"Well," Ji'an muttered to herself, staring at the glowing bracket as the gong sounded to signal the end of the block. "The Protagonists have officially flexed. The bar is set."
The holographic screen above the arenas shimmered, updating the bracket.
[Next Match: Ring One. Candidate #459: Lin Ji'an VS. Candidate #88: Yan Lie]
Ji'an stood up from her bench, dusting the melon seed shells off her grey robes. She picked up her Black Iron Spatula, the metal feeling incredibly heavy in her hand.
She looked across the plaza. Standing at the base of Ring One, leaning casually against his massive, blood-red halberd, was the Blood Sovereign.
Yan Lie's glowing red eyes were fixed on her, and his feral, terrifying grin promised absolute, unadulterated chaos.
Ji'an took a deep breath.
"Alright," she whispered to herself. "Time to go discipline the Demon Lord."
