Within the Vatruter team's seating area, Viter, the 2nd strongest member of their team, appealed to Vral, "My Lady, I'm afraid the 5th Match would be over anytime soon, and it will be our turn once again."
Vral remained focused on the Stage, her eyes glued to the combatants that had just stepped up.
While maintaining her attention on the Stage, she replied, "Don't beat around the bush. Just spit out what you want to say."
Viter said hesitantly, "That….My Lady, I must express my concern. You have not yet fully recovered from your brutal bout with Halbor. If you allow Voren and me to participate in the first two bouts, we could stall for an hour or so, giving you the time you need to recover."
To which, Vral ignored him and muttered something out of context, "Although I couldn't point out what, something is odd with the Lycanthrope...something."
"My Lady, although that Lycanthrope named Rex was pretty strong, his defeat is imminent when facing the Atlan named Akor, whose strength is second only to the Omega Chosen, Olivia."
She then stared at Viter with a puzzled look before asking, "Are you blind? Can't you see the tension between them?"
Only then did Viter notice the sombre look on Akor's face while facing Rex. It was not an expression such a powerful individual should have unless the opponent were equally strong, if not even stronger than oneself.
It wasn't just Vral who took notice of that; the strongest bunch in the other Teams, like Seath, Pompa, Vorqen and Tyuk, didn't miss the tension between Akor and Rex.
Their judgement proved correct within half a minute into the 5th Match.
Not even one of his attacks landed on Rex as he whizzed past them like a walk in the park.
That didn't mean Akor was weak. After all, the Volatile Aqua elemental attacks that failed to hit Rex had left sizable holes in the barrier surrounding the Stage.
The barriers used around the Stage were no different from the ones used around each Trial Zone.
In order to make a dent in them, one would need to bring out a damage output of Tier-4 lifeform in the least.
Those who were aware of that fact saw Akor in a new light. They believed that if not for Olivia, he could have been the strongest participant in the Tournament.
It wasn't just Akor, but the unreasonably agile Lycanthrope was also caught in the limelight.
Even the top bunch couldn't keep track of Rex's movements, much less the other spectators.
Watching Akor struggle against his opponent, one thing was made clear to everyone.
A new dark horse emerged in the Tournament, a powerful one at that, so powerful that he could challenge Akor, who was considered the 2nd strongest individual in the Tournament.
As time passed, it became evident that Rex had the upper hand in the fight, and even those in the spectator area could see that.
Meanwhile, on the Stage, Akor finally decided to give up on blatantly throwing his attacks at Rex, as that didn't bring any progress in the bout.
He then used a similar move that he used in his previous fight with Rex.
Under the harmonious combination of <Volatile Mist> and <Aqua Shell>, a thick translucent shell made of Volatile Aqua element manifested in the form of a miniature dome and enveloped the entire Stage.
Through that membrane, numerous fine droplets diffused into the cavity within and similar to the mist phenomenon, those fine Volatile Aqua droplets were suspended in the air as they spread to every corner within the shell.
The only spot those minuscule droplets didn't reach was the 1-meter radius around Akor since a thick Volatile Aqua shell protected him.
As for Rex, just like the last time, he couldn't outmanoeuvre the 'Volatile Mist' even with his astronomical speed.
But the acidic nature of the Volatile Aqua element didn't burn his fur like before, as the azure layer of Pseudo-speed force acted as protection for him.
Rex didn't take it easy and try to wait it out for Akor's spirit Energy to run out. After all, he was well aware the Volatile Mist density would rise with each passing second.
Moreover, the Pseudo-speed force set in motion through the <Acceleration Buff> consumed additional Spirit Energy to protect him, and the expenditure would only rise with time.
So, he took the initiative to attack the Volatile Aqua shell that enclosed Akor.
Upon closing in, Rex plunged his right palm claws at the shell and pierced a hole through it with a single blow.
After all, not only did the Pseudo-speed force increase his movement speed, but the attack damage as well.
That single claw strike would have dealt a critical blow if not for Akor moving a bit to the side out of caution.
As Rex pulled out his arm, the shell repaired itself in no time. However, Rex wasn't bothered by that. His claws could pierce through the shell anytime.
"Rotten Fish, where's your arrogance at now? Let's see how long you could hide in there." He goaded at Akor before launching a series of similar attacks.
Rex didn't forget the humiliation Akor gifted him during the 2nd Intermission.
Although he didn't hate Akor to the point of killing Akor, he wished nothing more than to pay the indignity he suffered back severalfold, and that was the extent of his grievance.
After all, killing each other was not an option for them since they both were subordinates to Jay. The sole reason they both could even harm each other was because Jay allowed it by lifting the Party protection function over them.
If not, it would be them fighting each other without causing even the slightest bit of damage, and the bout itself would have lost its purpose.
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