Chapter 297 Chapter296-An Old Acquaintance, Ghostblade
As MoonWhite's figure began to fade, ready to disappear into the virtual jungle, John remarked casually, "Given Chairman Taylor's request to look out for you all, remind your guild leader to add me on the communication channel later. Let me know if there's anything challenging you need help with."
MoonWhite nodded enthusiastically. Her radiant smile suggested no trace of disappointment from her arena defeat. Instead, John's promise had unexpectedly lifted her spirits.
"She's quite the optimist..." John murmured, shaking his head, as he too disappeared into the foliage.
In the subsequent battles, John showcased unparalleled prowess and combat tactics.
Although he kept his power on par with his opponents, regardless of the adversary, John always emerged victorious with ease.
It was as if the two combatants were on entirely different spectrums.
As John's ranking climbed, the strength of his competitors increased.
Among them were special players wielding unique class-specific skills, creating quite a spectacle.
Yet, no adversary, regardless of stature, could make a dent against John.
He countered every strategy and attack effortlessly, toppling foes that seemed indomitable.
His strikes, sharp and precise, were imbued with formidable power and speed.
John's performance left not only his adversaries astounded but also whipped the audience into a frenzy.
Every move he made was met with cheers and applause, with each victory becoming a classic moment.
With each successive win, his ranking moved closer to the top.
After dozens of consecutive battles, John remained unfazed, appearing as if he'd expended no energy.
Furthermore, his rank had ascended to the top hundred.
Only a few more victories were required to secure the top position on the Arena Leaderboard.
After breaking into the top hundred, the adversaries John encountered were a different breed altogether.
Not only were they significantly more powerful, but they were also renowned figures in the gaming realm.
Among them were leaders of prominent guilds! John recognized several familiar faces.
However, most remained oblivious to John's true identity, knowing only of Galewind, the player acknowledged by the majority as the strongest in the game of Godslayer.
Every opponent who faced John brought their utmost effort and focus. But, regardless of their caution, they still seemed fragile against John's onslaught.
Several more decisive PK battles ensued.
And in each, John continued his relentless dominance, dispatching foes with swift and lethal precision.
After yet another battle, John finally met an opponent who warranted his full attention.
Ghostblade, a Spellblade player and the guild leader of Blade Soul Guild, one of the top ten premier guilds worldwide.
"Didn't expect to run into you this early," John mused as they stood facing each other amidst the vast, golden desert.
From beneath a dark cloak, Ghostblade's slightly raspy voice emerged, "Nor did I anticipate that Galewind, the talk of the gaming world these days, would turn out to be you."
John smiled faintly, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes.
The two were acquainted from a previous game, where their relationship oscillated between rivalry and camaraderie.
While John's former guild couldn't match the stature of Blade Soul Guild, Ghostblade was known to act on whims.
After a fierce resource battle that ended in a draw, the two had acknowledged each other's prowess and had even collaborated a few times.
Ghostblade, aware of John being ousted from his previous guild, had once invited him to join Blade Soul Guild. But a disheartened John had declined.
"You've reached a level that leaves the rest of us in the dust," Ghostblade remarked, holding a Magic Rapier that emitted a faint glow. "Whatever wonders you've encountered in this game, did you really experience a turn of luck as dramatic as they say?"
John rolled his eyes in mock exasperation. "When did you start believing in such mystical nonsense? Don't worry, I'll limit myself to match your level. This way, you can face me without any reservations."
With a flourish of his Magic Rapier, Ghostblade laughed heartily. "That's exactly what I had in mind!"
The battle soon commenced, with Ghostblade and John colliding in a whirlwind of moves.
Their swords flashed and danced, their speed blindingly fast, almost impossible to track.
John dodged Ghostblade's attacks with nimble movements, swiftly retaliating.
His strikes were precise, each filled with formidable force.
However, Ghostblade seemed to effortlessly evade John's blows.
His swordplay was sharp and fierce, with every strike appearing as if it aimed to cleave John in two.
John had to immerse himself completely in the battle, doing his best to avoid Ghostblade's relentless assault.
"Who on earth is this guy dueling with Galewind?"
"That looks like the guild leader of Blade Soul Guild. He's definitely a big shot!"
"That's Mr. Ghostblade. He's currently ranked 52nd on the Arena Leaderboard. The only reason he's not higher is that he's often busy with guild affairs and doesn't have much time for the arena."
"Didn't they say Galewind could annihilate these top guild leaders in a blink? Why does it seem he's evenly matched with Ghostblade?"
"Bro, are you blind? Can't you see Galewind is deliberately holding back? He probably knows that going full force in the Arena would be like bringing a gun to a knife fight. So, he's intentionally limiting himself."
"There's a way to suppress one's own strength?"
"For us, that's a fantasy. Levels are fixed; no one can just change them at will. But for Galewind, this might not be such a big deal."
"True, he's the beast who can withstand system-imposed lightning penalties after all!"
The chatter amongst the spectators in the arena hall grew louder.
Within the virtual desert chosen by John as the battleground, the fight was reaching a fever pitch.
The atmosphere was thick with tension and intensity.
John's body had been assailed by countless waves of sword energy, yet he showed no signs of faltering.
Determination and resolve shimmered in his eyes.
John knew all too well what kind of person Ghostblade was.
This man seemed to have an obsession with swords.
In every game, his chosen class always had something to do with a blade.
One only had to look at his name to know...
In the previous game, Ghostblade's class was also Swordman.
Upon arriving in "Godslayer", without hesitation, he chose the Spellblade class.
And judging by the strength he displayed, it wasn't just a basic Spellblade, but likely some unique class or perhaps a rarer hidden class.
Dodging one of Ghostblade's advances, John swiftly turned to counterattack.
With a slight twist of his right hand, a pale blue energy longsword materialized in his grasp.
[Divine Blade (Divine Skill) (Level 7): This skill allows the user to conjure a weapon based on their divine power. The weapon's attributes depend on the skill level, character level, and the character's divine power. The initial Divine Blade possesses +800,000 damage with a 25% critical hit rate.]
Caressing the hilt of this energy-infused sword, a trace of nostalgia appeared on John's face.
Ever since he acquired the Divine weapon, Divine Palace, he hadn't summoned this energy sword.
But facing Ghostblade, it wouldn't be fair to draw the Divine Palace.
Glancing sidelong at the energy sword in John's hand, Ghostblade remarked with a smirk, "So, Galewind, you dare compete with me in swordsmanship now?"
John flashed a faint smile, waving his energy sword, "We'll find out if I've got what it takes, won't we?"
Stepping on the golden sands, John dashed towards Ghostblade, his swordplay undulating like a raging dragon tearing through the skies.
His swordsmanship became even more ferocious, forcing Ghostblade to step back with each blow.
Pushed back by John's fierce onslaught, a look of astonishment took over Ghostblade's face.
He never anticipated that this old friend, whom he thought he knew inside out, could corner him with just sword skills.
With a roar, Ghostblade raised his Magic Rapier and boldly met John's attacks head-on.
In the realm of his expertise, the prideful Ghostblade would not allow any retreat.
Though Ghostblade's swordplay was sharp, John was able to accurately predict every move.
Dodging Ghostblade's strikes, John retaliated with even greater speed.
The energy sword in his hands flowed seamlessly, each stroke delivering immense destructive force.
Passion for the battle gleamed in John's eyes, showing not a hint of hesitation.
Ghostblade was profoundly shocked by John's prowess.
In all the time he'd known John, he had never seen him so spirited and full of vigor.
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