Chapter 305

[ 20 Strength Consumed ]

[ 20 Constitution Consumed ]

[ Consume has successfully Consumed a skill ]

[ Skill does not match being’s body type ]

[ Consume is adjusting skill ]

[ Skill Consumed is Equal to Rank of Current Skill ]

[ Power stored for future use ]

Huh… I wonder what that skill was.

Waving to the crowd, who all appeared to be applauding only because he had won them all a lot of money, Max made his way to the gate that would lead him to where he would find his companions.

So could other gods impact odds like that, or would you bet on someone controlling that matchup?

While I have nothing to bet, if I did, I would place everything on the latter. Someone wanted you to win, and tonight you did just that.

So the next fight?

A few seconds passed before Bob replied.

You will likely be given what is called a free pass until you face a champion. If so, I believe this would be Igarra’s way of getting you to the next level.

Well… I guess we can’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

What does that mean?

I have no idea, Bob… my mother always said that when we got something we didn’t expect.

***

Max waited for the other two to speak, and yet neither of them had spoken since they met him in the hallway.

Even the trip to the house they were staying had been a painful experience.

Cries came from those who were headed home, cheering for him and thanking him for their winnings.

A couple tossed some green tokens into his carriage when he passed, laughing as they did so.

Not once did Jazzjak react, even though Max could sense the fur standing on end.

Only when they closed the door the bedroom the vorpal bunny led them to, did Max finally hear what he expected.

“That was a gift, and you need to know it.”

“I assumed,” Max replied as the rabbit moved his chair near the bed and motioned for the two of them to sit down.

“It seems foolish,” Kauakan said as he crossed his arms. “All those tokens they lost. Surely there had to be a reason.”

“The next fight is the reason, and we need to prepare.”

Jazzjak’s nose wasn’t twitching, and Max could tell he was upset.

“How bad is the next fight going to be?” Max asked, studying the creature before him, whose leg was moving so fast it was hard to keep track of.

“They are going to give you probably something right beneath a champion. Perhaps two fighters… I have seen this trick before, and it is rarely used because sometimes they do not give you a hard opponent. Sometimes they push you up to the champion with ease. That way you are not prepared for what you will really face.” ʀ

“Like Sheoraoa?”

Scoffing, Jazzjak shook his head and crossed his arms.

“She was a child compared to what you will face. How you will win, I’m not certain, but if I’ve learned one thing, it is that you have a lot of tricks.”

Does he expect me to pull a rabbit out of my hat?

Max chuckled, and he couldn’t help but smile, seeing the vorpal bunny’s confused look as its nose scrunched up.

“Is something funny?”

Shaking his head, Max waved off the question and stood up, moving to the center of the room, and began pacing slowly.

“If my next opponent is that strong or if I face two, then we know the plan was designed to get people to bet against me. Right?”

“Maybe… many might still bet on you. You are a smooth skin, do not forget that. Tonight, you made a very large fire out of Toorg.”

“But if the next opponent is just as easy, then what? Would my third match be a guaranteed champion?”

“Not always,” Jazzjak replied. He got up, moved his chair slightly so he didn’t have to look over his shoulder to watch Max move. “It could be your fourth or fifth fight. It all depends on how they feel you match up. Face two strong opponents next, and you will certainly face an even stronger one next time. There are different warriors to pull from. Each one has a certain value, and you cannot or shouldn’t be in a lower one.”

Running his hands through his hair, Max groaned and then stopped his pacing.

“Aimee… how much longer?”

“One or two more days. That is what I was told. Her second gem was much harder on her than expected. That kind of power jump isn’t easy for someone who has never had power.”

Bobbing his head, Max began pacing again and let his mind run through the possibilities.

“How soon can I fight?”

“It’s your choice. You can fight tomorrow if you want. There will be at least one match, and if you wish to join, they will make certain everyone knows,” Jazzjak replied.

“Don’t people have jobs?”

Kauakan started laughing, his creepy laughter echoing off the larger bedroom wall.

“They do, but this happens when those jobs are not requiring one's presence,” the vorpal bunny answered. “I told you before, you have up to five days between matches. Wait longer than that, and you have to pay to not fight. Only those who have been very successful can bide their time.”

“What makes a champion fight? I never asked that.”

“Money, fame, the hope of power. Each champion you faced thought you were a chance for them to get stronger. Rarely does one need to force a champion to fight. Usually they do not fight each other, but once they do, one dies and the other promotes. This is the way it has always been.”

“Fine, set it tomorrow. I want to fight and be able to see Aimee when she returns.”

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“He’s confident,” Kauakan stated as he stood up. “Exactly what we like to see.”

“Sometimes,” Jazzjak muttered. “Still, this will play in our favor either way. Whoever is making this move will believe either we know they are helping and do it again or feel we are over-confident and make a big move. Tomorrow, we shall find out, one way or another.”

***

“Looks like we found out,” Kauakan muttered. “Good luck.”

Max nodded and considered the situation before him.

“Tell me this isn’t how these normally go?”

Unfortunately his Sonar skill told him exactly how his companion felt and thought.

While his face rarely changed, the vibrations coming from him was how he shook anytime he was scared.

Max doubted most would be able to sense it, but he could.

“Seven fighters. Why would they do such a thing? So much life to be lost.”

