The 32-to-16 elimination matches were quickly drawing to a close.
Perhaps due to the significant skill disparity among the drawn opponents, most matches were one-sided and not particularly exciting.
Especially after Lin Ran set a fast pace at the start, almost every subsequent match began with a solo duel between the team captains.
This led to even more devastating losses for the weaker teams.
Moreover, everyone's expectations had been elevated by Lin Ran's opening match, making the subsequent games feel somewhat bland.
But this final match...
Adam Hammer vs. Dinu!
The reigning champion from Lighthouse Country vs. the ace player from the Rhine Federation!
Adam Hammer's strength was beyond question, and Dinu, a 28-year-old participant for the first time, was also highly anticipated.
This was because Dinu's performance on the Temporal Rift battlefield had been exceptionally brilliant, often leading armies to rout vast numbers of alien races.
He possessed not only outstanding command capabilities but also extremely formidable personal strength.
Especially in terms of crowd control, he was unmatched.
In the eyes of many, Dinu was a strong contender for the championship, capable of going toe-to-toe with Adam Hammer.
And now, these two men, following the tone set from the beginning of the day, had chosen to start as the first combatants against formidable opponents!
"Hoo... hoo... hoo..."
Dinu stood on the arena, gazing at the pile of metal in front of him, speechless, but breathing heavily.
It was evident that he was extremely nervous and excited.
As for Adam Hammer, he appeared very placid.
Or rather, to him, who had become nearly completely mechanized, it was difficult to discern any human emotion from him.
Glancing at the countdown that was inexorably ticking towards its end, Dinu took another deep breath:
"I've waited for this day for a very, very long time..."
"Ever since I learned last year that there was someone like you in this type of competition, I've been looking forward to the day we would face each other!"
"Now, let me properly experience your power!"
Adam Hammer finally showed a flicker of reaction, nodding slightly to acknowledge he had heard, but remained silent.
Dinu, however, did not get angry at Adam Hammer's seemingly dismissive attitude. Instead, he bowed with even greater respect.
Perhaps, in his eyes, this was one of the privileges of the strong...
"Azure Domain!"
The moment the countdown ended, Dinu unleashed his signature opening skill without reservation.
As his skill’s barriers descended one by one, countless azure light pillars rose from the ground, spreading across the entire arena.
Adam Hammer silently observed Dinu's every move, showing no intention of intervening.
Only after Dinu had completely filled the arena did he nod with satisfaction:
"Heh, human, watch closely..."
"Don't blink for everything that follows!"
Saying this, Adam Hammer erupted in a blinding blue light.
Even his eyes were filled with crystalline brilliance.
"Power mode... I am honored to receive this level of recognition..."
"Even if I lose this match, I will have no regrets!"
Dinu laughed joyfully, expanding his domain a little further outwards.
Adam Hammer still did not reply, but after his blue light reached its limit, he vanished from his spot with a sudden burst.
So fast!
This explosive speed was difficult to track even for Lin Ran, who possessed the Eternal Kaleidoscope from outside the arena.
After all, in his fully mechanized state, the way he exerted force was beyond what any human could emulate.
In any disadvantageous situation, his mind, enhanced by the intelligent chip, could quickly make judgments and launch counterattacks in the most unexpected ways.
For instance, in this charge, he had leaped hundreds of meters into the air and then plummeted downwards with immense momentum.
However, Dinu was a seasoned warrior who had truly fought on the battlefield, and he was certainly not going to be defeated by a simple probing attack at the start. He resolutely raised his azure pillars, forming seven or eight massive grapples that clamped down on Adam Hammer in the air from all directions.
"Naive!"
Adam Hammer's speed was so extreme that his voice became slightly distorted.
However, the meaning was clearly understood by everyone.
Adam Hammer, descending from the sky, encountered no obstruction. He shattered Dinu's grapples with the most primitive yet beautiful display of brute force, and then punched the ground.
It was unknown what material Adam Hammer's machinery was made of, but it was incredibly potent.
Not only were there no scratches from Dinu's grapples, but he could also break through everything with unstoppable force.
*Dong!*
This punch, amplified by potential and kinetic energy, directly generated a shockwave that kicked up dust, knocking over all of Dinu's azure crystals like falling dominoes.
And that wasn't all!
Adam Hammer suddenly extended his arm forward, and then his hand retracted, beginning to rapidly draw in air within that empty space.
This was not like an ordinary vacuum cleaner, simply sucking in air a few times.
This was infused with immense mechanical energy and magic!
And this slight difference brought about a significant change...
Before Dinu could even react to the brief moment, Adam Hammer had absorbed all the air at an incredibly fast speed. The powerful suction naturally pulled Dinu forward rapidly.
Even though Dinu's reaction speed was quick enough, he managed to use Azure Blink to reposition himself to an open area before he could be sucked into the rapidly spinning air blade, and used newly formed azure crystals to shield himself...
But from Adam Hammer's actions, it seemed his true intention lay elsewhere.
Because now, a terrifyingly compressed air cannon had formed in his hand, or rather, his forearm.
And this air cannon, having absorbed a large amount of magic and attributes from Dinu's azure crystals during the rapid intake, appeared even more swollen and menacing with its swirling blue glow.
Looking at Dinu's wide eyes and unfocused gaze, Adam Hammer slightly lowered his head:
"You didn't think... you could dodge like before, did you?"
"Since you respect me so much, I will reciprocate that respect..."
"Let me show you one of my ultimate killing moves as the King of Killers!"
"Nuclear! Energy! Lock!"