The next morning, Sweetmoon City stirred early. The Grand Arena was already abuzz even before the sun fully cleared the eastern side of the Northcoast Mountains.
Today was the Battle King Duel. And the first event was for the non-transcendent events. It began with the rising sun, very early in the morning.
At the moment, four elevated stages stood in the center of the arena. Each was a sturdy platform of scarred timber and steel.
The first round was an unarmed, last-man-standing brawl. Contestants, men and women from all walks of life filled the stages. Merchants, farmers, laborers, former soldiers... As long as they had courage and enough power, they could come and participate.
There were about thirty combatants per stage. Then... the bell rang. A harsh, metallic sound that echoed across the stands. Signifying the start of the round.
Silent Mermaid's crew had secured their seats in the premium zone. Offering a clear view of all four stages.
Jack watched the spectacles in the arena calmly. His posture was relaxed. A slight smile was playing on his lips.
Reina sat beside him. Her gaze was sharp. Assessing the non-transcendent contestants with an amused look .
Rune hovered near Jack's shoulder. A soft orange glow was around her tiny form. Indicating curiosity.
The fights were brutal... in 'normal' ways. Fists flew, feet stomped, and bodies slammed into each other. It was a raw, blunt display of human aggression and resilience.
Contestants grappled, threw desperate punches, and shoved with all their might, aiming to force opponents off the stage. The crowd roared with every significant hit, every desperate scramble.
"Quite the spectacle." Jack mused. "Simple and direct. No complicated tricks."
"Not exactly free of tricks." Reina disagreed. "Even the non-transcendent people have their own ways to defend themselves."
They kept on watching...
On one stage, a burly dockworker with big arms systematically pushed his opponents towards the edge, then sent them tumbling. On another, a lean, agile woman dodged and weaved amidst the chaos. Using her speed to outmaneuver stronger foes. Tripping them or sending them off balance.
The air was filled with grunts, shouts, and the cheers of the crowd.
Ned leaned forward as he watched. A grin of appreciation on his face. "That was nice punch. Ouch! And a brutal kick to the crotch! That woman was fierce." He commented.
Chloe clapped enthusiastically whenever someone pulled a particularly daring move. Her disguised kirin pet, Sparkle, perched on her shoulder. Silently watching the spectacles.
Next to them, Barnaby strummed a soft, almost imperceptible tune on his lute. He seemed to be inspired by these simple, mundane brawl.
Mirella was also in her artistic mode. Rapidly sketching various people with different dynamic poses. Her piercing sky-blue eyes were observing the mundane battle with serious tension.
After nearly an hour of continuous brawling, each stage finally produced its last man standing. Four champions emerged from the chaos. Sweat-soaked, bruised, and panting. A cheer erupted from the crowd. A tidal wave of sound.
After an hour of break, the four walked to a central, larger stage. One that basically appeared because the four stage was moved and fused. Using some kind of neat mechanisms.
There, the final bout for the non-transcendent Battle King Duel would be held. Following the standard tournament system. It was an individual, unarmed duel.
Jack noticed that it was similar to the Mixed Martial Arts bouts from his previous life. But here, the referee was not inside the arena to stop the battle when one was down. The decision to end the battle was completely handed to the participant.
The ultimate fight was no longer about how to utilize others' power now. It was more about personal combat skill.
The four combatants were split into two consecutive duels. First, it was the burly dockworker against the agile woman. The agile woman used her speed to frustrate the dockworker. But he eventually managed to catch her and then tossed her out of the stage.
Next duel was between a grizzled old mercenary and a surprisingly swift blacksmith. The fight was fierce. However, the mercenary was finally knocked out. Caught by a powerful hook from the blacksmith.
It came down to the dockworker and the blacksmith for the final. They traded blows. The dockworker's raw power met the blacksmith's fast and compact strikes. The fight was also fierce. Involving a lot of grunts, impacts, and heavy breathing.
Finally, with a thunderous uppercut, the blacksmith sent the dockworker sprawling. Unconscious on the tiled ground.
The crowd roared. The blacksmith was barely standing. But, his arms were raised in triumph. He was declared as the non-transcendent Battle King.
A group of officials approached the stage. The champion was not just given a great monetary prize, but also a decree of nobility. He was awarded the title of a Baronet. A nice chance to elevate his family name in the Grandmoon Kingdom.
More significantly, all four finalists were granted a chance at transcendence. Apprenticeships to the royal mystic scholars, rare scrolls detailing the acquisition of steamrune powers, or tokens for a suitable eldritch weapon of their choice.
It was a life-altering opportunity for them. A lottery ticket into a world of power they could only dream of before.
"An interesting incentive." Jack commented. Watching the ecstatic reactions of the four. "It also keeps the other common folk interested... keeps them dreaming and supporting the tournaments."
Reina hummed her agreement. "Hope is a powerful motivator after all."
