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Inside the underground maze, Willo led Renn down a different path that took them deeper into the maze, eventually arriving at the arena ground. There, they were greeted by staff members in the familiar fancy suits and masquerade masks.
Two waiting halls flanked the arena floor, reserved for the night’s participants. Since Willo wasn’t competing, the staff directed him back to the amphitheater. He had no choice but to comply.
The crowd was even larger and rowdier than before, with every seat in the amphitheater filled. Willo managed to make his way to the front row, where Quin and Yufi were already seated.
“Will she be okay down there on her own?” Yufi asked, her voice tinged with worry.
“If she really is the main event, they won’t dare lay a finger on her,” Willo replied, taking a seat next to Quin.
As if on cue, the announcer from earlier appeared on the balcony, microphone in hand.
“Well, well, well! Look at this packed crowd tonight! I’m thrilled you all made it for our big event. And don’t worry, we’re not going to stop at just one match!”
The crowd’s cheers rose to a deafening roar, forcing Yufi to cover her ears.
After collecting the entry fees as usual, the event began with a series of quick matches and a tournament between some of their own fighters. Hours passed before it was time for the main event.
“Alright, I hope you’re all settled in your seats, because it’s time for the promised showdown! A special match between two young ladies! And, of course, this is not a death match!” the announcer bellowed, riling up the audience.
This was the first time the arena had featured a duel between two women, and the crowd’s excitement was palpable. Shouts and jeers filled the air as the atmosphere heated up.
“Yeah, girl fight!”
“I hope they’re cute!”
Willo’s group watched in tense silence, ready for any unexpected turns.
“Without further ado… let’s welcome the first fighter to the arena! Some of you might recognize her from her bold speech earlier today. Petite but fierce, with a striking staff—Rennnnnn!”
Renn stepped out from one side of the arena, greeted by roaring applause. She felt a surge of nerves and embarrassment under the crowd’s gaze.
“This kinda reminds me of my fight with Mr. Witz…” she muttered, her face slightly flushed as she took her position on the arena floor, now fully visible to the audience.
Seeing Renn, Yufi exhaled in relief. “Looks like she’s alright. And she’s still got her staff.”
“But who’s her opponent?” Quin asked, arms crossed.
“Now then,” the announcer continued. “From the opposite side, with eyes as cold as ice and a weapon unlike any other—a pair of massive arms…!”
A figure emerged from the other side of the arena. Short gray hair, bright blue eyes, and an even more petite frame compared to Renn’s. Her expression was one of sheer boredom, and her casual clothes, paired with a cloak, lacked any armor.
“Chaaaaarlotteee!” the announcer proclaimed, prompting another round of cheers.
In the amphitheater, Dina and Gart watched the unfolding scene together.
“That’s my girl! Woohoo!” Dina shouted.
“Are you really that excited?” Gart asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Of course! We’ll get the prize money if she wins!” Dina giggled, already dreaming of what she’d buy.
Finally understanding the source of Dina’s excitement, Gart sighed to himself and continued watching the fight.
Charlotte stood firmly in the arena, her expression indifferent. “At least I get to fight someone while waiting for the next order…” she thought.
A faint glow appeared under her cloak as her catalyst floated out and hovered above her head.
Seeing the floating catalyst, Renn tightened her grip on Esperanza. She had never fought a catalyst user before, and according to Velle’s book back in Alma, each one had a unique playstyle.
“Our two ladies are now in position!” The announcer’s voice boomed from all corners of the amphitheater. “I think it’s time to start the match, don’t you all agree?”
The crowd erupted in cheers. Even Willo’s group was curious, sensing that this might actually be a fair fight without any hidden tricks.
Seeing the audience’s eagerness, the announcer grinned. “Then let’s skip the countdown and start the main event now!”
The unexpected start didn’t faze Charlotte. She immediately sent her catalyst hurtling toward Renn. From the catalyst, a pair of giant translucent arms burst forth, launching at Renn with startling speed.
Renn was ready, leaping out of the way in a quick series of evasive maneuvers. She had already activated Esperanza’s enhancement core before the match began.
Charlotte wasted no time, her catalyst pursuing Renn relentlessly, the giant arms slamming down with tremendous force. Each arm was massive, capable of enveloping multiple people. Renn was on the defensive, darting around the arena as the arms crashed into the ground, sending dust and debris flying.
