In the dimly lit waiting room of the coliseum, Henry sat alone, the only sound the distant roar of the crowd, cheering on the gladiators in the matches preceding his own. The grand structure of stone and timber vibrated with the energy of anticipation, yet within the small, secluded space, to clear his head. Tonight, he was the main event, the culmination of the evening's entertainment, set to face off against his uncle John.

In his thoughts, he knew he could’ve just taken his parents back to Woodhaerst and never looked back. But his heart was full of rage at the Bearington’s for mistreating his parents and attempting to block their reunion. He could care less for the Bearkin Clan, but he was furious at them for mistreating his parents. The stakes were personal, honor and lineage didn’t matter to him; this was all for revenge.

The waiting room, sparse and unadorned, offered little in the way of comfort, its purpose solely to serve as a place of preparation. Each warrior was given a room to dress and strategize before their spar. Dressed in his dæmon armor and holding his axe Warden’s Wrath, he sat on the bench with eyes closed, concentrating. Despite the harshness of noise that seeped through the bleachers above, he pulled up his stats and checked his attributes one last time:

Name: Henry Brown

SKILL NAME

SKILL LEVEL

Race: Human/Bearkin

Earth Magic

53

Class: Artisan

Two-Handed Axe

15

Sub Class: Druidcraft

Lumberjack

81

Titles: Pioneer/ Baron

Analyze

76

Level: 62 (42,156/47,611)

Surveyor

52

HP: 5,412/5,412

Field Dress

14

MP: 627/627

Woodworking

101

STR: 80

Cooking

16

AGI: 74

Leatherworking

72

VIT: 66

Tailoring

60

INT: 33

Forging

74

WILL: 19

Smelting

66

CON: 82

Toolsmith

75

Charm: 9

Architecture

15

Free Attribute Points: 0

Wagoner

6

Free Skill Points: 2

One Handed Axe 

56

Fame: 35

Cleave

49

RACIAL SKILLS:

Bash

50

Oversized Weapons

Fast Slash

38

Nature Affinity

Growl

33

SPELLS:

Druid Grove

8

Rock Wall

Polymorph

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

12

Erosion

Fletching

5

Arrowhead

Herbalism

9

Rock Dome

Track

9

His strategy was clear: leverage his agility and intelligence to outmaneuver John's brute strength, turning his opponent's confidence into a vulnerability. As he visualized the moves and countermoves, the door to the waiting room opened with a soft creak. Henry opened his eyes to see his parents, David, and Lindsey, accompanied by his girlfriend, Heather. Their faces were a mix of happiness, worry, and unwavering support.

“You've got this,” Heather added, squeezing his hands gently. “I’ll give you a health, and mana recovery potion when it’s over.” Heather’s eyes brimmed with a complex blend of love and admiration held his hands in hers.

“You know you don’t have to do this?” Lindsey said offering a warm, reassuring smile, before gently kissing his forehead.

“I know Mom, but I want to teach that bastard a lesson!”

“We know,” David said, clapping Henry on the shoulder, a silent gesture of encouragement, the confidence in his son unspoken and deep.

Henry stood, drawing strength from their presence. "I'll be fine. This is about more about justice than winning.”

They hugged him, as a family, before leaving. Henry took a deep breath and turned towards the door that led to the arena entrance. From the shadow of the entrance, he saw the conclusion of the undercard fight. The cheers of the crowd grew louder, as the victor beheaded his opponent.

In this world, death in the arena was permanent, except for players. Thaddeus remembered the last time he died. He remembered waking up in a classroom. If he died a second time, he’d be teleported to the waiting arena, before he could resurrect in a nearby temple. He wondered when the world ended, would players still resurrect after they died? But that was a question for later, for now, he had to remain focused.

After the previous bout ended, Henry looked at the blood scattered on the arena’s sandy floor. The sight of blood served as a stark reminder of the brutal reality of this world. Yet, it also reminded him of his desire to grow stronger.

