Nolan started walking toward him, each step echoing like thunder in the silent battlefield. The man twirled the stick in his hands with desperate speed, his eyes wild as he lunged at Nolan. Just as the weapon was about to slam down, Nolan's left hand shot out like lightning, grabbing it, yanking it from his grasp, and hurling it aside. In the next instant, his fist connected with the man's face. Boom! The impact sent shockwaves through the air, yet Nolan soared forward gracefully, landing silently on the ground. Without hesitation, he grabbed the man by the collar, lifting him off his feet.

"Hey, come here," Nolan's voice cut like a blade. "Who's your boss? Tell me now, or I swear, one more hit and you'll regret it."

Pain twisted the man's face, and he trembled under Nolan's gaze. "Y you… you already defeated the boss… the boss was luthar… you defeated him already…" he stammered.

Nolan's eyes narrowed, sharp as a hawk's. "So, who's the one truly wielding the essential energy of power? Who holds that strength?"

"He… he's… the so called one in command… He's right there… watching us now," the man muttered, fear dripping from every word.

With a flick of his wrist, Nolan released him and turned his gaze toward the watcher. Shadows seemed to bend around him as Nolan spoke. "Hey… are you the one who fought my Boa?"

The watcher's eyes blazed, voice laced with venom. "Hey, you bastard! Don't think just because you crushed my master, you'll win against me. I will never lose… not to a nobody like you!"

Nolan's eyes snapped, dark lightning flashing across his irises. "What did you just say? Who did you call a nobody?"

In a blink, Nolan vanished from sight. Before the watcher could even react, he was seized by the mouth, hoisted into the air, and slammed onto the ground with a deafening BOOM!

The man groaned, clutching his head. "So… strange… he's… he's truly strong… damn… my head…"

Nolan crouched slightly, letting the man collapse to the ground. His voice was ice cold, each word measured like a blade. "Answer me. I asked once, and you had the audacity to insult me. Now, were you the one who fought my Boa?"

"Yes… yes… I did," the man replied, his voice barely above a whisper, trembling with fear.

Nolan's lips curled into a shadow of a smile, his gaze cutting deep. "Then tell me… how did you defeat it, when you're this weak? Or… am I just too strong? Don't misunderstand, I see your strength. But to me, you are no different from a goblin."

Then, three more figures emerged from the shadows of the underground arena. The air grew tense, heavy with anticipation. Dust swirled around their boots as they stepped into the light.

Dadvin and Alaric exchanged a quick glance.

"Hey, keep doing what you're doing," Dalvin shouted to Nolan, a grin tugging at his lips. "We've got this side covered."

Alaric nodded, determination flashing in his eyes. Without hesitation, they charged forward toward the three assassins who had cornered them.

One of the assassins raised his sword high, aiming straight for Alaric's head. In a heartbeat, Alaric ducked low, the steel whistling just above him. With precise, fluid motion, he swung his own blade, parrying the attack with a sharp clang!

Another assassin struck from behind, aiming to cleave Alaric's skull. Reflexively, he ducked again, rolling forward and slashing upward with his sword. Metal clashed as the two forces collided.

Before he could recover, the remaining two assassins charged in unison. Alaric's eyes narrowed. Bring it on, he thought, gripping his sword tighter. In a blur, he met both attacks simultaneously, moving with deadly precision.

Meanwhile, Dalvin faced his opponent head on, the glint of his holy sword shining in the dim arena light. He planted his feet firmly and shouted, "Hey! I'm the hero, come at me!"

The assassin smirked, eyes cold. "A hero? Where the hero is strong, sure… but you? You have potential, yes… but untrained. You're nothing but weak."

Dalvin's jaw tightened. His grip on the sword tightened, sparks of light reflecting off its edge. "What did you just say, you dumbass?!" he roared, before dashing forward in a blinding flash, his holy sword cutting through the air like a streak of divine lightning.

The underground arena shook with the sound of clashing steel, each strike echoing like a drumbeat of war. Dust, sweat, and raw energy hung thick in the air, this was no ordinary fight. This was survival, power, and destiny all colliding at once.

