Arthur, dressed in his usual outfit with his katana at his waist, walked through the streets of Athens, witnessing the excitement of the people around him. The arena was not just a battlefield, it was a chance for people to prove themselves to the gods, and not everyone could attain such a chance.
The Purification Flame, also known as the Celestial Flame, responded to Arthur's will. His blood boiled for battle; the path of a warrior is always paved with blood.
Lamia and I are heading to the arena. It's crowded—it seems like the qualifying matches are happening. According to the information we got from the inn, this will be a battle royal, and the main matches will start two days later. Only the last one standing will advance to the next stage.
You're not afraid to show your red lightning. Zeus has countless bastard sons.
[Quest: Become #1]
[Reward: Aetherion, Sword of the Crimson Storm]
[Punishment: Say goodbye to your little brother]
What is this sword? What's with this?
(System, what does this sword mean? Is it strong? And what's with that punishment!!!? You're playing dirty, System!)
[The reward is given in accordance with the punishment, and this sword is the most powerful weapon suitable for you across the multiverse.]
(Multiverse? Tell me more.)
[Rejected. The host is too weak. Access to information denied.]
(Hmph, system, you're terrible. Whatever, just show me the description of the sword.)
[Name: Aetherion]
[Description: Aetherion is a legendary sword blessed with celestial flames and crimson lightning, graspable only by the hands of gods. Its surface gleams like a dark red crystal, sparking with lightning at each swing. It offers an unmatched balance of physical sharpness and energy-based attacks.]
When Arthur saw this, his hands trembled. He didn't know what to do. This... this is madness.
With this, I'll have a weapon worthy of Zeus' lightning.
[Host is too arrogant. Zeus stands at the summit of the peak, chief god, and with his lightning can even challenge stronger beings.]
(What nonsense is this? What do you mean by peak chief god level? How strong is that?)
[A power at the chief god level is strong enough to detonate a star like the sun. In peak chief god level, they can do more.]
(This… this is madness. Then why did I rise to silver so quickly?)
[Because when the system purified your bloodline, it awakened at least half of your body's potential. Currently, 50% of your bloodline is pure, which brings your potential close to Zeus' level.]
(Only 50%? Why?)
[Because you haven't aged enough to awaken your full bloodline. If you purify it completely, you may inherit the divinity of your grandfather—Cronos or Ouranos.]
(Hahahahaha, this is madness. Alright, system, I'll be looking forward to it with four eyes.)
As Arthur conversed with the system, time passed. He finally reached the registration area. Lamia stroked his hair before heading to the stands:
"You can do it, Arthur. I'll be watching you."
Then she ran off.
(Oh gods, this woman is impossible. My face is red… Even though I'm not embarrassed, being treated like a child is both sweet and shameful.)
Finally, it was my turn. I looked at the attendant. He looked back into my eyes:
"Name and reason for participation?"
Still looking into his eyes, I replied:
"My name is Arthur. My reason for joining… is to test myself."
He looked at me with a hint of doubt, then pulled out a seal and stamped it on my hand. Ether swirled around it—I could feel it.
"This seal won't go away until the matches end. Be careful, kid. Don't die."
I gave him my most innocent smile:
"Don't worry, uncle. I'll follow your advice."
His eye twitched. Probably angry that I called him uncle.
Arthur gave a farewell nod and waited in line to fight in the arena. At that moment, his mind drifted elsewhere.
He remembered what Lamia had said: "I'll be watching you."
But a thought crossed Arthur's mind:
She smiles a little, makes me blush, and then disappears. Is she messing with me or what?
Moving quickly past the attendant, he found himself among the crowd.
The voices echoing around him, the excited shouts… The arena was heating up.
"Battle royal, huh? More trouble… Alright then, dead or alive, we'll put on a show!" he thought.
As he slowly walked toward the entrance arena, he felt the weight of his katana on his waist. Meanwhile, his thoughts drifted:
This is it. This is a true battlefield. I can feel the powerful people around me.
Soon, he was in front of the massive gates of the arena. The giant doors creaked open, and the view before Arthur seemed to say:
"There is a reward for the one who survives here—funerals for the rest."
This arena in Athens is a sacred place where battles and tournaments dedicated to the gods are held.
It is a battlefield that tests not just physical strength but also will and honor.
The shadow of the Acropolis falls over the arena, which is surrounded by statues.
The arena is encircled by wide stone stands—I can see the people, the priests, the oracles.
The ground is reinforced with divine seals—I can feel that too.
Everyone is shouting like crazy, and the cheers echo throughout all of Athens.
Arthur steps into the arena, the last to enter. Inside, there are at least 50 others.
Only the last one standing wins.
The fifty of us formed a circle. I was ready to draw my katana at any moment.
Suddenly, an official entered and everyone went silent, as if waiting for him.
The official stood at the center of the arena, his voice deep and echoing.
"Welcome, brave warriors! The eyes of the gods are upon all of you. In this sacred arena, you will have the chance to earn the favor of the gods with the courage and power you display!"
He looked around, his gaze touching each fighter's eyes:
"This is no ordinary battlefield! Every move, every decision is watched by the gods. If you win, glory and fame await; if you lose… nothing will remain."
"If you're ready, let's begin. 3… 2… 1…
Begin!"
The shouting in the arena made it impossible to hear anything else.
People began attacking each other.
I walked toward the center of the arena.
Soon, a bald man stood in front of me and raised his sword. As he was about to strike, I drew my katana and slashed him at the neck, his head fell off. A bit of blood splattered, but my robe remained clean—all thanks to my exceptional powers.
Then the other began to rush me, one by one. Suddenly, three attacks came—one aiming at my throat, one at my stomach, and one at my shoulder.
Thanks to my sixth sense, I saw it all before it happened. Red lightning surged. I swung my katana in a crescent shape.
The first two were split in half. But the last one's sword pierced my shoulder.
From the wound, celestial flames erupted.
I grabbed the man's wrist and, before he could move, drove my katana through his heart. He fell to his knees, and I withdrew my blade and pulled out the sword from my shoulder.
In the middle of the arena, I looked like a demon.
Everyone seemed afraid.
I was grinning like a demon risen from the underworld. Surrounded by crimson lightning, I slashed through all my enemies without thinking. The more I killed, the stronger I became. There was nothing left to kill.
Finally, I had reached Silver (Peak) level.
Only the sound of blood split in the arena remained. The last man had fallen.
I cleaned my katana with a single swing, then sheathed it.
As the celestial flames slowly withdrew from my body, red lightning continued to spark around me.
And then…
"Arthur! Arthur! Arthur!"
The cheers from the stands started as a whisper, then became a roar. Dozens, hundreds, thousands were shouting his name. His name echoed off the stone walls of Athens, bouncing back from the sky.
"Arthur! The Miracle Child!"
"The Crimson Lightning!"
Beneath the eyes of the statues, under the shadow of the Acropolis, in an arena devoted to the gods, his name was being sanctified.
The official coughed:
"Alright, Miracle Child. You've earned the right to move on to the next stage."
I vanished from everyone's sight and returned to the inn with Lamia.
Just like that, this cursed day was over.