‘I tried to hide it, I guess it wasn’t a successful try. Damn, I fought the first guy, and I’m already tired. That mask gives me a hard time, too. I’ve used about half of my total mana. I don’t know how many matches I have to endure to see him, the undefeated champion,’ thought Marcus, sitting on a chair.

  He was waiting for the next fight in the room. The cramped space consisted of a few chairs, a table, a jug of water, and a mirror located in the middle. There were no windows; only three candles were put on the wooden furniture, lighting the room. A stench of blood, sweat, and cigarettes accompanied everyone who entered.

  “You shouldn’t have said those words, you know?” the announcer stated, nervously circling.

  “Yeah, my bad.”

  “Still, why do you wear a mask?”

  “I prefer to stay anonymous."

  “I guessed that. What I meant by my question is, why do you want to hide your face?”

  “I’m sort of wanted in most countries, maybe except the Vampire Empire,” replied half-serious, half-ironic Tingel.

  “Okay… Your next fight will be against our champion.”

  “Already? You lack people, or what?”

  “Kind of… Most of our previous contestants were put in a coma because of him.”

  “I understand. Now, can you leave me? I want to rest before the main fight.”

  “Understood. Rest well…”

  Denir, with the minority, was waiting inside the arena. Most of the audience went outside. Some smoked, others drank alcohol, or consumed drugs. Moodeen looked at them with disregard, especially at those drunkheads. After all, they shared their dull addiction with his father.

  ‘After the first fight, I can tell what the most important aspects of a battle are. Firstly, use your brain rather than your emotions. Dragoncry lacked calmness; the Rough Glass was full of it. Secondly, use your techniques as decoys. Not every spell needs to be used defensively or offensively. It can be used as a decoy, to shorten the distance, or to test your opponent. Thirdly and lastly, use auras as a last resort. Mitcher did the right thing. If he didn’t use the Aura of Wasp Swarm, he would definitely lose instantly. Yes, Tingel won because he was better, not because he was lucky. Judging by his silhouette, he’s around twenty, but his battle experience is comparable to that of a war veteran. He’s quite an interesting man,’ he thought, playing with a found cigarette.

  “Hey, you’ve got a flame?” a man asked him, glancing at the butcher’s hands.

  “Sorry, I don’t smoke.”

  “Don’t be a bitch. I see that cigarette in your hand. Just give me the flame.”

  Vampire Butcher rapidly stood up, taking out his dagger. He held it next to the man’s stomach, hiding it beneath his coat.

  “As I’ve said, I don’t smoke.”

  He swallowed his spit, and his hands began to shake. For the first time, he experienced an assault firsthand.

  “I u—understand.”

  “Great,” responded Denir with a smile.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, I was informed about bad news. Our contestant, who was supposed to fight our champion, had an accident. He has broken his left leg. Marcus ‘the Rough Glass’ Tingel told me he cannot fight him due to the short rest time. On the other hand, the champion cannot wait any longer. Thus, I have to announce that our annual one hundred and fourth Blood Night. Tonight, there is no new champion.”

  Whispers of dissatisfaction spread like wildfire. Some threw drinks at the announcer, though it wasn’t his fault. When everybody thought that it was over, something happened. A man jumped over the fence, landing in the arena.

  “Eh… What do you want?”

  “Can I fight against the champion?”

  “I guess… You know he isn’t going easy on you, right?”

  “I’m well aware. Now, I’ll prepare for my fight. Can I?”

  “Yeah, go ahead. There is a change! Our Bloody Night will continue because of this man’s help. Wait, before you go. Tell us your name.”

  “Denir ‘Vampire Butcher’ Moodeen.”

  Everyone present was caught off guard. It was hard to tell whether he was joking. Nevertheless, they were satisfied.

  ‘What was that? Why did I feel like some force pushed me there? I mean, why would I want to fight him? Damn, it’s oddly similar, too odd even for me. It happened once before, when I killed my father. What the heck is that force? Nevertheless, why did I tell them my real name? At least, I’ll have better battle experience,’ he thought, walking to the waiting room.