Suddenly, an arrow whistled through the air, slicing toward Nolan. In a flash, his hand shot out, catching it effortlessly. He stood, arrow in hand, eyes scanning the shadows, searching for the unseen attacker.

Should I stop time and find them? Nolan thought, tension tightening his chest. No… I can't. I have to follow them.

Without a second's hesitation, he sprinted, every step a blur as he chased the figure through the twisting corridors of the underground arena. Dust kicked up under his boots, echoing through the tunnels. Ahead, a shadow flickered, his target.

Nolan leapt with inhuman agility, clearing the arena floor in a single bound, landing in a hidden pond tunnel below. Water splashed around him, droplets flying like tiny crystal bullets, but he didn't slow. The person kept running, weaving through the labyrinthine paths, yet Nolan didn't give chase recklessly.

I could catch them… easily, he thought, narrowing his eyes. But if I do, I won't know where they're going. There's more here. There has to be.

The Royal Arena wasn't just a place of combat, it was a web of schemes and secrets. The underground courts had been plotting something, hidden beneath the surface of this so called entertainment. Now, thanks to this chase, their veil was lifting.

Nolan's heart pounded with both anticipation and caution. Every step brought him closer to the truth. Every breath whispered of danger. And somewhere ahead, the real game was about to begin.

Nolan kept sprinting after the fleeing figure, his footsteps pounding through the narrow tunnel. The man suddenly swerved around a corner and burst into a hidden room.

"Faster! Faster, faster, faster!" the man barked urgently. "Is the ritual going smoothly?!"

Another voice answered, trembling with excitement. "Yes… this is it. The one who will destroy the world… he'll be born soon. The sacrifices we made, human lives, weren't enough. So… we must sacrifice one of our own."

Nolan froze at the doorway, his eyes widening as he took in the scene. A massive ritual circle glowed crimson on the floor. Arcane symbols flickered with dark energy. Bodies, lifeless and drained, surrounded it.

So this is what they've been hiding… This is where the real ritual is happening. The Royal Arena… it's been a cover for something far darker.

"Hey! Stay back!" the sorcerer shouted, sweat dripping down his face. "I'm not done yet!"

Six assassins turned immediately, drawing their swords. The archer, the one who shot Nolan, stepped forward as well.

Without hesitation, they rushed him.

Nolan dashed forward, so fast their eyes couldn't follow. In a single instant, his fists shot out like lightning.

BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.

Each assassin dropped, knocked unconscious before their bodies even hit the ground.

Nolan exhaled slowly, glaring at the sorcerer. "I said stop."

"I'm not done! I'm NOT DONE!" the sorcerer screamed, voice cracking.

The ritual circle suddenly pulsed violently.

Something… someone… began to rise from the glowing center.

A humanoid figure stepped out, but it was clearly not human. A single horn curled from its skull. Its face was twisted, unnatural. Dark aura poured from its body like black smoke. Its nails were long, sharp, and gleaming like obsidian.

Its voice echoed with a distorted growl.

"Which of you… summoned me from the depths?"

The sorcerer's eyes widened with manic joy. "Yes! It worked! It finally worked! Now we can begin! And we heard what you did, you killed our master, Luther!" His laughter echoed hysterically.

The demon slowly turned… and stared directly at the sorcerer.

The sorcerer's grin faded. "Wh–why are you looking at me like that…?"

The demon lifted one hand toward him. Dark flames swirled, gathering in its palm.

"No, wait! I'm the one who summoned you! You answer to ME! To MY commands!"

FOOOOM!

The demonic flame exploded onto the sorcerer's face. His scream was cut short as his head melted and collapsed into the ritual floor.

Smoke rose.

Silence followed.

Slowly, the demon turned to Nolan.

"You," it growled. "Was it you who called me… who summoned me?"

Nolan shrugged casually. "Well… you just killed the one who summoned you. So now you're asking me?"

The demon's eyes widened, a slow, hungry grin spreading across its distorted face. "Oh… you're right," it rumbled, voice like thunder rolling through a tomb. "I didn't even realize that. Wait… am I in the human realm? Hahaha… wonderful. This is perfect."

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