Chapter 25: I'm Gonna Tear You into Pieces!
Chapter 25: I'm Gonna Tear You into Pieces!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Early next morning, a man cloaked in all black went to the largest arena in the city of Arfin, The Arena of Blood and Glory. He claimed that he was Sven the Rogue Knight and he paid a silver coin for the registration fee. That man who looked very suspicious was then taken into the Innate Capabilities Inspection Formation and quietly stood there waiting.
"Be careful not to break it," the Voidwalkers did not forget to remind him.
If I can't even handle such a simple thing, I might as well poison myself to death with potions, Baiyi who was disguised as Sven the Rogue Knight said confidently. Dealing with such a weak level of formation, even with two other arena attendants watching from the side, he could still use his Psychic Energy freely to make the formation light up in green, proving that he was indeed an Intermediate Level being. The whole process went smoothly without a hitch and no one noticed that he had tampered with it.
"Leaving aside the difficulty of the formation, are there still any potions left that could poison you?" The Walker known as the Assassin questioned suddenly, his voice carrying a trace of regret..
Why did you focus on this part instead? Did the word 'potion' excite you? Ah, was it because you felt sorry that you could not create a potion that could poison a Soul Armature to death when you were still alive? Well, don't you worry! If even you were not able create it, I'm sure other assassins who love experimenting with poisons as well would not be so lame as to create some potions that could poison a Soul Armature!
After the inspection, Baiyi followed the attendant into the waiting area for the Intermediate Level match. It seemed like he had came too early. He would have to wait until there was enough spectators to fill the seat before he could start his match. While waiting, he randomly took a long sword out of the weapons rack that the arena provided and sat down at a dark secluded corner while he waited patiently.
Bored, he carefully examined the weapon that he had just taken. It was just an ordinary military long sword. It was not that sharp but it was at least heavy enough. The quality appeared to be pretty good as well. There was no doubt that it could withstand a considerable degree of Chi Prowess infusion. Baiyi was quite satisfied with it.
"Are you really not going to coat the weapon with poison first? It would be very useful to deal with this level of opponent!" The Assassin voiced out again suddenly.
I thought we have already agreed on this subject yesterday? This is a fair-fight arena! Not that kind of underground deathmatch where you can fight each other to death! Sinister tactics such as coating the weapon with poison is totally forbidden! What do you actually think we are here for? Gee, it's all because of you relying too much on poison that you could only become the 22nd Walker! Look at Hitman! He's the Seventh Walker!
"Erm... sorry... But I could never be like senior Hitman..." The Assassin said with embarrassment, "I just... don't have his kind of brute strength..."
Ah well, it does not matter. I don't think any normal humans would have his kind of brute strength anyway.
Just like that, after chatting with the Voidwalkers, the sun had finally risen. Spectators began to fill the seats one after another. More challengers also entered the waiting area. However, no one really noticed Baiyi who had deliberately concealed his own aura by the corner.
The battle had finally started and the first round was a match between two Advanced Level beings. A sorcerer and a warrior stepped into the arena and put on a thrilling show where they successfully erased the sleepiness of the spectators. As the crowds burst into applause and cheers, the atmosphere began to gradually warm up.
Baiyi did not bother watching the match through the small window in the waiting area like the other challengers. Instead, he used his Psychic Energy to watch it from afar. Although the two challengers were giving their all and the scene could be considered as pretty intense, but to Baiyi, it was nothing more than an ordinary match. After all, it was only a match between two Intermediate Level beings. Because he had witnessed countless of time the battles between two Holy Level beings and even Demigod Level beings, the current match was nothing to him.
But then again, it did not matter as long as the spectators loved it. The match had managed to warm up the crowds and get their excitement going. After the sorcerer managed to win by using the last of his energy, they generously threw down plenty of gold coins as rewards.
The sorcerer who had made a small fortune left with satisfaction. It was quickly followed by a showdown between another two Advanced Level warriors. The two warriors, whose expertise lied in speed and rhythm, battled it out in a fast pace. Their moves were particularly impressive, the exciting scene of the swordsmanship riled up the crowds even more. The rapid increase in the tray of gold just outside of the entrance was a good indication of it.
Clearly, the arena management knew exactly what the spectators like to watch and they were also very good in controlling the tempo and the atmosphere. After the matches between the two top teams, it was finally the turn of the less professional Intermediate Level beings.
Perhaps taking into account that the Intermediate Level matches would not be as attention grabbing as the Advanced Level matches, the rules were slightly different. There would be an Intermediate Level King that was hired by the arena and other players would challenge him to a match. It would at least lower the chances of having two crappy Intermediate Levels sorcerers who could not even chant a proper incantations battle each other.
At this moment, a slightly frivolous male voice sounded throughout the arena from the magical loudpeaker.