  “You’re here? Aren’t you the one who stood up for me?” asked Marcus, looking at him.

  “I guess the participant couldn’t fight, so I volunteered.”

  “Okay. Do you have any armour on you?”

  “That’s right, I didn’t think about it. Damn…”

  “You can use the given ones. They’re not that good, but they get their job done.”

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  “Oh, I see.”

  “What about your weapon? What do you use?

  “A dagger.”

  “Is it special?”

  “Nah, plain one. I don’t plan on winning either.”

  “Then, what do you want to do?”

  “Just fight for a while, and surrender afterwards.”

  “That’s not a bad plan. Best wishes.”

  “Thanks.”

  Moodeen picked the armour with the least rust and stains. Then, he put it on. It was quite old, but still fully usable.

  ‘That’s pretty nice. Even the armour is similar to the one I’m smithing. Yeah, that’s about it.’

  “Do I have to wait or?” the butcher muttered, glancing at the Rough Glass.

  “Honestly, I don’t know.”

  “Okay…”

  Denir went to the corridor. There, the announcer stood, waiting for him.

  “Great. You’re ready, right?”

  “I guess so.”

  “Come with me. Your gate will open when your name is read. Do you understand?”

  “Yeah.”

  The man rushed to the centre of the arena. He cleared his throat and started the announcements.

  “Our second battle. In the first gate, the man who saved our Bloody Night, Denir ‘Vampire Butcher’ Moodeen!”

  He walked out of the corridor. To his surprise, some people were actually cheering him on. Moodeen raised his hand to acknowledge their support.

  “In the second gate, our champion, Marshall ‘the Reindeer’ Watson!”

  “Isn’t he part of the Animalis clan?” a man from the audience wondered.

  “No, I’ve heard he’s part of the Animal Band. But only their leader was a clan member. He was banished and cursed because of an internal conflict. If I’m not mistaken, the leader’s nickname was the Wingless Hawk,” someone else answered.

  Marshall held two short black axes; one in each of his rather thin hands. The man was about the same height as Denir, maybe slightly shorter. He had a deep brown leather coat, brown trousers, and chainmail, hidden beneath his outerwear. There was only one thing that stood out the most. It was a scar on his forehead that looked like an old writing of the number seven, ‘VIII’. His hair was quite long, somewhat curly, and brown. He was pretty much clean-shaven. Both men got closer. Watson had done a hand gesture, asking the butcher to come even closer.

  “I’m eighth in command in the Animal Band. I’m familiar with five special techniques. Yet, I didn’t go over the first one in any of my previous fights. Let’s see if you succeed,” the Reindeer stated, extending his right hand.

  Vampire Butcher accepted it and let go of it almost instantaneously. The second fight began. Denir made a distance and observed his opponent. Marshall rushed into him with the cross attack, but he stopped halfway through. Moodeen had already disappeared. The audience looked all around the arena, but they couldn’t see him. After all, Denir was the sole man who could become invisible.

  “So that’s how he escaped every time…”

  “Shh! I don’t think it’s him. Look, he’s too skinny to be a murderer.”

  ‘What? What the heck happened? Where did he go? Darn, I have to play carefully. I guess I have to use it quicker than I’ve anticipated,’ thought Marshall, observing his foe in disbelief. After all, Denir was the sole man who could become invisible.

  He loosened his limbs and his entire body. Watson took a deep breath, closing his eyes. Then, he opened them at once, flexing his muscles.

  “Animal Technique No. 1: The Wild Spirit.”

  The Reindeer sprinted at him, trying to jump on Denir. The man dodged the attack at the last second. He glanced at his foe. His pupils filled his whole eye; they were identical to a reindeer’s. His stance resembled a wild creature. Moreover, his every strike differed significantly. Almost like they came from many men, yet there was only one. For the first time in his twenty-eight years of life, Denir feared a man. The black weapons were flashing in front of his half-open eyes. Moodeen was dodging most of the attacks. Still, some of them got to him. His armour was rather thin and elastic; therefore, he thought they’d dent the steel outerwear. He was greatly mistaken. Yes, the armour was damaged, but his body too. Somehow, the strikes were so powerful that the butcher’s body was cut and bruised.

