The referee, dressed in a blue suit, stepped onto the blood-soaked sand of the arena.
"Thank you for your patience!"
As he playfully bowed, the audience in the arena howled like monkeys, demanding to see the duel start quickly.
"As impatient as ever, I see. Very well. I dislike excessive chatter myself, so let's begin immediately."
The referee spread his arms wide and curled his lips, seemingly relishing the audience's reaction.
"Let me introduce our first duel of the day. With three consecutive victories since entering the arena, the fighter of monstrous strength! The Lion Fighter, Gamurin!"
As the introduction ended, the iron gate on the left opened, and a muscular young man over two meters tall walked out.
With each step, the sand beneath his feet sank deeply, revealing just how heavy he was.
"Graaah!" Gamurin let out a fierce roar, his face contorted. Even without aura, a palpable wave of energy emanated from him, making the flesh quiver.
"And his opponent, making her arena debut today, the one who tore apart a fighter's fist, the Blood-Toothed Woman, Maran!"
As the referee raised his right hand, the iron gate on the right opened, and Martha, her hair dyed red, walked out. Unlike Gamurin, she strode calmly to the center of the arena.
"Booooo!"
"The outcome is too obvious!"
"Why did you pair them up like this!"
"Are you trying to cheat us again!"
"Who would bet on this!"
The audience hurled insults at Martha and the arena, throwing their liquor bottles.
"This is going to be utterly tasteless today."
Gamurin frowned as he looked down at Martha. "Why do these bastards have such big mouths?"
Martha snorted, expressing her dislike for talkative people.
"You little rat bitch?"
"Yawn..."
She didn't fall for Gamurin's provocation, instead letting out a long yawn.
"Hey!" Gamurin gritted his teeth and called out to the referee.
"Start it now! I'll give you all the show you're expecting!"
He clenched his fist, veins bulging, vowing to crush Martha's throat.
"Then, let the first duel of today begin!"
As soon as the referee lowered his hand, Gamurin charged. He threw his massive fist with all his might, as if to obliterate Martha.
Wham!
Martha didn't dodge Gamurin's fist, instead standing her ground and taking the blow head-on.
"Huh..." Gamurin's jaw trembled as he saw that Martha hadn't budged an inch.
"Did a mosquito just bite me?"
Martha wiped the blood trickling from her lip, flashing a long smile.
"My turn now, isn't it?"
She gritted her teeth and threw her punch.
Bam!
Unlike Martha, Gamurin, hit squarely on the right cheek, flew back like a kicked ball and rolled on the ground.
"Ughh..." Gamurin groaned, unable to get up, seemingly in great shock.
"We're not done yet, are we?"
Martha revealed a blood-scented smile as she pummeled Gamurin's entire body as if doing laundry. The sand turned a deeper shade of red, and Gamurin sank, a bloody mess.
The arena, once filled with madness, fell silent as if it had become a library.
"M-Maran is the winner!"
The referee, seemingly caught off guard by this outcome, raised his hand towards Martha with trembling lips.
"Woooaaah!"
At that moment, those who lost money, those who won, and even those who had been hurling insults all cheered together. It was praise from those addicted to fighting, regardless of money.
"Shut up, all of you! It's too noisy!"
Martha waved her hand dismissively and headed back to the gate she had entered from.
"Impressive." Raon shook his head as he watched Martha's back. He had expected her to do well, but this was beyond expectations. Especially considering that Gamurin, her opponent, was from the Beast Union. To defeat a monster from the Beast Union, known for their physical prowess, without aura—it seemed likely to catch the attention of the Sword Lord of the Holy Sword Alliance and the Floor Master of the Black Tower.
"D-Did the beef girl choose the wrong profession?" Wrath blinked, suggesting this suited her better.
"Maybe so." Martha seemed fit to become the queen of this place and rule over Hollam.
"Hey. Drink this."
While Raon was chatting with Wrath, an arena staff member handed him a black glass bottle. It was the poison Denning Rose had mentioned, the one that erases aura.
He nodded and swallowed the poison. In less than a minute, he felt nothing, as if his aura had completely disappeared.
"However..."
