"HMM… since this is the finals, this lord will be generous and explain everything to you lot," the Duke of Hearts said in a very magnanimous manner, as if he was indeed a very generous lord. "The four crystals give different, let's just say, 'side-effects' whenever one comes five steps away from it."

Luo Yan glanced at these crystals in interest. He also wondered what kind of 'side-effects' the duke was talking about. As he observed the crystals, he also observed the whole coliseum. 

Aside from these crystals, there weren't really much change from the initial round yesterday which was also held in the evening. So, there was enough lighting around that there wouldn't be any problems if he used any shadow related skills.

He returned his attention back to the duke who continued on with his explanation.

"The red one could halve your stats. The purple and yellow ones could inflict poison and paralysis respectively. And finally, the black one. Well, this one is definitely the most special. That's why unlike the other three, the distance for which it could take effect is only about a step. So, basically, as long as you don't go near it to the point of being able to touch, it wouldn't affect you. But why is it different, you ask? Well…"

The duke paused in a dramatic manner.

"Because its effect is instant death." When the duke heard the 'ooohhhs' and 'aaahhhs' from the crowd, he finally showed a satisfied smile. "But you don't have to worry so much. As long as you don't go near it, you should be safe. Oh, and by the way, any items that could negate the effect of these crystals won't work."

Luo Jin quickly frowned when he heard that. He was a bit complacent when he heard the effects of the first three crystals, thinking that the [Blessing of Isis] could take care of it and that he only had to worry about the black crystal. But the duke quickly put an end to his fantasy.

Luo Yan, on the other hand, stared at the four crystal pillars. The red and purple were on one side while the black and yellow were on the opposite. The red was diagonally opposite the black while the purple was diagonally opposite the yellow. 

Now, they didn't only need to worry about their opponent, they also had to avoid these crystals. Especially that black one. All three were fine. Drinking special potions could solve the problem. But it's different for the black crystal. A step away was a bit too close. Just wrong move and you would immediately be defeated. 

He estimated the distance between the four crystals and embedded it in his mind. He turned to the duke. The other had an expression on his face as if he couldn't wait to see their suffering. Really, what bad taste.

"What do you think? Isn't it exciting?" the duke asked. The crowd said 'yes' and a satisfied smile appeared on the duke's face once again. "With this, let's begin the final round of this year's Rookie Carnival!"

There was a loud cheer all around.

Then, the duke disappeared with a puff of red smoke. A virtual countdown appeared at the middle of the rink, just in between the two floating palanquins. 

3… 2… 1!

The two palanquins disappeared. If not for both brothers' amazing reaction speed, they might have had dropped on their asses. How embarrassing would that be? This duke, wouldn't it hurt to give them a heads up?

The Luo brothers landed easily. Both didn't attack immediately, obviously thinking of the same thing.

Luo Yan first spoke, "Ah Jin, let's not hold back, okay?" 

"That's for certain," Luo Jin responded with a snort. "Let's have a fight without regrets."

As if understanding what each other was thinking, they both moved at the same time. 

Luo Yan rushed forward, both daggers in hand, while Luo Jin jumped back. The latter had already taken his guns out of their holsters and pointed both towards his brother's direction. 

Four consecutive gunshots were heard. Luo Yan easily dodged them as if he could see their trajectory. He was careful because he knew that Luo Jin had a skill where his bullets would curve. That's why he didn't rush in a straight line but in zigzagged. This way, even if the other used that skill, he wouldn't be easily hit.

Sure enough, as he was moving, a bullet passed by him from behind. He grinned. They were only beginning and yet Luo Jin was already not holding up his punches. Then, he might as well do the same.

He accelerated forward, moving at his fastest speed.

In Luo Jin's eyes, his brother seemed to have disappear. But he knew that it was just an Assassin's incredible speed. Instead of just staying in one place, he kept jumping backwards. The crystals behind him were the red and purple crystals. 

Being near the two wouldn't give him that much damage. It could be easily healed by special potions. But that didn't mean that he wouldn't be cautious. Who knew if these crystals still had hidden traps in them? Knowing the Duke of Heart's wonderful temper, that could certainly happen.

But before he could change direction, his brother suddenly appeared in front of him! The other swung down one of his daggers. Luo Jin moved to the side and shot the other up close. 

Luo Yan flashed to the side as well. As he did, he swung his dagger like a tennis player doing a backhand shot. The edge of the dagger hit the side of one of Luo Jin's guns that were still pointed at the place where Luo Yan was standing just now. 

Because of this, his arms holding the guns swayed involuntarily to the direction his brother hit the gun. At the same time, Luo Yan's other dagger came thrusting down at him. 

Luo Jin's pupils contracted.. He quickly gained control of his gun and raised it in a crisscrossed manner, just in time for his brother's dagger to hit the point between the two crisscrossed guns. 

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