Slow claps from Max, one of the legacy fighters, come my way as he speaks up in a cheerful voice.
"Another interesting show from you. Tonight was one of the biggest events I've ever seen, and as the closing act, you didn't disappoint. I was worried you'd end it in a single move like last time, but it seems you really do know how to put on ...
2024-01-08 00:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
The reaction taking place looks exactly like what happened when I used my Red Hydra's Buff on its Soul Energy in my match against a Ghoul last night.
The crimson energy melted away the orange aura in an instant, letting my blade slice through the ghoul and defeat it without a problem.
Although it is happening at a much slower rate, I...
2024-01-07 00:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post
The imagery of white-hot Qi energy rushing from my core into my sword repeats over and over in my mind as I stare up at the Wyvern dripping blood in circles above me.
It continues to throw intimidation attacks down at me over and over, and they seem to be getting stronger with every time it sends one.
My MP is full after recharging f...
2024-01-06 00:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
A Blue Wyvern.
As the white flash of transport magic brings my opponent into the ring, it spreads its long pale blue wings and jumps high into the air.
The ear-shattering screech provokes the crowd to yell louder to match its sound, and I get a good view of the 10-meter-long lizard creature doing circles over my head.
It looks ...
2024-01-05 00:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
My mind is trying to fit more pieces of the puzzle together, but there are too many unknown variables in my way.
Clearly, Maria isn't trapped or here completely against her will, and this most likely means my other teammates are fine too. Her level has grown significantly, and fighting ability too.
Although quite a few things don't m...
2024-01-04 00:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post
"Could it be...?" I whisper to myself as I continue squeezing my way through the crowd to get to the underground training room.
My seat is already lost, so there’s no point in trying to go back to the ring to see her up close for myself. The screens that appear all over show the blond-haired woman with a white face covering. Her blue glo...
2024-01-03 00:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post
“Welcome back, Mr. Flame Emperor. I wasn’t sure if I'd be seeing you again. However, I’m even more surprised to see you here with Monk. What are the odds?”
Mr. Wright smiles wide as he gets a tablet ready and I reply.
“I wasn’t sure if I’d be back either, but I had a change of heart. The show must go on, right?”
We make our way through a winding black hallway before Monk leads me to a room that has dozens of rectangular doors on it.
He turns to one, then points to all of them.
"Choose a room; there are showers and fresh clothing in all of them."
I walk up to the closest door and pause for a moment, then place my palm against the cold s...
2024-01-01 00:00:07 +0000 UTC View Post
We continue to spar.
The more times I get hit and knocked down, the more I understand the mechanics of this new power source.
Every fist I throw has to have meaning and focus. It feels very similar to my newest swordsmanship skill upgrade. Every time I throw a fist, it feels as if I’m guiding the warm energy in a perfect line to a ...
2023-12-31 00:00:03 +0000 UTC View Post
I put my hands up to show Monk I’m ready, but I see an assortment of rings on my fingers, and the ends of my red robe limit the movement of my arms. Even my armor feels heavy on my chest. Without the magic buffs these items give me, they're very movement-limiting.
For a split second, I re-consider the fact that none of my skills are acti...
2023-12-30 00:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
I let out a long sigh, looking down at Monk's outstretched hand.
"Save the city? Fight a monster that's killed thousands of men stronger than you? The only reason I came here was to get my teammates and leave this place. I'm always up for a good fight, but it has to be winnable in some capacity and have great rewards afterward. Do yo...
2023-12-29 00:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post
“Well, to explain this, I'll have to recall some events that go back about a year.”
I nod as Monk continues.
“My monastery here and the Galeheart Guild came to a reasonable agreement ages ago. They have overwhelming power in numbers, so in theory, they could wipe us out in a turf war, but many of their men would die as well. It...
2023-12-28 00:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post
I stopped my forward motion for a moment, looking back at the sunlight behind me.
"What is this place made of? I've felt material like this before. It blocks me from using mana… Is this—"
Monk turns around and, placing a finger over his lips again, motions for me to walk further into the dark hallway.
“Hold your questions...
2023-12-27 00:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post
"I have to meet with the leader of the Galeheart Mercenary Guild. Please, tell me what requirements must be met for me to pass."
I get no response.
Eventually, I resort to waving my hands up and down as no words I say seem to make it through to the 4 Royal Guards standing outside the final inner wall.
Without the grey mist acti...
2023-12-26 00:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
The platinum doors close behind me, and I look up at the skyscrapers towering over the outer city.
These are the tall buildings visible from a distance, but it was hard to tell whether they were in this district or one deeper when I was in the golden walls.
As I take a step forward onto the single moving walkway that begins to give m...
2023-12-25 00:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post
Only a few hours pass before I wake up feeling great. The morning sun is just peeking through the windows, and it's clear I've only slept a few hours, but it feels like I've been resting for an entire day.