When the herald called his name, he stepped out into the arena. The roar of the crowd reached a deafening crescendo, their anticipation palpable in the air, thick with the scent of blood and sweat. The sun had begun its descent, casting long shadows across the coliseum and bathing everything in a golden hue, an almost divine spotlight for the evening's main event. Henry's armor, the dæmon suit, gleamed ominously, a silent testament to his readiness for the battle ahead. Warden's Wrath, his trusty axe, felt reassuringly solid in his grip, an extension of his own will.

Across the arena stood his uncle, a mountain of a Bearman whose reputation for strength and ferocity was well-known in the capital. For a moment, Henry and his uncle stared across the distance at each other, each taking the measure of the other. Henry could feel his uncle looking down on him, belittling him with his glare. The staredown was intense and filled with hatred. His uncle, who hated the public learned the clan’s great shame. Henry could also sense the crowd’s hunger for violence.

Trumpets blared cutting through the tension and announcing the Bearington’s patriarch's arrival. Henry watched as the patriarch entered and took his seat in the King’s box. To his surprise, three Bearmen and two Bearwomen also sat in the suite. Seated on a throne a majestic-looking Bearman lavish in golden armor chatted with his guests.

Even his angry uncle looked stunned, as the herald called, “All rise and bow to his majesty King Ursa VI.”

The Bearington patriarch rose and stood on the podium when the crowd sat. His voice boomed across the arena as he announced, “The Bearington Clan, thanks his majesty for attending. We also acknowledge the other major and minor clans in attendance. We are honored by your presence.” Pausing, he nodded his head nobly.

“After all these years, my missing grandson has returned to the clan! Praise the gods. Not only has he returned, but he also returned as a warden!” He lied, doing his best to change the narrative the clan tried to hide Henry’s existence. “Tonight’s coming-of-age ceremony is to decide his fate. To rejoin the clan, he must win his inheritance by combat. Lose, and he forfeits his bloodline.”

“Grandson, do you accept these terms?” the patriarch asked.

Henry was getting tired of the old man calling him grandson. The word grated his nerves. It was clear all his ‘grandfather’ cared about was saving face and the clan’s prestige. Annoyed, Henry yelled back, “I accept.”

“Son, do you accept?”

“I accept!”

“You have both agreed to this trial. Let it be known that all shall respect the outcome, as the will of the gods guides it,” the patriarch finished returning to his seat.

Henry felt his heartbeat and sweat pool on his brow. Standing on the balls of his feet, he readied himself. When the herald signaled the start, Henry jerked forward, charging to the center, his grip tightly wrapped on Warden's Wrath.

John, the aggressor, charged, confident in his superior strength and reach. But right when their weapons were meant to clash, Henry sidestepped at aimed at John’s open waist.

John widened his eyes, he didn’t let Henry’s opening move be a feint, and agilely dodged Henry’s axe. “Nice, but you won’t get away with the twice mudblood!” John shouted as he swung his sword. A green aura gathered around his blade as he sliced downward.

This time it was Henry’s turn on defense. He parried his uncle’s sword by turning his axe sidewise. When the sword hit the axe’s handle, Henry felt his arms vibrate in pain. ‘I can’t parry too many of those.’

As his uncle was preparing for another strike, Henry cast [Erosion] creating a six-foot hole where his uncle was standing.

When John realized his footing was unstable, he tried to reposition his feet, but the entire ground underneath him had disappeared. When he looked up, two [Arrowheads] were flying towards his eyes, and his nephew had vanished.

Using all 49 points of [Cleave], Henry swung at his uncle’s back from behind. Unfortunately, his uncle dodged the attack but was glazed by a rock in the cheek.

John felt the laceration and looked at the blood oozing from his cheek. Rage filled his every being. The fact that an inferior half-blood hit him was a disgrace he’d never live down. Looking at his nephew he spat, “It appears, I’ve taken it too easy on you.”

Henry felt his uncle’s bloodlust soar, and his agility and strength increased. It was then he realized his uncle had taken it easy on him, discounting him as a noob.

