{ Hidden Trial Activated }
Objective:
Achieve Champion Status inside the arena.
Time Limit:
72 Hours.
Reward:
???
Extra Reward:
???
Osric was baffled. The only thing that managed to surprise him this much was the system.
'What the fuck is this?'
'This is just ridiculous. Although I'm happy I got a rare trial after a while, instead of a challenge that also doesn't appear often and gives minimal rewards—
But I really hate not knowing something important.'
'At least I know the objective, but is that time limit really realistic?'
After his win over Adam, Osric was now in the middle ranks, though most considered him higher. He still lacked the numbers to climb higher, unless he took down more high rank elites.
'Well shit. Let's hope I don't get picked late, that way I can fight at least two before facing a high ranker for my third fight.'
To complete his objective, it was clear to Osric that two fights a night wouldn't suffice anymore, even though that was already a lot for elites.
Fortunately for him, tonight there were many elites participating.
'I have information on them all, but that's just personal information. I haven't seen them all fight in person, maybe eleven of them?'
Including himself, there were seventeen fighters. And five of those, he had never seen fight, so his plan was to stay clear from them.
'Although my information includes their unofficial ranks among the elite bracket, that doesn't necessarily determine their actual strength.'
As he looked at everyone more closely, he sighed internally.
'Might as well make some extra money from these fights.' He thought while looking at the nearest betting table.'
He then noticed something unpleasant.
Almost all of the elite fighter's eyes were on him.
'So that's how it is.'
Now Osric understood why there were more elites than usual tonight.
'I should've anticipated this. By making such an uproar these days as a new elite, it must've caught the interest of them all.'
Osric showed another rare smile as he looked back at them.
'Seems my plans to grow my reputation are working. I will gladly welcome all these challengers.'
A few of his potential opponents got goosebumps from his expression.
'What the hell is that smile?' One thought.
"Is that guy looking down on us?" Another grumbled.
'Haha, interesting kid.' A veteran thought to himself while grinning.
The spectators were also surprised.
Osric was normally calm and serious, which was already unusual for someone his age around here.
'Why are they looking at me with such weird looks?' Osric wondered.
He hadn't realised how creepy but menacingly he had smiled just seconds ago.
—
The first fight of the elite bracket started.
Two lower ranked fighters were facing each other, while fifteen others watched from the sidelines.
The two fighters in the pit clashed.
Rough.
Unrefined.
One relied on brute force, swinging wide with every strike. The other tried to keep distance, stepping back, throwing quick but shallow counters.
Osric watched silently.
'Too slow.'
The first man overcommitted on every attack.
'Wastes stamina.'
The second lacked power.
'Won't finish anything.'
A few more exchanges.
Predictable.
Repetitive.
The outcome became obvious before it happened.
The brawler rushed forward again—
Missed.
A counter landed cleanly.
Then another.
The fight ended shortly after.
One down.
Osric didn't react.
His attention had already shifted.
Not to the winner—
But to the fighters standing around him.
His eyes moved from one to another.
Measuring.
Comparing.
Adjusting.
'Not all of them came here just to fight.'
Some stood relaxed.
Too relaxed.
Confident.
Others looked focused.
Tense.
Prepared.
'Different intentions.'
He identified them quickly.
The ones eager to prove themselves.
The ones waiting for the right opportunity.
And the ones—
Waiting for him.
Osric's gaze paused briefly on one of the unfamiliar fighters.
Still.
Watching.
Not reacting to the previous fight at all.
'One of the five.'
He looked away.
'Avoid for now.'
Another one caught his attention.
A known fighter.
Upper mid-rank.
Good record.
But—
'Slow recovery.'
Osric had seen him fight before.
Strong.
But inefficient.
'Possible target.'
His mind began organizing everything.
Fighters.
Risks.
Opportunities.
Time.
Seventeen fighters today.
And who knows how many in the next three days.
'Too many variables.'
His eyes narrowed slightly.
'Then I'll reduce them.'
He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees.
Calmer now.
Focused.
'First—'
'I need clean wins.'
His gaze moved toward the referee.
Then back to the remaining fighters.
'And I need to get picked early.'
The next fight was already being prepared.
Osric didn't look at the pit this time.
He only watched the fighters.
Waiting.
For his turn.
A new fighter was called into the pit by the referee and he now had to choose his opponent.
He chose the only low rank that Osric hadn't seen fight before.
'Good. This is an opportunity to see whether he actually ranks low or not.'
Just like Osric, he was rather new to the elite bracket.
"—And his opponent is someone that has been making a wave in the regular bracket for a long time and recently moved up!"
"With a record of 31 wins and only 2 losses, please welcome—
Hugh The Ruthless!"
The crowd got louder this time.
"Ohh!"
"Hell yeah!"
"I saw him fight last time. His nickname fits him perfectly. He choked his opponent almost to death."
"I know. And the one before, he bit a guy's ear off."
"He's totally insane."
"I heard that no gang is interested in recruiting him, because he killed his last boss."
They kept talking about different rumours for a while.
Osric was also interested to see what he was like.
'Based on the information I have on him, he's one of the people I don't want anything to do with. He's among the biggest pieces of shit in this place.'
'Just allowing someone like him here, tells you just what kind of place the underground arena is.'
'They don't care, as long as it makes them money.'
While walking towards the middle of the pit, Hugh wasn't even paying attention to his opponent.
His eyes were solely focused on Osric.
He had a perverted grin on his face and it made Osric uncomfortable.
'How troublesome. Tonight won't be easy in the slightest.'