The Final
There was silence in the arena. I could feel everyone's eyes on me—but that wasn't what mattered.
At last, my former boss stood right in front of me. That damn bastard who fired me and threw me out onto the streets.Finally, I could say it to his face:
—You and I… we've got unfinished business. Remember?"
Frank: —"Excuse me? What are you talking about?"(Hmph… at least I'll get a thousand gold coins for winning this tournament. Did Rick really lose to this clown? What a shame I missed it.)
The Guild Master wasn't paying attention to me.Again.Not taking me seriously.
I cracked my neck to the side and said:
—"Brutal humiliation. I warned you."
Frank: —"Wait, what?"(What the hell is this guy talking about?)
Then the announcer's voice echoed through all four corners of the amphitheater:
Announcer: —"Begin!"
I moved first.
In an instant, I rushed him and appeared behind his back—without activating my basic skill.
From there, I spoke calmly:
—"I hope you keep your word."
But I noticed it.
His eyes had followed my movement.One eyebrow lifted slightly, puzzled.
Frank: —"Keep my word about what?"(Whatever. I'll crush this runt.)
I was done with my ex-boss's attitude.That idiot didn't even remember what he'd done two days ago.
So I made it clear.
I moved again—now standing right in front of him.My voice modulated, distorted:
—"If I beat you… your guild is mine."
That's when it clicked.
Frank: —"So it was… you."(Hohoho… I'm going to tear you apart.)
He didn't finish the thought.
My fist slammed straight into his stomach.
He dropped instantly, the air knocked out of him. His breathing turned ragged, his face twisted in pain.
I looked down at him.
—"Pathetic. And you call yourself the Mercenary King?"
Frank: —"Shut up."(What is this brat? How can he be this strong?)
—"Come on. Hit me."
I pointed at my stomach with two fingers and deliberately backed up against the wall—so everyone could see this was real.
He struck me.
The blow was so powerful the wall behind me exploded into rubble.
The entire coliseum understood then.
Frank was fighting seriously.
I grabbed him by the face and dragged him across the arena.
Just like with the Titanoboa, I seized him by one leg and smashed him into the ground over and over.
It was brutal.Even for me.
But I didn't care.
What I was doing to Frank—my piece-of-shit ex-boss—didn't bring me satisfaction.
It was funny.
He was already unconscious, so I sat on his back, bored.
Then it hit me—an intense stomach reflux. I tried to hold it in.
Failed.
It ended in a flatulence.
At that point, even I knew I'd crossed a line.
"Did I go too far? …Well, the guy fired me for not paying attention and threw me out with no money in a city I didn't know. Me—basically a kid. Yeah… a slave, but… nah. I've never claimed to be a good person. Might as well go harder on the bastard."
***
Spectators
The entire audience was in shock.
The Abuser was living up to his name—perfectly.
He showed his opponent zero respect.Just humiliation after humiliation.
Whenever Frank passed out, Brian punched him in the face to wake him up again.
The pity was overwhelming—nobles and commoners alike.
People started leaving the amphitheater.
Some even shouted for the fight to end.
***
POV: Brian
I got bored of hitting him.
I left him critically injured—maybe almost dead. Not sure.He'd live. If Artia said he still had vital signs, then he'd live.
Once the announcer declared me champion of the tournament, mercenaries rushed in and carried my ex-boss to the waiting room, where several priests began treating him.
The same music that had played the day before—when I'd cleared the preliminaries—started again.
While the announcer thanked the gods, a man surrounded by guards and soldiers approached me.Judging by his clothes, he was a prince.
What caught my attention was that Lucius was with him, congratulating me.
They handed me my thousand gold coins in several bags.
The young prince gave another speech, thanking the gods—this time glorifying the Empire.
Then he offered me a drink.
I refused. No way I was removing my mask and exposing my face.
Lucius tried to intimidate me with his aura, pressuring me to accept the strange brew.
Way too suspicious.
I clenched my fists and said without hesitation:
—"Go ahead. Try it. I dare you. And you'll see how you die, little soldier."
The tension could've been cut with a knife.
Galio, who was nearby, asked me to say a few words to the crowd. He handed me what looked like a microphone.
I spoke plainly:
—"Anyone who looks down on me will end up like the Mercenary King. I want a peaceful life, so… don't mess with me!"
