Raon let out a hollow laugh as he looked down at the entrance of the arena. "It's like a swarm of bees." Where did all these people come from? As soon as the weekend arrived, an uncountable number of spectators flooded the arena. It was unbelievable that they had all come to Hollam just to watch his duel with Martha.
"Well, we're both undefeated. I guess they're curious to see who will win." Since entering the arena, he and Martha had racked up overwhelming victories. News had spread that two fighters so strong that even the champion had hesitated to accept their challenge were going to face each other. It wasn't surprising that people were flocking from all over the continent.
"Was the betting odds even?" Martha had dominated her opponents with ferocious strength and raw power, while he had subdued his challengers using mocking psychological warfare and speed. Their contrasting styles only fueled the audience's expectations, splitting the odds evenly.
Raon twisted his lips as he watched a middle-aged man with slick blue hair swagger into the arena. "I wonder where that gambling addict placed his bet." Rimmer, disguised as a middle-aged nouveau riche, had been shuttling between gambling dens and bars all day. Judging by his slick, oily face, he seemed to be enjoying himself immensely.
"That Pointy Ears has improved his skills." Wrath glared at Rimmer, clearly displeased.
"Indeed. It's strange," Raon observed. Despite spending the entire day gambling and drinking, Rimmer's aura and movements remained stable. His improvement in such a short time puzzled everyone.
"Mental imagery is crucial," Wrath explained. "By the time you reach Grandmaster level, you can gain as much from mental practice as physical training." He snorted, telling Raon not to focus on just one aspect.
"A change in mentality, huh…" Raon recalled the sparring match at the head-of-house training ground. Rimmer's eyes and aura had clearly shifted, reflecting undeniable mental growth, even if his outward behavior still seemed lazy.
"But…" Raon's gaze drifted to the crowd. "When are those guys coming?" Though the arena was bursting with spectators, none of the Black Tower's demonized humans or the Holy Sword Alliance's Sword Fanatics had appeared.
"There's no way I could have missed them." He had been monitoring all the entrances since the first spectator arrived. Since he hadn't detected them, they must not have arrived yet.
"They'll definitely come." The Greedy Demon didn't lie when it came to money. Raon activated Wrath's demonic eyes to scrutinize the arena's interior and exterior more closely.
As the crowd began to settle, a group cloaked in black robes entered from the left corridor. Though their aura was suppressed, a sinister stench seeped from their robes.
"They're here. The Black Tower." The demonized humans' energy and presence emitted an unmistakably repulsive aura. Yet the figure at the forefront radiated no detectable aura.
"Is that Marang?" Black eyes gleamed from between the robes, cold and inhuman, like looking into darkness itself. As Denning Rose had said, he was a top-tier Grandmaster. Marang ignored the preliminary duels and headed straight for the top-floor viewing area.
Raon then turned his attention to the right corridor. Gray-clad swordsmen entered with every step radiating lethal precision.
"Holy Sword Alliance. That must be the White Demon Swordsman." Pale, elongated limbs and a naturally honed sword aura marked him as an equally formidable top-tier expert.
"Hmm…" Wrath stroked his chin, observing. "They're insignificant like insects to me, but not far behind your level. Can you really take down all three?"
"Not three, but two. And…" Raon's eyes flicked toward the viewing area. "If I can't handle that much, I might as well give up on revenge altogether." To defeat Derus Robert, one had to constantly face seemingly impossible challenges.
Raon returned to the waiting room.
"You're here!" Dorian bowed deeply. "The duel will start soon. Please get ready. And Rose said all the beasts are in position."
"Did you distribute all the antidotes?" Raon asked.
"Yes," Dorian replied quickly. "Tell them to drink just before the duel with Martha starts, as planned."
"It's okay. Think about the training you've done," Raon reassured him.
"Hmmph!" Dorian wiped his cold sweat and nodded, regaining confidence.
Tugui greeted Marang and the White Demon Swordsman warmly. "Welcome to Hollam." Marang scanned the Greedy Demon briefly, then seated himself silently. The White Demon Swordsman's gaze fixed on Raon and Martha.
"Are they naturals?" he asked.
"Yes. Both born naturals," Tugui confirmed. "How much for those two corpses?"
"A thousand," Marang answered without hesitation.
As the top-tier Grandmasters discussed deals, an enormous roar erupted from the arena.
"You know even a Transcendent Warrior would struggle with the three of us present." Tugui gestured downwards.
Below, Raon deflected Martha's fist filled with killing intent, calm amidst the chaos.
"How do you know that?" Martha gasped, throwing a left hook.
"I've recovered my aura," he said.
The poison had worn off thanks to his 'Poison Resistance' trait and the Ring of Fire.
"Then keep coming at me. With all you've got. We can't lose their attention now." Tugui, Marang, and the White Demon Swordsman were all watching. The duel was not just a battle—it was a distraction to allow the Light Wind division to prepare.
Martha's frenzy grew. Raon deftly countered her blows, striking back with precision, yet she pressed on, seemingly erasing all fear and pain.
"It's here." As Martha's aura recovered, Raon signaled the Light Wind division. Explosions roared throughout the arena, shaking the crowd.
Despite the chaos, Marang and the White Demon Swordsman remained composed, their attention now divided.
Martha leapt toward the top-floor viewing area, shattering glass, but enemy forces intercepted her. Crimson flames erupted beneath the arena, targeting Tugui, Marang, and the White Demon Swordsman.
"A pointless ambush," Tugui sneered.
Then, with surgical precision, a frost-imbued demonic sword plunged into Marang's chest, while a divine flame-wreathed sword sliced his neck. In an instant, Marang's body split into three pieces and burst into flames.
Shock registered in the eyes of the Greedy Demon and the White Demon Swordsman. Raon turned his back, golden light flashing in his red eyes.
"Next."