The host’s voice sounded out again.

“Our matches are set! As always three tournaments will be ongoing at the same time! Let’s unearth the potential of all our aspirants!”

“Let’s. Start. The. Fiiiight!

Meanwhile the warriors waited in apprehension, only able to listen to the noise. Suddenly a staff ran into the room. They painted heavily as they shouted at the warriors:

“Thunder, Unbreakable Shield, Webslinger, Green Giant, Living Armor, Hawk, get ready, you have the first round!

Remember: give us a show! Fight seriously, but don’t kill! The referee ends the fight if no one admits defeat!”

Six people separated from the crowd. Others patted their shoulders, wishing them good luck, or cursed that they didn’t get the first fight.

Tepo looked at the scene with mixed emotions. When he heard about these tournaments, he expected them to be more serious. But at least he achieved his goal of earning some crystals.

Towards the side a part of the wall suddenly vanished, revealing a short set of stairs. The mentioned warriors adjusted their facial expressions before leaving the room.

Those left behind could only wait anxiously as the wall turned solid again, leaving them to guess the fights’ outcome based on the noise.

A few minutes later the competitors returned with varying injuries. Webslinger and Living Armor had to be supported by staff and were hastily carried out of the room searching for a medic.

“Haha, Green Giant, what did you do to Webslinger? Did he steal your girlfriend?”

A chilling glint abruptly flashed in Green Giant’s eyes, freezing the amiable atmosphere. The warrior regretted asking, gulped, and shifted his body to hide behind others.

Luckily the staff began announcing the second round, letting everyone focus on the tournament.

Two more rounds passed until the staff finally called up Deep and Geyser.

Tepo and Yerive let out long breaths.

“Good luck!”

“You got this!”

The two friends encouraged each other as they and six others went up the stairs.

The noise from outside echoed in the broad tunnel as the warriors arrived.

“Ladies and Gentlemen! What a fight! The white eagle spread his wings and sored to the sky, leaving Flaming Hound in the dust!”

“White! White! White!”

“No! My money!”

“Haha, I’m rich! I will join the forum tomorrow!”

The host had a smile on his face as he observed the excited audience.

“Now, let’s not delay and directly start the next round!

In the three-circled tournament we have a newcomer, Geyser, against the previous newcomer Young Storm!”

“Oh! A newcomer?”

“Can Young Storm handle it? He never managed to stand out!”

“My bet is on the newcomer!”

Somewhere in the crowd Droa’va and Inurol’ah perked up. So far only the former enjoyed watching the fights. But they could naturally guess who the newcomer was. With their friends participating, the stakes were raised.

“What do you think? Can Yerive win?”, asked Droa’va, clapping excitedly.

“No idea. But… so far, he didn’t show much strength. I can only wish him good luck.”

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

“And Tepo?”

“Hmpf. He had such a confident face, if he loses in the first round, I will haunt him for life!”

While the two women discussed, the host continued:

“In the six-circled fight, another newcomer, Deeeeep! He will face off against the one-time champion, Clawing Lion!”

“And in the nine-circled fight, a duel of the highest level, the much-anticipated rematch between Old Fisher and Violet Stone!”

A tremble ran through the tunnel. Deep, or Tepo, felt a pressure on his chest as he eyed the burly man with long-haired fur around his neck next to him. Although he was confident, he didn’t underestimate someone who won a tournament before.

Suddenly Tepo and Yerive noticed that their competitors began moving. They kept up hastily, advancing as the sun slowly embraced their bodies.

The audience erupted in tumultuous cheers as the combatants appeared from the tunnel.

The six men came to a stop at the side of the arena. Tepo and Yerive followed their fellow warriors’ example.

Suddenly small platforms separated from the ground beneath their feet, began levitating, letting them circle the arena a few times, before bringing them to their designated positions.

Tepo found the air around him drying up. The platform glided downwards, delivering him into the earth-themed square. From the corner of his eye, he saw Yerive in the water-themed part.

But now all his attention had to be put on his opponent. The Clawing Lion stretched his muscular, bare upper body as he flirted with the audience.

Tepo observed him closely, already trying to find hints about the man’s fighting style.

