Takeda dropped the hand of his mistress, unable to recognize Goliath’s mana shield. That was a problem. Takeda was the subcommander for the Hasabari Clan, and it was his business to know such things. He ran through a mental checklist of all the rare magic types and subtypes he knew. That shield's effect did not match any of the known varieties.

‘Could it be… new?’ The implications of this were empire shaking: a new magic emerging after all these years. Takeda's pulse quickened. If the Hasabari clan could recruit him…

He signaled one of his underlings and whispered, “I need you to go and get the chief. He must witness this himself. Keep your movements as subtle as possible, we don’t wa-”

“HOLY FLYING FUCK, IT'S NEW MAGIC!” a drunken elf screamed as he staggered into the equally drunk gnome besides him.

“WELL SLAP MY ASS AND CALL ME SALLY! SOMEONE RUN AND GET THE GUILD LEADER!” The gnome slurred in excitement.

Takeda sighed, took off his glasses, and polished the lenses. “Never mind, just hurry.”

***************************

Allister’s life flashed before his eyes. He had to figure a way out of this.

‘Wait, it's new magic. That means the arena’s safety won’t...’

Allister sprinted to the manager's office. If he was fast enough, he could void the fight and save his money! Oh, and Jax’s life as well.

***************************

I walked towards Jax, dissipating fireball after fireball. I had become rational enough to know that absorbing energy would be a poor choice, but not so rational that I understood why. Jax cursed as I drew closer. He abandoned his magical attacks, and, for the first time in this fight, the spellsword unsheathed his sword.

Jax pointed it towards me, and the entire sword ignited in flame. As soon as I stepped into range, he lunged, aiming for my heart. I turned slightly, and his thrust slid past. Incredulous, he pushed his assault. The sword’s speed grew too fast for the naked eye as Jax executed multiple thrusts per second. He paled as I continued dodging the tip of his sword.

A thought intruded, ‘Something is strange.’ It took me a moment to put my finger on it. ‘What happened to the crowd?’

You could hear a pin drop in the room. There was no noise, no cheers, no swears. The crowd merely clustered with their jaws agape.

‘I may have overshared… time to end this.'

I enveloped my hand with the inky black shield and grabbed the sword by the blade, stopping it cold. Jax tried to wrench it out to no avail. I ripped the sword from Jax’s grasp, and hurled it behind me. The sword clanged as it skittered across the floor.

“Let’s make an opening.’

I peppered Jax with a series of jabs. As expected, he was fast enough to evade. Unfortunately for him, that was all he was able to do. The attacks came in such quick succession that he was unable to plan anything past the next dodge. As I continued the onslaught, I could see him tire. My attacks edged closer. Eventually one smashed into his shield, knocking him back on one foot.

‘There we go.’

Now that he was off balance, I could experiment. I collected the dark mana from throughout my body and directed it to my fist, allowing it to coalesce. A shadow grew, centered on my knuckles. When it was ready, I let loose.

Error: Novel Magic Detected.

Novel Ability Has Been Generated By Participant.

Analyzing Novel Ability.

Novel Ability Classified.

Congratulations, You have created the ability Unfathomable Fist

Unfathomable Fist: You have concentrated the unfathomable nature of your magic into a single blow. Your Magic Power is added to your Attack Power for all empowered strikes. Your punch’s damage is changed from Physical to Eldritch. Any punch that would deal damage has the chance to give the victim a glimpse into the truth they dare not face. This chance is proportional to the gap between your Magic stat and their Magic Resistance, modified by any other relevant resistances they possess. The effects of the glimpse into the truth they dare not face vary with the victim's psychological makeup. Possible reactions include, but are not limited to, Terror (Moderate), Terror (Extreme), Madness (Short Term), Madness (Long Term), Catatonia (Short Term), Catatonia (Long Term), Homicidal Rage (Short Term), Homicidal Rage (Long Term) and/or a Moment of Profound Clarity. (Energy Consumption - High).

The punch connected, and his shield fully materialized, not just at the point of impact but surrounding his entire body.

‘Progress.’

I empowered strike after strike. Jax’s shield began to throw off flares with each impact. His necklace glowed and rocked on his chest. I poured more of myself into the attacks.

‘Oh god, that’s the stuff.’

My energy depletion was extreme. I was unloading every ounce of tension and anxiety from my body. It felt amazing.

Jax screamed as smoke rose from his chest. The necklace was searing his flesh.

‘Almost there.’

Body blow, Body blow, Cross, Hook, Body Blow, Uppercut. I was Tyson in his prime, overwhelming all resistance. Jax’s shield developed holes. The necklace bucked out of control.

‘One more’

My rational mind was nearly restored. I was almost through… whatever the fuck was happening to me: just one more push and it would be over. I took all the excess energy that remained, squeezing every cell, and directed it to my fist. The blackness on my knuckles ceased to be the mere absence of light. It was now closer to a hole in the world. I threw a cross.

***************************

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The manager gave into Allister’s badgering and agreed to end the fight. It would infuriate the crowd, but he couldn’t permit a one-sided death battle. There was the possibility that unknown magic could circumvent the arena’s safety measures. However, he had to call it off in person since the use of unanticipated magic was not listed as grounds for disqualification in the contract. Instead, the manager had to rely on a general provision wherein he could personally declare the match a draw to the fighters at the ring. He strolled down the hall. Sure would be a shame if it was over before he arrived.

