"Rabid Wolf!"
"Rabid Wolf!" "Rabid Wolf!"
"Rabid Wolf!" "Rabid Wolf!" "Rabid Wolf!"
"Rabid Wolf!" "Rabid Wolf!" "Rabid Wolf!"
"Rabid Wolf!" "Rabid Wolf!" "Rabid Wolf!" "Rabid Wolf!"
The entire arena, filled with millions, erupted in deafening chants. Soundwaves rolled like tsunamis, threatening to overturn everything in their path.
Even those seated in the most honored positions far from the crowd below could feel the passion and heat of the arena—the boiling bloodlust, the frenzy, the emotional eruption that demanded screaming, roaring, and tearing through all restraint.
This was the kind of spectacle that drove people wild, the kind of chaos that overwhelmed all logic. And this was exactly why Mongul relentlessly pursued and adored the gladiatorial arena.
It was exhilarating! Hahaha!
Mongul grinned, madness and tyranny flashing in his eyes.
Bardi nodded slowly. The atmosphere was so intense it stirred even his calm demeanor. He could feel his blood begin to boil, his power surge. A part of him wanted to punch straight through Warworld, fly to the center of the sun, and annihilate the solar system just to vent his excitement.
Calm down... calm down... calm down...
Bardi reminded himself silently, suppressing the waves of impulse. Ever since becoming the One God and enduring so many grueling experiences, he found himself more prone to emotional instability.
In the past, during moments like this, he would simply observe with indifference. But now? He actually wanted to punch someone's skull in.
He was on the verge of becoming a brute. Time to settle down.
Letting this heat get to his head might lead to the literal destruction of a solar system.
"So that's the Rabid Wolf."
Bardi calmed himself and looked across the arena, where a wild-haired, unruly figure emerged from the corridor, radiating bestial fury.
Kara turned her head, seated to Bardi's left. She was positioned formally, directly facing the action. Bardi had brought her to witness the grandeur of the universe.
To Bardi's right sat Hera, his secretary, who was busy peeling grapes, uncorking wine, carving roasted fowl, and grilling dinosaur meat—making it easier for Bardi to dine.
In every way, it was Bardi—not Mongul—who looked like the true ruler here.
Mongul merely sat on his black throne, which paled in comparison. Between the dazzling sheen of Bardi's Emperor Armor, his lavishly reworked diamond throne, and the graceful attentions of Kara and Hera, he exuded far more majesty.
Mongul's brow twitched faintly. Not only was this man unafraid of him, but he dared to appear more regal.
He looked at the spread before Bardi—alien fruits, roasted beasts, saber-toothed pork, grilled tyrannosaurs, even stewed magical dragons cultivated by Jenny. Pamela's enhanced plant fruits added to the feast. It was an imperial banquet.
By contrast, his own table looked like scraps on a peasant's plate.
Clothes, aura, seating, staff, and the way Bardi dined with ease—he was utterly outclassed.
Of course, that wasn't by accident. Everything about Bardi's appearance and presence had been meticulously calculated by the Hera terminal, optimized for maximum intimidation—both visually and in terms of pressure.
If she hadn't feared frightening Mongul too early, Hera would've had Bardi descend with a planetary honor guard, flower petals scattering across the cosmos, conquering worlds en route to his throne.
"The Rabid Wolf is a Czarnian, born on Czarnia. At seventeen, he slaughtered every last member of his own species. Apparently, he possesses an immortal body."
Bardi bit into a piece of roasted dragon meat handed to him by Hera. The meat was unbelievably tough, tougher than most Kryptonians, and only someone of Bardi's strength could chew through it.
As for the so-called "immortality," Bardi was skeptical. That sounded like something from a cartoon. In reality, it likely just meant extreme regeneration.
"That's right. Lobo's the most notorious bounty hunter in the universe. I had to go through a lot to get him to fight in my arena."
Mongul grinned, cruelty flickering in his eyes.
Clearly, it wasn't a negotiation. Mongul had likely coerced or threatened him. Given Lobo's temperament, it would take more than a polite request.
Bardi didn't care what happened behind the scenes.
While they chatted above, General Ott and Lobo were already engaged in a brutal fight on the arena floor.
Their clash echoed with violent shockwaves. They hurled each other across the air, shattering the arena walls with each impact.
Both fighters had immense regenerative capabilities. The battle was fierce and destructive.
Strictly speaking, Ott wasn't Lobo's match. However, six months earlier, Ott had accepted a weakened version of the perfected Doomsday serum. That had drastically enhanced his physical abilities, allowing him to push Lobo into a neck-and-neck fight.
Bardi watched with interest. Since Ott, his loyal general, had declared this battle a tribute to Bardi's return, Bardi would honor it by watching closely.
He had always treated his subordinates well. As long as he was here, everything would be alright.
"Care for a wager?"
Mongul said, his voice filled with mockery and provocation.
Bardi calmly chewed a piece of roast duck from Hera's plate and asked, "Sure. What's the bet?"
"If you lose, the Earth belongs to me."
"Fine. If you lose, Warworld becomes mine."
Bardi replied without hesitation. He could crush Mongul with a single blow. He had no reason to refuse.
"Hahaha...!"
Mongul burst into laughter, his wide mouth flashing a row of white teeth. He laughed until his sides hurt. How could he possibly lose?
"You might want to pay attention. Rabid Wolf is pulverizing your General Ott."
"Hmm. He's about to transform."
No sooner had Bardi spoken than Ott began transforming into a four-meter-tall Doomsday. The next wave of battle erupted in full force, rocking the entire arena. The walls trembled. The bloodthirsty crowd screamed wildly, their roars joining the beasts'.
Mongul raised an eyebrow and grinned. "Lobo won't lose."
Just then, Kanna burst onto the scene, riding a golden cosmic dolphin, skimming across the arena sky as she shouted gleefully, "You'll never catch me! Haha!"
"I found it!! I sense fear! It's mine!! Damn you, Kanna!!" Tohru screamed in rage as she chased her at full speed.
Lobo, stunned by the sight, instantly ignored Ott grabbing his legs, tore free, and bolted after Kanna and Tohru with childlike excitement.
The trio shot up, breaking through Warworld's atmosphere and disappearing toward Earth.
Ott continued smashing Lobo's legs into the ground. It wasn't until he paused to look around that he realized Lobo's upper half was gone. He stared in confusion, glancing left and right in disbelief.
Not only Ott, but even Bardi and Kara were stunned.
"Cough... cough... Sorry. Kids will be kids. Since Lobo ran off, does that mean this round is mine?"
Mongul's face darkened, his twitching eye glaring at Bardi as if ready to breathe fire.
(To be continued.)