The arena's rules were simple: fight with your weapon and skills. Items from quests, consumables, and anything expendable were banned.
Killing was forbidden, but brutal, potentially lethal injuries weren't condemned. You fought as if lives were on the line.
Before his friends stepped into the arena, Ace got their attention and gave a few pointers.
"Alex, you remember you can't use provoking skills on Rankers, right?" he asked his tank.
Alex nodded. "Yeah."
Ace turned to Chaewon. "It's a duel, but if you go easy on them, you'll regret it. I'm not asking you to kill Edward, but fight to permanently disable him."
Chaewon didn't reply. She swallowed and nodded.
"Just as Chaewon hasn't learned much from her Aquasteel Grimorie, you haven't learned much from your Holy Codex," Ace told Mercer. "In this duel, watch your position. Don't let them reach you easily or use you as bait to draw out Chaewon. Understood?"
"Yes, big bro," Mercer said with a decisive nod.