The match had only just begun, but the intensity of Charlotte’s attacks was already surpassing anything seen in the previous matches and tournament. The crowd was loving it.
Although Renn managed to dodge every attack so far, she knew she couldn’t afford to drag this out. Prolonged use of the enhancement core would strain her muscles, eventually leaving her vulnerable.
As she maneuvered around the arena, she subtly advanced toward Charlotte, inch by inch.
Charlotte quickly picked up on this. She pulled her catalyst back, positioning it between herself and Renn, who was now charging straight at her.
One of the giant arms shifted, its fingers spreading and slamming into the ground with a thunderous BOOM, forming a protective barrier. The other arm shot forward, aiming for Renn’s path.
Renn leapt high into the air, narrowly avoiding the arm’s strike. But it quickly twisted mid-air, redirecting itself toward her airborne body.
“She can’t dodge now!” Yufi exclaimed, her voice tense.
“Maybe not,” Quin said calmly. “But I don’t think she plans to.”
In a flash, a massive translucent hammer formed at one end of Esperanza. With a powerful swing, Renn brought it down on the incoming arm.
THUD!
The arm recoiled from the impact, momentarily pushed back by the sheer force of the blow.
Renn deactivated the hammer as she landed gracefully, then immediately dashed toward Charlotte, who was already preparing another arm in defense.
In one fluid motion, Renn reactivated the hammer and swung it with all her might at the arm.
WHAM!
The impact drove the arm backward, slamming it into Charlotte and sending both crashing into the arena’s thick wall.
CRASH!
The wall shattered, chunks of debris and a cloud of white dust billowing out into the arena. The force of the collision left the crowd stunned for a split second before erupting into a deafening roar. No one could have predicted that two young girls would possess such power!
“What the hell!” Dina exclaimed, standing up to get a better view of Charlotte. She and Gart were seated on the same side as the wall Charlotte had crashed into. Gart simply leaned forward, clearly impressed and eager to see more.
Renn took a deep breath and deactivated the enhancement core momentarily, giving her body a brief respite. Her eyes remained locked on the swirling cloud of dust and debris where Charlotte had landed.
“D-did they just break the wall?!” the announcer stammered, his voice cracking through the microphone.
Willo’s group was equally stunned. None of them had seen Renn fight before, and they could all tell she was far beyond the level of an amateur—maybe even stronger than some seasoned hunters.
“Wow…” Yufi breathed, wide-eyed.
“She sure packs a punch, huh?” Willo muttered, his gaze fixed on the fight below.
As the dust began to settle, Renn could finally make out Charlotte’s silhouette. Behind her, the other arm Renn had struck in mid-air was embedded in the shattered wall, acting as a makeshift cushion.
Charlotte had used her control over the catalyst’s mana core to manipulate the solidity of the arms in real-time, cushioning her impact against the wall. She was completely unharmed.
Renn’s eyes narrowed, her stance shifting as she anticipated Charlotte’s next move. Her grip on Esperanza was firm, ready for anything.
With a casual leap, Charlotte hopped down from the mana arm, brushing off the dust clinging to her clothes. She began to stride toward Renn, her steps deliberate, each of the translucent arms hovering protectively by her side as the catalyst floated above her head.
“That’s my girl!” Dina cheered from the edge of the amphitheater, gripping the steel cage encircling the arena ground.
Charlotte’s expression, once indifferent, had hardened into one of focused determination. She hadn’t expected Renn to deliver such powerful strikes. That staff wasn’t just a flashy weapon—it was something to be reckoned with.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
Renn was also genuinely impressed by Charlotte’s catalyst. If Charlotte was part of the underground arena, shouldn’t she be using illegal, poorly crafted mana weapons? But the catalyst seemed high-quality, as refined and effective as any expensive mana weapon crafted in alchemist workshops.
Before Renn could dwell on it further, Charlotte abruptly retracted the mana arms back into the catalyst.
A murmur rippled through the amphitheater, the audience puzzled by Charlotte’s move.
“Is she giving up?”
“Come on! We need another round!”
Dina’s brow furrowed as she stared at the arena. “What is she doing?”
“I think I know,” Gart replied beside her. “Charlotte’s not the type to hold back. She’s probably gearing up for that move.”