He could neutralize it. With just the ability of the Ring of Fire, without even needing to draw upon Wrath, he could erase this poison itself.
"I could attack right now."
In this state, it seemed possible to ambush the Floor Master and Sword Lord, who might let their guard down thinking he had no aura.
"That'll do."
The arena staff member confirmed that Raon's aura had been erased and nodded towards the referee.
"While the excitement is still high! We'll begin the second duel. His footwork is on another level. On a six-win streak, the Speed of Light, Karam!"
With the referee's announcement, a lean old man resembling a grasshopper walked into the arena. Despite the description of his speed, his steps were slow, but they were the movements of a master.
"I wonder what this newcomer will show us! The Black Fox who toys with opponents like a fox! Amun!"
Raon entered the arena as he heard the name Amun called out.
"Puhehehe!" Wrath chuckled as he saw Raon's hair dyed black.
"A fox indeed! It's a fitting name for you."
He wondered how he could have such a fitting nickname.
"Hmm..." Raon smacked his lips as he touched his black hair. "It reminds me of my past life."
With black hair, he felt like he had returned to his past life. He rotated his wrist, deciding to move a bit more aggressively.
"Kid. Why don't you go drink some more of your mother's milk?" Karam stuck out his tongue mockingly.
"Old man. Have you picked out your grave yet?" Raon curled up the corners of his mouth as he looked up at Karam.
"Ah, I guess it doesn't matter. You'll just erode away if you're buried here anyway."
"You little brat..."
"You old geezer?"
Since Martha had been so taciturn, Raon deliberately rolled his tongue to mock his opponent.
"Grr..." Karam's complexion turned pale, as if resentful of being outmaneuvered psychologically.
"Ahahaha! It's heating up even before the duel begins!" The referee chuckled, clearly amused, as he raised his hand.
"Then, let the second duel begin!"
As soon as he lowered his hand, Karam moved. Even without using aura, he swept across the arena with footwork faster than most swordsmen.
"It's too late for regrets now. I'll strip the flesh from your bones and bury you in this sand!" Karam grinned like a demon as he thrust his hand towards Raon's left chest.
Whoosh! Raon easily avoided Karam's attack by simply rotating his ankle.
"T-This..." Karam's eyes widened, as if he couldn't believe his attack had failed.
"Save your dancing for the senior center." Raon planted his fist into the bewildered Karam's stomach.
"Gah!" Karam coughed up blood as he rolled on the ground. However, the impact didn't seem too severe as he slowly got back up.
"Aren't you going to end it in one hit?"
"I need to take a different approach from Martha."
Since Martha had demonstrated raw power and ferocity, he planned to use speed as his main weapon.
"You bastard!" Karam charged in with even greater speed. Raon effortlessly evaded his strikes and countered with punches to the chest and thighs.
"Ugh..." Karam doubled over, his whole body trembling. Still, he showed some resilience.
"You should be watching your grandkids' antics at your age, not putting yourself through this." Raon looked down at Karam and snorted.
"You brat!" Karam charged forward, gnashing his teeth. He stabbed alternately with both hands like a praying mantis, his movements so fast they were barely visible.
Thud! Raon, without retreating, caught both of Karam's arms.
"Huh?" Karam's eyes widened in disbelief, unable to comprehend how his wrists had been caught.
"Next time, choose your opponents more carefully." Raon flashed a smile before striking Karam's chin with his toes.
Bam! Karam spat blood as he was sent flying, landing upside down in the sand.
"A-Amun is the winner!"
Perhaps because it was the second time, the referee regained his composure faster than before and announced Raon's victory.
"Woooooah!"
"This is even more exciting than the main event!"
"These newcomers are all amazing!"
"Where did these guys come from?"
The audience cheered, shaking their fists in approval. Even those who had lost money were smiling, proving they were truly addicted to combat.
"Is this even allowed?" Martha gritted her teeth and shook her head.
"When are they coming anyway!"
"You've already surpassed the champion in popularity." Raon tilted his head. Thanks to her aggressive fighting style and attractive appearance, Martha was enjoying even greater popularity in this arena than the champion.
"The same goes for you!" Martha wrinkled her nose as she looked at Raon.
