The fighters in the arena clashed again, sending smoke, fire, and stone scattering out toward the spectators. A light shield dome protected the audience from them, allowing them to watch the fight safely with wide eyes and open mouths. It only lit up when hit, so it was usually invisible. However, at this moment, it was constantly alight, displaying the intensity of the battle to the spectators.

“Amazing! Snarl really is taking the lead! He’s forcing Ruler into defense!”

“Hahaha! I knew I bet on the right person!”

“Fuck my life...”

“Johnny, you need to step up your game. Look at Snarl! He’s so overbearing. How could that spindly girl possibly win against him.”

“Yep, she has absolutely no chance. Yahoo!”

“Fuck my life...”

“She’s gonna be crushed any time now...”

Zachary stood among the spectators, watching the fight. Men and women, young and old, abnormals and ordinary people; all sorts of people excitedly yapped about who would win and who would lose, but Zachary was not as interested. The ongoing battle was the third he had witnessed today since he arrived here after he and Eldon finished searching the Guard House for Abyss Eye to no avail.

As far as Zachary knew, Abyss Eye disliked gatherings and did his best to avoid them. However, there was always the possibility he had come to watch the tournament going on. It was a very low possibility, but it was worth checking out.

Therefore, while Eldon had gone to monitor the Dawnwood Inn, he came to search the Colossal Arena, commonly referred to as “Colossus.” It was the largest arena in Spire’s Base, boasting many features. In addition to the massive arenas and stadiums that could withstand A-ranks’ full-power attacks, it had numerous training facilities and systems that could help abnormals improve. There were even training regimes one could register for if they had enough money.

It was famous throughout the world. This was not only because no other arena could so confidently allow A-ranks to fight with their full strength but also because of one core feature: the Colossi Ranking.

The Colossi Ranking ranked the top ten strongest abnormals in the world. Every single abnormal on it was the best of the best, with insane win streaks. They were at least A-ranks, and many were so strong that they were considered above A-ranks but below S-ranks.

The only way to become a Colossus, as they were called, was to defeat a Colossus or engage in the yearly tournament. If one was A-rank, they were qualified to participate after five consecutive wins in the Colossus Arena.

Right now, the contestants in the arena were A-rank Campers competing to become Colossi. An S-rank Camper had sent word that the top nine in the Colossi would join their team.

An S-rank!

If Zachary were A-rank and not B-rank, he would have been excited. As it was, he was not even qualified to enter the match, and so it had little meaning to him. Still, many Campers were standing around, some trying to learn from observation, some just enjoying themselves, while others were trying to use the opportunity to find teammates. Some A-rank teams had approached some losers, usually without success, while others just hunted among the spectators.

Speaking of which...

“Did you not hear me?!” Someone was shouting. Zachary painfully cleaned his ears while keeping his eyes on the match. “My team’s leader is an A-rank! We have a high chance of survival, and no matter what, we will surely gain some benefits. My leader is benevolent and is taking in a few B-ranks. Why aren’t you jumping at this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?”

“I already told you. I’m not interested.”

“You!” The person was dumbfounded, but Zachary did not glance their way. He was momentarily invested in predicting the battle’s outcome. A moment later, he was certain who would win and lose.

Yeah, this “Ruler” is about to get destroyed.

He turned and weaved through the crowd, leaving the barking poacher behind. That was the fourth one to approach him today, and they were all from “A-rank teams.” Zachary was half-sure that most of those who approached him were crooks who just wanted to trick him into joining their team.

Those bastards who knew his Danger Rating were the worst. They were persistent, bugging him, following him as he waded through the crowd.

And they want me to believe they have A-rank team leaders.

An uproar erupted in the Colossus as a winner was decided. As Zachary predicted, it was indeed Snarl who won the battle. With his Rock Giant transformed state, the abnormal called Ruler couldn’t harm him in the slightest and was steamrolled.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

There were no deaths in the arena, not because the Campers were kind and knew how to hold back, but because there were strict rules guiding the actions of Campers. Unless there was a prior agreement, Campers were forbidden from killing one another.

Another two contestants entered the stage and began their match. This time, both contestants had control-based abnormalities, which allow the abnormal to control something in the environment, as opposed to physical-based abnormalities, which enhance the body in one way or another.

Physical-based abnormals usually had transformed states that allowed them to exhibit their maximum power, meaning they were monstrous in either attack, defense, or speed. On the other hand, Control-based abnormals were generally more versatile.

The two on the stage introduced themselves as “Spikes” and “Windfall.” Spikes was a lean man with long arms, a hooked nose, and long hair. Windfall was a mature woman with hard eyes and thin lips. There were a few moments during which the spectators placed their bets using their Seekers, after which a bell signaled the beginning of the match.

As his name suggested, Spikes was proficient in condensing earth into and controlling sharp spikes. Windfall, on the other hand, was proficient in controlling wind pressure. She agilely avoided the spikes, leaping unnaturally through the air, supported by her ability.

