Extra's Descent

"Ah, right."

Brandon was about to check his phone. But quickly put his phone back as he reembered there was no signal.

They finished eating and quickly left the establishment.

"That old midget should be done."

"You mean Sir Ironaxe?"

"Yeah, him."

"I've never heard anyone refer to him that way before…."

For some reason, Brandon felt oddly comfortable with the dwarf. The same went for Ironaxe as the two exchanged crude remarks with each other, despite only having just met.

He was a potential ally.

He was done sightseeing. He had seen where the auction house was located, and though it wasn't part of the plan, he had bought items that would assist him in the future.

However, there was still one more place he had to check out.

When Zed had told him, it was quite unbelievable at first.

But he was quick to push down his shock. He had to see it with his own eyes.

"I've heard there was this weekly event called the Colosseum."

".....Yes?"

"Take me there."

*

Arriving at the colosseum, they were greeted by massive stone arches adorned with carvings.

Inside, a bustling reception area featured a long wooden counter where uniformed attendants registered visitors and handed out stamped tickets.

Once registered, they were directed through doors leading to the audience area, where Brandon could hear the sounds of the crowd awaited.

"Two tickets, please."

"Understood. Please insert your card here."

Brandon leaned behind a pillar with his arm crossed, scanning the entire process.

Matthew inserted the card inside the device, and the receptionist began typing on the keyboard.

Then, she announced.

"Codename: Zero. Two Tickets. 20,000 credits."

The receptionist nodded her head.

"Transaction completed. Here are your tickets. If you're unsure of where your seats are, you may ask the guards for assistance."

"Thank you."

Matthew accepted the tickets, and took his card back.

Then, he walked towards Brandon, and handed out a ticket.

"It says box number three."

"Alright."

They roamed the halls. On the walls, there were specific numbers engraved on it, with a large door attached to it.

"Why do you want to see the colosseum?"

"Just curious."

He was curious. After all, it wasn't just any regular colosseum, where mages and duelists fought.

No.

…..It was a chance for other races to fight each other.

After successfully capturing these races outside the human domain with combined efforts, apparently, they were drugged, and were taken to the blackmarket.

It was rather insane how they were able to do it under the peering eyes of the human domain.

However, seeing how advanced the technology they sold here was….

"Woooh!"

Brandon could hear the cheers of the crowd from right behind the door.

Scanning, it was the door that led to box number three. After all, there was a large number three engraved on the wall.

"...."

Creaaaak….

The door creaked open, and there, Brandon could see a flight of stairs. A glimmer of rays casted down, almost blinding Brandon and Matthew's vision.

"Woooh!"

"Wew~ Wew~"

The sound of screams of excitement, and whistles reached their ears. Walking up the flight of stairs, finally, the sight of the entire colosseum came into view.

m _vl _em _p _yr only

The colosseum was a massive, circular arena with towering stone walls and tiered seating packed with cheering spectators.

Torches along the walls cast a warm glow. The arena floor, a mix of sand and dirt.

Above, a canopy provided shade. The air buzzed with anticipation and the roar of the crowd.

"Wooooh!"

Brandon fixed his mask and walked forward. Then, he leaned in front of the railing and swallowed.

Blinking his eyes, he scanned.

"...."

There, he could see a mage. What seemed to be black hair under her hood, and azure eyes.

No, rather, it was a duelist. She stood stall, chest out, and her sword forward. Mana seemed to gather around her.

And her opponent, who stood in front of her, several distances away….

"An orc?"

The orc was tall and muscular, with green, scarred skin.

Sharp tusks stuck out from its wide jaw, and its golden eyes glowed fiercely.

Tangled black hair framed its face. Wearing rough leather and metal armor, the orc carried a big, worn weapon.

In particular, a large wooden club.

All of a sudden, the woman leapt from her position.

Clank—!

A metallic sound rang out. And the orc took a step back and stumbled.

"Huaa!"

The sight had left the audience astonished as they let out a bated gasp.

The woman was small in comparison to the orc. However, the force of her swing was strong enough to push the orc back.

She rushed towards the arc with no hesitation. Brandon could tell there were no wasted movements, especially in the way her blade arc upward.

Clang—!

She swung down and the orc repelled her attack. Glaring at the woman, the orc screamed.

"Hwoooooar—!"

However, the woman's expressions were calm, unfazed by the menacing aura the orc emitted.

It was then.

Placing her hand over the sheath of her blade, the woman took a stance as mana erupted all over her body.

It was subtle. Perhaps, even faint.

But Brandon saw it in that split second.

Her sword.

It glowed a bit. And the mana seemed familiar.

The air crackled with tension as Brandon's eyes locked onto the glowing sword.

In an instant, the orc charged forward, its massive club raised high.

The ground trembled with each thunderous step, cracks started to spread.

The woman remained motionless, her grip steady on her sword's hilt. It seemed like she was waiting for the perfect moment.

Just as the orc's club came crashing down, she sidestepped with a swift, fluid motion.

Swoosh—!

Her blade flashed, slicing through the air with precision.

"Wooo!"

Crash—!

The crowd roared as the orc's swing missed, crashing into the ground and sending a cloud of dust into the air.

The orc screamed in frustration, swinging its club sideways in a wide arc.

The woman ducked, rolling gracefully to avoid the blow. She sprang to her feet, her sword already in motion.

Swoosh—!

The blade cut through the orc's rough armor, drawing a line of green blood.

"Hwoooar—!"

The orch screamed in pain, and staggered.

The woman pressed her advantage. Her movements were a blur. She was fast and yet again, there were no wasted movements.

The orc swung its club desperately. But the woman was always a step ahead, dodging and countering in each exchange.

It was then.

"Huh…?"

A sense of familiar washed over Brandon.

The woman's eyes.

It was faint. But he saw it. Her eyes—which were supposed to be azure—were glowing gold.

"Isn't that….."