****************************

The shield shattered and Jax's necklace exploded. Fortunately, it had bucked away from his chest and was at his shoulder, otherwise his heart would have disintegrated with it. As it was, his arm was blown to pieces. Bloody chunks of flesh and an errant finger bounced off my face.

Through the shield, my punch continued until it caught Jax in the jaw, sending him flying into the force field behind him.

The exertion completed and energy dispelled, my mind was free.

‘Oh… this is not good.’

I just now realized how much I fucked up. The fighting itself did not worry me (although, that lack of concern was its own separate problem) since no one died and the arena’s magic healed them. The real problem was that I could not have made a more public spectacle unless I beat up a noble in the city center during a parade… on a float. I rubbed my temples and plotted damage control.

All attention in the room was focused on me. The crowd was enraptured, crushed against the barrier, and screaming. Ultimately, blood sport spectators were blood sport spectators. Not even shock could suppress their love of carnage. The voices begged me to finish the fight.

‘What? Finish him? It’s not over?’

I looked at Jax, curled in the fetal position, blood flowing from the shoulder that was no longer attached to an arm. He rocked gently, alternating between laughing and sobbing while repeating, “It’s all our fault, it’s all our fault.”

‘Pretty sure it’s finished.’

I turned to leave the arena, but a monotone voice rang in my ear.

“Warning, you are violating your contractual obligation to fight until submission, unconsciousness, or death blow. As per the agreement, a magical correction has been initiated.”

Your Mind Control Resistance has provided you with the chance to overcome mind control. Congratulations, you have resisted mind control.

I stopped.

‘I suppose that's one way to enforce contracts. Jesus, I’m glad I read it thoroughly… Should I pretend to be under its influence? Yeah. Let’s not give out even more information. Alright, Jax, time to go to sleep. ’

I turned, steeling myself to knock out the cripple. However, no sooner than I stepped forward, Jax’s rocking ceased..

‘What the? Oooooh, riiiiight, blood loss.’

Congratulations, you are the first to unlock the requirements for evolutionary path, Cosmic/Eldritch Pugilist.

I dismissed the notification.

‘Nope. Not now.’

The announcer snapped me back to reality. “Ladies and Gentlemen, in keeping with the extraordinary traditions of the Pendragon Arena, we present the dawn of a new era of magic. Your winner. GOOOOOOLLLLIIIAAAATTTHHHH!”

‘A new era of magic? Could they tell? Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. This is bad. This is really bad. Do I run? Wait, do I collect my money? No. No time. Just leave as casually as possible.’

I strode out of the ring and pushed through the crowd. Men shouted business propositions while women made... other propositions. The latter was far more tempting.

‘Maybe I should… No, bad Noah. Very bad Noah. Leave now.’

I emerged from the crush and walked to the door.

However, a large, fat, black man in a 3 piece suit stopped me, and at his heels was the manbaby Allister.

“Hello Mr. Goliath. I am Reynolds Thompson, the proprietor of this facility. Allow me to congratulate you on your extraordinary series of wins.”

“What!” shouted Allister, grabbing the manager's sleeve, “you agreed that the match needed to be discontinued.”

Reyonlds turned with a malevolent smile. “Yes, however, if no rule is broken, and the match ends before it is called off, the results must stand. Our contracts are clear on this.”

He removed Allister's hand and brushed the spot where it had been.

“I’m afraid my hands are tied. Oh, incidentally, my men will be accompanying you to collect on your wager. It was so large that I wouldn’t want you to be robbed on the way back.”

I turned to Allister and watched his expression.

‘Oh, so that's how it looks when someone dies on the inside. Neat.’

A moment later, Allister composed himself and sputtered, “ahem, that’s not necessary. I have sufficient strength to ensure its safe delivery.”

“Oh, but I insist. What would people say if Pendragon Arena did not provide its clients with the utmost care and security? It would be truly scandalous.”

Reynold cocked his head and two giants (actual giants, not metaphorical ones) walked over. They took Allister by either arm and began to drag him towards the arena door.

“Now that that is handled, I assume you’re done for the day, Mr. Goliath?”

“Umm… yes. Yes, I’m afraid I have to leave immediately.”

“Very well. Your winnings were rather large, so I’m afraid that it may take awhile to gather enough currency. Alternatively, I can have the amount transferred to the Second Bank of Dibellia.”

‘No fucking way I’m waiting or showing up to a bank.’

“Uh, just give it to charity.” I said, my thoughts entirely focused on getting out the door.

“Excuse me?”

“Charity.”

“Are you sure? You won ov-”

“Very sure.”

“That’s quite generous of you, Mr. Goliath. Which charity would you like it given to?”

‘Fuck… What type? What’s protagonisty… uh… Orphans! That’s it. Orphans!’

“Give it to orphans.”

“What?

"Parentless children."

"Sir... I know what an orphan is. What I meant is how should I-?”

“I’m sorry, but I must be going.”

***************************

Reynolds stood stunned as Goliath ran past him and out the arena.

‘He won 10,000 GSUs… How the fuck do I give that “to orphans?”’

Reynolds deliberated for a moment and snapped his finger, summoning another giant.

“Wake the PR rep. We might as well get some publicity out of this.”