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

"Hellooooo! Warriors! The opening match of the colosseum is about to begin! Are you ready?!"

The shout boomed through the Divine Colosseum, amplified by complex formations buried deep within the architecture. Rolling across the vast arena, the voice flooded every seating tier like a physical wave, hitting the ears of tens of thousands of spectators simultaneously.

The reaction was instantaneous. A deafening frenzy erupted from the crowd as roars and cheers merged into a single, violent surge of sound. Some spectators leaped from their chairs, others pounded their fists against the railings, and many screamed names that represented nothing more than a gambling opportunity. The arena no longer felt like a structure; it felt like a massive, living predator finally waking from its sleep.

Max glanced toward the bleachers, feeling a strange sense of unease settle in his chest. Back in the mortal world, people gathered for celebrations, contests, or wars forced by necessity. Here, they assembled to watch individuals stripped of their freedom butcher one another for a chance at survival. It was revolting, but Max refused to let the sentiment take root. This was the Divine Realm. Morality operated under different laws here, and survival itself served as a form of currency.

"Look up!" the voice thundered once more. "The names of our first competitors will now be revealed!"

High above the arena floor, a massive holographic display materialized as the sky itself began to shimmer. Two columns of names scrolled at a dizzying pace, shifting with every heartbeat as if fate were shuffling a deck of cards. A glowing symbol pulsed steadily between the columns: VS. The names flickered with increasing speed until they abruptly snapped to a halt.

Nelson VS Josh

"Ladies and gentlemen!" the announcer bellowed, feeding off the energy of the audience. "Our first duel of the day is set! Nelson versus Josh! Both fighters, enter the arena!"

A sharp oath was uttered near Max. Turning slightly, he saw one of the newcomers who had arrived with him the day before clenching his fists in sheer frustration.

"Damn it," the man hissed through clenched teeth. "It's only the first day and I'm already being called up."

That man was Nelson. He took a long, steadying breath before stepping out. His shoulders were tight and his movements guarded—the posture of a man who realized that a single lapse in judgment could cost him far more than just his dignity.

Max scrutinized him as Nelson walked toward the arena gates. His Three Dimensional Body technique confirmed what his eyes suspected: Nelson was at the tenth level of Divine Rank, identical to most of the ascenders present. He was powerful by mortal standards, yet tragically common in this environment.

"That kid is going to lose," remarked the same man Max had spoken to earlier. His voice was flat and certain, his gaze never wavering from the arena floor. "Even though Josh isn't a veteran, he's been here for months. He has grown used to battling while submerged in Divine Essence, and that fact alone gives him the edge over these newcomers."

Max followed the man's gaze without a word. Though he didn't argue, he hoped the assessment was wrong. Nelson possessed the look of a man who still believed that raw effort could overcome any obstacle; in a place like this, such a belief was usually the first thing to be crushed.

With a heavy rumble, the arena gates slid open, and the two combatants stepped onto the stone ground. Nelson stood stiffly, tension radiating from his body, while Josh appeared completely at ease. Josh's heavy frame was steady and grounded, looking as though the arena itself were an extension of his own strength. As the announcer's voice was swallowed by the roar of the crowd, the tension stretched until Josh finally broke the silence.

"Make your move," Josh said casually, as if they were engaged in a routine practice session rather than a fight for survival.

Nelson didn't hesitate. Divine Essence flooded his frame, and a fifth-level lightning concept erupted around him in crackling arcs of blue brilliance. In a heartbeat, his form blurred, turning into a streak of lightning that tore across the sands. His fist, enveloped in violent electrical energy, shot toward Josh’s chest with lethal intent.

The audience gasped as the sheer velocity of the move shattered the air.

Josh reacted with zero panic. His hand blurred, and a massive sword appeared in his grip as if it had been there all along. The moment Nelson arrived, Josh swung the blade in a wide, disciplined arc. The lightning-infused fist slammed into the steel with a thunderous boom that vibrated throughout the colosseum.

Fragments of Divine Essence scattered like dying stars. Nelson was thrown backward, sliding across the stone floor and only just managing to stabilize himself. Josh, conversely, hadn't moved an inch. His feet stayed rooted, his grip remained firm, and his face showed no emotion.

Despite the failed opening, Nelson refused to yield. Gritting his teeth, he forced even more Divine Essence through his meridians. The lightning surrounding him grew so intense that his physical outline became blurred and erratic.

The stone beneath him splintered as he lunged forward again, moving with even greater speed and precision. This time, he avoided a direct path. His body split into flickering afterimages as he circled Josh, discharging bolts of lightning with every step to test his opponent's defenses.

Josh frowned slightly at the change in tactics and raised his blade defensively. Nelson pounced on the opening. A flash of blue light signaled his appearance behind Josh, and Nelson’s palm lunged forward, detonating lightning at point-blank range against Josh's back. The force made Josh stumble forward a step, sparks dancing across his armor, causing a murmur to ripple through the spectators.

Sensing an opening, Nelson pressed his advantage. He followed up with a knee strike wreathed in thunder that crashed into Josh's ribs, then spun his body to manifest a lightning spear directly from his forearm, thrusting it toward Josh’s chest.

Josh let out a grunt as the spear cut him, piercing through his layer of Divine Essence protection and leaving a charred gash. Blood began to soak into his armor, and his expression finally turned grim. The crowd’s roar intensified, shocked that a newcomer had actually managed to draw blood.

Nelson gave him no room to breathe. Summoning lightning above his head, he brought it down like a massive hammer—a concentrated bolt that slammed into Josh from above and forced him down to one knee. For a fleeting second, it seemed as though Nelson might actually seize victory.

But the opportunity vanished just as quickly. Josh drew a deep breath and steadied his soul, his sword biting into the arena floor as he stood back up. The Divine Essence radiating from him grew thick, shifting from a passive defense to actively suppressing Nelson’s lightning.

When Nelson tried to strike again, his speed dipped just enough for Josh to read the movement. Josh stepped into the attack rather than retreating; his shoulder absorbed the lightning strike while his sword swung in a devastating arc. The blade collided with Nelson’s side, shattering his electrical aura and sending him soaring across the arena.

Nelson struggled to get back up, forcing his shaking body to obey as weak sparks of lightning flickered around him. Staggering to his feet, he launched one final, desperate charge, channeling every remaining drop of energy into a single glowing fist. Josh met the charge head-on.

His sword moved in a single, decisive motion, slicing through the lightning as if it were mere fog. The blow landed squarely on Nelson’s chest, the impact echoing through the colosseum like the tolling of a bell.

Nelson collapsed where he stood. His Divine Essence dissipated into the air as his body hit the dirt and remained still. Josh lowered his weapon and exhaled slowly, the wound on his chest already starting to knit shut while the crowd erupted into thunderous applause.

The outcome was undeniable. Nelson had fought with courage and managed to injure his foe, but Josh’s victory proved that experience within the Divine Colosseum outweighed raw potential every time.

"Everyone! We have a victor. Josh has won this match!" The announcer's voice rang out once more, and the crowd went into a total frenzy in response.

Exhausted and defeated, Nelson picked himself up and returned to the stands to join the other newcomers.

"Everyone, the next bout is ready!" the announcer’s voice boomed as all eyes turned upward. The names began their random scroll once more before two names locked into place.

Max vs Raul.

"Raul! It's his turn!" Jaden exclaimed, looking at Lucia with excitement. The warrior they had placed their bets on was about to fight, but to her surprise, Lucia’s focus was directed elsewhere.