The gates sighed open and the two of them stepped into the ring. Morning light slanted through the arena's slits, washing the stone in cold gold. The stands were thin—just enough witnesses to keep things honest—and above them, the king watched with that small, distant expression of someone who measures everything.

  Leo's eyes flicked up and held on that silhouette for half a breath. 'Seems like he's the king. I should meet him in person — build some kind of trust between Hades and the king to see what his plans are… see where I fit.' He let the thought settle and turned his attention back to the pair waiting opposite them.

  One was a squat, twitching magician, his robe too tight and his fingers already itching for a chant. The other was a mountain in boots, a scar running through one eye and a great sword bundled across his back like a hastily bent tree.

  The bell struck.

  "Battle begins."

  Zama moved before anyone finished the echo. He was a shadow that suddenly had weight — a collapse of distance that left the magician blinking in mid-gesture. The magician panicked, voice shrill as he threw up a barrier sigils flared, a crystalline dome snapping into place at the last second. For a heartbeat the magician's face split into a triumphant smirk.

  Then the barrier shattered like glass under a hammer blow. Zama's fist had met it and the dome detonated outward.

  That should have been the end, but Bolder did not stand idle. The giant lunged, flinging himself and the magician to the side as though shoving a child out of a falling doorway. He slotted the tip of his sword between Zama and the crumbling magic and took the hit. The sound of metal and bone forbore—Bolder's great sword shuddered; the steel took a fault and a chunk screamed away. Dust exploded from the floor where the force met stone.

  The magician stumbled, then sputtered out defenses as his breath came ragged. "I— I had that under control!" he cried.

  "Did you?" Bolder's voice was low and guttural, the sort of answer that carried its own judgment. He didn't look at the magician; his eyes were fixed on Zama, and the hardness in them wavered for an instant with something like alarm.

  They were veterans—A-rank veterans—and yet here was a man who moved like weather. Zama hadn't even flexed; his presence alone bent the air.

  Zama moved incredibly fast, appearing suddenly at the magician's side. The magician tried to cast a spell, but he was too slow and failed. Bolder quickly raised his sword to block Zama’s heavy punch. But the punch of Zama was blocked by the sword yet the force was so strong that Bolder's sword began to break. The ground underneath them cracked and broke apart into a small pit because of the power of the hit.

  Bolder's forearms trembled. 'What is this thing?' he thought, feeling the pressure like a living thing pressing against his bones. The magician's confidence had bled away; his hands shook, his chants stuttering into nothing.

  Leo watched, still as a cipher at the starting line, mask unspeaking. He had wanted this — an excuse to be seen, to be measured by the king without revealing himself. If he beat this pair, a path to that throne would open. If he didn't… then the game would be dangerous in ways he was less willing to learn.

  Everyone in the crowd was silent and watching closely. The fight wasn't just about strength; it was about guessing the opponent's next move.

  Bolder dropped his broken sword. He moved quickly, hitting Zama with a kick, two punches, and then a hard strike with his knee to Zama's head. With everything he had. But it didn't work. Zama stood perfectly still. He wasn't hurt at all, and there wasn't a single mark on him.

  Zama stood there like nothing happened—not a single scratch on his body.

  Leo to himself.

  'Well, I wanted to keep less eyes on me… but I should also grab some points. Otherwise Zama alone would finish this battle.'

  Meanwhile King.

  'Hmm… this is one of those matches where I'm seeing extra powerful people.'

  The magician used Zama's distraction with Bolder and cast a spell. A forest of trees erupted, stems wrapping tightly around Zama's body.

  Zama didn't notice until it was too late. He struggled, but the stems held strong.

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Meanwhile, Bolder activated a spell that boosted his stats, his muscles swelling with newfound power.

  Bolder smirked.

  "Let's see who's stronger, brat."

  In an instant, he launched a devastating punch toward Zama.

  'Damn! I can't take this hit. It's actually a strong one… if this lands, I'll be thrown out of the arena.'

  At the very last second—

  Bolder's fist was about to connect.

  The magician's eyes lit up with hope."Yes! Let's go, we can win this one!"

  But—

  Out of nowhere, Leo appeared. Behind his mask, his voice echoed coldly.

  "Did you forget me?"

