Chapter 329 Crimson Dagger, Stretch

The Managers have an unspoken rule amongst themselves that they would never reveal their Disciple to one another unless necessary. This was because they didn't want their Disciples to know that there were other Managers and Disciples just like them.

In actuality, it all came down to the pride of the Managers. They wanted their Disciples to perceive them as someone above everything, and having others like them would downgrade their image.

However, with all the Disciples in close vicinity of each other, it's only a matter of time before they realize that there are other Disciples like them. Of course, there were already Disciples who were aware of such a fact, but there were those who were on the other end of the spectrum— those who had no idea that they were Disciples in the first place.

"You finally chose your Disciple, right? Is he joining the Official Beast Tournament?"

The man clad in all black shrugged as he tipped his hat. "Who knows, but there's one thing I'm going to tell you. He may be late in the game, but he's stronger than any of your Disciples."

"What a bold statement. If he was stronger than any of our Disciples, then why don't you show us who he is? Then we'll see if that Disciple of yours is better than our chosen ones or not."

A chuckle left the man's mouth as he leaned forward. "Where's the fun in that?"

.....

An imposing figure floated atop the Grand Stage, waving her hand as balls of fire and ice rained down on the ground. No matter how fast or agile Link was (in the end, he decided to integrate with Crimson Dagger), he couldn't dodge everything. Moreover, he was running low on fumes and hadn't landed a counterattack on Jana yet.

It was obvious that Link had no excuse when it came to the fight. It was his fault that he couldn't fly; even if he did, Jana had a counter. As mentioned before, every tamed beast that Link owns is all Grass-Type. Even his tamed beast capable of flight are Grass-Types, and Jana would just easily burn his wings made out of leafage as soon as he integrates with his beast.

That's why all that Link could do was run around and tire himself out while Jana camped in mid-air. It was obvious that he was losing.

"This is an embarrassment." Link said to himself as he continued throwing kunai knives and shurikens, but it was to no avail. Jana would either dodge them or burn them.

"I guess it's time to use my special move." Link muttered, summoning the Crimson Dagger in his hand.

When the Crimson Dagger manifested, he held it by the handle and pointed it downward. He didn't want to use this move since it would expend a lot of energy. Then again, what choice does he have? It's either he plays all his cards right now, or he'll lose in an embarrassing manner.

"Crimson Dagger. Stretch." Link said as he stabbed Crimson Dagger on the ground.

In an instant, Link was propelled upward as the Crimson Dagger grew longer. With his momentum throwing him straight at Jana, Link pulled on the Crimson Dagger and brought it up his head.

Now, Jana was almost below him. Putting his entire weight into his attack, he brought the Crimson Dagger down, aiming to cut Jana in half.

The surprise caught Jana off-guard, and she almost didn't react in time. Ever since the start of the match, he had looked down on Link, thinking that she would win the match. But now, she wasn't quite sure.

Fortunately, she managed to avoid the attack by a hair's breadth. She gasped as she floated away.

However, Link was waiting for that to happen. He had been carefully watching, scrutinizing Jana's every move so he'll be able to counter her when the time came. He wasn't actually playing the losing game; he was playing the waiting game.

Tightening his core, Link spun in mid-air and transformed his Crimson Dagger into smaller kunai knives and shuriken. The first attack didn't hit, but the second attack hit home. He scratched Jana everywhere, and even deep wounds appeared on her body as his knives and shurikens did their work.

With a desperate attempt to get out of Link's range, Jana floated away even faster, but the shurikens and knives chased after her while Link trailed behind. He continued swinging his sword and propelling himself upward, confusing Jana since she had to watch out for multiple attacks.

"I have no choice." Jana gritted her teeth as she felt her Dual Beast Integration wavering. She had been integrated for too long. If this fight took more than five minutes, she was well aware that her Dual Beast Integration would deactivate, leaving her defenseless.

There were only two options left for her. Either she admits her defeat, or she could go back on her word and actually use her Representative. Well, she could stall for time, but it was obvious that Link would outlast him. In terms of energy, she had no energy, and it was only a matter of time before she completely exhausted herself.

Link's relentless attack eventually reached her, and she fell on the Grand Stage with a resounding thud when Link brought down his upsize Crimson Dagger. Now their positions were switched. It was Jana who was on the ground while Link stood on the handle of his Dagger, looking down at Jana as if she was dirt on the ground.

Fwip~!

In a split second, the Crimson Dagger returned to its original size, and Link appeared right in front of Jana, pointing the Crimson Dagger at her neck. Link assumed that this was the moment Jana's Dual Beast Integration would deactivate, and he was right.

At that moment, Jana expended all her energy and reverted back to her usual self. Link pressed the dagger on Jana's neck. "You lost. Surrender now before things get ugly."

"Jokes on you," Jana whispered as she was enveloped with a blinding light.