In the eyes of the barbarians, who treated wrestling as a long-standing game, the match between Black Hammer and Black Axe was the most thrilling performance from the very start.
But to the members of other races, it seemed as if two massive beasts were colliding, pushing against each other like raging bulls locked in a fierce stand-off.
As Black Hammer gripped Black Axe's shoulders, he immediately sensed something was wrong. This was the guy he'd grown up with, trained, wrestled, and fought alongside. He knew every ounce of muscle power in Black Axe's body. But at this moment, it felt like he was facing a northern beast—a giant bear whose muscles were as hard as steel.
Bracing his legs, veins bulging across his neck, Black Hammer held his breath and, with a grunt, summoned all his strength. At that moment, he believed that even a giant bear would be forced back into its den.
Yet Black Axe didn't budge, as if he were rooted to the spot.
Struggling, Black Hammer threw his weight forward, yet Black Axe withstood his force effortlessly, with cracks appearing in the solid ground beneath their feet.
"Arrrgh!" Black Hammer roared in frenzy. But suddenly, he lost control of his body, shocking him into trying to pull back his strength, only for his body to pitch forward uncontrollably. Black Axe shifted his stance, throwing a punch into his back. With a thud, Black Hammer's muscular frame crashed heavily to the ground like a massive boulder.
The world spun, stars flashed before Black Hammer's eyes, and he felt like he might cough up his lungs from the force of that punch.
"You're cheating! Let's go again!" Black Hammer shouted, scrambling to his feet and charging forward once more.
The crushing weight hit him again, an almost suffocating strength bearing down bit by bit, threatening to crush him. Black Hammer even had the impression that Black Axe's strength had been enhanced with the power of five charging giant bears, and his entire body began to tremble involuntarily.
"Black Hammer, I've got... a... surprise for you!" Black Axe growled, summoning his arm strength.
"Hah!"
"Raaah!"
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Black Hammer's massive body was lifted high into the air like a beast, and with a resounding roar, Black Axe threw him over his shoulder, slamming Black Hammer into the ground.
"This is impossible!" Black Hammer got up, gasping, "How are you this strong… this is impossible!"
"Not convinced? Let's go again!" Black Axe felt immense satisfaction—he usually lost more often than he won against Black Hammer in their matches. Today, with the runic armor, he was finally getting his chance to turn the tables.
"Then let's go again!" The two forms collided once more.
Boom—
Black Hammer hit the ground again.
"One more time!"
Boom—
"Again!"
Thud, thud, thud—the square echoed with the heavy thuds of a mass being repeatedly slammed onto the earth, shaking the very ground.
This raw contest of power had no skill or luck involved; it was simply brute strength against brute strength, rock clashing with rock. The goal was to see who had the stronger force—and of course, the loser needed an even stronger, more resilient body to endure the throws.
The half-orcs watching were dumbstruck.
The tiger tribe members, on the other hand, remained as calm as ever, as if none of this concerned them, while Dry Leaf watched their reactions closely.
Behind him, the members of the pioneer squad had started placing bets.
"Hey, Crow, ten gold coins. How many rounds do you think this barbarian can last?" Scarface poked Crow's shoulder.
"I bet it's over in two rounds," Crow joined the bet without hesitation.
"Let's switch it up; this barbarian's a sure loss. How about betting on the match with the tiger tribe?" suggested Tali.
"If it's the tiger tribe, I bet three rounds at most," Earth Bear chimed in, "We've fought them before; they look tough, but they're really weak."
"Not necessarily. We haven't met any real tough tigers yet. I'd keep an eye on that old one at the front," Dry Leaf countered.
"No matter how tough, could they avoid getting captured by Blood Hammer and thrown in a dungeon?" Scarface disagreed. "I'm sticking with two rounds."
The others nodded in agreement, and Dry Leaf couldn't argue but still felt something was off.
"Well, you sure have confidence in Black Axe," Pockmarked Face chuckled. "I'll go with you; two rounds for me as well."
"What about you, Fatty Bull?" Scarface turned to the giant, who was watching the wrestling with fascination.
"Hehe, I don't like gambling," the giant grinned, "I've never won."
"Come on, just guess, no money."
"Alright, two rounds for me too." Fatty Bull scratched his head.
"Well, we're done for then," Pockmarked Face sighed, "If Fatty Bull says two rounds, it's hopeless."
"It'll depend on who they send out; I'm guessing it's that old tiger in front," Scarface speculated.
"If that old tiger comes out, it's anyone's guess who wins," Splitting Blade remarked. "There's a strong aura of killing intent around him."
Dry Leaf furrowed his brow.
In the arena, the wrestling match finally reached an end.
"Hah...hah... This can't be happening..." Lying exhausted on the ground, Black Hammer struggled to understand how Black Axe, after being conscripted by Blood Hammer for only a few days, had become so incredibly strong.
"Don't worry, as long as you join me, you'll have this power too!" Black Axe laughed, then turned to the other barbarian slaves, "And so will all of you. You'll become even stronger!"
"But why?" Black Hammer was baffled.
"That's a secret for now. You'll find out soon," Black Axe said, keeping the mystery.
"You're already this strong, Black Axe, but can't you beat that guy?" Black Hammer pointed toward Kent.
"You mean Lord Kent?" Black Axe paused, then laughed, "Don't joke around. Lord Kent's strength is beyond what you can imagine. He could kill me with a flick of his finger."
Black Hammer was hesitant to believe this, but barbarians never lied.
Hearing Black Axe's words, all the slaves in the arena were moved. Even the tiger tribe members finally showed a reaction.
"Alright, we'll follow you then!" Black Hammer got to his feet, nodded at the other barbarian slaves, then turned to Kent, thumping his fist against his chest in respect.
"Huh! Huh! Huh!" The barbarians shouted in deep voices.
Three unified cries—a sign of respect.
A fair wager accepted. The barbarian tribe worshipped strength; since this Lord Kent was so powerful and had given them freedom from slavery, he had earned the right to lead them in the coming year as their new chief.
Black Axe looked at the seven members of the tiger tribe before him.
"Now it's your turn."