Renn, momentarily lulled into a false sense of security, relaxed slightly as the catalyst slowly descended to Charlotte’s hand—a rookie mistake.
The moment Charlotte grabbed the catalyst, she hurled it at Renn with all her might. The catalyst spun wildly through the air, its trajectory chaotic.
Startled by the sudden shift in fighting style, Renn quickly reactivated the enhancement core and braced to dodge.
But just as she moved, the catalyst stopped mid-air, and the translucent mana arms eruptly burst forth. One of the giant knuckles slammed into Renn with incredible force.
BOOM!
Renn barely managed to block with Esperanza, but the impact sent her flying backward across the arena. The force was far greater than the War Boar’s charge—Charlotte’s mana arm hit like a freight train. Renn hit the ground hard, rolling several times before she managed to spring back to her feet.
The crowd erupted into a frenzy at the sudden turn of events, the intensity of the fight pulling them to the edge of their seats.
“That’s cheating!” Yufi yelled from her seat. “Who throws their catalyst like that?!”
“It was risky, but she pulled it off without damaging the catalyst,” Willo observed, his eyes narrowing as he watched the scene below.
“She’s experienced, no doubt,” Quin added, his gaze fixed on Charlotte, watching her every move.
Charlotte unleashed the catalyst once more, sending the translucent arms hurtling toward Renn with renewed ferocity.
Renn, now firmly on her feet, charged directly at the arms. She skillfully retracted and reactivated Esperanza’s giant hammer, using it to deflect the arms’ strikes when the opportunity arose. She leapt from the ground, using the hammer—and sometimes even the arms themselves—as makeshift platforms to gain height and maneuver in the air, creating more space to swing the massive, hammer-mounted Esperanza.
Whoosh! Boom!
The arms moved faster than before. Even with the enhancement Mana coursing through her body, Renn couldn’t evade every attack. Rather than just dodging as she had earlier, she chose to meet Charlotte’s onslaught head-on, using the hammer to parry and strike back at the arms.
CLANG! THUD!
Renn and Charlotte exchanged blows, the sound of the impacts echoing through the arena. The sheer force of their clash reverberated through the amphitheater, the ground trembling beneath their feet.
Charlotte was pressing hard, pushing Renn back bit by bit. The audience roared with excitement, the intensity of the fight reaching new heights.
As Renn battled the colossal arms with her hammer, she found herself edging closer to the wall. She swung Esperanza in a powerful arc, knocking one of the giant arms aside, but the momentum carried her backward. The arms followed, their strikes pounding the wall and causing chunks of stone to break away.
CRASH! BOOM!
“Ahh! The walls! Stay away from the walls, ladies!” the announcer called out frantically through the speakers. But his voice was drowned out by the roar of the crowd and the cacophony of the battle below.
Renn barely registered his warning, her focus consumed by the relentless assault. Each strike of the arms sent shockwaves through the ground, the deafening sounds of the attacks overwhelming her senses. Charlotte, on the other hand, seemed indifferent to the damage she was causing, her expression unyielding as she pushed forward.
The audience’s cheers grew even louder, their excitement amplifying the atmosphere. It was clear that neither fighter intended to back down.
Both fighters were clearly reaching their limits. Renn’s muscles were straining under the enhancement core’s effects, and Charlotte’s mental control over her catalyst was growing sluggish. They both knew they had to end this now.
With a quick pivot, Renn launched herself out of the mana arms’ range by slamming Esperanza into the ground and activating the hammer, using the force to propel herself away. She repeated the maneuver, this time launching herself directly toward Charlotte, who stood apart from her catalyst.
Charlotte quickly reacted, drawing the catalyst back towards her. The mana arms fused together, forming an enormous, reinforced arm. She swung it forward, aiming to end the fight with one decisive strike.
Renn sped forward, her eyes locked on Charlotte. The massive arm scooped up a chunk of the arena floor, sending a wave of dirt and debris hurtling toward Renn as it swung upward.
With no time to dodge, Renn vaulted into the air, propelled by her hammer. But the colossal arm, now laden with a chunk of the arena floor, rose beneath her. It was too vast to deflect, too powerful to avoid.
The moment seemed to freeze as the crowd held its breath. Everything hung in the balance.