Considering his options, Max waited, knowing he was going to be called in a moment, expected to walk down the stairs and onto a place where sand and stone would soon be covered in a variety of different colors of blood.

Bob, I need advice. You know what we can do. Even if I give over to you, do we really have a chance?

You don’t give yourself enough credit. While I might be a better fighter, there are still paths that would allow you to win this. The question comes down to how much we reveal of what you can do.

Right now, I think we play into your strength. They believe you are a fire or elemental specialist. I see a way to make this work, but you would have to be willing to go through with something we can only surprise them with once.

Max could sense the thought of Bob, chuckling at the idea his skill had.

If I don’t do that, how many skills would we reveal the other way?

Most of them.

Very well. I’ll follow your plan.

“Kauakan, I want to make sure I’m right. The rules state that when the drums start, one can cast spells that don’t impact anyone but the caster. Right?”

The insect nodded slowly, cocking his head to the side as he did.

“Yes… you have seen it a few times, but most do not have spells that actively assist them. Typically they are abilities, as none are worthwhile of a power when compared to a true combat ability.”

Smiling, Max nodded.

“How long will they wait to ring the bells after the drums? It’s usually about twenty seconds.”

“It can vary, but yes, it is usually that.”

“Okay. It’s time to have some fun.”

***

“Wow! You all appear to be in a frantic betting frenzy! It would appear that someone is expected to die first, and in a horrible way! Let’s see how those wagers work out as we prepare to watch an exciting battle royale!”

Max couldn’t help but grin, ignoring the fact that the other seven opponents were all staring at him.

Two large lionkin, both almost ten feet tall and with large manes, swung their axes as they cracked their necks. Each one was glaring at him and snarling.

Someone has to have paid them to focus on me, or we are just too attractive with a full head of hair.

A larger version of Kauakan was closest, easily twelve feet tall, and his bladed claws looked like they could do some real damage.

A pair of lizard fighters and a sixteen-foot-tall bearkin who made the insect look tiny, holding a huge metal shield and a sword at least seven feet long, were to Max’s right. Finally, the last opponent, furthest away was a vorpal bunny.

The red glint in its eyes and the way its nose twitched said nothing about it was cute and cuddly. One could not ignore the black armor it wore, which hid its white fur, or the myriad of small weapons stuck in sheaths all over its tiny body.

“Hold your breaths! I have just been informed they are putting up a stronger barrier! It would appear we expect a large amount of chaos to come!”

Shimmering all around the top of the walls and about forty feet into the air above them, Max watched as a blue glow and then a white one covered them all.

Once it was done, the volume of the crowd lessened, but Max could see the antics of some closest to the wall. Not a single spectator was silent.

The drums sounded, and Max counted to three.

He then waved his staff around for show, his fire familiar appearing by his side.

“What’s this?! Ifrit has conjured a familiar! Who would have thought?! You all know that means it’s going to get hot in there!”

Smiling, Max slid his hand into his robe, pulling out the glass dagger, and cut his hand, dripping blood onto the top of his familiar, watching each of his opponents as they gripped their weapons and all looked ready to pounce.

14.

15.

16.

17.

Now.

Max smirked.

Bob’s plan was so amazing he felt bad that his skill didn’t want to take over.

[ Demonic Summoning ]

As the world shifted and slowed down, multicolored glass filling the space around him, Max dismissed his familiar and watched as it slowly began to fade away.

Once more the kaleidoscope view of the world almost made him feel ready to vomit, but he overcame it. He was much stronger now, and yet it seemed to hit him harder.

The cut in his hand went from a few drops to a fountain, spraying into the air, once more creating a pattern before him.

Black and red orbs tore from his chest and mixed with his blood and the symbol, and when it did, flames ignited, turning it into a floating rune.

A black and purple portal appeared, this one much larger than the only other time he had used this spell, and once again long nails forced the line apart, widening as it grew until it tore open.

Before Max was a portal now about twenty-seven feet tall, and from it strode a demon with red skin with veins that surged with what could have been lava, and flames traveling along its skin. Dark claws shook as the demon strode through the portal and stood before Max.

It glanced around the arena and began to laugh.

“It would appear you have grown… and traveled to a new world. Impressive. Tell me, have you summoned me to slaughter everyone here? I am not certain that is possible, as I can sense a few beyond both of us very close.”

“On the floor with us or in this arena?”

The demon’s head turned. Its red eyes had changed, morphed somehow, and a black rune sat in the center of them. It gazed upon each of the others on the floor with Max and laughed upon having completed the task.

“No… none of these will be a threat. Your blood… it is…”

The demon shuddered, standing there, lava-like flames dripping from its body, sending a few drops that never touched the sand, and yet it acted like it was ecstatic.

“My body… you… you have changed me… transformed me.”

Max nodded, seeing a thick armored plate all over the muscular and defined physique. Horns twisted along its head, each at least five feet long or more.

I’m not sure I could defeat this thing now…

“Tell me, what is the contract?”

“These seven. Four bells will sound. Kill them all.”

Laughter came, and the demon clapped both hands together, another portal appearing before it. It reached inside, pulling out two swords, each fifteen feet long, blacker than night and yet covered in a black flame that seemed to suck the very light around it.

“And then?”

“Immediately go. I do not want you to risk your life. Once they are dead, I am not certain how things will change.”

An evil grin appeared, and a forked tongue darted from the demon’s mouth.

“Time to harvest some souls.”

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