Spikes was a variant among Control-based abnormals. He was overwhelmingly offensive, meaning he was weak when he could not dominate his enemy with his avalanche of spikes. He fought well—Zachary doubted he would have lasted two seconds on the stage—but Windfall’s defense was not easily broken.

The battle dragged on and on, but Zachary already knew who would win and resumed his search. Soon, his search led him to the payout area of the arena, where several booths were set up for distributing bet winnings. Many people queued up, waiting to collect their winnings.

Zachary scanned through them. Abyss Eye was naturally not among them, but he saw someone familiar.

What the hell... Again?

Indeed, at a booth nearby, a chubby lad argued furiously with the attendants, holding up the line and causing discontent among those waiting for him to finish.

“Is your skull so thick?!” Zachary could make out Aiken’s angry words as he reached out and grabbed the attendant’s ear, yelling in the poor man’s face. “Give me my winnings now!”

“But sir,” the attendant swallowed, looking left and right in search of a savior of some kind, “you bet that Ruler would give Snarl a surprise by attacking brutally when he least expected it and would eventually win...”

“How many times must I tell you it was a mistake? A mistake!”

“Sir, that’s not how it works...”

“Huh?”

This kid never changes... Zachary shook his head in amusement. Zachary was a popular figure in his Camp and had many friends. Some were reserved, some were bloodthirsty, some were arrogant, and some mostly ignored him—all sorts of people. Aiken was one of the arrogant ones.

No, Aiken isn’t arrogant... He is a bully. Yeah, that’s the word.

Aiken was an entitled brat who enjoyed messing with others, but Zachary thought he was not that bad because he was self-conscious of his attitude. Compared to some of his other friends, Zachary considered Aiken a close friend.

Oh well, it had always fallen to Zachary to keep the peace.

“Listen to me... It’s either you give me my winnings, or I keep one of your ears. The choice is yours.” Aiken was saying with a vicious expression. “Time is ticking, boy, make—”

Zachary dropped a hand onto Aiken’s shoulder. “Yeah, it’ll be best if you let him go.”

“Who are you to—huh? Zach, my man! What are you doing here?”

“Let the sputtering fellow go first, then we can talk.”

Aiken shook his head vehemently. “How can you say that? If I win, it’s only natural that I receive my winnings, is that not?”

Yeah, except you didn’t win.

“Of course. However, do you see that guy over there?” Aiken followed Zachary’s finger. An armored man stood some distance away, leaning against the wall.

Aiken frowned. “What about him?”

“You’ve been here for so long. You’ve never heard of the Peacekeepers?”

“What’s that?”

Zachary sighed. “The Colossi is where the strongest abnormals in the world gather. Did you really think the Spire wouldn’t implement measures to deal with the inevitable conflicts that would break out? Not to mention now that Campers have arrived on the island...”

Aiken’s grasp on the attendant’s ear loosened a bit. “How strong could they possibly be? I’d bet they’re at most at the C-Rank. For an army, that’s already pretty strong.”

“Wrong. Each Peacekeeper is at the B-rank at least, and the leaders are all A-rank.”

Aiken broke out in a cold sweat.

“You see? Each one is specially selected from the Spire’s Guard and is among the strongest at their rank. That one probably hasn’t done anything because you haven’t caused any damage.” Zachary nodded slowly. “Yeah, if I were you, I’d let him off immediately.”

Aiken released the attendant and laughed while rubbing the back of his head. “I was only joking, just joking. Why would you take it so seriously?” He turned to the attendant who was nursing his red ear. “Learn to take a joke, man.”

“Right,” Zachary said. “By the way, where’s Galen?” The short guy was nowhere in sight.

“He’s out in the city, checking through the—” Aiken suddenly stopped. He smiled brightly at Zachary and laughed. “You sneak! I almost told you!”

Zachary chuckled. It was worth a try, at least.

“There are only nine spots available. I can’t be blamed. Every man for himself.” Aiken patted Zachary’s back.

“I wouldn’t tell you either, so it’s not a problem. Why are you here at the Colossus, though? Aren’t you supposed to be out searching?”

“Heh. I could ask you the same.”

“Me? I’m just here to watch the fight and maybe find some alternatives. It’s too difficult to find Abyss Eye. A Plan B is in order.”

“Ah.” Chuckling. “Me too.”

“Excuse me,” someone said irritatedly, “but you’re holding up the queue.”

“Ah, my bad.” Zachary hurriedly apologized and moved out of the way with Aiken, who was about to start a scene but was cut off by Zachary’s whisper—

“Don’t forget about the Peacekeepers!”

—And became amicable again.

Zachary only knew about the Peacekeepers because of a specific event. One of his unruly friends, known as Skewer to most, had been hacked into two pieces here in the Colossal Arena long before he arrived on the island. Those who witnessed it said it was no battle but an execution.

Come to think of it, I’ve never seen Aiken fight... That was surprising.

Suddenly, Zachary saw something out of the corner of his eye.

Bone-embroidered robes.

A hood.

Sturdy frame.

He spun that way, but the figure had disappeared.