With a sudden burst of resolve, Renn hurled Esperanza like a spear towards Charlotte, the weapon piercing through the air, narrowly slipping past the mana arm and striking Charlotte squarely in the midsection. At the same time, the gigantic hand struck Renn from below, sending her crashing into the steel cage above the arena.
Charlotte staggered back, the impact causing her catalyst to drop and deactivate, while she clutched her abdomen, where Esperanza had landed. The blow wasn’t particularly strong, but it struck an unguarded spot, forcing the air out of her lungs and knocking her to her knees.
Meanwhile, Renn slammed into the steel cage with a metallic clang before plummeting back to the ground. She lay there, dazed and breathless, as the crowd erupted into a cacophony of cheers and gasps.
Both fighters were down, neither able to continue. The announcer, stunned, finally found his voice.
“I-Is it over?” he stammered, looking between the two combatants.
After a beat, he raised his arm. “It’s a draw!”
The crowd roared in approval. Though the arena had taken serious damage, the fight was a spectacle no one would soon forget. It was the kind of match that transcended the typical bloodshed, showing the thrill of skill and strength colliding head-on.
As the dust settled, the announcer understood what truly electrified the arena. It wasn’t just the savage brutality; it was the clash of raw willpower and unrelenting force, each combatant battling for victory. The roaring audience only amplified that realization, making it impossible to ignore.
“A draw?!” Dina shouted, eyes wide as she watched Charlotte kneeling on the ground. “Wait, does that mean we’re not getting the prize money? Ugh, what a waste of time!” She threw her hands up in frustration.
Gart remained silent, his gaze shifting to Renn. Her quick thinking was impressive, but it was clear she still lacked experience. With more training and refinement, Gart had no doubt she could become a formidable monster hunter. He couldn’t help but see a bit of a young, unpolished Howl in her.
As the arena staff assisted both fighters out of the ring, Dina and Gart moved to Charlotte’s side, supporting her as they made their way back. Meanwhile, Willo, Quin, and Yufi joined Renn, carefully guiding her through the underground passageways.
“We need to get you to the workshop,” Quin said, his voice gentle but firm as he supported Renn. She nodded weakly, still dazed from the fight. Each step reminded her of the toll the battle had taken on her body.
“You did well, kiddo,” Willo added from the other side, keeping a watchful eye on her. Yufi followed closely behind, ensuring they were all safe as they made their way out.
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Since Veledot’s workshop was larger than Alma’s, it included a dedicated nursing room for treating the injured. Willo’s group escorted Renn to a vacant bed, where she could finally rest. Shortly after, the announcer visited them, expressing his gratitude to Renn. He mentioned that her performance had opened his eyes and that he wanted to hire capable hunters to become official arena fighters, continuing the business but in a reformed way.
Willo took the opportunity to set some terms before agreeing to cooperate. His conditions included a complete ban on death matches between hunters and the prohibition of illegal mana weapons, along with returning the mana weapon they took from his ally. The announcer agreed without hesitation, signaling the end of the underground arena’s brutal practices and its use of illegal weapons.
Although the arena would need repairs before it could host another match, the announcer faced a bigger problem: a shortage of strong monsters for the hunters to fight. Powerful creatures were being hunted and sold to the king, who offered more generous rewards than the workshop’s bounties.
The announcer, who was revealed to be in charge of the arena, had hoped to purchase live monsters from hunters to improve the matches, but he couldn’t compete with the king’s wealth.
When Willo questioned him about the source of the illegal mana weapons, the announcer admitted that he only dealt with traveling salesmen and had no knowledge of the factory’s location.
With the trail going cold on the weapon factory, the group decided to shift their attention to the king’s activities. Why was he buying dead monsters at such high prices? The mystery deepened, and the group knew they had to investigate further.
After the announcer and his men left the workshop, Willo’s group gathered at the tables in the hall, just outside the nursing room where Renn was resting.
“Do we have any information on why the king is buying dead monsters?” Quin asked, his arms crossed as usual.
“Not much,” Willo replied from across the table. “Hunters aren’t allowed inside the palace, so no one really knows what happens to the monster corpses. The palace is in the center of the kingdom, so they can’t take them outside without being noticed.”
“We’ve considered the possibility of underground passageways, but where would they be taking the corpses?” a nearby hunter chimed in.
