Batar, Narha, and Kelya were nearing the end of their battle.
They had been fighting for so ti, and very soon only one of them would remain standing. This would be the outco of their battle and would also determine which of them would be sent to the Grim Court.
Nothing could stop this because Kelya had already eliminated all the other candidates. Additionally, many unranked monsters decided to withdraw from the Grim Court when they learned that Kelya would be participating.
It was the right decision, since she, Batar, and Narha were significantly stronger. Only the three of them had a realistic chance of defeating Adam Vinter and putting up a worthy fight at the Grim Court.
Well, if Kaerno hadn't intervened, that's exactly how things would have played out.
Unfortunately for the three of them, another contender for the Grim Court appeared in the Hollow Lands, and it was the worst thing that could have happened to them.
"No fucking way!!!" Kelya exclaid in disbelief, staring at Zin.
Batar had a similar reaction, and even Narha's usually calm expression shattered into pieces. She couldn't believe that what was happening was real, that the young man before them was real and not an illusion.
A gust of wind swept past Zin as his athyst eyes settled on Kelya.
"Es'aha said you wanted to fight Adam Vinter, didn't she?"
Kelya, Batar, and Narha exchanged glances. Now that Zin had asked, it beca clear that he had the sa intentions.
Batar sighed heavily. 'Huh, fate, why are you so cruel to us? All I wanted was to defeat a worthy opponent.'
Narha bit her lip. 'He's here, he's returned to the Hollow Lands? Why now? Is it all just for the sake of a fight?'
Kelya was far angrier than the other two.
'Damn it! SHIT! Why now?! No one's heard anything about him for months! Did he decide to co here to ruin everything?'
After a mont, Batar shook his head and stepped forward.
"Yes. We want to fight Adam Vinter. This is a unique opportunity that we don't know when we'll get again. But why are you asking, Zin?" Batar's gaze grew deeper. "Didn't you co here for this?"
Although many monsters feared Zin, there was no arrogance or haughtiness in his voice. Now, he was having a simple conversation, though they all understood it wouldn't last long.
"Yes."
Zin replied calmly.
"I ca here to fight Adam Vinter. I've answered your question. Now it's your turn. Why do you want to face him in the arena?"
Kelya waved her hand. "Isn't it obvious? Whoever defeats Adam Vinter will beco the strongest among us! The strongest unranked monster in the Hollow Lands, and perhaps even among the Fangs, there will be no equal!"
Zin tilted his head in confusion.
"Hmm? I don't understand."
He ant it sincerely. He blinked a few tis as if he wasn't sure whether Kelya was serious.
Then, he pointed at her. "Everyone knows you hold that position, Kelya. After you cos Batar, and then Narha. I'm sure many would agree with on this ranking."
"So." Zin glanced at them. "In that case, you no longer have a reason to fight against Adam Vinter. You can leave that task to ."
Kelya's expression suddenly turned angry. Her eyes widened, and her veins bulged.
"WHAT? Do you think you have the right to say who is stronger and who is weaker?"
Zin turned to her. "Isn't that the truth? You know it's true because you're holding back for the fight. If you'd shown everything you're capable of, Batar and Narha would have been lying unconscious on the ground long ago."
Then, he pointed at Batar and Narha.
"Narha, you're fast, but if Batar's goal were to kill you, he'd use all his energy to defend against your deadly attacks. Sure, he'd sustain so serious wounds or even lose a limb, but in the end, he'd crush you like a bull."
She had nothing to add as a chill ran down her spine. The scenario Zin had described was probably the most realistic outco of their fight if they were enemies rather than rivals.
"I see you agree with ," Zin turned around, his gaze remaining calm. "In that case, I'll ask you again. Why do you want this fight? You know who is stronger and who is weaker. It's no secret to either of you."
A few monts later, he looked toward the northern Hail Passage.
"My goal is different, so I'd like you to back down. You already know the answer to your question, but I don't. I need this fight more than you do. It's that simple."
Twitch. Twitch. Twitch.
Kelya's facial muscles twitched. She was ready to explode with rage, but she wasn't the first to act.
A massive shadow fell over Zin, who still had his back turned to them.
"Agh?"
As soon as he turned around, he saw Batar's figure and his heavy fist raised for an attack.
"Even if everything you say is true, Zin, it doesn't matter. Your words are just theory, and if we want to know the real answer, we have to fight on the battlefield!"
Tremble!
His muscles trembled as he brought his fist down on Zin.
"The best of us will fight Adam Vinter and win! If you don't want that, then get out of our way and don't interfere!"
Kelya and Narha exchanged glances. They could feel the sheer power Batar had put into that single strike. If they had been in Zin's place, they would have rushed to dodge it so as not to turn into a bloody stain the next mont.
However, not a hint of panic appeared in Zin's eyes.
Blink.
He blinked, and the red apple vanished from his hand. In the next mont, his small fist, compared to Batar's, clashed with it head-on.
The ground cracked as the shockwave sent gray sand flying upward.
"I see." Zin's quiet voice rang out as he raised his left hand. "In that case, I accept your terms."
Click.
He snapped his fingers as Batar's eyes widened, filling with pain.
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