  ‘To hell with that freak! My flesh reeks of blood! It hurts so much! Why do I have to suffer so much! What have I done to deserve such punishment?! Stay calm… The Darkest Cloak isn’t an offensive technique, so I can’t use it much… Think, think, think… Yes! I know! I have to evolve beyond set boundaries!’ thought Denir, avoiding or sparing the attacks.

  “Aura of Vampire: Devil’s Physique activare!” Vampire Butcher stated, extending his right hand. In it, there was a small bottle filled with a deep red substance, a few teeth, and two fangs. The items evaporated in an instant, leaving the glass utensil behind. Moodeen’s muscles grew larger, his breathing and heartbeat became faster, and his eyes were filled with bloodthirst. The real showdown just began. Tsh! Denir rushed at his opponent, trying to pierce his throat. Marshall, in complete shock, dodged the strike. Nevertheless, he had to cover it with his right arm. The blood slowly dripped from his forearm.

  ‘Who— No! What’s this?!’

  Watson tried to strike his foe many times, but every time, they were blocked. Yes, even the double-sided attacks were neutralised by one, mere dagger. The table completely shifted, and the prey became the predator. The Reindeer had to do something or accept his defeat.

  “Damn, you freak! I thought I'd show my techniques one by one. Guess I have to skip to the fifth.”

  Marshall connected two axes by their handles. Then, he knelt, keeping his head down. In a normal scenario, he’d be dead. Moodeen allowed for such an action to be performed because of his curiosity. The Animal Band member took a deep breath, raising his head.

  “Animal Technique No. 5: The Black Reindeer,” he whispered lightly.

  A deep, grey smoke entangled around his body. A strong smell of pine tree, gunpowder, and iron came from it. Some of the audience stood up, trying to see through it. After a while, the transformation was completed. It was a creature, somewhat resembling a reindeer. The key differences between them and the transformed Watson were his antlers and his fur. He lacked antlers; in their respective place, the two black axes were placed. His fur was black with a few white dots. Nevertheless, Marshall had his previous outerwear. Denir closely observed the four-legged being. His interest grew greater with every second of his fight. The audience burst out in cheers. After all, most fights were finished with no to little magic usage. During that night, not only was magic used in one battle, but in two. Marshall rushed into Moodeen with a body blow. The butcher jumped over him, but he was too slow. The Reindeer pinned his legs to the edge of the arena. He felt the huge force, slowly crushing his bones and tearing his tendons. He had to do something quickly. The confectioner drew his dagger, trying to slash him up, but the chainmail blocked every attempt.

  ‘Damn! I knew he was strong, but that much?! I have to surrender or do something fast! Think, think! I’ve got to play all in again? Good grief!’ the butcher thought. A smirk appeared on his face, covered in sweat and dust.

  He took a grip of his axe antlers, trying to bend them. Distress drew on Marshall's face. Denir, once again, guessed it right. Vampire Butcher knew that while antlers grew, they were sensitive to their owner. Of course, Watson’s ones were different, yet he was still quite young. Despite it, the Reindeer didn’t bother stopping, but only he pushed forward. The Shadow sorcerer bent them more and more, until he heard and felt something odd. They started to break apart. A thick, dark liquid was coming from the connected steel weapons.

  “Come on! That’s it?! Break them! I don’t care about my antlers! You’re going to lose anyway!” shouted Watson, in fear, excitement, and pain.

  ‘He isn’t going to stop pushing. I have to decide. Lose, or win, injuring him. That’s the easiest choice I was presented with. I’m the ruthless Vampire Butcher; thus, there is only one answer!’

  “I surrender!” stated Denir, dropping his dagger.