“The hunters are all gathering here because of this, which is why cities further away are dealing with more monsters,” Willo continued.
“The king’s doing a lousy job managing his region,” Yufi muttered, sipping from a glass of water she had grabbed nearby.
“But going against the king isn’t something we want to get involved in,” Quin added.
“For now, you two take care of Renn while we handle this investigation,” Willo instructed, glancing towards the nursing room door. “She was lucky some of the enhancement Mana hadn’t fully left her body after she threw her staff away; otherwise, she might’ve broken some bones.”
With that, Willo and the other hunters left the workshop. Since it was already nighttime, Quin and Yufi asked the workshop staff if they could use the vacant beds to stay close to Renn. The staff didn’t mind, allowing them to settle in for the night.
Renn wasn’t unconscious, but the pain radiated through every muscle in her body. She knew she’d be confined to bed for a while, and the thought frustrated her. The palace was so close, yet she couldn’t make a move. Her real parents dominated her thoughts throughout the night.
Quin and Yufi brought her some food since none of them had eaten dinner yet.
“Sorry for the trouble...” Renn murmured as Yufi set down a tray with three bowls on the table beside her.
“What are you talking about? You just dismantled the entire underground arena.” Yufi smiled, handing one of the bowls to Renn.
“You’ve got skills for a young hunter. I’m impressed,” Quin added from his seat nearby, lifting his own bowl.
“I-is that so...? But that girl was really strong, huh?” Renn replied, carefully pushing herself up in bed as Yufi helped steady the bowl in her hands.
Even though Renn said that, she hadn’t used all four of Esperanza’s mana cores during the match. It wasn’t because she couldn’t, but because she felt it would be unfair to Charlotte. Since the fight was genuine, Renn saw no reason to go overboard.
“She sure was. I wonder if the arena will try to recruit her too.” Yufi took a bite, settling into the chair next to Renn.
“So, what now?” Renn asked between small bites.
“We wait for you to recover. My father and the others will handle the king’s activities.” Quin’s tone was calm, but the mention of the king caused Renn’s expression to darken.
Noticing this, Yufi decided to ask directly, knowing they had some privacy. “You can talk to us, you know? If something’s bothering you.”
Renn’s eyes softened. During their time together, she’d started to see Yufi as an older sister figure. Hearing her concern was comforting.
“Thanks, Yufi. But it’s fine. I just want to meet the king and ask him something, that’s all.” Renn forced a smile, trying to ease their worry.
She wasn’t ready to reveal her suspicions about her lineage, especially without proof beyond Tou’s words.
“Alright then,” Yufi said softly, returning to her seat but still watching Renn with concern.
Quin observed quietly. He could tell Renn was holding something back, but he trusted her. She had risked her safety to help them, proving she wasn’t a threat. Whatever she was hiding, it didn’t seem like betrayal.
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In a dimly lit inn somewhere in Veledot, Dina, Gart, and Charlotte sat together in the lounge area on the first floor.
“What a bummer!” Dina groaned, waving a glass of liquor in the air. “We came away with absolutely nothing from that arena!”
“It was still a good match,” Gart replied calmly, taking a sip from his glass.
“I don’t care about that!” Dina snapped.
Charlotte sat quietly across from them, nibbling on sweets. Her half-lidded eyes and expression remained indifferent, seemingly uninterested in the conversation.
“If I knew it’d turn out like this, I would’ve gone monster hunting and sold them to the king instead!” Dina continued, frustration clear in her voice.
“He’s really pouring everything into that project, isn’t he?” Gart remarked.
“What project?” Dina’s eyes narrowed with curiosity.
“Oh, right. Sorry, I forgot you two aren’t in the development division,” Gart said as the realization dawned on him.
“Yeah, so spill it already,” Dina demanded, leaning forward.
“Maybe tomorrow, when we’re on the move,” Gart replied, casting a wary glance around the room before taking another sip.
“Tch. Fine,” Dina muttered, downing the rest of her drink in one go, clearly irritated.
Gart remained vigilant, scanning for eavesdroppers while also keeping an eye on Dina, worried she might draw unwanted attention.
The night passed quietly after that. Meanwhile, hunters continued bringing in more monsters to the palace well into the late hours.
The project was nearing its completion, its shadow looming over everything.
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