Shadow Slave

"An incredible win by Lord… uh, by Mongrel!"

Looking at the cloud of blood rising above the arena, Syclus couldn't contain his enthusiasm.

Today, there were no simultaneous duels, as there were only thirty-two contenders left. Each battle was intense and exciting, and received the full attention of the commentators.

Looking at the cheering audience, Dimi laughed.

"Indeed, indeed… Mongrel did very well against No Wait. That Aspect of his is a real menace, believe me. I've been on the receiving end of those explosions way too many times!"

Dimi had been one of the first renowned duelists of the Dreamscape, back when it had been just growing popular ten or so years ago, so he was talking from experience.

Syclus glanced at the chat, knowing that it was a good time to involve the viewers in the discussion. Coincidentally, he noticed a comment concerning something that he himself was curious about.

"Yeah, very devious! But, Dimi… don't you feel like Mongrel behaved a bit out of character today? I mean, he practically called a respected Dreamscape veteran an idiot. With how noble, dignified, and chivalrous Mongrel usually is…"

Dimi thought for a bit, then shook his head.

"You see, Syclus… I respected Mongrel before, but now I truly admire him. It takes a very talented fighter to quickly recognize a battle style, true. Mongrel is talented... but he is also wise."

He smiled.

"Because it takes a very wise man to quickly recoginze an idiot. And make no mistake, this guy is a complete buffoon! Believe me, I have the misfortune of knowing him pretty well. I mean… only an idiot would end up with an alias like "What? No, Wait!"... right?"

Instantly, a deluge of comments flooded the chat:

"True! Mongrel is so wise!"

"Wise, deadly, and handsome!"

"How do you know that he's handsome, fool? He never takes off that creepy mask!"

"You mean SHE is handsome? Wait, that doesn't sound right…"

"...Can someone ban that troll already?!"

right! Only a complete idiot would end up with that alias. Why would an idiot like that even try to fight someone as

***

where I've seen

he suddenly remembered how he had entered the Dreamscape for the first time. Back then, he had almost ended up with

that's the

called Mongrel

coils of the Soul Serpent, aiming

had a feeling that it

***

of his next three duels were easy,

with shoulder-length hair who wore a light armor, wielding a round shield and a spear. His technique was impeccable, but

his movements. The worst part was that this speed did not come from an Aspect Ability, but simply from skill, training, and

speed constantly, the young man seemed deceptively slow until he chose to attack, at which point his weapons almost teleported from one place to another. Sunny

was utterly fascinated by the way Lowph used his soul essence, so he lingered, trying to infer details of this technique from

was why Lowph ended up being the

some point, his spear slid between the breastplate of the Mantle and one

from a retaliatory strike, Lowph glanced at the vibrant crimson liquid

human, after

and tilted

"Am I?"

and went all out, aiming to end the fight as soon as possible — not because he was done learning Lowph's style, but because even with

to deal with fast enemies. So, in the end, neither speed nor incredible mastery of essence managed to save the young

deep wound disappeared as soon as Sunny returned to the

I have ways to go as

tough, but ended up being only slightly torturous. His enemy this time was named Everain

the fight started, it felt as though a mountain fell on his shoulders. Sunny was barely able to move, while his enemy masterfully weaved the effects of Aspect Abilities into an already swift and lethal combat technique, making for a truly

little. More importantly, he had a rich experience dealing with the Crushing. Even though Everain was able to make him sweat by manipulating gravity with admirable ingenuity, he was

him rethink a

enemy was a friendly-looking guy with a funny alias, Dynisor. Weirdly, he wore simple garments instead of an armor and wielded no weapons. At first, Sunny fought that this

start of the duel, his opponent… changed. His muscles suddenly ballooned and shifted, ripping through the simple clothes. His skin glistened, becoming covered by metallic scales. His nails grew

resembled a predatory

while it looked like a Nightmare Creature and was as strong and fearsome as one, the hybrid fought with a