Kyle looked towards Orion who seemed to be very absorbed in the match.
"I'll get going," Kyle informed. "I'd like to book a match."
Orion nodded in approval. "Sure, I'll get acquainted with the arena's statistics."
Kyle made his way to the registration booth, he didn't need an introduction to be remembered by the boy manning the booth.
"Omni Lord! Wanna book a match?" the dark-skinned boy at the booth asked, already filling in some details.
"Yup," Kyle affirmed. "Any available?"
"Not at the moment," the boy replied while shaking his head. "You're No. 11 and we're currently at No. 9. It won't take long till it's your turn.
"Sure, thanks," Kyle replied while collecting his token.
"No problem," The boy replied before making way for another customer.
Kyle had become a rising star in the arena. 9 games, 9 wins. Undefeated since he joined. His skills were enjoyed by the audience, despite being ranked 47th.
He made his way to the gambling booth and placed fifty coins on himself. Due to his successes, his odds had always been on the lower end.
He confirmed that a second opponent had already registered and decided to check their profile.
=Elysia
=0 games
=0 wins
'Ah,' Kyle sighed. 'A noob.'
He was unhappy about not being able to battle someone stronger but eventually shrugged it off. 'Well, I'm just gonna extend my win streak.'
He had a meager 1.12 odds of winning while his opponent's was 28. It didn't take long until he was called into the pit for his match.
"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we welcome back our sword prodigy, Omni Lord!" The announcer's voice boomed, his voice carrying through the arena.
The crowd roared, excited for the display.
"Going up against him, a newcomer, wielding the rapier, Elysia!"
Few claps came around the arena, and many were assured of the result.
Kyle jumped into the pit as he awaited his opponent.
A girl with long green hair and amber eyes, wearing a white flowing robe, gracefully walked towards the pit. She held the rapier in her hand carelessly, as it looked like it could fall anytime.
Kyle observed her, almost enthralled by her appearance. Abandoning all distractions, he clasped his palms and bowed to his opponent.
"Begin!"
Elysia, who yawned as Kyle bowed, changed her posture as the match commenced, folding her hands across her bountiful chest.
Kyle tried his best to ignore her blatant disregard for the match. 'I just hope she doesn't lose too badly.'
He came at her with his great Agility, aiming to knock her off the ground in one sweeping strike.
The girl showed no movements as he drew closer to her.
'It's over,' Kyle resigned. 'There's absolutely no how I won't strike her feet from the way she's standing.'
As the blunt katana was inches away from Elysia's leg; she went for what no one would have expected.
She jumped!
Jumping in a fight where your opponent was extremely close to you wasn't a smart move at all. Not only did it expose you to a second attack whilst still in the air, but your landing was foreseen by your opponent giving them the advantage.
All these were the risks affiliated with her move except if she was able to reach the ground so fast that the jump couldn't be exploited.
Elysia not only managed to jump about thirty inches off the ground but lunged herself forward to Kyle, delivering a flying kick.
"Im-po-ssible," Kyle barely stuttered as he coughed out mouthfuls of blood.
[HP: 15/30]
The hit took a lot from him, instantly haling his HP. Elysian landed softly on the ground before folding her arms once again.
Elysia rolled her eyes in disgust. "Pathetic."
The whole crowd was silent at the sight of the display. Many began to wonder about the true identity of the girl. This was a physical fight, hence, no magic was allowed making Elysia's strength unexplainable.
[New quest: Where there is no struggle, there is no strength. Survive against the opponent before you!]
[Reward: 1 Skill point per minute]
Kyle used his hands to wipe the blood off his mouth before slowly getting up. He thought about buying time by staying on the floor since Elysia did nothing to him when down but eventually stood up so as not to get disqualified.
"Yeah," Kyle whispered. "I just have to survive."
Elysia had a smile on her face after watching him get back up.
Kyle raised his katana and adopted a stance.
Elysia looked at the rapier in her hands and threw it away. Quickly approaching him, she went for a sweeping kick.
Kyle, who had anticipated the kick in advance managed to jump up to avoid it. Unfortunately, Elysia angled her legs forward and threw him on the floor again.
Kyle fell with a heavy thud, resulting in his back throbbing in pain.
[HP: 9/30]
"You're a weakling, huh?" Elysia questioned him with scorn. She swept her hands around the silent crowd before saying. "These humans, they need you. What have you been doing all this while?!"
Kyle caught up on her point. It was all starting to make sense. The system, its purpose. All these had been at the back of his head ever since he arrived here.
Elysia folded her left palm, revealing two fingers. "2 years. That's the time left before the first wave of attacks begins."
Kyle didn't understand what she was saying. He slowly stood up, refusing to falter before picking up his formerly dropped Katana.
"DON'T. DARE. CALL. ME. A. WEAKLING!"
Kyle said, word-by-word before releasing a slash from his Katana.
A white blinding light fell on the arena after which his opponent disappeared completely from the scene.
[You have survived for 1 minute and 53 seconds. You've gained 1 skill point!]
[Congratulations, you have completed the hidden quest, "Defeat the goddess incarnation".]
[You have gained Elysia's approval]
Silence ensued from the crowd as the light dimmed out. In the pit, a boy lay on the ground, still bleeding from his former wounds. The girl, however, the one who had brought him to this state, was nowhere to be found.