An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

Everyone was stunned as they watched Brandon suddenly collapse to the ground. Their eyes widened in disbelief, and their mouths hung agape.

Nobody had anticipated Brandon, a renowned talent of the Celestial Alliance's top ten, to be defeated by an unknown opponent.

With his reputation, he should have been dominating Group C. They couldn't understand how he could be defeated so quickly.

The spectators began questioning Brandon's ability and wondered if Carter was stronger than him.

"It's over! We're screwed!"

"Dammit! What's Brandon doing? How can he lose to a nobody? What a useless bastard!"

"The top ten talents of the Celestial Alliance? Bullshit!"

"Fuck you, Brandon! You've really messed me up this time!"

"Shit! I've lost all my celestial stones!"

After a moment of silence, the venue erupted into a chorus of sorrowful cries and frustrated curses.

Brandon's defeat dealt a heavy blow to the gamblers who had placed their bets earlier. They faced devastating losses, not just forfeiting their winnings but also their initial bets.

Some had gone as far as taking loans. They were expecting a windfall, only to end up losing everything.

"How could this happen?" Ruby's eyes widened in disbelief.

She struggled to come to terms with the outcome. Plus, she had wagered her entire fortune on the bet. Such a turn of events was beyond her imagination.

"No... it can't be! It was supposed to be a sure win! How could Brandon lose?" Miles was devastated. His face paled, and his fingers trembled.

and refrained from betting everything due to his

Brandon's victory led him to wager all his celestial stones,

he struggled to accept

didn't you say earlier that we'd win?

to big letdowns. Brandon's loss had

was rendered speechless by the question. He wondered what

lost, so they could only chalk it up

would dare to provoke them? What if they failed to retrieve the stones

declared the match's result, "This round winner is contestant number

an instant, the arena echoed with a chorus of

endured a barrage of curses and insults that even involved his family. Even the Celestial Alliance's

among the top ten in the Celestial Alliance, to be defeated by an unknown newcomer was undeniably

to winning." Abigail shook

she recovered her initial investment and emptied the

out like this?" one person turned

had, and now it's all gone. What

such a terrible choice, we wouldn't be in

right! You must compensate us for our losses

gamblers grew more agitated and directed their

you blaming me? Did I force you to go all in?" the man in gray

were smiling when you were winning. But now that you've lost, you're pointing

You were greedy enough to follow my lead. And don't think you're

accept it, the man in gray was right. After all, he hadn't forced them to follow him. If they

What a bunch of backstabbers! I'm done playing with you all!" After his outburst, the man in

exchanged confused

nobody noticed that when the man in gray left, he glanced

the plan, huh? Pretty slick," Dustin muttered with