Warworld.
A massive, planet-scale war fortress, and a gladiatorial arena of cosmic renown.
"The countless alien planets conquered by Mongul provided the most brutal, savage, ferocious, and tyrannical beasts, staging the most vicious gladiator battles."
"This is the Earth's lifeline. A moment of mercy granted by our Monarch. In this arena, three battles will be fought. As long as all three are won, Earth will be spared for one hundred years."
"This is Earth's only chance!"
"Life and death struggles, blood splattering violently across the polar regions."
The colossal Roman-style arena rang with wild cheers and bestial roars that boiled the blood.
Species of every shape and color from across the universe screamed and howled in a frenzy, heating up the atmosphere before the madness began.
Hovering above the crowd was the host—a slender, turquoise-skinned alien with a kindly face and slight build. Speaking the universal language, he provoked wave after wave of uproar. Over a million beings roared in response, shaking the entire Warworld with their deafening cheer.
At the highest point of the massive arena, seated at the most prominent and honored position, was Mongul.
He sat on his black throne, his cracked white teeth gleaming, his wrinkled yellow skin folding into a grotesque smile as he basked in satisfaction.
"So, that so-called Emperor of Earth, has Barmulodi arrived?"
Mongul waved a hand casually and asked. He didn't care about the supposed Emperor of Earth.
"He has entered Warworld and is currently being escorted here. The lowly Earth emperor, I heard, is delighted to have been invited to witness the arena and observe the battles between Earth's champions and Warworld's gladiators," the attendant beside him replied respectfully.
"Hahaha… full of confidence. I like people who are full of inflated confidence!"
Mongul laughed, his words dripping with tyranny and mockery. The arrival of Earth's emperor was simply more entertainment to him.
He grinned, exposing his enormous white teeth in a twisted smile full of cruelty and anticipation.
Step... step... step...
Suddenly, from afar.
It was as if a massive steel beast was treading across Warworld, each step resounding with the weight of a mountain.
A figure clad in dominating armor emerged into Mongul's sight. The armor was black as the depths of the universe, with majestic, deep golden joint trim that radiated the presence of a supreme emperor. On his back flowed a dark golden cloak, like a field of stars flickering in motion, exuding divine majesty.
His expression was cold and indifferent. For a moment, Mongul saw what looked like the God-King of the cosmos standing at its peak, overlooking all creation.
In the blink of an eye, Mongul snapped out of it.
Because Bardi, who appeared like an emperor of the universe, was followed by a few women. The divine, solemn image Mongul imagined was shattered in an instant.
On Bardi's back clung a mischievous girl with white hair, white horns, and a plump baby face. She clambered over his shoulders, tugging at the skin beneath her eyes with her fingers and sticking out her tongue at the blonde twin-tailed girl beside them.
"I'm the Entity of Fear! I won't compete with you over the old man just because I have a body now!"
Tohru stomped in frustration, glaring at Kanna, teeth clenched, arms crossed. She edged closer to Bardi, then turned her head sharply in defiance.
Because both girls had been created from Bardi's flesh, they felt an innate connection and deep subconscious loyalty toward him.
Kanna saw through Tohru's stubborn tsundere behavior and kept licking her tongue playfully at her from behind Bardi's shoulder.
On the other side, Kara, now a tall and elegant young woman after two years of growth, wore a fitted suit and maintained a dignified demeanor. She gently placed a hand on Tohru's shoulder and said, "Don't cause trouble. You'll put Master in an awkward position."
Kara urged Tohru not to misbehave. After all, Bardi had brought them here to witness the vastness of the universe.
But whether it was her guidance that had the opposite effect or Tohru's rebellious nature, she suddenly scowled and shouted, "I won't give in!" Then spun around and ran in the opposite direction.
Kanna, unwilling to let her "toy" escape, jumped from Bardi's shoulder and once again grabbed Tohru's waist.
"What are you doing, Kanna?! Let me go!"
"Let go of me!"
"Ahhhh! I'm going crazy!"
And so, Kanna clung to Tohru as the girl frantically ran around, the two of them vanishing from Bardi's view in a blur of madness.
Despite Kara's repeated attempts to stop them, it was useless.
Bardi shook his head with a smile.
"Leave them be."
"But assign someone to keep an eye on them. Don't let them damage Warworld."
Bardi gave the order calmly.
After all, Warworld would soon be his. He didn't want it to be destroyed unnecessarily. It was something worth preserving.
Immediately, Hera—who had taken on the role of Bardi's personal secretary—stepped forward. She summoned Bardi's diamond throne, set a table, and laid out luxurious dishes. With the elegance of a master host, she made preparations for the event.
Bardi showed a certain interest in the gladiator match. It was something he hadn't seen in person before.
Mongul was stunned as he stared at the man dressed in emperor's armor and a dark gold trench coat, radiating cosmic brilliance. He showed no fear, no trembling, no hesitation. As if he had no idea what kind of place he was standing in.
A native through and through!
But this only made Mongul more delighted. The greater the pride, the more satisfying the conquest.
"Haha… interesting. Very interesting."
Mongul laughed, already imagining the moment when he would tear off that glorious armor and watch Bardi tremble before him in weakness and fear.
Mongul had roamed the universe for years and could tell at a glance—this black and gold emperor's armor was an extraordinarily powerful creation.
With this armor, it was understandable how Bardi could dominate a backwater world like Earth. But to challenge him? Impossible.
Mongul bared his teeth.
"In that case, let's begin!"
With a grand wave of his hand, he cut off the host's warming remarks and directly ordered the start of the match.
The host, hovering in the air, froze for a moment. Then he adjusted his tone and shouted out, his voice surging with bestial bloodlust.
"Let us welcome the gladiators! The defenders of Earth… General Ott!"
"And the notorious, bloodthirsty bounty hunter of the cosmos… Lobo the Rabid Wolf!"
Two dark figures emerged from the corridor beneath the arena.
(To be continued.)