Higher Ranks)
Thorne stared at his empty hands, then at the tiny, soot-covered dragon sitting in the middle of the charred arena. You turned my beast's greatest strength into its cage...
Lin Z picked up Scrappy, who let out a tiny, triumphant belch. It's not about how hard you hit, Thorne. It's about making sure the other guy can't see the hit coming.
As Lin Z turned to leave, the System pinged one final time, and the text turned a blood-red color:
WARNING: You have drawn the attention of the Dragon Council. A 'Seeker' has been dispatched to investigate the 'Anomalous F-Rank'.