Dimensional Keeper: All My Skills Are at Level 100 Chapter 1343 Nelson vs Josh

"Hellooooo! Warriors! The first battle of the colosseum is about to start! Are you ready?!"

The booming shout echoed throughout the Divine Colosseum, boosted by ancient formations embedded in its core. That powerful voice swept over the vast arena and flooded every level of the spectator seats like an unstoppable surge, striking the ears of tens of thousands of onlookers simultaneously.

The reaction came immediately. The audience exploded into a chaotic uproar, with cheers and bellows merging into one savage torrent of noise. Certain fans leaped from their chairs, while others pounded their fists on the barriers, and plenty yelled out names just for the thrill of a potential wager win. The whole place seemed less like a fighting ground and more like a colossal creature rousing from deep sleep.

Max glanced at the bleachers and sensed a strange unease twisting inside him. Back in the mortal realm, people assembled for celebrations, contests, or conflicts driven by need. But in this spot, they came to witness chained souls ripping into one another just to stay alive. It turned his stomach, though Max pushed the feeling aside quickly. After all, this was the Divine Realm, where ethics bent to unique laws, and mere existence served as its own kind of wealth.

"Look up!" the voice thundered once more. "The names of the first contenders will be shown!"

Far overhead on the battlefield, the heavens rippled as a huge holographic projection materialized. Pairs of names raced upward in two lists, shifting with every pulse like destiny reshuffling its cards. In the middle, a shining emblem throbbed steadily. VS. The listings accelerated wildly until they halted abruptly.

Nelson VS Josh

"Ladies and gentlemen!" the announcer bellowed, thriving on the spectators' hype. "We have our first battle of the day! Nelson versus Josh! Both contestants, enter the arena!"

A harsh swear echoed close to Max. He shifted his head a bit and spotted one of the fresh arrivals from yesterday tightening his fists in anger.

"Damn it," the guy grumbled between clenched teeth. "First day and I am already up."

That guy was Nelson. He let out a long breath, calming his breathing before advancing. Strain showed in his frame and caution in his steps, the stance of a person aware that a single error could demand a price way beyond mere ego.

Max observed him intently while Nelson headed to the arena entrance. His Three Dimensional Body verified what his vision had caught. Nelson held the tenth level of Divine Rank, just like the majority of ascenders assembled there. Impressive by earthly measures, but utterly average in this domain.

"That kid is going to lose," remarked the same fellow Max had asked before, his tone steady and assured while his stare stayed locked on the field. "Even though Josh is not a veteran, it has been months since he arrived here. He has already grown accustomed to fighting while bathed in Divine Essence, and that alone places him above most of the newcomers."

Max traced his line of sight quietly. He offered no answer, yet he wished the guy was mistaken. Nelson carried the vibe of someone who still trusted hard work could close any divide, and in venues like this, such faith usually shattered first.

The arena doors parted with a low growl, and the two combatants strode onto the rocky surface. Nelson held himself rigid with stress etched in his form, whereas Josh seemed at ease, his bulky build firm and rooted like the ground itself held him up. The announcer's call blended into the din of the howling masses, and the tension built until Josh finally broke the silence.

"Make your move," Josh uttered, his voice laid-back as if this were an everyday practice bout instead of a clash that hung life in the balance.

Nelson wasted no time. Divine Essence flooded his veins, and the fifth level concept of lightning erupted around him in snapping bolts of azure glow. Suddenly his shape smeared and turned into a bolt of thunder ripping through the arena, his punch cloaked in fierce electric might as it hurtled at Josh's torso with deadly purpose.

The audience drew in sharp breaths as the velocity split the atmosphere.

Josh countered without alarm. His arm shifted, summoning a enormous blade that seemed to have waited there all along. He swept it in a broad, precise sweep right as Nelson closed in. The electrified punch met the edge in a booming blast that resounded through the colosseum.

Fragments of Divine Essence flew apart like broken constellations, and Nelson flew back, sliding over the rock before scarcely catching his balance. Josh, however, stayed rooted. His stance held firm, his hold unyielding, and his face unaltered.

Nelson wouldn't yield after that initial clash. Clenching his jaw, he channeled extra Divine Essence inside, ramping up the lightning until his silhouette blurred and wavered.

The ground under him splintered as he surged ahead again, his actions quicker and keener than prior. Now he avoided a direct rush. His form divided into ghostly trails as he orbited Josh, thunder strikes lashing out per stride, probing positions and rhythms.

Josh's brow creased a touch, detecting the shift, and he lifted his blade to guard. Nelson grabbed the opening. A burst of blue flared at Josh's rear, and Nelson's hand thrust out, thunder detonating right against Josh's spine. The force knocked Josh off balance a pace, electric flickers dancing over his plating, and a whisper spread among the watchers.

Buoyed by this, Nelson kept the pressure on. He chased with a thunder-clad knee that crashed into Josh's flank, then spun and conjured a lightning lance straight from his arm, thrusting it at Josh's heart.

Josh let out a grunt as the lance scraped him, ripping past a shield of Divine Essence and carving a burned gash. Crimson trickled from his gear, and at last his features tightened. The throng bellowed fiercer, stunned that the rookie had truly marked him.

Nelson kept going. He amassed lightning over his crown and crashed it down like an anvil, a focused strike that hit Josh from on high and dropped him to a single knee. For an instant, it seemed Nelson could flip the fight.

Yet that instant vanished fast. Josh drew in a full breath and braced, plunging his sword into the arena stone as he stood. The Divine Essence cloaking him grew denser, not just countering but outright quelling Nelson's storm.

As Nelson struck once more, his pace dipped enough for Josh to read it. Josh advanced toward the assault rather than retreating, absorbing the electric hit on his shoulder while his blade carved a savage curve. The edge battered Nelson's flank, dispersing his storm and flinging him through the air.

Nelson struggled to stand, compelling his shaking form to obey, and faint lightning danced around him as he lurched to his feet. He unleashed a last frantic assault, channeling all his remaining strength into one direct dash, his punch shining more intensely than before. Josh faced him squarely.

His sword flashed once, sharp and final, slicing the lightning like fog. The blow pounded Nelson's torso, and the clang pealed like a chime over the colosseum.

Nelson crumpled in place, his Divine Essence fading into the breeze as his frame struck the floor and stayed down. Josh dropped his sword and breathed out steadily, his injury already knitting shut as the masses burst into deafening cheers.

The outcome stood plain. Nelson had battled fiercely and even inflicted damage on his foe, but ultimately Josh emerged triumphant, showing yet again that time in the Divine Colosseum trumped pure skill by itself.

"Everyone! We have a winner. Josh has won this battle!" The announcer's voice rang out anew, and the crowd exploded into wild mania in reply.

Beaten and somewhat drained, Nelson rose and joined the other rookies in front of the stands.

"Everyone, the next battle is up!" The announcer's call resounded once more as all eyes turned skyward. The names whirled randomly, then two emerged.

Max vs Raul.

"Raul! It's his battle!" Jaden exclaimed, eyeing Lucia with thrill. The fighter they had bet on was set to fight, yet to her shock, Lucia's focus drifted elsewhere.