Chapter 230: First Floor Fight

As soon as the word "Begin" resounded through the entire arena, a bell rang, signifying the start of the battle.

There was no timer, there was no deadline. In fact, the record for the longest battle in the Tower of Sun occurred on the 46th floor and went on for about twelve days until one person emerged as the winner after ruthlessly ripping the opponent's head from their body.

Jacob did not plan on killing anyone. He would not have unnecessary blood on his hands, as he knew that everybody came there with one purpose. However, if it came down to self-defense and having to stop someone from coming at him with killing intent, he would do whatever it took to neutralize the person.

Jacob knew that since it was an ascension tower, the battles would get easier as he ascended each floor. Therefore, he did not want to waste too much energy on the earlier floors, which he could scale through with relative ease. What he was more concerned about was the kind of fighters he would meet on the floors beyond level 50.

This man standing in front of him was but a mere werewolf. But more than that, he was a reincarnator who had been blessed with a divine gift from the God of Trade. A werewolf who possessed the blessings of the divine. Landrey could very obviously transform whenever he pleased. He had tremendous speed. Jacob could see that his speed was almost superior to his own. Landrey, just like Jacob, could also adapt to any ability that was thrown at him, but unlike Jacob, Landrey could only adapt after being hit three times with the same technique or skill.

Just like Peter, who fought at the Wutherhorn Gladiator Arena, Landrey was reincarnated as the progenitor of Fenrir, which meant he was a hundred times stronger than the ancient wolf itself.

…

After careful consideration and a clear analysis of his opponent, Jacob smiled, a small curve at the side of his lips showing mild amusement.

"You must find this rather amusing," Landrey growled in a low voice, his sharp red eyes glaring at Jacob with nothing but sheer, unbridled bloodlust.

"…" Jacob looked at the man standing a few meters from him in confusion, unaware of what he meant.

"Even though you are well built, you don't look like you have ever fought a day in your life," Landrey said as he raised a hand and stroked his goatee lightly, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"You look like you fight for a living."

"You're not far from the truth."

With that said, Landrey vanished from his spot. A crack appeared in the enormous slab of stone beneath where he once stood. He darted at Jacob like an unstoppable arrow, but Jacob watched him with careful eyes.

Once the man had managed to close the distance between them to a considerable degree, he swung a hand, which had now grown in size and was covered in red fur with very sharp, long claws, at Jacob. But the young man merely shifted slightly to the side. A pointed claw, glistening under the arena lights, barely missed the tip of his nose.

The attack created a gust of wind behind him, but Landrey did not stop there. He immediately planted a foot into the ground to stop himself, creating a jagged hole filled with rubble as he came to a halt, then sent a hard blow upward aimed at Jacob's chin.

Jacob had spent so many years in the Library of Life learning every martial art in existence that he knew all too well how to stop an uppercut.

He quickly put out his hand, moving Landrey's fist slightly to the side. He spun around and countered the attack with a swift elbow to the chin of the werewolf man, sending him flying a few meters away.

Jacob then maintained a stance with one leg raised and both hands balanced in the air.

…

Landrey spat out a glob of blood that had formed in his mouth and growled deeply. It was clear that the man had control over his emotions and was not quick to get angry and lose his composure like most of the other fighters Jacob had met.

Landrey quickly got up and wiped the blood off his lips, focusing his eyes on Jacob intently.

"You fight well. But it's already written in the stars that I will win this battle," the man said in a calm voice. Then he closed his eyes and breathed in and out, calming himself even further.

Landrey was slowly transforming in a controlled manner. His hands had grown bigger and longer, covered in thick red fur and sharp, shiny claws that could very visibly cut through anything he wished.

The hair on his face and head grew exponentially, and his body became even bigger, his eyes darker and glistening with clear intent. Even his skin grew darker and visibly harder as the transformation neared completion.

Jacob merely watched as the man decided to pull out another form just as the battle had begun. In this state, Landrey was more wolf than man, and therefore his instincts were different. By the time the transformation was complete, he lunged at Jacob again, pure killing intent in his eyes, his hands spread out to grab and his mouth wide to snap ferociously at the young man's neck.

Jacob remained calm, not particularly fazed by the theatrics or the grand transformation.

Landrey was faster now, but thanks to his eyes, Jacob was able to follow his swift, erratic movements with ease. By the time the man-wolf had closed the gap again, he stretched out his longer arms and widened his jaws in a bid to grab Jacob tightly and squeeze him to death.

Jacob read the move rather easily and jumped right before Landrey was able to grab him. He then spun in the air and kicked the wolf in the face so hard that several drops of blood were spilled even before the impact was heard, sending Landrey crashing hard across the stony slab and creating a trail of rubble in his wake.

The battle was not over yet, as the man-wolf roared and rose to his feet for the second time.