"With Barns Uccisore's win, NRG has their second member through to the semi-finals as Fogs Velsignelse falls, leaving us with a Riptide versus NRG semi-finals. Which organization will take it all? Will one be totally eliminated in the semi-finals? Or will we witness the birth of an exciting rivalry between Riptide and NRG?" Halfthur asked, his voice quelling the crowd's cheers. "It will all be up to the fighters themselves. Up first, Shin Zedzir looks to eliminate the leader of NRG, Hydrus Mortang! Both fighters have had some very impressive showings, with Riptide being the only organization to have eliminated a member of NRG up till now. In the matches leading up to the semi-finals, Shin has showcased an impressive array of archery skills, revealing his talent with a bow. However, his opponent, Hydrus, is no slouch either. In every match he's fought in, he has shown a domineering performance, eliminating his opponents in record time as he uses his greatsword to cleave through the compet.i.tion. Only one of these two fighters can advance, so let's get ready! Fighters, are you ready?" Halfthur roared.

"Mister Halfthur, the partic.i.p.ants are ready," a redheaded elf said, sticking her head into the announcer's booth to inform them.

Exhaling softly, Halfthur ceased the conversation he'd been having with Wavesun as he cast the voice amplification magic on himself once more.

"Alright folks, the first match of the semi-finals is about to begin! On one side, the tyrannical leader of NRG, Hydrus! This man has rampaged through the tournament, destroying his opponents with practiced ease. There can be no doubts about his strength. Hydrus has been in complete control of every match he's fought in," said Halfthur, introducing Hydrus as he made his way back to the stage, where he was met with a hail of boos.

"On the other side, the first of Riptide's two last men standing will do his best to put an end to Hydrus' journey. He's had a very strong showing so far, having seemed to be in total control of every match he's fought in. His match against Seryllia might just have been the most one sided domination since Hydrus' own match against Tanix Reveil back in the round of thirty-two! Please, give it up for Shin Zedzir!"

Emerging onstage once more, Jun gave the audience a wave, as if to rea.s.sure them that he would take Hydrus down.

"Jun looks confident," Ryan observed.

"When is Jun ever not confident?" Griffin retorted.

"True…"

As Jun and Hydrus squared off, Halfthur shouted for the fight to begin. Without hesitation, Hydrus charged forward, using Orc Charge right away as Jun began to loose arrows towards his charging foe.

Jun's ability to find openings in his opponent's defenses exceeded even Eric's, and it showed. Arrow after arrow found their way past Hydrus' greatsword, lodging themselves in his armour as he charged.

Rather than slowing down and attempting to deflect Jun's arrows, Hydrus sped up, ignoring the arrows as if their effect upon his healthbar was of no concern to him.

As Hydrus closed in on Jun, he lowered his body, the crimson glow surrounding his feet transferring to his sword as he swung savagely towards Jun.

Jumping backwards, Jun avoided taking the brunt of the attack, his healthbar decreasing slightly as Hydrus' blade left a shallow cut on his stomach. Not missing a beat, Jun fired an arrow at Hydrus, taking advantage of his opponent's miss as the momentum of his swing left Hydrus wide open.

Hydrus let out a roar at this, transitioning his swing into a spin. Caught unprepared, Jun was unable to avoid the greatsword this time, as it slammed heavily into his side.

Coughing up blood, Jun was sent tumbling across the ground, rolling to his feet as Hydrus attempted to follow up on his strike. Nocking another arrow to the bow, Jun attempted to find an opening, but Hydrus' defense was airtight. No matter how Jun tried, he couldn't find a way to hit Hydrus that didn't leave himself open to a counterattack from Hydrus' greatsword.

"Jun's struggling," Mark commented.

"Yeah. Hydrus isn't letting him gain distance. His arrows are strong, but Hydrus' greatsword is stronger," Ryan replied.

True enough, Jun was in trouble. Hydrus stuck to him like a leech, refusing to give him an opening to inflict damage. While Jun was doing a good job at avoiding Hydrus' strikes, Hydrus was doing his best to limit the openings he created. Unlike Barns who'd attacked with abandon and paid the price for it, Hydrus was using a more measured approach, slowly cornering Jun as he eliminated his options one after another.

Taking yet another glancing blow, Jun frowned. Hydrus was gradually acc.u.mulating damage against him, despite him only using basic attacks and the occasional Savage Strike. Bending low, Jun loosed an arrow at Hydrus' leg, forcing him to use his greatsword to block. Stringing another arrow, Jun activated the skill he'd used to finish off Barns. As a golden glow appeared around the arrow, Jun fired it towards Hydrus' chest, before he could bring his greatsword up to bare.

As the light-infused arrow struck Hydrus in the chest, he used a skill of his own, his greatsword taking on a crimson glow as it cut towards Jun. Unable to dodge the blow, Jun was forced to take the strike head on, his healthbar decreasing drastically as he tried to put distance between him and Hydrus.

Not giving Jun the chance, Hydrus pursued, his greatsword flashing in the sun as Jun's healthbar continued to disappear.

With a frustrated look, Jun fell, having managed to remove ninety percent of Hydrus' healthbar. While it was an incredible number, a testament to the skill and perseverance Jun had shown, in the end it wasn't enough.

"Hydrus Mortang wins. Shin Zedzir is eliminated, Hydrus Mortang advances to the finals," Halfthur said with a despondent voice.