—


    Ronan’s statement slightly washed away the exhaustion burrowing into Kieran’s mind.


    “As per our deal, the victory of this match is yours. Thatst technique was quite amazing, utilizing a different type of energy I’m somewhat unfamiliar with—what is it called?”


    “Phantasmal Flicker,” Kieran remarked, revealing the technique’s name but not the basis or more sensitive information. Because the stream was active, revealing its identity as a Technique was a truly foolish endeavor.


    “Phantasmal Flicker…” Ronan muttered with a sparkling glint inside his deep cerulean eyes.


    “That’s a great name, capturing the essence of that ability. For a moment, I felt as if your body had transcended the mortal ne only to reappear beside me. Such a speed is probably only aplishable by an individual at the peak of my stage or higher.”


    Afterward, Ronan’s gaze shifted to the ominous Dread Circlet that reduced in size and almost clung to Kieran’s body. “Another strong technique, but it requires further refinement. I can tell that your handling of the skill isn’t the greatest.”


    Kieran grimaced weakly after listening to Ronan’s remark. “This… is actually my second time using it. It’s something I recently learned. However, against an opponent like you, I couldn’t afford to keep it hidden.”


    “An opponent like me,” Ronan muttered with a faint smile.


    Kieran took a step back and gradually raised his hand. “The name’s Aatrox.”


    Ronan shook Kieran’s hand and returned a reply of a simr cadence, “Ronan.”


    Kieran’s expression softened as he began speaking from the heart to appease a kindred soul. “That song I experienced inside the Weightless World… I want to say that I understand your plight. You’re not alone in this world. Our circumstances may be slightly different, but our fates aren’t too dissimr in the end. If you’re willing, I’ll dly be your friend.”


    “A friend, you say? I’d appreciate that,” Ronan nodded.


    〈System: Your rtionship with ?Ronan, The Inexorable Force? has deepened, reaching a unique state of ?Befriended?!〉


    〈System: It is likely that ?Ronan, The Inexorable Force? wille to your aid in times of need if avable. Deepening your rtionship may lead to additional future opportunities.〉


    〈System: As the first yer to befriend an NPC through natural actions, you have been rewarded a special item: ?Contracted Ally Pact?!〉


    Thanks to the convenient feature of the stream, rewards or personal messages couldn’t be disyed in the feed. So, from the viewer’s point of view, it looked as if Kieran was gazing nkly into space.


    However, those familiar with the concept of special notifications understood it was the only reason a yer would stop and stare into space like that.


    Kieran didn’t need to check the item’s description to understand the effect. Its name was pretty straightforward, leaving little room for the imagination. Besides, if he did check the information, that would show up in the feed.


    Kieran preferred the specifics remain blurred out.


    In a sense, the item could be considered a trump card. If the thing worked the way Kieran believed it did, he could potentially gain a force to be reckoned with.


    Though if he was being honest, Kieran desired more than one, especially if it was an item that disappeared after a single usage.


    After Ronan admitted defeat, Kieran’s points skyrocketed to just over 367,000!


    However, after calcting the points, Kieran realized that whoever emerged victorious amongst Bra and Maveli’s fight would im the first spot.


    That meant his next opponent was undoubtedly Yashua.


    Because of this fact, General Zieg nced at Yashua with a faint gesture to approach his opponent. Kieran’s match against Ronan hadn’tsted more than ten minutes, so Yashua’s current condition wasn’t much better than Kieran’s.


    Yashua gripped his halberd and limped toward Kieran with a firm gaze. Despite his battered body barely holding up, Yashua had resolved himself to see everything through to the end.


    Kieran sensed the emotion in Yashua’s eyes, but more importantly, he felt his terrible condition. ‘What an insane fighting spirit. I can truly appreciate it. Compared to when he first stepped on this stage, he’s like a new person—an individual that has endured a harsh tribtion to emerge anew.’


    Once Yashua stood before him, Kieran spoke. “A longsting fight is something neither of us can endure. So… Yashua, let’s put it all on the line. A single attack, winner takes all.”


    “Normally, I would stress that I would be fighting to the bitter end, but… I have already done that. My body can take no more, so your proposition is the best course of action for both of us. We move on three,” Yashua spoke, ultimately agreeing with Kieran’s proposal.


