When Kaerno told Adam that there were several unranked monsters in the Hollow Lands possessing formidable power, it beca clear to anyone with his experience and knowledge that conflict between these monsters was inevitable.
Batar and Narha were among such monsters. Each possessed enough strength to defeat Sarka, Loargh, Vyora, and many other Fangs, despite lacking that rank.
They had other priorities, but even they could not ignore an event such as a Phantom participating in the Grim Court. On the contrary, for each of them, this beca the very spark that finally made them change their minds and show their true strength.
But, before any of them found themselves in the arena under the gaze of hundreds of spectators and other Fangs, Thorns, and Fingers, they had to decide among themselves who was worthy of it.
"Narha," Batar's deep voice rang out as he stretched his shoulder. "Do you realize I won't give you this fight? I've spent a lot of ti training, a great deal. How can I pass up such an opportunity to test my skills against Adam Vinter?"
No emotion showed on Narha's face. Unlike Batar, she was as cold as an ancient glacier. Her eyes, posture, and weapon spoke volus.
"In that case, Batar, we have no choice but to fight. But I have one condition."
"Hmm?" Batar crossed his muscular arms over his chest. "You attacked first and nearly killed , but you want to set conditions only now?"
He waved his hand.
"Fine, go ahead."
Before continuing, Narha turned to the woman in the white robe who was still standing to the side.
"I hope you don't mind our fight and won't interfere?"
The woman shook her head.
"Don't worry about it, Narha. This is your personal business, and you have every right to it. Besides, even if I wanted to do sothing for you, a Finger from your pillar would cause too much trouble for it."
Although neither Batar nor Narha had a rank, they, like all other monsters, belonged to a certain pillar. The woman who had co to inform Batar was a Finger of his pillar, and Narha had the sa boss as Sarka or Vyora.
Narha nodded deeply and turned to Batar.
"One of us, the winner, will have to go to the Grim Court in just five hours. We can't afford to sustain too many wounds, because the Bone Lakes won't be enough for us to fully recover."
Batar nodded. So far, everything made sense.
"What do you suggest, then?"
Narha replied quickly: "We won't use our Hollow Marks. Also, the winner will be whoever knocks their opponent to the ground or puts them in a deadly situation."
Step.
At that mont, Narha stepped forward as her fra trembled.
In the next instant, she was behind Batar, holding her katana in a reverse grip, the white blade was right at Batar's neck.
However, there was neither fear nor surprise on his face. He just nodded a few tis, rubbing his chin.
"I see. When are you ready to begin?"
Narha glanced over her shoulder.
"Right now."
Without hesitation, Narha spun around as she lifted one leg, balancing on the other. With the speed of a whirlwind, she brought her katana down on Batar, aiming straight for his neck just as in their first clash, only much faster and more dangerous.
Last ti, Batar dodged, but now he didn't have ti to do so.
Splash!
A stream of blood gushed out as the bone katana struck sothing.
But Batar's head was still on his neck, wearing a satisfied smirk.
Twitch. Twitch. Twitch.
Narha's katana trembled, trapped in Batar's firm grip. Blood trickled down the white blade, but the katana couldn't cut through his hand.
"Now, it's my turn, Narha!!!"
Batar exclaid as he took a deep breath, winding up his fist for a strike.
His chest swelled significantly, and golden energy gathered around his fist, shaking the space with its sheer power.
Narha's pupils narrowed as the golden light engulfed her fra from Batar's oncoming punch.
BLAST!
The devastating blast erupted in a shockwave that swept forward, flattening the steel columns and dozens of ters of ground in front of Batar in a wide cone.
Everything within the blast radius was destroyed, leaving only the smoldering bases of the columns on the ground.
Fortunately for Narha, she managed to dodge in ti as she stood a few ters from the blast cone, as unflappable as ever. If Batar was strong and sturdy, she was fast and deadly.
Still… part of her clothes were singed. Batar's blight light had grazed her at the last mont.
"Well, that was a good warm-up, but I think we need to get serious. What do you think?"
Clap!
Batar planted his feet firmly on the ground and clapped his hands together, leaning forward.
Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.
An aura as powerful and bright as the sun burst forth from his body. It seed as though the golden fla could easily engulf Narha, but for so reason, it couldn't get close to her.
Her aura wasn't as spectacular. The darkness hovering around her was as calm as she was, not letting the searing light get too close.
The woman standing to the side narrowed her eyes. She was one of the few monsters unaffected by their auras at such close range, but at that mont, she was thinking of sothing else.
'These two have a chance of making it to the arena, but… regardless of which one wins, will they be able to face her if she decides to participate?'
…
At the sa ti, at the top of one of the pillars, there was a large room filled with heavy chains. The chains weren't there to restrain a criminal, but rather served as training equipnt.
Hanging from one of these chains was a girl with two pigtails and a wide, joyful grin.
'Those two have already started. I knew they'd want to fight. Hehehe, too bad I'll have to disappoint them both!'
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