Seeing the handsome youth enter the tavern, everyone visibly relaxed. His presence seemed to have a calming effect on the people around him.
"Brother!" Contrary to Enzo's expectation, as soon as the Prince walked into the room, Kayla bolted toward her brother like he was water and she was dying of thirst. "I came here to question these bad people because I've heard them bragging about being associated with you. I knew there was no way you would ever be caught dead dealing with these low lives, so I came here to get them to confess!" Kayla flung her arms around her brother and stared into his eyes with such longing it brought a chill down Enzo's spine.
'Something's not right.' Enzo frowned. 'She's too attached to this brother. Even for someone so naive, she surely can't be this dumb… can she?'
Whatever the case, Enzo knew that the Prince was the most likely suspect for Kayla's disappearance in his previous life.
"Sister, sister, calm down," the Prince comforted. "These men simply did a kindness for me, and I let them work for me. The rumors you've heard about them are not true."
Then he lowered his voice slightly chastisingly and said, "You shouldn't always believe everything you hear."
Kayla briefly frowned, but her face went blank after a moment, and she replied in a monotone tone, "Of course, brother. You're always right."
Enzo now knew this Prince was connected to Princess Kayla's disappearance. And as his walking money bag… *ahem* as his protectee, the Princess's safety was of paramount importance!
"Would you excuse us, sister? I don't think these types of places are fit for ladies." Then, sidelong glancing at Enzo and Jenna, he added, "Especially with such weak protection."
Enzo's dragon blood started to boil from the challenge, but even if he was brave enough to attack the Prince in the middle of the Kingdom, he felt certain he couldn't defeat the Prince with his current strength. In fact, besides Port, he hadn't met someone as strong as the Prince.
'Tier-3? The max tier for the Razzar continent was only Tier-4 before Update 2.0.' This level of strength shocked Enzo.
The Prince continued, "It would be best if you returned to your chambers to rest. I'll go back with you right now."
Although Kayla seemed reluctant initially, she nodded and exited the tavern with the Prince.
Enzo didn't feel reassured at all. As soon as the Prince and Princess Kayla left, he knew it was best for him to scram before the Prince returned. He needed to think of a way to get rid of the Prince without being discovered.
'Not that getting rid of a Tier-3 will be easy. Although I bet Port could do it.'
Enzo followed that line of thinking but eventually shook his head. He doubted the butler would lift a finger for him, and even if he did, that would steal the potential rewards Enzo would surely receive if he stopped the attempt on the Princess's life.
Not waiting for Jenna to move from her trance-like state since the Prince appeared, Enzo turned and slithered out of the tavern.
When Enzo got a fair distance away, he looked back to see if Jenna was following. Instead, he saw Jenna's gaze follow the Prince and Kayla until they were out of sight.
Shaking his head, Enzo clenched his teeth. "I need to get stronger. I can only keep sitting on this golden goose by getting stronger!"
Enzo slithered into an ally as night approached and transformed into his human appearance. "It's leveling time..."
***
At the Beast Colosseum, Enzo was greeted by a hulking beast resembling a walking, breathing mountain.
This mountain of a beast was named Qunderolf, and he was one of the first Tier-2 beings that Enzo faced after arriving on the Razzar continent. Although Gunderolf didn't even spare Enzo a glance, Enzo wasn't mad. Instead, he reminded himself that with power came the ability to act however one wished.
After being let in by Gunderolf, Enzo headed for the arena floor.
Enzo had already memorized the layout of the Beast Colosseum, so when he arrived, he knew exactly where he was going.
A few moments after Enzo's entrance, a giant lizard appeared on the opposite side of the arena. Enzo recognized it as the leader of a group called the Guzimos, and from what he knew from his previous life, they were a part of the most prominent organization in the Beast Colosseum.
It was rumored that the leader, Guzimu himself, was a veteran adventurer who had climbed through the ranks until he reached Tier-2.
Although Enzo wasn't crazy enough to challenge a Tier-2, his son, on the other hand, was a different story. The arrogant Guian was already halfway to Tier-2 so his accumulated experience would be quite the appetizer for Enzo.
