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.

this constant ringing sound inside of my head that prevented me

where I was, carefully alternating

"Khh…"

electrifying pain ran through my whole body, prompting me to

eyes twitched repeatedly as my body

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

the noise coming from the

Thunderous.

the audience once

from the audience was thunderous. So loud that

mind, I grabbed onto

quite make out the extent of my injuries, from the way I was having a hard

had still not announced the

and it was then

worse state as his right arm hung loosely down his body. On his left was his axe. Blood

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

fucker

cursed inside of my mind

I was in a state to fight, then it would

it would ache unctrollably

longer in a state to be able to use my sword

there was one thing that I could do, it was to withstand the

there because of the pain, but that was

"Huuuu…"

and tapping onto my bracelet, I took out a couple potions and quickly

potion weren't instantaneous and the extent of my injuries were just too much to

that one push to fight for a bit

Thump!

my head and clenching my fists, I similarly took a step

Thump! Thump!

we both neared each other. It wasn't long before we came face

looked back at him

"Khrrr…khrrr..."

could feel Kimor's breathing from where I

Thamp!

Kimor

"Huaaaarg!!!!"

body arched backwards, his hand curling into a fist.

prepare himself to attack, I decided to meet his attack

I also curled my hand into a fist. A powerful glow suddenly enshrouded my hand

seemingly coming to an agreement, we both

Bang—

the whole arena the moment our fists connected. What followed after was a strong circular pressurized wind gale that shot outwardly, our clothes fluttering due to

"Khaaaa!!"

long before our hands separated. A pained groan escaped from my lips as I felt my hand shatter apart

sound as his body skid back a couple of meters. However, unlike

more injured than me, his body was tougher than mine. But that was

my left fist and followed up with another punch. Only a second had passed from the

"Huaaag!!"

react on time, Kimor raised his hand and

Bang—

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

"Fall, damn it!"

still standing. Taking a step forward, my left leg similarly gave out, but I quickly moved my right leg

left hand on the ground, I hopped forward with my right

"Khhhh…"

that every part of my being wanted me

choice but

I

my opponent was stronger than me? Raising my head and staring at him who was barely holding on, I knew that this was the result of all

trashing all of the experiences