"WELL, WELL, WELL! My dear audience! Let us temporarily forget the sensational show that the Advanced Level Beings had brought to us. Right now, we are about to witness the Intermediate Level match. Now~ Don't show me such a disappointed expression. You must be new right? I can assure you that in this Arena of Blood and Glory, every single match here is SPECTACULAR!"
"To show you that my word is true, let me once again introduce to you your favourite, guys drum rolls please... HOWLS THE IRON AXE! WOOHOO! He is a brutal but kind-hearted killer who has won sixteen consecutive matches! And in all of the match, he won by breaking the arms of his opponents. Inside this waiting room are all sorts of people who are trying to prove themselves: there's the new recruits from the army, the guards of aristocratic families and even a cute student of the Celestial Fortress Academy! In the face of Howls the Iron Axe, all of these people are nothing more than a weak group of chickens. In fact, if it weren't for the rules that was imposed, I believe that their fresh blood would have long spilled over your glass. YES, his opponents are all scared of him! But the chaplains of churches love him very much! Did you just ask me why? Well, it's all because he would be sending batch after batch of his wounded opponent to him. I guess even the church bishop would want to marry his own granddaughter to him, don't you agree with me?" The host was no doubt doing his very best to fan the excitement of the spectators, trying to stir up the interest for the Intermediate Level matches. From the spectator's reaction, it seemed like he succeeded in stirring the crowd up.
Although the Intermediate Level matches were not that impressive from a technical point of view, its popularity was not that bad because the matches often ended in bloodshed. To the group of spectators who came to the arena to seek for some sensory excitement in their boring life, what could be more exciting then seeing blood?
As the host's voice fell silent, a massive sturdy bloke immediately sprung out from the waiting area. His thick brawny face along with that beefy body presented a visual that left a great impact on the spectators. Letting out a provocative roar towards the waiting area, he won the spectators' cheers again.
"Alright! Let us take a look at today's first unlucky chap! Sven the Rogue Knight? Haha that's funny! What kind of name is this? Did a farm cow give you this name? Well then, I have to kindly remind you that if you haven't got enough money for the chaplain, then you probably will have to change your name to Sven the One-Arm!" The host continued, trying stir the crowds' emotions and also to provoke the challenger in hopes of making him angry.
However, Baiyi just quietly walked to the exit of the waiting room. Before he stood up, nobody had noticed the existence of such a suspicious looking guy. At once, everyone started whispering about his unique costume as well as the long ordinary sword that he was holding.
Before he was about to step out to the arena, the attendant stopped him and reminded him, "If you win, there will be a reward of 20 gold coins plus the commissions from the spectator's rewards and bets. But if you are not able to fight anymore, give up immediately and he won't kill you. I wish you good luck." Then, before he could give a kind pat on Baiyi's shoulders as an act of encouragement, Baiyi had already shook his hands away.
Hmmm... the reward is not bad. Otherwise, how else they would be able to attract these steady stream of challengers?
"How much is my betting odds?" Baiyi asked instead.
"1 to 102," the attendant replied.
What a disproportionate betting odds! How nice it would be if I am allowed to bet on myself... Baiyi thought regretfully. Unfortunately, after this round, his betting odds would not be this high anymore.
Without wasting another moment, he carried his sword and jogged out to the arena. His movements were light and agile and there was absolutely no sign of him being a Soul Armature at all. However, with that tacky and garish appearance, he instantly attracted the attention of the crowd.
"Oh? Look at him! That is such a cool costume! I hope it's really not a cow underneath the cloak though. Well, you may be the strangest cow I have ever seen. I hope your arm will not become a steak on the dinner table!" As the host finished his words, a loud boo could be heard from where the crowds were seated.
Turning his head towards the source of the sound, as he expected, those group of people were all dressed in a luxurious manner. Only those kind of people would come to the arena to experience the tension and excitement that they would not be able to experience in their daily lives so naturally they would spend their money in the arena tobget that feeling.
The referee who was standing by the side of the arena raised his hand up to indicate the beginning of the match. At once, the protective enchantment was casted and enveloped the two of them. Baiyi's opponent started to roar once again.
"I'M GONNA TEAR YOU INTO PIECES!" Howls the Iron Axe bellowed.
Hmm.. His strength is not that impressive but he has a very loud voice, Baiyi silently judged. When he was still considering what move he should use to take down the opponent, the Knight's voice suddenly rang in his ear. The Second Walker, who was usually a man of few words, was also excited by the familiar scene and atmosphere.
"Try my newly developed tactic. Yes, the Broken Sword Technique!"
Yes, that's right! Let's not talk about what level of skills that we need to use on this guy! And what the hell is with the name of that technique? Why does it sound so familiar?