Once the Blood Jackal King died, a thundering applause and standing ovation can be seen and heard in the whole arena
Like watching a performance, the crowd were moved from beginning to end. Seeing the cruel scene below with bodies all over the arena made them tremble with excitement on what just witnessed.
"Congratulations survivors!" The announcer was grinning wide while clapping his hands looking below the noble's podium. This was beyond his expectation for this bunch of slaves. The expectation was a full wipe, without any survivors. There were few things that were unexpected for this arena. First was the slaves forming a formation that was able to grind several Blood Jackals. The second is the capable leaders being able to boost the morale of the slaves. And last, a person who was able to kite and kill the Blood Jackal King. Looking at Zane, his eyes flash with light.
"Today your lives are changed and you stepped in the arena. From now on, the only way for you to survive to is fight. Retreat means death."
"You survive the horror, now the honor is due given. Everyone, welcome your new gladiators!"
Wild cheers and applause can be heard all over the arena. Out of 10,000 slaves who participated, only 1,000 plus remained alive.
Ignoring the cheering crowd, Zane was very exhausted. He looked at the arena again. Seeing the thousands of bodies, with many mangled flesh all over the place. In some parts of the arena, blood pools can be found.
Although he had seen a fair share of brutality, this is different. His heart was stirred and fear of death is gripping his heart. His life and death were at the hands of others. In one whim, he could be also
There is only one thing in his mind, 'POWER'. With absolute power all tricks and schemes are meaningless. The stronger you are the more chance you define your destiny.
Looking at the cheering crowd, he said to himself, "Just wait, there will be a day for all of your retribution."
Suddenly, the large gates opened wide again. Hundreds of soldiers led the surviving slaves.
"Now, that the new gladiators are being led out. The arena is set with the right scene. It is the time for all you have been waiting for, it is the life and death battle between One Eye Butcher Titus versus Gaven the Mad Dog..."
This was the last thing Zane heard when the huge doors were closed. All slaves that came out from the door were blood-soaked. Many were gravely wounded and had to be carried through a stretcher and were led to a different area. Zane had a bad feeling about where they were going.
Meanwhile, Zane was led back to the starting courtyard of Doug and Jezebel. There he met Old Gramps and four more other slaves who were as badly bloody as him. Their faces were all solemn, surviving out from a tragedy and now back to the wolf's den.
"Hey Zane! I saw what you did there, how did you learn how to use a bow like that?" Old Gramps put his hand on Zane's shoulder.
Inwardly, Zane was startled but his face is not showing it, "I found a bow and arrows in the forrest. When I have time, I try to sneak out. I practiced my bow there every now and then, without anyone finding out. I also found out that I am good at it but never really had the chance to shoot a real live target."
Old Gramps did not really doubt Zane's explanation, there were frequent occasions when other village hunters go to their village's forest to hunt some boars and wild deers. He cannot really watch Zane 24/7, he thought that there are times as well Zane would go to some places.
"You are a natural born archer. You should hone and you can probably survive a bit longer than I am." Old Gramps gave an approving look at Zane. He knew that in a place like this you do not really know when you will die.
"You as well Gramps! We did not know that you can wield a sword that well." Zane redirected the questioning look to gramps. "We all thought in the village that you were just a stingy old fart."
"Hahaha! How would you know, I was a good soldier before. Also, I used to protect the village from the bandits and the wilds while you were still in your mother's breast."
"Gramps, I saw the other villagers died in the arena."
With a stern face, "Yes, I saw them as well. But there is nothing we can do right now. Don't worry about it. Most of them died quickly, they did not suffer."
Zane smiling wryly with gramps dark humor, "Yes, good thing they died quickly."
Suddenly, footsteps can be heard coming to them."Kid, you really fought well. My name is Barret, I am from the Willow Village. Also arrived yesterday with my village people, unfortunately, as you can see they are gone as well."
Zane nodded, "Thanks. Name is Zane, from Dunbar Village. This is Gramps."
"Identification"
Name: Barret Will
Age: 27
Strength: 6.8
Agility: 4.7
Perception: 3
Constitution: 4.9
Mana Capacity: 0
Genetic Skill: None
Passive Skill: LVL 1 Spearmanship
When Zane looked at Barret's stats, he understood how he was able to survive the arena. Including his high stats, Zane was surprised when he saw that Barret has a level 1 Spearmanship. Even Old Gramps doesn't have any passive skills. Compared to his LVL 1 Bow skill as a standard, Barret's Spearmaship should be in almost perfection, in a normal human standard.
"Young man, you should also be quite skill since you survive that event." Old Gramps trying to
"I was just lucky that I was able to join skillful group that was lead by a powerful man name Marc. Then we saw Zane followed by the Blood Jackals. I must say, that you really have some balls to be able to dodge and go toe to toe with the Blood Jackal King."
Before Zane could reply, they saw an attractive woman wearing a red gown coming towards them. Behind her, a large bearded man with bulging muscles can be seen.
Zane looked at the two couple once again; although Doug's face was scary, he felt more pressure on Jezebel.
Looking with sharp eyes, Jezebel looked at the group looking pleased. She analyzed them one by one. When her eyes landed on Zane, she stopped for a moment and a bit surprised.
"Oh, very interesting," a glee can be seen in her.
When those eyes stopped on him, Zane's heart stopped for a moment. Cold sweats formed at his back. It was like being stared down by a devil.
Jezebel then looked at the rest. She said, "Welcome! I heard miles away about the majestic performance of the slaves this time. You need to be proud of yourselves, you survive the great horror and now recorded in the history of Capricia."
"From now serve the House of Umbra and you will receive your rewards. Only by giving glory to the house will you be able to be alive in this place. Those who are useless, they all turned all like this stone."
Suddenly, Jezebel gently touched one of the pillars, and then with a 'bang,' it crumbled into pieces. The horrifying strength gave the six of them a fright. Old Gramps knew that It is impossible to be achieved by a mortal. Only by attaining a breakthrough can you achieve it.
"Tonight make sure to clean up and rest well. You will be moved to Umbra's main training camp with the other Gladiators tomorrow and received your rewards."