The hall was massive—grand, luxurious, and yet filled with a tension so thick I could barely breathe. Crystals suspended from the ceiling cast a dim light over polished black marble, giving the place an air of divine judgment.
The number one ranked fighter in the Diamond League—the top of the top—stared straight into my eyes. Cold. Tired. But certain.
He finally spoke.
— I'll accept two of your three conditions. I'll free the slaves. I'll improve the conditions of the lower-ranked arenas... — he paused, letting the silence wrap around us like a noose — but Ciny can't enter.
My blood boiled instantly.
I took a step forward, the sound of my boots echoing like thunder against the stone floor.
— What? Why?! Why can't Ciny enter?!
He looked away for a second. There was something... dark in that glance. Like he was reliving a nightmare he'd tried to forget.
— I've fought her before. She's not who you think she is. Ciny... is a beast. A monster in human skin. She's an assassin.
I clenched my fist so hard it trembled. And without thinking, I slammed it down on the table before me. The sound cracked through the hall like a whip.
— I don't care. I don't care if you're Bronze, Gold, Diamond... or even some god. I won't let anyone speak ill of Ciny in front of me!
I turned around, not even waiting for his reaction.
— I don't need your damn terms. And I don't plan to stay in this arena for much longer.
I stormed out.
The room they gave me was absurd—massive, extravagant, probably worth more than every house I'd ever seen combined. There was a bed the size of a ship, floating candles, and even a steam bath in the corner.
But it felt... empty.
Too empty.
No footsteps, no laughter, no teasing voice. No Ciny.
It was strangely quiet—uncomfortably so. And I hated it.
Knock knock.
Someone tapped at the door. I blinked, snapped out of my thoughts, and walked toward it—but before I could even reach the handle, the door creaked open.
She waltzed in like she owned the place.
— Miss me already, stallion?
Ciny. Same smirk, same fire in her eyes. Same chaos in my peaceful moment.
— I'd say no... but I kind of miss your noise.
— I know, handsome. — She winked and got closer. — Y'know... we could sleep together tonight. Like a couple...
I felt my face go red. But I didn't back down. I didn't say no, either.
— Ooh, the sexy boy's gone quiet? That means you're thinking about it, huh?
Then, without thinking, I pinned her gently onto the bed. Her eyes widened.
— J-John...? I didn't expect you to be this... aggressive...
But something was off.
I wasn't... moving. Not on my own. My body froze. I couldn't speak. Couldn't think. Just—nothing.
She noticed.
Her gaze shifted to my neck—and then she screamed.
— YOU BITCH!!
From the shadows, a laugh echoed—cold and twisted. A woman emerged, draped in black veils, her eyes like bottomless pits.
A witch.
— But isn't this what you wanted, sweetheart? John, all to yourself?
— Let him go, you damn witch!
— Oh, you two are no fun.
She waved a finger lazily, and I felt the mark on my neck vanish. Like a curse breaking, my body collapsed, and I gasped for air.
— Wh... what the hell just happened?
— I'm the arena witch — she said casually, as if she were offering tea. — And I came to make a deal. I know your mana channels are damaged. I might be able to fix them.
— Of course there's a catch... — I muttered, still reeling.
— Naturally. Everything has a price. But if you accept my terms, your problem can be solved.
— And what do I have to do?
— John, no! — Ciny shouted. — This could be a trap! Or a mana pyramid scheme!
— I don't have many choices, Ciny. Without mana, I can't survive out there, let alone fight.
The witch's lips curled into a grin. The kind of grin that made your spine want to crawl away on its own.
— It's simple. You just need to defeat the strongest fighter in the arena. The Diamond League's number one.
Silence.
Me and Ciny exchanged a glance.
Same thought. Same reaction.
— What the actual hell...?