The Author's POV

While everyone focused on the empty grounds below, the crowd cheered raucously throughout the arena.

Everyone's attention was focused on a certain demoness as she stood in the middle of the arena with a bright smile on her face.

Opening her mouth, she emitted a sweet, seductive voice that filled the arena.

[For today's match on our left side we have DeathBringer, the current Emperor of the King bracket.]

As she spoke, the gate on the left side opened, and a demon appeared from the other side of the arena.

Seeing bat wings splayed across his back and a frame so enormous that it even put some orcs to shame, the crowd became even more enthralled.

"Kill!"

"Destroy that elf!"

"You better make me something you traitor!"

As he stopped in the middle of the arena, he did not bother to look at the crowd. Despite being a demon, he had no sense of attachment toward them. Rather, he despised them with all his being.

As he lowered his head to examine his right hand, his eyes lingered on a small black bracelet.

'Suppressor.'

It was an artifact created by demons that suppressed the wearer's rank. He had no choice but to wear it since the fight was between two Emperor ranks of different brackets.

The more he stared at the bracelet, the bigger the scowl on his face became.

"How fucking dare they..."

Flap—

He flapped his wings once, casting a huge shadow on the ground. An evident display of might by him.

In response to his readiness, the demoness reached across the arena with her right hand. There was an air of excitement in the crowd as her sweet voice swept through the air.

[And on our right side we have SilverStar, the current Emperor of the Duke bracket, and the challenger!.]

Slowly, the gates on the right began to rise. Unlike DeathBringer, SilverStar was met with a lot of hostility.

"Die you eleven scum!"

"I can't wait for you to die!"

"You better die, I bet a lot of money on you."

This was to be expected. Given their pride, the demons would still rather support someone from their own race over someone from another race, regardless of whether that person was a prisoner of war or had committed a hideous crime like ingesting another demon's core.

As SilverStar walked slowly toward the center of the arena, he ignored the noise from the crowd. At this moment, the only thing that was in his mind was his opponent.

DeathBringer.

As soon as he was a few meters away from DeathBringer, his feet stopped. As he stood at the opposite end of DeathBringer, everyone could see their differences in size.

It felt as though an ant was fighting up against a large monster. Their difference was incomparable.

While those who bet on SilverStar regretted their decision, those who bet on DeathBringer secretly rejoiced. The difference in size was enough for most people to feel more secure about their choices.

[Are you two ready?]

In that moment, the voice of the demoness was heard. The arena grounds instantly became intense as everyone stopped speaking for a moment.

"Yes."

"…Yes."

The two contestants answered at the same time. A satisfied smile spread across the demoness' face as she raised her hand and lowered it.

[You may begin!]

her words, the crowd became even more heated and shouted

"Yes!"

"Fight! Fight! Fight!"

Crack! Crack!

scrutinized one another closely, cracks

disappeared from their

Booom—!

the two figures disappeared and reappeared in front of each other, an explosive sound echoed throughout the arena. Their figures soon reappeared in the middle of the arena,

the demon extended his arm in a clawed movement, directly aiming for his head. His attack was fast and fiercesome, leaving little time for SilverStar

was not an

wand pointed at the claw, and several magic

a couple of seconds as cracks soon started to

Crack. Crack. Crack.

being able to deflect the attack, the circle's power was not sufficient to stop the claw from reaching SilverStar's head, as

of the momentum by the time this had happened, so SilverStar only had to

was exactly

Swooosh—!

blew and his hair scattered. With a

it at the demon. A large magic circle

elegant tap of his staff, he

"Here."

circle transforming into a blue transparent

at the incoming attack, DeathBringer

"Hmph."

majestic black hue began to form

into a fist, and the beam headed toward him was directly dispersed in the air, much to the

own attack. Raising his hand that was clenched into

could be said

casual, and only SilverStar

forming a large shield around him. The punch soon came into contact with the

Bang—!

shield started to

Crack.

depleting

Crack.

then, the cracks continued to form on the shield. It wasn't long before a glass-shattering sound echoed out, and the first

"Kh..."

weak groan, SilverStar took a step back and blood started to

his teeth, he

Crash—!

second barrier collapsed, causing SilverStar's face

a smile soon formed

barrier collapsed, the attack finally ceased, leaving behind one last barrier. As SilverStar glanced at DeathBringer, he could hear the spectators' loud

to look at the crowd, he could feel their malice-filled eyes and words wishing him nothing but

honestly sick of

of the demon's entertainment had become too much for him to stomach.

his anger disappeared as fast as it appeared. Taking

the platforms. After

'I should start now.'

in front of him. In the meantime, DeathBringer had already rushed in his direction and was only a couple

was then

and a horrified look appeared on his face

notice it.

"Goodbye."

the stand stopped moving and looked at one another

***

the spell, Lightning Dragon snapped his eyes open. His attention quickly turned toward the arena grounds below

"Hmmm..."

his eyes flashed in a certain hue before

"I see..."

head to gaze in a certain

languid and lazy eyes sharpened

saw SilverStar standing in the middle of the

in that short moment he had turned