This was Enzo's target.
"Master Guian!" Enzo called out as he stood up and gave Guian a slight bow.
Guian raised an eyebrow. "And who the fuck are you to call my name so carelessly?"
Enzo's dragon heart froze for a second. Furry, almost showing, Enzo took a deep breath to calm himself.
"I'm sorry, master Guian. I meant no disrespect, but I have heard of your exploits from far beyond these kingdom's walls. I was hoping to have a duel with you."
[You have issued a duel invitation]
[Duel Risk: 10,000 XP]
"Piss off, you lowly human. Go clean my horse's dung and scrape my ass while you're at it," Guian replied while lifting his lizard tail into the air and shaking his ass in Enzo's direction.
Enzo started to walk away and whispered, "I guess the rumors were true. Guian the Mighty might have the body of a lizard, but he has the heart of a gazelle. Although they look pretty on the outside, they run at the first opportunity."
As soon as the words came out of Enzo's mouth, Guian's eyes narrowed. He stared at Enzo and shouted, "You dare to insult me! I'll eat you alive, human!"
Enzo turned around and chuckled. "Insult? I merely expressed the truth! If you don't like it, you gazelle-lizard, then don't fight me with your words. Fight me with your claws!"
[Your duel invitation has been accepted]
Enzo didn't finish his words before Guian uttered a loud battle cry and charged toward him, his claws aimed at his throat.
Enzo laughed, his whole body shaking. "Pathetic! Your attack was so slow! You call yourself a lizard?! You're more like a worm, you spineless creature!"
But before Guian could react, Enzo raised his left arm to block Guian's claws. With his right hand, he grabbed the middle of Guian's arm and spun Guian around before he flung the lizardman away and into the audience seating.
Gunderolf, who had been standing at the sidelines, let out a snicker at the display while the audience surrounding the arena went dead silent.
Gunderolf chuckled again and turned to the audience. "And who would've thought we'd see Guian, my son, lose in a single blow?"
Enzo frowned as he glanced sideways at Gunderwolf. 'Am I wrong? Why isn't he upset?'
Suddenly jolting, Enzo realized he hadn't received the victory notification.
A few chuckles echoed from the audience but were instantly silenced as Guian lifted himself from the ground and slowly stalked toward Enzo.
"That was one blow... but that's the last blow you'll land on me!" Guian roared in a deafening voice as if on cue and charged again at Enzo.
This time, Enzo dodged to the left and out of Guian's reach before kicking Guian in his face and sending him sprawling onto the ground.
Gunderolf let out a boisterous laugh at this scene.
'What's up with his father?' Enzo frowned. He didn't like that his information seemed to be wrong. Knowledge was power, so being in a spot where he didn't know what was happening made him feel powerless even as he stood above the sprawled-out Guian.
Ignoring the snickers from the audience, Enzo raised his hands and spoke, "Your son is no warrior, no matter how much you praise him. He is a spoiled brat who thinks he holds power even with this little strength!"
Enzo decided he couldn't continue with his plan if he lacked information, so he forced some out from the mighty Tier-2 warrior.
Gunderolf's face, smiling just a moment ago, turned into stoic indifference. For Enzo, that look seemed like it lasted an eternity, but after only a moment, the Tier-2 warrior burst into boisterous laughter.
"Well said, human! Well said! My son, Guian, is indeed a spoiled brat, and I know how to correct that behavior!"
Enzo felt his spine tingle at the words of the powerful beast. He felt an ominous aura from the man, so much that Enzo felt like his hair was standing up. Taking a glance at Guian, Enzo realized that the ominous aura wasn't directed at him but at the now pale-faced young lizard cowering away from his father.
"No! Help me!" Guian pleaded at the audience, but as if everyone had suddenly heard a call from the opposite direction or found something fascinating in the ceiling, no one would meet his eye.
As Guian was dragged off, a pair of boar men approached him, introduced themselves, and asked to spar.
Enzo glanced at Gunderolf, who soon disappeared and began sparing.