The crowd was still buzzing from the last fight when another challenger stepped into the ring.
This guy was different. He had watched Leo's bouts and knew he was outmatched, but he still came forward anyway.
First, it was for the experience. Opportunities to test yourself against a real powerhouse didn't come along every day.
Second… losing to a strong opponent wasn't shameful. It was something you could brag about for the rest of your life. Around the campfire or over drinks, he could casually drop, "Yeah, I once crossed swords with that eastern lord in the lists."
With that mindset, the challenger stepped up with real spirit.
Leo read the look in his eyes instantly. The man was excited, even throwing out a few respectful compliments before the fight started.
Mutual respect goes both ways.
Remembering how Barristan had handled his own matches, Leo decided to give the guy proper honor and stretch the fight out a few more rounds.
The crowd got exactly what they wanted—an intense, heart-pounding duel.
When Leo finally won, he walked over, offered the man a hand, and pulled him up.
"Not bad at all," Leo said.
The challenger looked stunned, then broke into a huge grin. He grabbed Leo's right hand and thrust it high in the air, showing the crowd who the victor was.
The roar that followed was deafening. The loser walked away with his head held high, proud of the fight he'd given.
That single moment lit a fire in the other freeriders and sellswords watching from the sidelines. They traded glances, made up their minds, and started lining up.
Leo hadn't expected that reaction, but after a second it clicked.
A tourney wasn't just about winning—it was a giant social event. Sure, victory brought glory, but a good showing in defeat could still boost your name. For a common freerider or sellsword, crossing blades with a proven strongman was free advertising. "I fought that guy and lived to tell about it."
Got it.
No more half-assing the act. Time to lean all the way in—fight like a true champion, show the losers respect, give the crowd the emotional payoff they craved, and turn this whole ring into his personal spotlight.
Then the EXP would keep rolling in on its own.
He could already see the endless line of walking experience bags heading his way.
Sure enough, another sellsword stepped up right away, politely asking for a chance to learn from Ser Neo.
Leo accepted, of course.
Not only did he fight—he pointed out the man's mistakes mid-battle and gave real advice on how to fix them. Every exchange sharpened Leo's own understanding too, turning the melee into a live masterclass.
The fight ended in a flashy, crowd-pleasing finish. The defeated challenger actually looked thrilled as he thanked Leo on his way out.
EXP was low again—only four hundred and change.
Leo made a mental note: teaching or holding back too much tanked the payout. To maximize EXP he probably needed straight-up hostile intent from the opponent, or at least a real desire to beat him.
He'd test that theory later.
The spectators were in awe. They could see Leo was on another level, and their respect turned into outright worship.
Word spread fast. More and more sellswords and freeriders decided they wanted their shot too.
Leo took them all. One after another, like a nonstop gauntlet. He kept winning, racking up thousands more EXP until his bar sat at 8,723/19,200.
The crowd was stunned by his stamina. No matter how many brutal fights he went through, he never looked truly winded.
Of course he didn't. [Victory Rush] kept topping him off after every kill or solid hit. The crowd just saw an endless-energy monster.
Still, even Leo had limits. After so many bouts he was actually starting to feel it.
The commotion had drawn a massive crowd—three or four rings deep. People were running around telling everyone a monster was on a fifteen-plus win streak. The whole area packed tighter and tighter.
That was when Leo spotted a familiar scarred face in the mob.
The Hound.
Sandor Clegane stood there in full armor, hand resting on his sword hilt, staring straight at Leo with those cold, burned eyes.
"Didn't expect to see you here," Leo called out with a grin. "You looking for round two?"
The Hound's face stayed blank. "Was planning on it. But watching you fake being tired the whole time… beating you now wouldn't mean shit."
"Besides, we'll meet again in the jousts soon enough—if you don't get knocked out or injured before then. I'll drag you off your horse fair and square, then plant my boot right up your ass."
Leo laughed. He knew the Hound wasn't the monster most people thought, but once Sandor set his mind on something, he followed through.
"Looking forward to it," Leo answered. "See you on the lists."
The Hound grunted, shoved his way back through the crowd, and left without another word.
"Next challenger—freerider Rebb from the Stormlands—"
Leo rolled his shoulders, ready to keep farming.
Then he actually got a good look at the new guy and paused.
This challenger wasn't wearing the usual patched leather. He was in a full suit of steel plate—helm down, visor lowered, face completely hidden. The armor was plain and well-used, but still a serious investment for any common sellsword or freerider.
He carried an oversized longsword and stood almost as tall as Leo.
This one was no pushover.
"Come on," Leo said, settling into a fighting stance.
To his surprise, the armored man spoke in a low, deliberately muffled voice.
"Take a moment to catch your breath first. I don't want to win by default."
A freerider with actual honor?
Interesting.
Author's Note
First off, thank you to every single reader who's been supporting this book. I really appreciate it!
I've seen a ton of comments roasting me in the review section, so I figured it was time to address a few things directly. I tried replying to some of you individually, but the writer assistant kept eating my responses, so here we are—one big single chapter to clear the air.
Disclaimer: These are just my personal thoughts and opinions. If you disagree, you're right. I respect every reader's viewpoint. The only comments I delete are straight-up personal attacks.
There's a one-star review on the front page calling the MC trash. Anyone new who clicks in will see it right away and probably bounce. Friends told me to delete it. I didn't. Everyone has the right to their opinion, and different people see things differently. That's fine.
Now, let's get to the main points.
1. Onyxia's late appearance and people calling me a liar
I admit it—I messed up the pacing on this. My bad.
Onyxia is ridiculously strong. If she showed up too early and started helping the MC, the whole story would turn into a boring stomp-fest where no one else gets to play. That's why I set her up with major conflict—she won't even talk to the MC right now. They'll slowly work things out later.
Quick spoiler (you've been warned): I'm already on chapter 114, and Onyxia makes her proper debut in chapter 57. Not lying—proof is in the drafts.
I'm trying to avoid hiatus and stockpile chapters for a big release after going premium, so rewriting everything would be a massive pain. Sorry about that.
2. People saying the MC is too bootlicking and full of hot air
Here's my take: the MC just crossed over into a strict feudal world. He has a system and a dragon, but those are long-term assets. Right now, in front of actual nobles and kings, he can't act like a typical hot-blooded protagonist who mouths off to everyone.
A little politeness, some well-placed compliments, even saying things he doesn't fully mean—that's strategy, not bootlicking.
Do I think I wrote him as overly flattering? Not really. But if being courteous and giving praise counts as bootlicking to you, then yeah, you're right.
As for the boasting? That's how he builds his identity. Out here, you make your own reputation. Like the old saying goes: no connections, no background? You're just another nobody. You wouldn't even get through the Red Keep gates.
The MC will gradually build real power and forces. A lot of the "bullshit" he's spouting early on? It might actually come true later.
3. About the book's setting
The MC crossed over with a heavily modded WoW Warrior system. He starts at level 1—like a normal person. He has system assistance and the talent of his game avatar, but he still has to grind levels step by step.
I'm not copying WoW lore 1:1. There will be changes. If something conflicts with the game, that's the "mod." (Truth is, I'm not super familiar with WoW's deep plot—I mostly just farmed raids.)
4. Haven't thought of anything else yet… so that's it for now.
New books are tough. Please go easy on me in the comments. If you can drop a follow,or just keep reading, I'd be extremely grateful.
Thank you all!