The berserker facing Chu Tian, along with over two hundred thousand spectators, had no idea what Chu Tian’s three outstretched fingers meant. The berserker, a hulking figure, grunted, "What do you mean?"
Chu Tian smirked, "I'll finish you in three seconds!"
[Ding Dong... Battle countdown begins in 10 seconds!]
9 seconds…
8 seconds…
…
As Chu Tian spoke, the battle countdown commenced. The berserker, however, stood frozen for three seconds, his face turning a furious red. Finally, he blurted out, "You're dreaming!"
Chu Tian’s declaration of finishing the fight in three seconds was undeniably boastful. Taking down a plate-armored warrior in three seconds was, indeed, an exaggeration. It might have been possible with overwhelming gear disparity, but here, everyone’s equipment was of the same caliber – all Golden tier.
As the battle countdown began, the spectator stands fell silent, every eye glued to the arena. The countdown ticked by, second by second. Yet, someone couldn't help but whisper, "Why isn't Deshen using stealth?"
"I don't know! Be quiet…" another person replied in a hushed tone, shooting a glare at the first. The whisperer immediately fell silent, realizing the hostile stares he was drawing from many around him.
Chu Tian, on the other hand, showed no signs of stealth or transformation. As the countdown dwindled, the system announced,
[Ding Dong… Safe zone mode解除, battle begins!]
At that moment, Chu Tian moved. In his bear form, he charged! The opposing berserker didn't flinch, initiating his own charge. This berserker was a pure Strength build, confident that his power rivaled Chu Tian's. Due to the fairness system, all combatants were capped at level 60, with higher levels being suppressed and lower levels boosted. Thus, the berserker was also a level 60 player. Mid-charge, he leaped high into the air, unleashing one of a warrior's signature and most potent abilities: Leap Strike!
Chu Tian had momentarily regretted his "three-second" boast. He had feared the berserker might employ a tactical retreat, forcing him to pursue and waste precious time. But once spoken, words were like spilled water. When the berserker charged at him right at the start, Chu Tian's resolve solidified. Seeing him leap into the air mid-charge, dual-wielding blades aimed at him, Chu Tian knew this wouldn't be a tactical game of cat and mouse.
Normally, no one dared to block a Leap Strike. This skill amplified the power of a cleave by utilizing momentum and gravity. The dual-enhanced strike’s potency far surpassed mere strength buffs. However, Chu Tian’s bear charge was also halfway complete. As the berserker reached his apex mid-air, his skill form locked, Chu Tian transformed.
A quick shift from his bear form to a leopard form. In the next instant, his feline body leaped into the air, soaring even higher than the berserker.
"It's the leopard's Pounce!" someone in the stands exclaimed, jumping to their feet in shock. This individual was also a Druid player, specializing in Feral. This was an unusual choice, as Druids at the time were primarily healers, with few opting for other specializations. This spectator, one of the few, gasped loudly, his voice booming and his stance blocking the view of those behind him. Many glared at him with displeasure, but he paid them no mind, his eyes wide as he fixated on the unfolding battle.
Chu Tian’s leopard form soared. Just as the berserker reached his peak, his attack trajectory set and unchangeable, Chu Tian, using the leopard’s Pounce, leaped over his head. The leopard’s forepaws landed on the berserker’s head, using it as a pivot for a spectacular mid-air pirouette. He landed directly on the berserker's back. This was a characteristic of the leopard's Pounce, unlike the bear's charge, which was a head-on collision. Instead, it was an instant jump to the opponent's rear. However, because the berserker was airborne, the leopard's Pounce would typically result in landing on the ground due to terrain. But Chu Tian, at that critical moment, extended his claws to use the berserker’s head as a pivot, reducing the Pounce’s distance and halting his momentum.
His paws gripped the berserker's shoulders, his hind legs planted firmly on the berserker's waist. The berserker, unbalanced by Chu Tian’s grip, was already descending. His downward swing, dual blades slicing through the air, was about to connect with the ground, unleashing a powerful cleave. However, his hands were already committed to the swing, the skill’s energy unleashed, making it impossible to retract. He could only watch helplessly as Chu Tian, perched on his back, slashed with his claws, raking across his neck.
*Sshhhing…* A gush of blood erupted from the berserker’s neck as a vital artery was hit, a critical strike. The crimson blood flowed, taking his rapidly decreasing life force with it. The Bleed effect was also triggered. Due to the critical hit, the Bleed damage was substantial. But Chu Tian wasn’t finished. Bleed alone wouldn’t be enough to finish him in the remaining two seconds. Bleed ticks occurred every 0.5 seconds, meaning at most four Bleed instances in the remaining time. A level 60 berserker, equipped with arena gear, boasted high health. This berserker had over twenty thousand health.
Chu Tian unleashed three Shred abilities. One targeted the other carotid artery, and the remaining two struck his skull – all critical points.
-3426!
-3467!
-6843! (Red critical damage)
Weak point attacks inherently dealt more damage, and Chu Tian had landed a critical hit on top of that. Three Shreds later, another second had passed. However, his five energy stars were now full. The berserker’s over 13,000 health was depleted, with less than 7,000 remaining. But Chu Tian had exhausted all accessible weak points. Once a weak point was hit, it became ineffective for the remainder of the match. Both carotid arteries and the top of the head had been struck. If this final attack couldn't deal the remaining 7,000 damage, his three-second promise would become a joke.
Every spectator held their breath. Chu Tian's fans worried, while the onlookers who came for a spectacle eagerly wished for time to run out. However, to everyone's astonishment, Chu Tian’s leopard form suddenly contracted! Moving like a boneless kitten, he slid smoothly from under the berserker's armpit. Yes, he slid past, his four paws now clinging to the berserker's chest instead of being on his back.
"Ferocious Bite…"
The berserker looked down in disbelief at Chu Tian’s leopard form, its maw opening wide. Bound by the berserker’s own skill, he was powerless to resist. Chu Tian’s bite landed directly on his throat.
*Crack…*
-6953! Excess damage 1924!
[Ding Dong… Battle End! Victor: I Am No Druid! Battle time: Two seconds and forty-nine? ]
Everyone listened silently to the system announcement, their gazes fixed on Chu Tian. The berserker's body, still in the air, began to dissipate, dissolving into a white light. Chu Tian, in his leopard form, flipped in mid-air and landed gracefully. He slowly shifted back to his human form, hands clasped behind his back. Tilting his head upwards, he looked at the crowd and declared, "Who's next?"