John raised his sword with greater ferocity to Henry. Unable to take the impact, Henry tried to dodge, but his uncle first appeared in first and struck his face.

Pah! Like a cartoon character, force equivalent to a moving vehicle slammed into his right cheek and sent him rolling across the floor four feet away.

Henry quickly stood up, dizzy, although he did his best to not show it, and summoned Dhruvah. Dhruvah’s roar punctuated the coliseum, sending the spectators to wonderous applause.

“Ha-ha, get used to this feeling. Half-blood, you can never reach the limits of pure-blood clansmen. Know your place, I wish my sister would have just stayed dead when I killed her and her disgusting husband. Not only did they live, but they gave birth to an abomination. I don’t care if you’re a warden or not, today you learn your place. Now stay down!”

Henry’s left side of his face was swollen and bruised, but he wouldn’t let this asshole look down on him or caused him pain. Spitting up blood, he smiled at his uncle, “That felt pretty exciting. I guess it's my term to pay you back?”

“Ha-ha, you little runt. I guess no one ever told you to acknowledge when you’ve been beaten. Here let me help, I’ll make it clear.”

“Let’s go Dhruvah!” Henry and his dæmon raced across the arena. When they arrived, John’s sword was there to meet them. This time Henry cast [Rock Wall] and activated [Fast Slash], when John’s weapon hit the wall, Henry slashed at his uncle’s throat. When the uncle blocked the attack Dhruvah, clawed his uncle from behind, and scratched his left leg.

John looked at his ripped pant leg, and the claw marks left behind. He smiled maliciously. “You did all that for work for a claw mark, how pathetic!”

“Oh? It is not pathetic that a half-blood has wounded you pure-blood twice.

“This is merely a scratch, even a wild animal is capable of that. Let me show you the difference between an owner and an untamed beast! After I’m done with you, you’ll be on his knees begging like a good little mut!" John snorted as he dashed out.

As John dashed out, he swung his sword at Henry, only for it to be feint and attack from his nephew from behind.

This time Henry was ready, he cast [Rock Wall] and [Dome] enclosing his uncle in rock. He quickly reinforced the trap with rock walls, careful to manage his mana points.

“Grrhhh!” John growled from inside, his voice filled with rage, as he chopped and punched his way out.

Pow! John’s immense strength rocked upwards as he punched the rock dome atop the prison. The force of impact was so strong it sent rubble flying across the arena. He glared at him, “You’ll pay for that!”

John didn’t waste time before furiously running towards Henry again. This time Henry met a sword with an axe. The intense collisions pushed them back. Henry slid back by six feet while his uncle slid back three feet.

Cling! Cling! Cling!

The sounds of clashing rang across the coliseum.

The men traded blows, their speeds almost on the same level but John’s was still a bit stronger. Furthermore, he also inherited the Bearington’s bloodline. Despite being older, it was clear his uncle stopped training his sword and depended on the bloodline rather than cultivating skills.

Henry squatted a little, dodging John’s sword swing before countering with an upward [Fast Slash] to successfully cut his eye.

John reacted in time by quickly pushing his left hand down to block Henry’s axe, yet he was still pushed back a bit as his beastly palm trembled from the force behind the punch.

Before Henry could retract his arm John swung his left leg out towards Henry’s left rib area. Henry sensed it and reacted by jumping two feet backward.

Both of them closed in on each other again by dashing forward.

Cling! Cling! Cling!

They clashed again repeatedly moving from place to place across the rooftop of the uncompleted building.

But as the fight progressed, it was obvious that Henry did not have the stamina or strength. But what shocked the crowd was Henry’s smile. John too couldn’t understand why his nephew was smiling.

‘I miss this,’ Henry thought. Reunited with his parents, he no longer wanted to live a slow life in the wilderness. He missed battling and the joy of farming for EXP.

John, on the other hand, could not stand his nephew’s mocking smile. How could this half-human lord not have fallen yet? Could his will be this strong? John started to worry. ‘Could he be stronger than me?’