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!]

the aftermath of her words, the crowd became even more

"Yes!"

"Fight! Fight! Fight!"

Crack! Crack!

one another closely, cracks began to

figures soon disappeared from their

Booom—!

other, an explosive sound echoed throughout the arena. Their figures soon reappeared in the middle of the arena, and everyone was able to catch a glimpse

in a clawed movement, directly aiming for his head. His attack was

SilverStar was not an Emperor for

magic

as cracks soon started

Crack. Crack. Crack.

the attack, the circle's power was not sufficient to stop the claw from reaching SilverStar's head, as they broke apart and

had happened, so SilverStar only had to tilt his head to dodge

that was exactly what

Swooosh—!

back as a breeze blew and his hair scattered. With a simple wave of

aimed it at the demon. A large

elegant tap of his staff,

"Here."

transforming into a blue transparent energy beam that

incoming attack,

"Hmph."

black hue began to form out his body.

toward him was directly dispersed

Raising his hand that was clenched into a fist, he squeezed his back muscles and proceeded to throw

crowd. The opposite could be said for SilverStar who stared

casual, and only

his hand raised, three magic circles materialized next to him, forming a large shield around him. The punch soon

Bang—!

sound, the shield started to ripple as SilverStar's gaze

Crack.

the depleting mana of the shield with his own mana,

Crack.

on the shield. It wasn't long

"Kh..."

step back

teeth, he continued

Crash—!

causing SilverStar's

enough as a smile soon formed on his

finally ceased, leaving behind one last barrier. As SilverStar glanced at DeathBringer, he could hear

look at the crowd, he could feel their malice-filled eyes

honestly sick of

where he had to fight other people for the sake of the demon's entertainment had become too much for him to stomach. It took all his willpower

the thought made him clench his teeth tightly. However, his anger disappeared

his head he glanced toward one of the platforms. After a while, a soft

'I should start now.'

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

was then that

that was emanating from DeathBringer's body suddenly halted, and a horrified look appeared on his face

was able to notice it. But it was enough time

"Goodbye."

enveloped by his spell. All the demons in the stand stopped moving

***

snapped his eyes open. His attention quickly turned toward the arena grounds below and he paused to

"Hmmm..."

his eyes flashed in a

"I see..."

gaze in a certain

eyes sharpened for a brief

Lightning Dragon saw SilverStar standing in the middle of the

he had turned to look