I grabbed the money and left immediately.
Outside the coliseum, I removed the CI-Mask and stuffed it into my backpack. Too much activity nearby.
I had no choice but to hide the backpack inside some dense bushes.
"I'll come back for this later… the clothes I brought can blend in, but a modern backpack stands out too much. Sorry, CI-Mask. Thanks for everything. I'll pick you up later."
Quincy interrupted me:
[Master has officially lost it. He's talking to a mask now. (ಠ_ಠ)]
—"Shut up, Quincy."
I headed straight to Pello Tavern.
After waiting an hour, Frank arrived.
When he saw me, he said:
Frank: —"Come to my office."(I definitely can't deal with this guy. Sorry, Prince Álex.)
I followed him to the second floor, into his office.He sat behind a beautiful desk cluttered with papers.
Frank: —"You want the guild? Don't dream that I'll just hand it over."
—"Then I'll cripple you and take your place."(Good. Time for punishment.)
Frank: —"That's not what I meant… listen… you'll be my boss, but please don't make me give up my title as Mercenary King."(I'm convinced—this kid is still hiding his true strength.)
—"What do I gain from letting you keep your position?"
Frank: —"I may be the Mercenary King, but I know people who prefer the shadows—and I respect that. You'll be our deity if you want. You can give orders at any branch. You'll also get a share of the profits. Please… stay in the shadows."(If I convinced the Assassin Queen to spare my neck, I can do it again with this kid.)
—"Fine. But two conditions."
Frank: —"Go on." (Success.)
—"One: missions even you can't handle—I take them.Two: keep my identity hidden."
Frank: —"Done. Easy. Anything else?"
—"Get me out of here."
Frank: —"Why?"
—"I've noticed at least five people tailing me. Tell them you don't know me and give me something to change into."
He handed me clothes—a sleek black hooded outfit.
Seeing I was satisfied, he added:
Frank: —"Since you're unofficially the new boss, I'll tell you this."(I need to send this kid far away from guild affairs.)
—"What?"
Frank: —"There's a problem in the city of Ataxia. Our men haven't reported their bonds in a while."
—"You want me to punish them?"
Frank: —"Just investigate. I'll compensate you with high-quality gear—you are the Guild Master, after all."(This guy must not get involved in administration at any cost.)
—"Fine. I'll go to Ataxia."(As long as I keep exploring this world, I don't mind.)
Frank: —"Then unofficially, you're the new Guild Master. Since you're stronger than me, you'll be the mercenaries' deity."
—"Don't be so— (What?)"
A system message appeared before my eyes.
[Ding!]
[System Notification: You are now the new head of the Mercenary Guild. You have obtained the title «Mercenary God».]
—"Show me my second title."
Title: «Mercenary God»
Rank: SSS
"One who surpasses a superhuman must be a demigod or a god.You are the existence mercenaries will respect and obey."
Mental Capacity +100%
Endurance +200%
Intimidation +400%
[System Note: This title is irrevocable and cannot be obtained by anyone else.]
—"Impressive… but I'll stick with my first title."
[Ding!]
As if the system heard me, a tutorial message appeared.
Tutorial messages are system prompts meant to help players grow or adapt to the game's theme.
Confused by the timing, Quincy explained:
[Master, that happened because you obtained your second title. Also, due to your «Player's Soul» trait, you're allowed to receive some system messages. ヘ(￣ω￣ヘ)]
—"But why now? This is suspicious."
[I don't know, Master… but I suggest you read it. (●__●)]
—"Fine."
[System Message: Titles have special effects and can be activated like active skills, though their cooldowns are random.]
When I finished reading, it clicked.
"So that's why the Luck stat matters so much. Nice. Might be better to develop a luck-related skill."
—"Quincy, we've got work to do."
[Master, and what would that be? (ಠಿ_ಠ)]
—"We're going all in to obtain a luck-based skill."
[But Master, that's unnecessary. Your Luck stat is already absurdly high. Why want more? (⊙_◎)]
—"Quincy, I live by one rule: prepare for anything."(These system messages are way too convenient. Better be ready.)
[Okay, Master. I'll raise your Luck stat. (─.─||)]
—"We're getting that skill before we leave for Ataxia."