MTLNOVEL Chapter 15: Episode 15
### **Chapter 15:The Journey and the Tournament**
The villagers, now energized and hopeful, worked together to rebuild their broken homes. The aroma of cooked bear meat still lingered in the air, a reminder of Sakamoto's heroism. As the villagers hammered and repaired, Sakamoto stood with the old man, ready to embark on the next leg of his journey.
"It's time," the old man said, his voice steady. "I'll take you to the shrine of the forgotten god."
Sakamoto nodded, his expression serious. "Let's go."
As they began walking toward the mountains, **Feng** approached, his brow furrowed. "Sakamoto, what are you up to?"
The old man interrupted, his tone firm. "I'm repaying him for what he did for the village. I'm taking him to the one who likely killed his grandmother."
Feng's frustration was evident, though he kept it in check. He saw potential in Sakamoto, a raw talent that could be honed into something extraordinary. "We're coming with you," Feng declared. "In case something goes wrong."
The old man chuckled. "It's just a small shrine. Nothing will go wrong."
Feng wasn't convinced. "We're coming anyway."
Sakamoto shrugged. "Fine by me. As long as I get what I want."
With that, the group set off, navigating the rugged terrain of the mountains toward the dense forest. The journey was quiet, each member lost in their thoughts. Sakamoto's mind was focused on the task ahead, while Feng and his team remained vigilant, ready for anything.
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### **The Tournament Begins**
Back in the city, the tournament was in full swing. The arena was alive with energy, the crowd chanting and cheering as the first match was announced. The board displayed the names: **Tito vs. Mo-Ri**.
The two fighters stepped into the arena, their eyes locked in determination. The commentator's voice boomed over the speakers. "Ladies and gentlemen, here we go! The rules are simple: win, and you move closer to the 5 million yen prize and the chance to be picked by one of the houses. Do your best, and may the best fighter win!"
The crowd erupted in cheers as the commentator shouted, "Start!"
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### **Tito vs. Mo-Ri**
The fight began with a flurry of punches and kicks, both fighters testing each other's defenses. **Tito** moved with precision, his strikes calculated and deliberate. **Mo-Ri**, on the other hand, relied on brute force, his Shen energy surging through his body.
Mo-Ri's fists glowed with energy as he launched a series of powerful strikes, each one forcing Tito to dodge or block. The crowd gasped as Mo-Ri's attacks grew more intense, his Shen energy concentrating in his feet, allowing him to move with incredible speed.
"Mo-Ri is on fire!" the commentator exclaimed. "Look at that speed! Tito's barely keeping up!"
But Tito wasn't just dodging—he was observing. His sharp eyes tracked Mo-Ri's movements, analyzing his patterns. Despite taking a few hits, Tito remained calm, his breathing steady. He knew Mo-Ri's aggressive style would drain his Shen energy quickly.
"Tito's taking a beating, but he's not out yet!" the commentator said. "What's he planning?"
As Mo-Ri's attacks began to slow, Tito saw his opening. He channeled his Shen energy, his body enveloped in pure black lightning. The crowd roared as Tito launched a counterattack, his movements swift and precise.
"Incredible! Tito's lightning Shen is electrifying!" the commentator shouted. "Mo-Ri's on the defensive now!"
Tito's strikes landed with precision, each one pushing Mo-Ri further back. The crowd was on their feet, chanting Tito's name. Even **Mujin**, the Ss-ranked leader of the Lannister House, leaned forward, his eyes narrowing in interest.
"Impressive," Mujin muttered. "This Tito kid knows how to calculate his moves. He's not just strong—he's smart."
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The arena was electric with anticipation as **Tito** and **Mo-Ri** faced off. Tito, calm and analytical, stared at Mo-Ri, who was breathing heavily, his Shen energy visibly draining.
"You're exhausting too much Shen by using it to fuel your movements," Tito said, his voice steady. "If you keep this up, you'll lose right here and now."
Mo-Ri's eyes narrowed, his frustration boiling over. "Shut up! You don't know more about Shen manipulation than I do!"
Tito chuckled, his tone light but cutting. "Really? That's embarrassing."
Mo-Ri's anger flared, and with a roar, he expelled a burst of Shen energy. His body began to transform, his legs and arms morphing into those of a cheetah, while his face remained human. The crowd gasped, their cheers turning to murmurs of awe.
From the VIP stand, **Thomas**, the Ss-ranked leader of the Light House, leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "A Shen Nature Transformation type," he said, his voice filled with interest. "Rare, but a remarkable talent. They can transform parts of their bodies into animalistic forms, gaining their strengths and abilities."
**Frozen**, the leader of the Shadow House, smirked from his seat. "You're picking up interest in Mo-Ri. You are alike in some ways."
Thomas laughed. "You caught me. He's impressive."
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###
Back in the arena, Tito admired Mo-Ri's transformation, though his expression remained calm. "A Shen Nature Transformation, huh? Beautiful ability, but it comes with risks—"
Before Tito could finish, Mo-Ri lunged forward with incredible speed, his cheetah-like legs propelling him like a blur. He slammed his clawed feet into Tito's chest, sending him flying across the arena. Blood spilled from Tito's mouth as the force of the blow sent him hurtling toward the edge and out of the ring.
The commentators erupted. "Mo-Ri's speed is unbelievable! Tito's been sent flying! Is this the end for him?!"
The crowd roared, some chanting Mo-Ri's name, while others gasped in shock. Tito, however, wasn't done yet. As he flew through the air, he reached out, grabbing the iron frame of a light fixture above the ring. With a burst of calculated Shen energy, he anchored himself to the ceiling, his feet finding purchase as he hung upside down, his eyes locked on Mo-Ri below.
The commentators were stunned. "Incredible! Tito's used his Shen to find footing on the ceiling! What a skilled fighter!"
From the VIP stand, **Mujin**, the leader of the Lannister House, smiled and clapped his hands. He stood up, walking to the edge of the glass. "The Lannister House will take Tito if he wins!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, their excitement reaching a fever pitch. The Dragon House representative also signaled their interest, while Thomas remained focused on Mo-Ri. The Shadow House, however, stayed silent, their intentions unclear.
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From his perch on the ceiling, Tito pushed off, diving downward like a bolt of black lightning. As he descended, he muttered, "Black Lightning: Black Lightning Needles!"
A barrage of thin, black lightning needles shot downward, piercing the ring. Mo-Ri dodged with incredible speed, leaping to the right, then the left, until he was backed into a corner of the ring. Tito landed gracefully, his expression calm but determined.
Mo-Ri, seeing an opening, leaped into the air, aiming to strike Tito with his clawed feet. But Tito smiled, his voice calm. "One should always be careful when you don't know the full extent of your opponent's techniques."
With a snap of his fingers, he said
Black...…..Release.
Tito activated the needles he had planted earlier. They extended upward, their length increasing dramatically, piercing Mo-Ri in mid-air. The crowd gasped as Mo-Ri's transformation faltered, his body collapsing to the ground.
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The commentators were in awe. "What a finish! Tito's Black Lightning Needles have ended the battle! Mo-Ri is down!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, chanting Tito's name. Medics rushed into the ring to tend to Mo-Ri, who was carried away for treatment. Tito stood in the center of the ring, his breathing steady but his expression thoughtful.
Mujin's voice boomed over the arena. "The Lannister House claims Tito! What a fighter!"
The Dragon House representative nodded in agreement, while Thomas leaned back in his seat, a satisfied smile on his face. Frozen, however, remained silent, his icy gaze fixed on Tito.
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