The Author's POV

Click—!

It was very subtle, but almost everyone in the arena and the ones spectating were able to hear the sound.

Zack and Lorena, who were staring at the screen, their eyes filled with shock, suddenly stood up as they watched Ren's figure disappear from the sky.

He was already traveling at a speed that made it hard for them to follow, but the moment they heard the clicking sound, his figure, which was already a blur, completely disappeared from their vision.

What followed his disappearance was a deathly silence as Ren's figure suddenly materialized in front of Kimor.

It had to be noted that before his figure disappeared, he was still quite far from him. For him to have suddenly appeared in front of Kimor at such speed, many couldn't follow his movements.

Clink—

It was then that Ren's sword met with Kimor's axe. A loud metallic sound rang in the air, travelling through the ears of each person in the arena.

With the tip of his sword meeting the edge of Kimor's axe, time seemed to stand still as everyone kept their eyes glued on the two figures standing in the middle of the arena.

BOOOOOOOM—

The originally quiet environment was soon drowned out by the terrifying sound of an explosion as four pressurized circular energy beams shot out from the point of contact between the two weapons.

The whole arena started to crack apart as small pieces of rock flung in the air like projectiles. Unfortunately for Ren and Kimor, the projectiles quickly attacked them as even more wounds started to appear on their bodies.

It wasn't long before Ren's upper garments tore off, revealing his muscular body that was riddled with scars. The sight was deeply etched into the vision of everyone that was watching.

Soon enough, dust flew in the air, covering the vision of most spectators.

The explosion was so loud and powerful that even after it disappeared, some people had difficulty hearing.

Slowly, once the after-effects of the explosion died down and the dust slowly started to settle, every spectator leaned forward with anticipation.

Their palpitating heartbeats rang throughout their heads as they all had the same question inside of their mind.

'Who won?'

Just who had won between the two contestants?

"This…"

It wasn't long before everyone got their answer. Zack and Lorena simultaneously looked at the screen with extreme surprise.

Displayed on their screen were the images of both Ren and Kimor laying down on the ground, blood seeping from the bodies of both individuals. Neither of them was moving.

Zack and Lorena's heart squeezed the moment they saw this. Zack softly muttered in response.

"This… It looks like both contestants are knocked out cold. The match seems to be coming to end in a—"

However, just as he thought that the match was going to end in a draw, his eyes lit up as he watched both Ren and Kimor's body twitch.

His eyes isntantly lit up when he saw this.

***

"Ugh."

Everything felt like a blur to me. I don't quite remember what happened after my strike, but all I could feel at the moment was an intense pain coursing down my body.

Regaining a bit of clarity, I felt my cheek pressing against something hard.

"…ah."

Opening my eyes, I realized that I was on the ground. Blood leaked from my mouth.

Slowly lifting my head and glancing around, I could see all the spectators' eyes directed in my general direction.

I couldn't quite hear anything.

ringing sound inside of my head that prevented me

from where I was, carefully alternating

"Khh…"

right hand on the ground, an electrifying pain ran through my whole body, prompting me to fall back

my eyes twitched repeatedly as my

through sheer grit of will, I supported my body up with the aid of my

sensation inside of my ears decreased, the noise coming

Thunderous.

describe the audience once my ears

thunderous. So loud that it reminded me of a thunderbolt descending from

mind, I grabbed onto the side of my

the way I was having a

had still not announced the victor,

it

to be in a worse state as his right arm hung loosely down his body. On

onto a small fruit from the side of his pants, he quickly put it in his mouth. Immediately, some of his superficial wounds started

this fucker is still

inside of my mind when

state to fight, then it would be a

the moment, every time I tried to move my body, it would

my mana was completely drained. I was no longer in a state to be able to use my sword

was one thing that I could do, it was to

here and there because of the pain, but that was merely something

"Huuuu…"

deep breath and tapping onto my bracelet, I took out a couple potions and quickly ingested them. Slowly, some of

of the potion weren't instantaneous and the extent of my injuries were just too much to heal in such a short period of

give me that one push to fight for a bit

Thump!

Raising my head and clenching my fists, I similarly took

Thump! Thump!

It wasn't long before we

looked back at him straight into his eyes, neither one of us giving each

"Khrrr…khrrr..."

breathing from where I

Thamp!

Kimor dropped the axe in his

"Huaaaarg!!!!"

body arched backwards, his hand curling into a

himself to attack, I decided to meet his attack

into a fist. A powerful glow suddenly

seemingly coming to an agreement, we

Bang—

throughout the whole arena the moment our fists connected. What followed after was a strong circular pressurized wind gale that shot

"Khaaaa!!"

pained groan escaped from my lips as I felt my hand

sound as his body skid back a couple

his body was tougher than mine.

fist and followed up with another punch. Only a second

"Huaaag!!"

react on time, Kimor raised his hand

Bang—

powerful blast shot out as Kimor's figure skid back even more. A pained shout escaped from Kimor's mouth as his

"Fall, damn it!"

in frustration as I glared at Kimor who was still standing. Taking a step forward, my left leg similarly gave out, but I quickly moved my right leg and barely managed to stop myself

left hand on the ground, I hopped forward with my

"Khhhh…"

the fact that every part of my being wanted me to give

had no choice

couldn't lose. No, I didn't

was barely holding on, I knew that this was

now was the same as trashing all