Word about a strange barbarian wielding a crimson axe spread through Sylvandar overnight.

Because of these wild rumors, the arena was much fuller than yesterday.

Elven nobles who normally ignored the early bracket matches now packed the expensive lower tiers.

Excitement crackled in the warm morning air while thousands of spectators waited for the second round to begin.

Lord Caerith stepped into the sand pit to a wave of thunderous applause.

This particular high elf represented everything the crowd adored. His aristocratic features were flawless, and his silver-enchanted armor caught the bright sunlight perfectly.

Turning gracefully toward the royal box, Caerith performed an elegant bow to honor the ruling family.

Kane stood on the opposite side of the fighting grounds with his hands resting casually on his belt.

Refusing to offer any polite bows or waves to the crowd, he simply rolled his shoulders to loosen his muscles.

’Show them a little blood,’ Kane thought, keeping his expression bored.

’Lothburk’s spies need to think I struggle against enchanted gear. I have to sell this performance perfectly to lure that four-armed freak out tonight.’

Ding!

A loud gong echoed across the stadium to start the match.

Caerith activated his armor immediately.

Bright blue magic wrapped around the noble’s legs to grant him a huge speed boost.

Rushing forward faster than a normal eye could track, Caerith launched a technically perfect sword combination.

Six precise strikes targeted Kane’s throat, ribs, and leading knee simultaneously.

Slash.

Dodging five of the strikes proved easy enough.

Kane twisted his torso and sidestepped the flashing silver blade with practiced grace.

But he intentionally slowed his footwork for the final thrust.

The sharp edge caught his left arm, slicing a clean line right across his bicep.

Red blood welled up instantly so the entire stadium could see the injury.

A collective gasp rippled through the audience because they finally saw the arrogant barbarian bleed.

"He’s a barbarian after all..."

"Fuck, my money was on him..."

’Good,’ Kane thought, ignoring the mild sting radiating from his arm.

’Let them see the blood. Let them think his magic is actually troubling me.’

To sell the fake weakness further, he staggered backward two extra steps.

Caerith read the stumble as genuine difficulty and pressed his attack aggressively.

The noble completely abandoned his defensive footwork to chase a quick, glorious victory.

That was the mistake Kane wanted him to make.

Reaching over his shoulder, Kane drew Mjoldr.

The familiar crimson aura erupted from the steel instantly.

Silence fell over the stadium as the crowd remembered that terrifying glow from the previous day.

Caerith hesitated for just a fraction of a second, causing his confident smirk to falter.

Kane stepped inside the noble’s wide guard and swung his weapon in from the left in a controlled arc.

[Hidden Property Activated: Soul Brand]

The red blade slammed hard against the elven breastplate.

Creak.

Caerith’s enchanted armor shattered completely upon impact.

Expensive defensive magic dissolved into sparkling fragments that drifted across the sand like dying fireflies.

Stripped of every advantage his family’s money bought him, the noble froze in his suddenly useless metal suit.

"Ah... wait!"

A swift second swing disarmed Caerith cleanly.

Kane hooked the flat of his axe around the silver sword hilt and ripped it right out of the elf’s grip.

Stopping his blade exactly one inch from Caerith’s pale throat, Kane claimed the victory without shedding any more blood.

Absolute silence gripped the arena.

Lowering his weapon slowly, Kane did something that made every watching noble lean forward in their seats simultaneously.

He turned his back on his defeated opponent and faced the royal box directly.

Searching the highest balcony, he locked eyes with Prince Aelrindor across the entire stadium.

Kane nodded once.

This gesture was not a sign of submission, nor was it a wild barbarian challenge. It was a clear acknowledgment between two people who both knew exactly what was happening behind the scenes.

Prince Aelrindor maintained a completely neutral expression on his handsome face.

However, his right hand gripped his armrest tightly enough that his knuckles whitened visibly. The royal heir understood the silent message perfectly.

’How dare a mere lowlife mock me?’

Chaos cascaded through the stadium a few seconds later.

"WOAH!"

"HE WON AGAIN!"

The elven commentator stammered into his crystal microphone, struggling to describe how a common savage broke a priceless set of royal armor with a single hit.

Three wealthy noble families sitting in the front row immediately started arguing loudly over whether to adjust their tournament bets.

Standing in the competitors’ section, Rutheus watched the display with a wide grin.

The giant veteran easily recognized the deliberate one-arm disadvantage Kane used to bait the noble into a trap.

Up in the general stands, Kessa watched intently.

Her eyes remained fixed on the barbarian warlord, holding an expression of deep respect that had not changed since she lost to him yesterday.

Firlia observed the fighting grounds from a high window inside the registration offices.

She pressed her hands flat against the glass, knowing exactly why Kane was staring down the royal family.

Meanwhile, Grieselda stood quietly near the tunnel exit. Instead of watching the exciting conclusion in the sand pit, she kept her eyes focused solely on the cheering crowd above.

"YOU GOT LUCKY."

Ignoring the renewed cheers and boos from the audience, Kane walked off the field.

He didn’t wave or acknowledge their sudden praise.

Slipping into the shadows of the fighters’ corridor, he sheathed his weapon.

The cut on his arm still bled slightly, but his high vitality was already knitting the torn flesh back together.

Footsteps echoed softly ahead of him in the dim passage.

Firlia stood waiting near the intersection, holding a small rolled parchment in her hands.

She wore her official green robes again, but her posture was much more relaxed than at their first meeting.

"You played a very dangerous game out there," Firlia whispered, stepping out of the shadows to meet him.

"Aww..., are you worried about me?" Kane smiled, wiping a stray drop of blood from his bicep.

"Did Lothburk’s men watch the fight closely?"

"They watched from the east gate standing section," she confirmed, holding out the folded parchment.

"And they looked very pleased when Caerith landed that strike on your arm. They think your reaction speed is too slow to handle fast combinations."

"Perfect," Kane chuckled, taking the parchment and sliding it into his pouch.

"They bought the performance completely. Now they will report back to their boss and tell him I’m an easy target."