"There are even more crazy fans who like you because of your sharp tongue!"
"Still not as much as you. Your matches are always sold out." Raon shrugged his shoulders.
"Ah, champion or whatever! It's annoying! I just want to swing my sword!"
Wrath trembled as he watched Karam being dragged away with his teeth knocked out.
"It's fine. They're all villains anyway." Raon waved his hand, saying there were no sane people here.
"No matter how I look at it..." He furrowed his brow. "You seem like the biggest villain here, don't you?"
A month and a half had passed since they entered Hollam. Thanks to the ample time, the Light Wind division had settled in without arousing suspicion, but the Sword Lord of the Holy Sword Alliance and the Floor Master of the Black Tower showed no signs of appearing.
"At this rate, we'll really become the champions!" Martha messed up her hair in frustration, saying she wanted to train properly.
"Rimmer! Why is that guy enjoying himself in the bar while we're stuck here!"
She bit her lip, envious of Rimmer who was enjoying drinks and gambling while disguised as a human.
"We don't have much time left. If they don't show up in two weeks, we'll withdraw."
They couldn't wait here indefinitely, so they were scheduled to be replaced by the next sword team in two weeks. Whether something happened or not, they would have to leave soon.
Knock knock.
As Raon was trying to console Martha, a knock sounded at the door.
"Are you there?"
It was Dorian. Employed as an arena staff member, he bowed deeply.
"What is it?" Martha hardened her voice coldly, aware that others might be outside.
"The manager has asked me to bring you both." Dorian chuckled, saying there was no need for them to move separately.
"Understood."
"Another duel?" Raon and Martha patted Dorian's shoulder and headed upstairs.
"Welcome." Oberin, the referee and manager of this arena, bowed his head.
"What's the matter?" Raon nodded at Oberin.
"The master wishes to see you."
Despite their winning streak, they hadn't met the arena's owner yet. It seemed like something was finally changing.
"He's asking us to come to him?" Martha frowned, expressing her displeasure.
"Haha, you won't regret it if you go." Oberin carefully bowed his head and pointed to the top floor of the arena.
"Let's go. I don't like wasting time." Raon said curtly and started climbing the stairs first.
"Hmph." Martha snorted and reluctantly followed behind.
"Please come in."
As Oberin opened the door to the top floor, an enormous and luxurious room that was unimaginable in a lawless zone came into view.
The walls were covered in pure gold, priceless paintings and swords adorned each pillar, and countless jewels were spread out like flowers in a garden.
It felt like viewing the royal palace of a country rather than an arena in a lawless zone.
"Welcome."
A man sitting in the center of the room stroked his chin. Every one of his fingers bore a ring, each glittering with a different gemstone.
"I am Tugui."
The man who introduced himself as Tugui exuded a fierce aura like a wild beast, in contrast to the luxurious items filling the room.
"So this is Tugui..."
Once a promising knight of Owen, this criminal who had betrayed his comrades and fled in pursuit of money had become a monster called Tugui—the Greedy Demon—in this desolate land.
"He's strong." Raon had thought he might have weakened due to indulgence in pleasure, but the aura he sensed far exceeded his expectations. Although he couldn't gauge it precisely without using aura, Tugui was at least a high-level Grandmaster or above.
"Why did you call us?" Martha tilted her chin as she looked at Tugui.
"Please, have a seat first." Tugui offered them seats, gesturing for them to make themselves comfortable.
"Tch."
"You're being a nuisance."
Raon and Martha sat down on the left and right sides, frowning.
"Thanks to you two, I'm making an abundance of money, so I thought it only proper to greet you. And..." Tugui licked his lips and spread his hands. "I have a proposal to make."
"A proposal?" Raon narrowed his eyes as he looked at Tugui.
"I'm planning to hold a large-scale duel this weekend. I'd like you two to be the main event." Tugui twisted his lips into a smile as he pointed at Raon and Martha.
An all-in match where the winner takes all. Many people, including VIPs, will gather.
He laughed, saying money would pile up endlessly.
"That happens every day, doesn't it?"