    It was the most practical oue aside from one of them forfeiting. But their hearts of a warrior wouldn’t allow them to forfeit when their tenacity could drive them through.


    Kieran and Yashua stood approximately 10 meters away from one another. Their stances were simr except for the way they held their weapons.


    “One,” the two said in unison.


    A stifling pressure brewed within them both as Kieran’s Dread Circlet dissipated, the remaining energy flowing in his weapon. On the flip side, a swirl of wild energy engulfed Yashua’s halberd as he held it horizontally, away from his body.


    “Two,” the two spoke in unison again.


    They each made preparatory actions, leaning forward and focusing their weight on their respective dominant foot.


    “Three!”


    Bang!


    Kieran and Yashua exploded with the greatest momentum they could muster, racing toward one another. Their weakened states made the crowd wonder who would emerge victorious.


    Was it the bearer of Scar’s legacy, or was it another dark horse who, time and time again, proved their worthiness?


    Everyone held their breath, awaiting the destructive sh. Those who couldn’t contain their excitement watched with bated breath.


    And then, the awaited collision urred.


    BOOM!


    Both sides were flung back, bouncing against the tform’s broken rubble.


    The wild energy and dreadful strike seemingly merged as one before releasing a cataclysmic burst of energy that swept outward in every direction.


    Not a single part of the stage was spared as the tform, already damaged by Ronan’s previous World Suppressing Mammoth: Sundering Stomp, crumbled to dust in some areas.


    The damage to the coliseum fell within War Deity Council’s expectations because it didn’t waste funds to ce formations that required periodic strengthening. It was cheaper to rece the entire floor since the material was readily avable on the continent.


    Kieran’s eyelids fluttered before opening. He released a pained groan as he painstakingly sat up on the remnants of the coliseum’s floor.


    Yashua, on the other hand,y under some debris, gradually letting go of his halberd with a nk gaze. In their exchange, Kieran had emerged victorious, but not by much.


    He couldn’t move until Torment’s Beliefs: Dull kicked in, subduing arge portion of the pain radiating throughout his body.


    “Just a few minutes,” Kieran muttered to himself.


    He exhaled,ying back down on the rubble.


    …


    Amidst the stands…


    Caecus crossed his arms with a delighted smile. “I have to say, Scar—you’ve truly outdone yourself this time. Your inheritor this going around is quite amazing. Befriending a monstrous youth like Ronan and revealing an extremely destructive technique? I have half a mind to steal him from your and teach him my ways.”


    Scar chuckled and entertained his quips. “Unfortunately for you, that twerp is someone I’m willing to protect. Are you ready to risk your longevity by thinking of stealing from me?”


    “Oooh~! Scary,” Caecus chortled.


    Ezrath nced at the two of them before rubbing his chin in thought. ‘Truly a surprise. Thankfully, I wasn’t foolish enough to bet with him again. It has be anyone’s match.’


    After understanding this fact, Ezrath voiced something on his mind. “I recall that technique. Didn’t you showcase that attack in this same event? What was it called… Dread Swiping? No… Dread Sweeping-“


    “Dread Culling, you damned fool,” Scar said with a subtle growl.


    “Yeah, that’s it. A pretty strong skill, but it’s a shame he consumed so much energy with a single usage,” Ezrath sighed and shook his head, feeling somewhat sorry for Kieran.


    “Well, it’s the kid’s second time using it. I don’t expect him to have any mastery over it,” Scar shrugged.


    However, his statement made Ezrath and Caecus gawk, wondering if their ears had failed them. “Did you just say it was his second time using the skill? If that’s the case, I recant myment. That control is exceptional for a second usage.”


    Of course, Scar forgot to add “sessful usage,” but he didn’t correct them. It made him feel more proud when these two regarded Kieran as a little monster.


    …


    A few minutester, the wall around Bra’s fight exploded, revealing a maddened Bra with several cuts to his arms and reddened eyes. His battle against Maveli was more challenging than he expected.


    “Damn it! I guess his moniker as the Wild Assaulter wasn’t just for show,” Bra remarked while spitting out some blood pooling in his mouth.


    On the other hand, the pulverized Maveliy under the rubble, bruised, battered, andpletely unconscious.


    Brapletely disregarded Maveli, instead setting his sights on Kieran, who rose to his feet after hearing the morous explosion.