Another platform slowly entered their square. It carried a woman in loose black clothes with the word referee on her chest.

“You both know the rules. What I say goes here! Understood?”

Seeing both combatants nod, the referee was satisfied and gave the signal:

“Combatants, enter the ring!”

With those words Tepo saw his opponent’s leg muscles tighten. He let out a hearty laughter before jumping high in the air and crashing into the ground, purposely creating the biggest impact possible.

Tepo understood that they were asked to leave the platform. He did a simple jump, landing softly on the rocky ground.

Familiarizing himself with the environment Tepo took light steps left and right, his eyes scanning the hard boulders and patches of soft soil.

“Hey, featherweight! Stop fidgeting! If you’re nervous, you can just admit defeat now!”

A loud taunt suddenly echoed in the area. The crowd laughed or booed at Clawing Lion.

“Newcomer, come on, shut him up!”

Tepo frowned faintly but he understood the assignment. Although he wasn’t one to talk much in a fight, it was necessary to make his name known.

“I, Deep, let my knife do the talking!”

Clawing Lion laughed boisterously. He flexed his muscles before dramatically putting on sharp claws over his fist.

Tepo raised his brow faintly.

Is this to show your method of attack to your opponent? Is this considered good sportsmanship?

With those thoughts Tepo suddenly took out his pistol. He spun it around his finger in a showoff manner, throwing it into the air, catching it, and aiming at his opponent, before putting it away again.

The referee watched the show silently but now she rose her hand, getting everyone’s attention.

“Are both contestants ready for a fight to the death?

Yes?

Then… 3, 2, 1, FIIIGHT!”

The referee’s voice overlapped with the host’s, giving the signal in all rings. Suddenly the atmosphere turned tense.

Tepo stared at his opponent silently, studying his movements. The Clawing Lion wore a vicious grin. He took the first step. Small dust clouds rose below his black boots. He took another step, and another, speeding up quickly.

Tepo took a deep breath. He couldn’t give his opponent the initiative. He began running with light movements, facing the Lion.

The audience watched with bated breath. Suddenly cheers erupted as the first weapons clashed.

Tepo’s knife met the Lion’s claws. Immediately he noticed his opponent turning his wrist trickily, trying to entangle the knife between his claws.

Reacting calmly, Tepo put the knife in his storage bag, swinging his fist at the Lion.

The former champion wasn’t tricked though. He used the claws on his other hand to block just as Tepo’s knife appeared in his hand again.

The two opponents immediately separated. Fervor spewed from the audience’s eyes. The first clash was already full of action.

But Tepo frowned faintly. He noticed something concerning. His opponent had considerably more physical strength than him.

Suddenly his eyes opened wildly. The Lion shot towards him at inhuman speeds, rotating in the air with his claws outstretched. The metal shone under the suns, seeking to drill into Tepo’s stomach.

The young man used [Chaotic Evasion]. He dodged diagonally. Pulling out his gun he immediately sent two bullets after his enemy.

Suddenly the Clawing Lion let out a loud roar. A wall of earth rose behind him, blocking the bullets. He flew for a short distance before throwing his legs forward, crashing into a large boulder.

The audience held their breaths, looking at the large dust cloud. Loud, heavy steps shook the ground. The Clawing Lion slowly walked out, blood dramatically running down his legs.

As a seasoned showman the Lion purposefully put pressure on his legs, turning a few scratches into bloody wounds.

The Clawing Lion laughed loudly. He willed his core to end its ability, causing the Earth Wall to crumble. But suddenly he was startled. Just like the audience he didn’t recall when Deep vanished.

Tension was thick in the air as the Lion stood with a broad posture.

“HEY! Are we playing hide and seek now?!”

Naturally he didn’t receive an answer.

Tepo stayed in stealth. He turned into a hunter prowling around a wild beast. The Lion’s muscles twitched, showing unrest, openings. But this might be on purpose!

Gripping his knife tightly Tepo slowly closed in. He showed patience, always keeping some rocks between him and the prey.

“Come out!”

The Lion grew impatient. He began slashing the air. A spell sent stormy claw attacks, leaving marks on the surrounding boulders.