"No, the reward is different. The winner of that duel will receive 10% of the profits." Tugui fingered his jewel-encrusted ring, saying it was enough money to live comfortably for a lifetime.
"Fight with all your might. No, it won't end until one of you dies anyway." His eyes flashed yellow like gold coins.
"So that's why you haven't pitted us against each other until now." Martha frowned, saying she now understood why she hadn't been matched against Raon.
"I smelled money on you two. Couldn't let you fight in some shabby arena." Tugui nodded, saying she was correct.
"I don't like the sound of these VIPs." Raon glanced at Tugui, lowering his eyebrows.
"Are you asking us to perform like circus animals in front of those well-dressed, self-important applauders?"
"They're different from those riffraff. People with real money will be coming."
"Real money?"
"Well, the duel isn't the main purpose, but I hate being looked down upon." Tugui slammed his large hand on the platinum table, saying he wanted to show these important people a proper fight.
"It's certain. It's them."
Hearing Tugui's words, Raon became certain that the VIPs coming this weekend were the Floor Master of the Black Tower and the Sword Lord of the Holy Sword Alliance.
"I'm in. I've been wanting to kill that guy with my own hands anyway." Martha's eyes blazed with bloodlust, seeming not to be an act but genuine intent.
"I'm fine with it too. There's no reason to do this if not for the money anyway." Raon nodded, observing Martha's fierce expression.
"I like your straightforwardness!" Tugui nodded as if he had expected this response.
"To commemorate this, let me treat you today!" As he clapped his hands, the door opened and an array of food and drinks poured in.
"Oh, he seems like a good guy!" Wrath smacked his lips, saying Tugui seemed like a nice person for providing free food.
"Please enjoy yourselves." Tugui took a swig of alcohol first, letting out an exaggerated laugh.
"A good guy?" Raon sneered after tasting the suspiciously glistening food and drinks.
"As expected, he's not a good guy, but someone who deserves to die."
"What do you mean?"
"The food and drinks are poisoned."
"P-Poison?" Wrath trembled in shock.
"And not just any poison, but one that builds up madness."
The food Tugui provided contained blood madness herb, which slowly builds up insanity until one becomes a bloodthirsty monster. A small amount is fine, but continuous consumption would lead to loss of mental control.
It was suspicious from the moment he offered to give them a share. There was no way that money-obsessed demon would share his profits. He was hoping that Raon and Martha would both die during their duel.
"I've decided." Raon tore into a chicken leg ravenously, letting out a sinister smile.
"I'll erase this Greedy Demon too."
As soon as dawn broke after the drinking session ended, Raon explained the situation to Denning Rose.
"That's right." Denning Rose nodded quickly.
"Given the detected movements of the Holy Sword Alliance and the Black Tower, it's definitely that day." She said with certainty as she placed markers for the Holy Sword Alliance and the Black Tower on the map of Hollam.
"Who's coming?"
"Well..." Denning Rose let out a long sigh as she pointed to the markers of the Holy Sword Alliance and the Black Tower.
"From the Black Tower, Marang is coming, and from the Holy Sword Alliance, the White Demon Swordsman is moving." She bit her lip as she continued.
"Both of them are high-level or top-level Grandmasters." Denning Rose exhaled heavily, saying the situation had become extremely dangerous.
"We didn't know monsters of that caliber would be moving. Maybe we should request backup even now..."
"No." Raon calmly shook his head. "We
can handle this ourselves."
"What? But with the Greedy Demon included, that's three high-level Grandmasters or above! Their subordinates are no ordinary fighters either, and there are countless numbers of them..." Denning Rose's chin trembled, implying it was impossible for the Light Wind division alone.
"If we can't overcome this much, we won't be able to participate in future battles."
If the Light Wind division couldn't resolve this mission, they would remain mere spectators in the war against Derus. This mission would be the watershed moment determining the division's standing.
"Then, the three Grandmasters..."
"The Vice Leader will handle one of them."
"But that still leaves two." Denning Rose's fingertips trembled as she pointed out that this was the biggest problem.
The two...
Raon placed his hand on the hilt of the Heavenly Drive. His eyes burned with an intensity surpassing the rising sun.
"I will cut them down."