The non-transcendent event was concluded with fanfare and celebration. The officials cleared the stages. Making way for something far more dangerous. Setting the arenas for the next event. The main attraction of the tournament... The Transcendent Battle King Duel.
The atmosphere in the arena shifted. Becoming tight, expectant. The air crackled with anticipation.
It took the people in charge about an hour to set the stages. Then, once they were done, the announcement came. The transcendent event for the Battle King Duel was about to begin.
Eight stages, four more than before, now appeared in the grand arena. Each stage was slightly smaller. But every part was reinforced with gleaming metal, etched with glowing runes. And all of the stages were surrounded by shimmering arcane barriers.
The system for the first round were simple and similar to the previous one. The brawl for the last man standing. However, this time, weapons and magic were allowed.
But there was one crucial rule. Reiterated with stern gravity by the announcer. No killing! Any combatant causing a death would be immediately disqualified.
Leon Drake, Bell Basher, and Moby Knot stood ready at the participants' entrance. As their names were called, the Silent Mermaid's crew erupted in cheers from their seats.
Jack watched in high vigilance. A thoughtful expression was on his face. He knew his crew. He knew their capabilities. Leon, Bell, and Moby were formidable. And they could definitely protect themselves well. But in this tournament, anything could happen.
He hadn't forgotten that there were many transcendent beings from problematic groups here. And he could see that quite a lot of them joined this particular event.
The participants moved to their assigned stages. Leon, full of confidence, marched towards the third stage. Bell, with his stern military manner, strode towards the fifth. Moby, the unyielding tank, lumbered towards the seventh.
The stages were filled quickly. Over a hundred and fifty transcendent contestants had signed up for this event. Split across the eight stages. There were around twenty combatants on each platform.
The air around the arena quickly radiated great tension filled with raw magical energy, primal sorcery, and the glint of arcane weapons. The atmosphere was electric. Dangerous.
The gong to signify the start sounded. A deeper, more resonant sound than the bell in the previous event. The Transcended Battle King Duel had begun...
Immediately, chaos erupted. Unlike the earlier, more 'safe' brawling, this was an explosion of power. Spells flashed, weapons clashed, and primal energies surged.
Fireballs streaked across stages. Bolts of lightning arced. Shadowy tendrils snaked out. The arcane barriers around each stage shimmered violently. Absorbing the impact of those magical attacks.
On Moby's stage, the situation escalated rapidly. He had barely taken a defensive stance. His massive frame had just turned into a bulwark coated with the [Stone Skin] spell. The one he had just cast from his grimoire.
But then, a figure cloaked in dark, heavy robes stepped forward. The figure had a sinister aura. He carried a subtle tremor in the mystic currents of the arena. One that only a few truly sensitive individuals might detect.
Jack, with his enhanced senses, noticed its irregularity instantly. He quickly activated his [Eyes of Judgement]. The figure's name immediately flashed in his view... Baron Burst, from the Night Salvation Association.
"Crap!" Jack swore.
Baron Burst raised his hands that was holding an orb. Chanting rapidly. A swirling vortex of dark energy coalesced into the orb. And it grew larger, more unstable within a fraction of seconds.
The other contestants quickly sensed the immense threat. They tried to interrupt him. But it was too late. The vortex condensed into the sphere let out a crackling sound, emitting the aura of dark power. And Baron Burst unleashed it.
"Nightmare Explosion!" He roared.
The spherical orb expanded violently as he threw it. And upon impact with the stage floor. a deafening explosion ripped through the air. Sending a concussive wave across the platform.
Four contestants were caught in the direct blast and were instantly disintegrated. Their screams were cut short.
The others were thrown forcibly away from the stage. Most were grievously injured. Their bodies slammed against the arcane barriers before falling to the ground below.
Moby was among those thrown away by the blast. His [Stone Skin] state, along with his [Tough Bone] trait and [Great Regeneration] power flared. Absorbing the shockwave.
Like the others, he sailed through the air. A massive, unyielding projectile. Landing with a loud thud outside the stage's perimeter.
However, unlike the others, he was fine. Not even suffering a single broken bone. But he was out. Disqualified.
The arena went silent for a beat. Processing the horrific display. Then, gasps and shouts erupted. The announcer, in trembling voice, quickly declared Baron Burst disqualified for causing intentional deaths.
Baron Burst ignored the announcement. He merely sneered and took out a mystic scroll. Jack immediately recognized it. A teleportation scroll.
Jack's eyes narrowed. A cold, dangerous glint appeared in them. His [Eyes of Judgement] had unveiled the man's motive. He simply wanted to eliminate an assassination target the Association assigned to him.
It was a mystic scholar who was close to uncovering Night Salvation Association secrets. One of the contestants that was directly killed by the blast.
As Baron Burst was about to activate the scroll, Jack's hand moved with lightning speed. He didn't draw a weapon. Instead, from his [Spatial Belt], he subtly pulled forth a spellcard. The... [Nightmare Curse] card.
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