Newbie's Quest: Awaiting Challenge
Chapter 49: Mate, no Need for Thanks

The masked contender's second round was even more decisive than the first.

This time, he seemed intent on not prolonging anyone's agony, employing the most resolute moves to conclude everything.

Compared to one-on-one battles, this simultaneous assault tested the competitors' acuity and their ability to coordinate their bodies. Their minds needed to predict movements while simultaneously commanding their limbs to keep up. It was a dizzying spectacle.

Eight contestants, each with their own martial art style, kept the audience's attention constantly shifting. Amidst this challenging visual chaos, the masked contestant in the center of the ring managed to counter each opponent effortlessly! "Amazing! This is beyond human capability!"

"Which guild does this talent belong to? I really need to know his identity."

"Could this be a newcomer here for practice?"

"A newcomer?! Impossible, his skills are comparable to Ethan Walker's!"

"I've never seen Ethan fight without his weapons. His arsenal is so destructive, it obscures everything in smoke."

"Stop guessing. Didn't Ethan just finish a dungeon? He should be resting."

The crowd buzzed with speculation as the battle on the stage neared its end.

The masked fighter sent the last contestant flying off the stage.

"That's it?" He looked around, seemingly disoriented, before nodding to himself, "That's it."

But he had underestimated the challenge. Soon, six more challengers ascended the stage.

"I... Huh?" He was about to speak to Noah Williams when he noticed the increase in numbers. "You too want to challenge?"

His voice carried a hint of impatience, but he adhered to the rules.

"Bring it on!"

These six were dispatched quicker than the previous eight, each receiving a mere three strikes before being ousted.

As the third wave of challengers approached, the fighter's expression was one of utter speechlessness.

Speechless yet efficient, he swiftly dispatched each newcomer.

After five rounds, no more challengers appeared.

"36! He just fought 36 people?!"

"Some of them might have been fillers, but thirty-something is still terrifying!"

"And next, he's challenging Noah Williams!"

Noah Williams, having rested in the meantime, faced the masked contestant in the center of the ring. Their gazes met.

"I..."

"Finally, it's you," the masked fighter sounded almost eager, "I thought about playing dead to let you win, but since we're here, why not have a proper spar?"

Noah Williams was puzzled by the abrupt statement, but before he could inquire further, the challenger was already urging the referee.

"Raise the flag, let's get this over with. I'm starving."

The referee, a bit slow on the uptake, raised the flag.

The final round began!

This round, the masked contestant's style differed again. After Noah Williams executed his signature boxing technique, the masked fighter dismantled the move and countered with the same punch! He had mimicked Noah Williams' boxing style!

A wave of astonishment swept through the audience, and even Noah Williams himself was momentarily stunned.

This was a boxing technique passed down through generations in the Williams family, not taught outside, known only to family members.

There was no other way to learn it!

Could it be... that he had learned the entire boxing style just by watching a few of his own moves?

Noah Williams' mind reeled from the shock. Being young, his temperament was yet to reach a certain level of refinement.

Seizing the moment of distraction, the masked fighter delivered a direct punch to Noah Williams' face!

Noah narrowly dodged the attack, fortunate to have enough experience to quickly regain his composure and reengage in the fight.

The duel between the two was in a league of its own compared to the previous battles. The fluidity and appeal of the exchanges between these experts were magnified several times over. The surrounding noise gradually subsided as everyone held their breath, awaiting the outcome.

Their styles were so identical that even laymen could tell.

Noah Williams himself was sweating profusely. The last time he fought someone who knew the Williams family boxing was against his father, Christopher Williams.

Now, he faced another version of himself, or rather, a version rapidly assimilating the basics of the boxing style, becoming more adept as the fight progressed! The masked contestant's talent was unimaginable!

Defeat was only a matter of time, and Noah was painfully aware of this, even though the current situation seemed evenly matched.

As expected, after three minutes, Noah began to falter.

Two more minutes passed, and he was struck in the chest, his body tilting backward, falling off the stage.

"Cough, cough," he supported himself with one leg, the other hand grasping the edge of the stage, "I lost."

The departure of the defender Noah Williams from the stage meant victory for the other.

The masked contestant triumphed once again!

The crowd erupted into successive waves of applause.

As per the rules, the masked contestant now became the defender, and others still had the opportunity to challenge.

Perhaps influenced by the recent bout, confidence seemed to drain from the bystanders.

Winning or losing was temporary, but looking good was a lifetime affair.

Realizing they couldn't contribute to a performance as spectacular as the last and risk being thrown off the stage was simply inviting humiliation. Ten minutes passed with no new challengers.

Successful defense!

The first in the server's Blue Tower to achieve this rank!

A giant golden orb above exploded, and colorful ribbons descended from the sky, draping over the victor in the center of the ring like a king's cape.

The victor in the ring savored the fruits of triumph, while the spectators bore varied expressions.

Members of the Eclipse Vanguard, hidden in the crowd, quietly left the scene. Noah Williams glanced in their direction, hesitated for a moment, but didn't immediately follow.

He turned, looking up at the masked contestant, who was also looking his way.

"I'm Noah Williams," he said, "Thank you for the assist. Hope to see you again."

Without waiting for a response, he quickly followed the direction of the Eclipse Vanguard member, his steps hurried.

A baffled Ethan Walker, unexpectedly thanked: ?

Mate, you're thanking the wrong person. I really just wanted to beat Felix Rayburn.

He thought to himself, withdrawing his gaze only to unfortunately catch sight of Felix Rayburn below the stage.

Felix's gaze was venomous, mixed with calculation.

A shiver ran down Ethan's spine: ??

Preparing to descend from the ring, Ethan found the stairs in Felix's direction.

Felix suddenly lunged, grabbing Ethan's scarf!

It was a fortunate coincidence; the intense fight had loosened the scarf, which now hung loosely around his head.

The cap flew off, landing belly up on the ground.

A hovering camera ball, following the victor's every move, connected to the giant screens above the ring.

A familiar, handsome profile appeared on the screen, silencing the entire Blue Tower.

Only one person in the second-floor stands was on the phone, shouting.

"Hey, hey, hey? Alex, it's me. Yes, yes, I didn't take him anywhere reckless. We're at the amusement park, on the Ferris wheel. I've got these family relations figured out a bit... You're asking about Ethan? Ethan's fine. He's with me. He's trending? Impossible, we're so low-key... Damn it!"

Emily Johnson, on the phone assuring Alex Johnson he hadn't dragged Ethan Walker around recklessly, glanced back inadvertently, her eyes nearly popping out.

"Alex," she quickly concocted a thousand ways to die, "You misheard, I'm not with Ethan. I'm heading to the Blue Tower to replace him right now!"