With its sharp claws slicing through the air, the seascale beast roared as it leaped towards Taz Fang. Being a seasoned gladiator, Taz Fang was able to avoid the attack with incredible agility which was remarkable for someone his size. The beast’s exoskeleton glinted under the arena lights showing that it was now covered in streaks of blood from the earlier encounter with Taz. With his gaze fixed on the spectacle below, Melch leaned forward on his seat.

Leif gripped the edge of his seat and mumbled, "That thing is relentless." "How is Taz Fang even standing after all that fighting against the adult seascale?"

"It's not just skill that keeps him going, Taz Fang is well known for many things so watch him closely." added Devon, who was sitting between the two and grinned.

As the beast charged again towards Taz Fang, he reached into a pouch strapped to his side and pulled out a small vial. Without any hesitation, he downed its contents. The change was immediate. His once dark hair and beard began to glow scarlet red and his eyes blazed like molten fire. The faint wounds on his body closed almost instantly and his muscles bulged with newfound strength.

"What’s happening to him?" Leif asked his voice tinged with awe.

"That’s a scarlet berserk potion" Devon explained. "It’s a risky move. It grants incredible power but the toll it takes on the body afterward... well, let’s just say it’s not for the faint of heart."

Melch frowned his gaze shifting to the beast. "Even with that potion, this fight isn’t over. That beast... it’s adapting to its strength."

The arena erupted in cheers as Taz Fang unleashed a flurry of punches on the seascale beast, each blow causing visible dents in its once impenetrable exoskeleton. The beast screeched in pain but retaliated with a powerful swing of its tail. Taz barely managed to block it, skidding backward from the force.

Meanwhile, the cloaked figure stood in the center of the arena seemingly unfazed by the chaos around him. He murmured incantations under his breath, his hands moving in intricate patterns as he used the blood of the fallen fighters to draw a magic circle on the ground.

Melch’s eyes narrowed on the blood ritual and he knew very well how blood ritual are very dangerous. "He’s up to something. That’s definitely not ordinary."

"What do you mean?" Leif asked.

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"Look at the blood circle" Melch replied. "He’s channeling a ritual. If he finishes it..."

"Then Taz Fang won’t just have the beast to worry about" Devon finished his tone grim. “Things are about to get out of control.”

The cloaked figure was the next target of Taz Fang’s unrelenting berserk mode. At that moment, Taz Fang delivered a powerful uppercut which sent the creature sprawling on its back, he turned his attention towards the cloaked man. Instead of wasting any time, he started running towards him with his fiery eyes locked on his target but just as he was about to strike, the cloaked figure completed his ritual.

Pulverized air particles which transformed into fog started to cover the arena so tightly that audience members started to gasp. Melch felt as if the world was coming to an end. Deep within Hughes, a ferociously angry Taz yelled, “Get out here already, I am sick of hiding!”

As the fog began to disappear, the figure in the robe was revealed, completely unscathed, and standing in the middle of the fog.

He raised a hand and a voice echoed telepathically in Taz Fang’s mind. Whatever was said made Taz’s expression twist in rage but before he could react, the cloaked figure teleported away taking the seascale beast with him. Taz staggered the effects of the berserk potion catching up to him. He collapsed to his knees and his scarlet hair began fading back to its original black color.

The commentator’s voice boomed throughout the arena "Ladies and gentlemen, the cloaked fighter has vanished thus by default the victory goes to Taz Fang for this match because of his valiant efforts and also being the only alive person in here."

The crowd’s reaction was mixed. Some cheered for Taz, while others booed clearly displeased with the sudden turn of events. The announcer continued "However, as the cloaked man did not step forward to claim his reward, Taz Fang will receive the prize too"

"That was... very anti-climactic." Leif leaned back in the seat and mumbled.

However, Melch was thinking deeply and silently he whispered "It's not over...Whoever that cloaked man was, he’ll be back and the next time he won’t just disappear."

Devon's grim face lifted as he nodded. "We’ve seen enough for today. Let’s head back for now."

The trio made their way past the bustling crowd many of whom were rushing to get their winnings or complaining their losses. Back at the inn they were greeted by Patricia, who had prepared their dinner.

The meal consisted of bread, cheese and a spicy stew. Melch took a cautious bite, his brow furrowing. "This is... different."

Leif chuckled though his face was pale. "It’s better than what we had in the mountains."

Patricia laughed from the doorway. "That bread wasn’t meant for humans orginally. It was for the horses."

Leif’s face turned red as the room erupted in laughter. "Well, at least it was tasty." he joked earning a pat on the back from Melch.

Later that night, Devon sat with his grandfather, Thomas. He described the events that had occurred in the arena while highlighting the cloaked figure's activities.

Thomas thoughtfully scratched his beard. "Don't stress yourself over such a thing. The overseers of the arena will already be looking for that individual. If my suspicion is right, he's involved in something much more significant than this.

"Which means more work for us in a way." Devon complained. "I need a break from all this traveling and fighting."

Thomas laughed. "A knight's life is never boring." Go get some sleep now.

As Devon retired for the night, Melch and Leif prepared for another day of exploring. However, Leif woke up feeling unwell. Melch offered him some medicine and Patricia confirmed the source of his discomfort.

"I told you that bread was for the horses and it needs some time to get used to that." she teased her laughter echoing through the inn.

Leif shook his head, grinning despite his embarrassment. "Next time, say that first properly."

Despite the lighthearted moment, Melch’s mind remained on the events of the arena. The cloaked figure’s ritual, the transformed seascale beast and Taz Fang they all pointed to something far more dangerous to him and unknown to Melch at the time there were many things brewing in the shadows and he was soon going to be a huge part of it.