Shadow Slave

Leo sent the clip to a couple of his buddies and waited in the dark void, chatting with the viewers and laughing about his terrible performance in the duel against the demonic newbie.

'That Mongrel... there's something about him...'

Just as he had expected, his friends joined him in the Dreamscape almost immediately after receiving the message.

Yes, his defeat was rather embarrassing… but there was an opportunity in every disaster!

This was going to be a very special broadcast.

A rare and bombastic… crossover episode!

Answering the invitations, two figures joined him in the black void. The viewers grew silent for a moment, and then sent so many reactions that the Broadcast Interface almost crashed.

Well, as expected. Both guests Leo had invited were very prominent duelists, at least as popular as he was himself, or perhaps even more.

One wore a heavy plate armor. There was a castle engraved on its breastplate, and four dragons depicted on his pauldrons and vambraces. This was Daoist Saifer, a renowned swordsman who possessed a powerful Aspect that allowed him to control fire.

The other was a taciturn warrior in a grey silken robe. His alias in the Dreamscape was the Fool, and he was known to be one of the most peculiar and persistent duelists in the professional league.

Leo grinned.

"Hey there, Saifer. Hey there, Fool. Long time no see!"

Saifer scoffed, then pointed at him.

"Leo, my friend. What the hell was that? You got killed by an amateur… in one strike!"

The Fool simply shook his head and remained silent.

Leo coughed in embarrassment and looked down.

"Yeah, well… it's not like the two of you never tasted a piece of humble pie, is it? If I remember correctly, Queen Bee decimated both of you just last week…"

Saifer grinned.

"I am ready to be killed by our noble Queen every day. But a newbie? Come on..."

Leo shrugged, then pointed to his sword.

"Alright, alright. But there's a reason the two of you arrived so quickly, right? You saw it too?"

at each other, then slowly

to the camera and smiled

it? Well, well, well. It's this rare moment when I get to mock my dear viewers and

to his friends, then

only my colleagues, but also disciples of the same cranky old man who taught me swordsmanship. Basically, the three of us are childhood friends, and we practice the same

paused, and

so shocked by our duel… IS…

rolled his eyes

to defeat that dolt. And while there are many — lots and lots, really — people who can beat that loud nuisance in a heartbeat, the fact that someone done

with vitriol, but then gave up on the ad break and

are going to go and see

***

man in azure armor.

went for the human spectators in the amphitheater. Many had changed

all these people? Did

liked the spectacle? Sunny was, indeed, giving

one challenging me? Stop wasting my time, people! I'm

now. Sunny stared at them in boredom for a few minutes, trying to understand what was going on. They had been very eager just

someone finally walked toward him,

of a castle and four dragons decorating

Must. Be.

obviously practicing

narrowed, the voice

has challenged

armor could even attack, Sunny unceremoniously bashed him in the face with the pommel of the odachi, swiped his foot, and then viciously thrust the tip of the great sword

the steel helmet, the voice of

"Mongrel has won!"

faces in the crowd

is wrong with these people?! Is there

the blade of the Shadow Serpent,

was wearing a grey

has challenged

wielding a heavy saber… and using

a low growl and

to be more nimble and aware than the last two fighters. He managed to sidestep the attack… sadly, it had turned

the great sword out of the enemy's body and stepped back in

silken robe swayed and stared at the growing red patch on his silk garment. Looking up at Sunny, he silently gave him a thumbs up,

"Mongrel has won!"

go to a professional arena