The Medallion

"Ha-ha-ha! You are defeated now, young man! I am the winner!" Dunn laughed loudly and proudly. He looked at Rocky's beaten state and felt really proud of himself. Beating Rocky felt like a huge achievement to Dunn; a seemingly insurmountable mountain that he was able to climb despite the odds. 'Rocky is seriously injured after getting hit by my spiritual power. He will not have the strength left to even stand back up, ' Dunn thought.

To Dunn's surprise, Rocky started to move and got himself up to a semi-standing position with the help of his hands. Rocky was standing shakily as if the slightest wind could knock him back down. The mere action of standing up seemed to have drained Rocky of all of his remaining strength. But he did it. Beyond Dunn's expectations, Rocky was able to stand up again.

"That is impossible! How are you still standing even after my deadly attack!? I am sure that I have injured you severely and you have almost no spiritual power left!" Dunn said as he tried to get over his initial shock. Dunn stood mute and shocked as he tried hard to rationalize what had happened. He was sure that Rocky should now be so close to death that the slightest of movements would be impossible for him. He attacked Rocky with full force mere moments ago. Any other spirit manipulator would have died or would be in a coma from that last attack. To stand up once more after that attack was something that was beyond impossible.

But Rocky was able to do the impossible many times before. After he got hit by the maximum force of Dunn's attack, Rocky was able to stand up once more beyond the expectations of everyone who watched the battle unfold before them. A hundred questions crossed Dunn's mind regarding Rocky. Questions that were brought by Rocky's ability to survive an attack that could have easily killed any other spirit manipulator.

"Never be too sure of anything. A situation can change at any time. You are not the winner. No, not yet. The true battle is just about to begin!" Rocky said coldly with a smile of contempt. He wiped the blood from the edge of his lips and gave Dunn a challenging stare that made Dunn feel like Rocky was belittling him.

"Don't worry. My next attack will kill you and end this battle completely!" Dunn was brought into a state of anger by Rocky's arrogant statement. His face was flushed red with anger and frustration. He wanted to just reach for Rocky's neck and strangle the life out of him. He felt so angry at Rocky right now that it was all that he could do to hold it all back.

Rocky stood unsteadily as he stared at Dunn. It looked as if he would lose his balance at any time and fall over. Rocky looked as if he exerted all of his strength just to stay standing. Everyone who watched the confrontation was sure that Rocky would be completely defeated or even killed by Dunn's next attack.

The people who watched the developments of the battle through the Illusory Mirror, were at the very edge of their seats. They all admired Rocky's tenacity. Even though he displayed great stamina throughout the final round, everyone was sure that Dunn would win the final round. There was a great difference in strength between Rocky and Dunn and everyone was convinced that the game was already decided. They all felt pity for Rocky for losing to Dunn.

an outstanding willpower. He was brave and resourceful throughout all of the three rounds of the competition. He was definitely not an ordinary person even though he seemed to be one at first glance. Everyone was astounded by his incredible performance in the contest and they regarded Rocky differently now than before

strengths of Dunn and Rocky. They felt that Rocky's strength was not as strong as Dunn's nor was it even

many other important things. It was because of Rocky's secretive nature that Isis felt it hard to trust Rocky completely. And Marin felt the same. They both felt that Rocky was annoying because he was always secretive. But they too, after they witnessed Rocky's outstanding performance and excellent character in the three fierce rounds of the competition, had changed their impression of Rocky unconsciously. And they had not noticed

very pleased with Rocky's performance in the three fierce rounds of the competition. He never planned to put a lot of weight on the outcome of the third round. The single important thing for Lance was knowing that Rocky was a truly talented young man. Although he started as a mere beast breeder in the northeast

up, a huge, deep red

of the flame pillar. They couldn't understand what just happened. The flame pillar moved suddenly as if it was controlled by someone. It swiftly changed direction and flowed like a huge tentacle that was controlled by

that he planned to kill Rocky with. The red flame pillar charged towards Dunn in a terrible blast of fire. Dunn was shocked and he felt cold sweat all over his body even though the temperature in the area rose into a sweltering heat. Only his battle experience and strength saved his life. Dunn stopped advancing towards Rocky

it!" Rocky exclaimed excitedly. He smiled proudly as he looked at Uriah. No one had any

beast. The beast now glowed with reddish-brown scales from head to the tip of its tail. Small flames burned steadily from the gaps between its

evolve all of a sudden?" Dunn was surprised as he recognized the beast with reddish-brown scales. It was Uriah. He felt his hope of beating Rocky slowly burned

stronger than the Razor-claw Wolf Bear which was also of the third grade of three-star level. Uriah's unexpected evolution transformed it into a more powerful spirit-manipulated beast.

They all thought that Rocky

so on. All were partial changes to the beast's body. Everyone present, including Lance who had a deep experience with beasts, had