"What's the wager?" the man asked, a devilish grin stretching across his rugged face. It was the kind of grin that could silence a room—a grin that promised blood.
"If you lose," Inosuke said firmly, eyes gleaming with unshakable resolve, "you'll save your brother... and one more thing...you'll work for me."
He took a step forward, voice unwavering.
"But if I lose... the kingdom is yours."
Gasps rippled through the room.
Kaena's eyes widened, but then surprisingly she let out a low chuckle and shook her head. Typical Inosuke. Bold, reckless, and unpredictable.
The prisoner took a long, silent look at the young king standing before him. Something about Inosuke unsettled him not his strength, but his confidence. That unwavering gaze.
He blinked and smirked, pushing his doubts away. "So... what's the game we'll be playing?"
Inosuke exhaled. "You choose."
Even Kaena and Darneth were taken aback.
"You're letting him decide?" Kaena muttered.
"But I'm still your competitor," Inosuke added coolly, voice laced with subtle challenge.
The man stared at him in disbelief, then burst into laughter. It echoed down the stone corridor like thunder.
"Fine… this is going to be fun," he said. "We'll hold the game in the Grand Hall of Vel'Zhar, the arena of kings. It's where warriors once rose and fell to claim thrones… before greedy cowards buried the tradition."
Inosuke glanced at his system display. One hour left. Time was slipping like sand through his fingers.
"Fine," he said. "We'll discuss the rest at the hall. Kaena, Darneth—gather every civilian. Ten minutes. I want the whole kingdom watching."
He swung open the cell door.
The man cracked his neck, stepping out with a dark grin. "Let's go have some fun, shall we?"
15 Minutes Later — The Grand Hall of Vel'Zhar
Inosuke stood at the center of a vast, circular arena carved from obsidian and ancient stone. The seats surrounding him were filled with civilians, their whispers echoing through the Grand Hall. They'd come for answers but they were about to witness something far greater.
Opposite Inosuke stood the man his wild hair falling over his shoulders, his eyes burning with anticipation.
The Grand Hall had once been the battlefield where kings proved their worth through trial and combat. A sacred arena... now forgotten until tonight.
"So," Inosuke said, his voice steady and loud enough for all to hear, "what's the game?"
The man smiled, his voice rich with excitement. "Simple. We take turns. One strike at a time. No limits on power. You survive, you strike back. That work for you, King?"
Inosuke rolled his shoulders, grinning. "I thought you'd pick something harder... But alright. Let's get it over with."
He took a step forward, his grin sharpening. "Oh and make sure you use your full power. I'd hate to kill you by accident."
The man's laughter boomed.
"As you wish."
He closed his eyes. A whirlwind of dust spiraled around him. Then—BOOM! A surge of raw energy exploded outward. The crowd shielded their eyes from the shockwave.
As the dust settled, a new form stood in the ring his body compact and dense, muscles coiled like springs. His transformation was eerily similar to Kael's during the Calamity battle but this time, he'd shrunk to Inosuke's size.
"Our power scales with size," he explained, his voice distorted with energy. "The smaller we are... the deadlier we become. Now, transform."
Inosuke tilted his head. "Honestly? I didn't know any of that. But thanks for the warning."
He then smirked. "Oh, and one more thing… I'm not from Tharnak."
A wave of stunned gasps rolled through the crowd.
Not from Tharnak? The king… an outsider?
No one had ever questioned it. Not until now.
The transformed man's expression twisted in fury. He charged at blinding speed. Within a heartbeat, he was in front of Inosuke, his fist crackling with energy.
BOOM! Another explosion. Dust filled the arena.
The crowd screamed. The man brushed his hands off and turned away.
"What a waste of breath," he said. "I'm king now."
But then...
"And who crowned you?"
A voice,calm, cold, and laced with fury rumbled from the cloud of dust.
The arena fell silent.
A slow, deliberate step echoed in the silence. The dust parted. A figure emerged—Inosuke, brushing his jacket.
"You think one strike was enough?" his voice thundered. "I said one thing. Just one rule. And now you think you've won?"
His voice trembled with raw power.
A pulse of blue aura radiated from him,wild and overwhelming. It flooded the arena like a storm. The crowd trembled as the air turned electric.
The man stumbled back, eyes wide. This... this was no ordinary aura. It was primordial.
The dust finally cleared—and Inosuke stood tall. His eyes now glowed with pure, focused rage—like stars forged in war. Power curled around him like chains ready to snap.
The man fell to his knees,not from reverence... but from sheer terror.
This wasn't just a man standing before him.
It was a beast.
A conqueror.
A king to be feared by planets.
To be continued...