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?"

two duelists glanced at each other, then

to the camera

you battle geniuses have noticed it? Well, well, well. It's this rare moment

to his

of my broadcasting… as you might know, these two distinguished gentlemen are actually not 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

paused, and then

novice, the real reason why I was so shocked by our duel… IS… YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT... oh yeah, before we do

rolled his eyes and

defeat that dolt. And while there are many — lots and lots,

vitriol, but then gave up on the ad break

us are going to go and see

***

the young man in azure armor. The other Awakened seemed to stare at him with a bit of

amphitheater.

these people? Did I

his dash to not appear too powerful. Maybe they just liked the

Stop wasting my

Awakened that had been waiting for their turn to fight him seemed willing to step forward now. Sunny stared at them in boredom for a few minutes, trying

finally walked toward him, unsheathing a formidable-looking

intricate engraving of a castle and four dragons decorating its polished surface. He looked

Must. Be.

he was obviously practicing the

Sunny's eyes narrowed, the voice of the Dreamscape

has challenged

of the odachi, swiped his foot, and then viciously thrust the tip of the great sword into

helmet, the voice

"Mongrel has won!"

faces in the crowd grew

Is

blade of the Shadow Serpent, a new

was wearing a grey silken

Fool has challenged

wielding a heavy saber… and using the same cursed battle

low

be more nimble and aware than the last two fighters. He managed to sidestep the attack… sadly, it had turned out to be just a feint. Before he could correct his footing, the odachi pierced his chest and

the great sword out of the enemy's body

robe swayed and stared at the growing red patch on his silk garment. Looking up at Sunny, he

"Mongrel has won!"

all! Do I need to go to a professional arena