Even with the use of my Red Hydra's buff in the arena last night, the constant rejuvenation of mana in the air heals me up good as new....
2023-12-24 00:00:07 +0000 UTC View Post
“What’s this? A city tax? I thought there were no extra taxes in this city! That’s what the fight arena is for… What's going on here?”
Sia turns to me.
“The citizen tax is standard. It’s only business owners and city officials that are exempt from paying it. However, even for visitors, it’s not mandatory. The tax can ...
2023-12-23 00:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post
The three other legacy fighters start tapping the blue panels that pop up, ordering food and drinks at a rapid rate.
I’m too focused on the moving picture display of my fight being analyzed on the nightly Valor City News Program like it’s no big deal. After a few more seconds pass, the images shift again and one of the sword moves that...
2023-12-22 00:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post
The stadium is almost empty now, and the shielding that lined the large dome in the middle of the arena is shut down and not buzzing with power at all anymore.
We walk over to the far side of the ring together, near where the announcer’s stand is, and just like on the far side of the ring, there’s an exit back into the city. However, i...
2023-12-21 00:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post
The first fighter to walk forward is the friendly face of the shield, Max. From being on the verge of death less than an hour ago and completely exhausted, it looks like they healed him up nicely.
“You’re more of a fighter than I thought… Are you from the Royal Guard? A country leader in disguise or something?”
He lets out a ...
2023-12-20 00:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post[Status Open]
____________________
Name: Jay Soju
Level: 562
Hp: 2815/2815
Mp: 2815/2815
Strength: 1491 [+2803][+2058][+746][+1491][+746][+746][+2237]
Speed: 1625 [+975][+1625][+813][+1625][+813][+2438]
Agility: 1733 [+780][+1733][+2080][+867][+1733][+867][+2600]
Defense: 1...
2023-12-19 00:05:00 +0000 UTC View Post
A monster with no MP and no HP…
It can survive my advanced fire magic, and also can reform and regenerate without any skills or extra visual energy exertion whatsoever.
The only clue I have of how to defeat this thing is the single encounter I witnessed of monk punching the ghoul to death.
Every time his fist would impact the...
2023-12-19 00:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post
As the announcer's words fade away, I grip my blade and get ready for the real fight to begin. From my understanding of the crowd's reaction and the words echoing through the arena, close to no one is capable of defeating this ghoul monster. The fighter known as Monk is an anomaly to this rule.
Even with the display of strength I showed in...
2023-12-18 00:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
The edge of my blade shortens the distance between the deep crimson red thread and the neck of the monster threatening the lives of everyone in this arena.
In an instant, using over 1000MP in a single strike, I release a mana blade while making direct contact with the monster's neck and its head is sliced clean off in an instant.
My ...
2023-12-17 00:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
The Red Ogre Tyrant's golden veil of energy starts to shift to red as its rank-up buff activates.
The dome that surrounds us, protecting the audience outside the fight ring, is now rippling and bending toward the monster on the far side of the arena.
I'm sure they fight monsters of this caliber very often, but none of the past monste...
2023-12-16 00:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
To make the previous match even more convincing, I stand up and start walking with a limp before facing the crowd again and placing a thumb in the air to begin the next match.
The announcer yells in an excited tone.
“That’s what we like to see! At this rate, The Flame Emperor could actually do it, he could defeat the 6th stage mo...
2023-12-15 00:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post
The plumes of fire clear, and I jump backward, igniting myself with my own flames to play the part. It's a cool flashy power-up to hype the crowd, but also shows that I'm trying to mitigate the supposedly brutal attack that I just took head-on.
For the fun of it, now that I have a natural veil of dark red flames surrounding my body, I acti...
2023-12-14 00:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post
Showing off my full strength from the start is not a good option; it wouldn't be an optimal move. Having the odds stacked against me in the later rounds would be the best strategy for potentially greater payouts from betting on myself.
However, there’s no reason not to put on a show and get the crowd excited. I get paid the same amount f...
2023-12-13 00:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
The next few fights that follow play out exactly the same as the first. Monk adjusts his speed and power to whatever opponent he’s facing and takes them out in about 2-3 minutes each time; dodging the incoming hits and only throwing normal punches at the monsters' vital points.
In stage 2, a level 113 Orc gets pummeled around the ring an...
2023-12-12 00:00:04 +0000 UTC View Post
Ace seems to be extremely strong. He just took out a monster many levels higher than himself with ease, using only his swords and mana, no extra combat skills. However, I can tell he’s breathing heavily. That divine speed buff he uses in a flash of blue light looks like it takes a lot of MP out of him.
“Please would you all begin placi...
2023-12-11 00:00:05 +0000 UTC View Post