  Before anyone realized what was happening, Leo moved in. Using fast, skillful footwork, he rushed straight at Bolder. He grabbed Bolder’s head and, using all his power, slammed him backward into the arena wall.

  BOOM!

  The wall cracked and dust filled the air. When the dust settled, there was a giant hole in the wall. Bolder was lying there, knocked out and badly hurt.

  Leo stood there looking tall, hiding a small smile behind his mask. He whispered, "That was easy."

  Zama broke the wooden vines that were holding him and stepped out. "You did a good job," Zama said to Leo.

  Leo scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

  "Didn't I… do a little too much?" he whispered to himself.Leo thoughts to himself.'—oh right, I'm supposed to be holding back…'

  The magician's face twisted in rage. He laughed, but his voice was cold.

  "So you think it's finished?"

  Leo turned, calm as ever.

  "Yeah. So what?"

  The magician's eyes narrowed.

  "Then you're wrong."

  A chilling wave spread out as giant bergs of ice materialized, forming dozens of towering ice giants.

  One by one, they surrounded Leo and Zama.

  The giants roared and attacked all at once.

  Leo and Zama leapt into the air, dodging the barrage.

  In midair, Leo glanced at Zama with a grin.

  "Let's end this, Zama."

  While at the same time on the other side.

  Lili stepped out of the cave, the cold air brushing against her skin. Outside, Sara stood with a few goblins, tension clear on their faces.

  "Where's Zack?" Lili asked quickly.

  Sara shook her head. "We heard an explosion near the village. He ran that way."

  Lili's eyes narrowed. "We're under attack?"

  Sara's voice was sharp, hurried. "Yeah… looks like it."

  Lili's stomach twisted. 'I have to tell this to Leo.'

  She lifted her hand toward the mask's faint glow, trying to connect with him—But suddenly, something snapped against her attempt. The link cut off, as if someone had slammed a door in her face.

  Her breath hitched. 'What the—? Who stopped my contact?'

  Then she felt it. A heavy pressure in the air, like walls closing in from every direction. Her sharp senses picked it up immediately—an enormous barrier had been activated around them, stretching across the land like a dome.

  Her eyes widened. "Oh no… it's the Holy Empire."

  Things we're getting heated up while this time to the battlefield where Zack and Sheron faced Arvaris.

  The air crackled with raw magic. Rubble and fire scattered across the torn ground, evidence of the chaos already unleashed.

  Zack's bow glowed faintly blue, his knifes shimmering with condensed mana. He loosed them in rapid succession, each one exploding into bursts of light that scorched the earth where Arvaris stood. At the same time, Sheron shouted loudly, he used his hands to create magic circles in mid air and summoned spears of fire and shards of ice and they fell down like a storm.

  But Arvaris… he moved through it like a shadow.

  Each step was calm, deliberate. His sword sang as it cut through Zack's mana knifes with ease, sparks scattering into nothing. A flick of his wrist shattered Sheron's firestorm as though swatting away a child's toy.

  Zack gritted his teeth, rolling to the side as a wave of dark energy split the ground where he had been standing. He drew another arrow, whispering a sharp incantation. The shot tore through the air, colliding with Arvaris' blade in a deafening explosion that shook the battlefield. Dust and debris blasted outward—yet when it cleared. Zack and Sheron can't believe on their eyes that what they were witnessing.

  Arvaris stood untouched, his eyes glowing faintly with cruel amusement. Sheron refused to back down. He slammed his giant sword into the ground, unleashing a chain of lightning that split into dozens of serpents, striking at Arvaris from all angles. And Sheron was also attacking him from the front. At the same time, Zack darted forward, blades drawn, aiming for his blind spot.

  The ground exploded beneath Arvaris as the lightning struck—yet his figure blurred, his sword moved with a perfect sync. Sparks scattered, and both Zack and Sheron were hurled back, blood staining their lips.

  Despite their experience, despite their coordination, nothing they threw at him left even a scratch.

  Arvaris slowly lowered his blade, his voice calm, almost mocking.

  "Is that all?"

  Zack staggered to his feet, wiping the blood from his mouth, his eyes burning with defiance. Sheron rose beside him, his sword trembling in his grip—but his will unbroken.

  Together, they readied themselves again.