Kael now found himself facing a difficult decision. Every member of his group was a skilled fighter, making the task of choosing the three best even more complicated.
The strongest was clearly Kael himself, but with his injuries, he was no longer an option. That left him grappling with the group's power hierarchy, which wasn't exactly clear-cut.
Nina was, without question, the most skilled and experienced fighter after him. However, she had a smaller frame, and Kael couldn't ignore the fact that a tall, heavy opponent—someone even less skilled—could overpower her with just one lucky strike or brute-force technique.
Kael had to choose someone with sufficient skill, but also someone capable of keeping a cool head in the heat of a fierce duel. The intensity of these battles demanded not just physical prowess but mental resilience. Ideally, the fighters would come from those who had voted in favor of the duel. Forcing someone into the fight wasn't an option—Kael knew better than anyone that people fought their best when driven by conviction, not obligation.
Despite his earlier concerns, Nina remained one of Kael's top choices. She had the necessary skills, experience, and composure, all of which were crucial for the duel. On top of that, she had already expressed her willingness to participate, making her a reliable option. Even though her smaller build posed some risk against larger opponents, her agility and sharp instincts often compensated for any physical disadvantage.
Kael already had two more names in mind.
Both were boys, but that was where their similarities ended.
The first had a tall, muscular build—an uncommon trait in the slums. Most children, deprived of proper nutrition, grew up with smaller, slender frames, their bodies unable to fully develop. But this boy was an exception. His size and strength made him a natural choice for brute-force combat, able to overpower opponents with raw power. Despite his intimidating appearance, which suggested he might be a bully, his personality was surprisingly shy and modest. He also shared Kael's reluctance toward killing, which made Kael confident that he wouldn't lose his composure in the heat of battle.
The second boy was the complete opposite. Short, skinny, and unnervingly pale, he had always unsettled Kael. From the moment they met in the Colosseum, Kael had been wary of him. The horrors of that place had shattered the boy's sanity, turning him into a sadist who took perverse pleasure in tormenting and killing his enemies in the most gruesome ways. If it hadn't been for his incredible talent, which made him one of the group's strongest fighters at just 14 years old, Kael would have already gotten rid of him. Under normal circumstances, Kael wouldn't even consider letting someone like him participate. But the only other viable candidate had voted against the duel, leaving Kael with little choice.
Finally, he called out the three names.
"Nina, Alex, and... Zane will be the fighters. Does anyone have a problem with my choice?" Kael asked, his voice firm but inviting feedback.
The room stayed silent. No objections.
"Alright then," he continued. "You three will stay here with me. The rest of you, stick to your usual routines. Nothing has changed, so don't slack off in your positions. We'll all go to the duel together in three days, but until then, stay sharp."
As he finished, the room slowly began to empty. One by one, the others filed out, leaving only Kael and his chosen challengers behind.
The sight before Kael was amusing. Alex's tall, muscular frame towered over the other two, both of whom were on the shorter side. He and Nina wore stoic expressions, their poker faces betraying no emotions—a stark contrast to the energy radiating from Zane.
His eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, clearly eager for the upcoming duel, while his hands fidgeted restlessly. He was like an excited child on the brink of a new adventure, the thrill of the upcoming duel igniting a spark within him that was hard to contain.
"I'm going to keep this short," Kael announced, his tone serious. "As you all know, the future of our group lies in this duel. Trust your skills, stay cool, and don't mess up. If you want, feel free to take the best weapons we have in stock. But if you do, make sure to get used to them—we don't want any surprises when it come to the fight."
He paused, making eye contact with each of them, ensuring his words sank in. "You're all relieved of your duties for the next few days, so focus on being in the best condition and well-rested for what's coming. If you don't have anything else, you can go."
With that, Kael gestured for them to leave. Both Alex and Nina gave him a short nod before making their way toward the door, a low chatter starting between them as they exited.
Zane was about to follow when Kael suddenly grabbed his shoulder, halting the boy in his tracks. Zane turned around, his expression shifting to one of questioning curiosity.
"Is there a problem... boss?" he asked, a smirk playing on his lips.
"I want you to take this seriously," Kael said, raising his voice slightly and tightening his grip on Zane's shoulder. "Keep those perverted urges on a leash and focus on the fight. Do you understand?"
Zane's smirk faded as pain shot through his shoulder from Kael's grip.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, boss." With that, he smacked Kael's hand away, turned around, and walked off. A muffled murmur trailed behind him, but Kael couldn't catch the words.
He sighed, shaking his head. Zane had talent, but his wild nature worried Kael.
'Was choosing this nutjob really the best option?' Kael thought to himself, unease creeping into his mind. He hoped he wouldn't regret his decision in the near future. Zane's unpredictable nature could either be an advantage or a liability, and Kael had to trust that the boy would channel his chaotic energy into something productive in the upcoming fight.