"Why?"

Felix asked himself as a dull force slammed into his shield sending him flying.

He dropped awkwardly on the ground causing the pain from getting thrown like a rag doll to intensify.

"Why can't I do anything right?" He gritted his teeth as he slowly got back up.

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

A bunch of drunken men and drugged-up women cheered incessantly as they watched him get pummeled by his opponent.

Felix glanced to his right just in time to watch the hulking figure that somehow turned out to be his opponent, rushing toward him like a crazed bull.

Barely able to react quickly enough, he could only put up his shield to block.

Bam

Once again, he was sent flying.

"Why am I so useless?" Even as the pain shook him to the core of his being, Felix swallowed his screams.

But he hated that he had to go through so much.

Despite everything he had done, all he managed to do was get used to the pain of losing.

First, his dad.

Then his sister and now, he was close to losing his life as well.

All because he was weak.

At least, that's what he told himself.

"Crush him already!" the crowd enjoyed the show even though it was completely one-sided.

"Stay down." The muscular man said as he walked toward Felix.

This was not because he pitied the bloodied fool that dared to think he could win against him.

Nay, it was nothing of that sort.

It was more like he found it beneath him to kill the poor lad.

After all, he only derived joy in fighting real men.

Not weaklings like the one before him.

Felix tried to laugh but found himself choking on his blood. "…You look down on me a bit too much, don't you?"

"I'm only giving you a way out." The muscular man said before adding. "But if you insist, I'll be willing to put you out of your misery."

Felix wanted to say more but couldn't find the words to retort.

Was there a need to keep on fighting?

From an experimental subject to the Demirs to becoming a slave, Felix slowly had his will crushed.

He thought he could at least be helpful to his mother after failing to protect his sister but even that was difficult considering his status.

Of course, there was a chance at freedom if he could win three matches in the arena and gain the favor of his master but he knew that it was pretty slim, after all, the number of slaves that managed to gain their freedom could be counted on one hand.

Those were the lucky ones that managed to awaken their system, after failing the first time, during combat.

But in his bid to try his luck at awakening in the arena, Felix was paired with one of the best fighters in the arena.

With no prior combat experience, how was he to deal with a veteran!?

Which is why he was in his current state, beaten, battered, and in severe pain.

He could accept defeat now and everything would be over.

A quick death would be granted to him and he'd be able to rest easy.

"But I don't want to die," Felix remarked self-deprecatingly. "I'm too much of a coward to accept death."

The muscular man snorted. "Disgusting."

Without sparing Felix another glance, he turned and made his way out of the arena.

He couldn't be bothered to spend any more time with a defeated man.

It was a waste of time.

But hardly had he taken a few steps when Felix called out to him.

"Hey!"

He paused.

"We aren't done yet."

He turned back to find Felix back on his feet.

More like, he was trying to get back on his feet but with the number of broken bones, he could only manage a shaky stance.

"Do you have a death wish?" the muscular man asked.

Felix spat some blood to the side. "You expect me to just lay down and accept defeat?... You think you can just beat me up and walk away when you like?"

"You…" the muscular man just about had it with Felix's stubbornness.

No matter how many times he was put down, he still got back up.

It was infuriating!

"You might be the winner, but don't expect to leave just like that!" Felix declared.

He was done soliloquizing like a brat!

At least, he would make sure to leave a mark on the bastard that left him in this state.

"Good, very good." A vein popped out of the muscular man's forehead. "Since you are so stubborn. I'll send you to hell!"

He charged forward and swung his mace downward.

He wasn't content with watching Felix fly anymore.

He wanted to squash him like a bug.

Felix watched the muscular man advance but he didn't waver as he stood in position.

Just as the mace was about to make contact, he allowed himself to stagger forward which was completely beyond the muscular man's expectations.

Before he could retract his mace, Felix counterattacked.

It was a simple stab, but the distance between them made it too dangerous to ignore.

Alas, the muscular man's physique made it impossible to dodge immediately… and this was what Felix was after.

Puchi

"Ugh." The muscular man stiffened as the sharp blade nearly pierced his heart, thankfully his muscles served him well.

He coughed up blood as he glared at Felix.

"Would you look at that?" Felix muttered disappointedly. "It didn't go all the way through."

"You bastard!" The muscular man roared as he slapped Felix causing him to go back a few meters before using his mace to hit his torso.

A ringing sound appeared in Felix's ears as he flew through the air for several meters before dropping to the ground.

Felix's vision darkened as his life slowly ebbed away.

He couldn't even form a full smile as he sighed. "I guess this is it."

As he accepted the cold embrace of death, he added. "Sorry dad, I guess I won't be able to avenge you after all."

Ting

[Initiating Awakening sequence]

[Searching for suitable attribute]

[Search complete... Commencing integration and evolution process]

[1,3,30…100]

[Sequence completed]

[Welcome user. I hope you live up to expectations!]