'They mistook me for a mortal… how?'
Ash wanted nothing more than to ponder the question of how they make such a big mistake, or maybe this wasn't a mistake, and they were purposely feigning ignorance to achieve something, but this wasn't the time for that.
Realization dawned upon him, and he felt things getting complicated right in front of his eyes.
"Yeeees!! You heard correctly! Tooooooday, before your very eyes, a mere mortal shall face a Primor in battle! What a glorious spectacle!"
If others were in his position, they would be crying in joy because of the misunderstanding, but there wasn't a single ounce of happiness on Ash's face, for he understood things had gotten more complicated.
'If… if they don't know I'm a Primor, then their current treatment of me is based on this perceived notion as well.'
Ash had saved some of his essence to tip the battle in his favor, but if he used it now, the others would notice it. Then, something was bound to change.
At worst, he would be killed on the spot... or at the very least, the place he stayed would be changed.
And if that were to happen, everything would crumble to dust.
Feeling a headache coming his way, Ash decided not to use his ability for the time being.
"Hmm? I hear your concerns! After all, what chance does a mere mortal have against a Primor? Practically none! Hahaha! Which is why, in the spirit of fairness, we'll grant our brave little challenger... a slight advantage."
Saying this, Monarick licked his lips and turned his head in a certain direction. Getting the order, the assistant lifted and threw a weapon toward Ash.
Seeing the spear poke right in front of him, Ash moved to claim it. He needed everything to tip the scale in his favor.
"We are giving him a weapon... haha!"
The others weren't convinced, and as if Monarick could read all this, he laughed.
"I know, I know! 'It's still unfair!' I can hear you already. Hahaha! But rest assured, I have chosen the perfect match for both contenders!"
He paused, savoring the guests' anticipation before adding,
"Our dear contender was once a soldier who stood proudly on the front lines. He fought the Corrupted in countless battles... until fate caught up with him. Tsk! Curse that disease… he was infected with the Rot."
He spread his arms with a grin.
"Because of the Rot, he lost his mind and was relieved of his duty. And to honor the presence of His Highness... we have brought him here."
Hearing that the man was a soldier, a collective gasp left their mouths, each with their own reasons.
"Even then… his Nexus is pretty simple, and if our special cultist guest was to use his ability, we would be seeing a pretty good match and not a one-sided slaughter."
Saying his words, Monarick shut his mouth.
Hearing no reaction from any of the guests, Ash knew they had agreed to the duel. Although he felt bad for the fate of the soldier, he was glad about something.
'Yes, there is not much of a boost physically after becoming a Primor... so if his ability is something simple... I can certainly win... or at least stall until that happens…'
"Let the fight commence…"
Before his thought finished, the words echoed in the surroundings.
The chain around the soldier's neck came loose with a click, and Ash watched his chances of getting out alive crumble before his eyes.
Unfortunately for Ash, the ability was simple, but it was something that completely countered him in this sort of environment.
The soldier's body bulged, ripping whatever clothes he was wearing. The frail body gained muscle in an instant.
Against his luck, the soldier's ability happened to enhance his physical strength.
'Fuuucckkk me...'
Cursing his luck, Ash turned and noticed the soldier sprinting toward him. His dull eyes carried no emotion, for a single purpose remained in them.
The soldier's body moved on instinct, and Ash immediately turned and ran.
His feet kicked up dirt as he circled the small arena, forcing the former soldier to chase him instead of meeting him head-on.
Every few steps, Ash glanced over his shoulder, measuring the distance between them while trying to calm his breathing. But as expected, the soldier was faster.
Every stride closed the gap a little more, and the sound of bare feet pounding against the ground merged with laughter, creating a symphony Ash enjoyed the least.
Suddenly, Ash felt his stomach twist from the inside.
'Ohh! No… not now..'
Two days without food had begun to catch up to him. His legs already felt heavy, and each breath burned more of his energy than he could afford. If this continued, he would pass out from exhaustion first.
While Ash was lost in thought, the soldier suddenly exploded forward.
Ash barely threw himself aside as a fist smashed into the spot where his head had been a heartbeat earlier. The impact scattered dirt and pebbles across the arena. Rolling over his shoulder, Ash sprang back onto his feet and thrust his spear.
The tip cut across the soldier's arm, leaving a thin line of blood, but the soldier did not even flinch. Instead, he grabbed the wooden shaft and pulled.
Ash reacted instantly; rather than resisting, he stepped forward and twisted the spear. Riding the momentum, he kicked the soldier's knee and wrenched the weapon free before jumping backward.
Gasp! Gasp!
Ash struggled to breathe as the soldier rushed him again.
He retreated quickly, making each movement as precise as he could. He stabbed whenever an opening appeared, never aiming for a killing blow because he knew it would never land.
Instead, Ash targeted the shoulders, thighs, and arms, forcing the soldier to turn, slow down, or change direction. None of the wounds were deep, but they slowly shaped the flow of the battle.
But it wasn't one-sided, either, as a fist brushed past Ash's cheek, tearing the skin. A moment later, a kick landed, slamming right into his ribs.
Arghhh!!
Pain exploded through his side as he crashed across the dirt, barely managing to keep hold of his spear. The soldier was on him before he could fully rise.
Shit!!
Cursing under his breath, Ash thrust the spear upward. The spear forced the soldier to twist away, buying only a moment, but that single moment was enough for Ash to roll aside and stagger back onto his feet.
'No… endure a little.. just a little…'
Ash's ribs screamed with every breath, his arms trembled from fatigue, and sweat blurred his vision. His body was reaching its limit, but the time had come.
The information he had gathered from the prisoners had one crucial piece of information in it that Ash was counting on.
/ Every two hundred and fifty seconds later, the lanterns of the colosseum would vanish for five seconds… /
Everything had changed about his dance, but this inherent property of the lanterns remained the same.
'247… 248… 249 and 250..'
The counting reached its mark, and the lanterns around the colosseum flickered before dimming completely.