Blood Assimilation

Randy, who had just won his match, had a frown on his face. The reason was that he didn’t gain anything from this match. He wanted to use this Gladiator match suggested by Zophia to increase his chances of assimilating with his temporary attributes. However, as things stand, he might not be able to achieve this goal.

He suddenly thought of a solution to his problem, and immediately turned to the umpire and said: “I would like to increase the number of people who can receive my challenge. Is that okay?”

“Why do you want to do such a thing?” The umpire was puzzled by his words.

Randy hesitated for a bit before he arrogantly proclaimed: “Because everyone is too weak! Facing off against one person is not enough for me to break through my limits! I challenge all who qualify to take the stage right here and now!”

When everyone in the Coliseum heard his arrogant proclamation, they instantly turned speechless. Then they all became angry at his impetuous words.

Even the veteran gladiators couldn’t stand being looked down on by this junior that came out of nowhere and loudly rebuked him from their booth.

“This newbie Gladiator is too arrogant!”

“Mhm. He is too unbridled and conceited. Such bold and reckless words... Does he really think he can face off against more than one gladiator by himself?”

.....

“But what if he could? I mean we wouldn’t know until we see him fight, right?”

“Bullshit! Fortress Defender Manock, do you really hear yourself right now? Which one of us hasn’t attempted fighting two people at the same time without relying on our skills? It’s simply physically taxing, so everyone tacitly agreed that it was impossible to fight opponents at the same level of strength without our skills.”

“Indeed! That is how it has been until now. How could a no-name newbie like him claim he wants to challenge more than one Gladiator? Isn’t he looking down on us too much?”

“See? Even the others agree with me, so what are you on about, Manock? That he could achieve what we couldn’t? Ridiculous!”

“I’m just saying that you can’t judge people by their attitude or demeanor. Didn’t you guys see him use some means to defeat Swift Wind Chaser Dion, who had the ‘blessed by the wind spirit’ trait from his lineage?”

“Fortress Defender Manock, I, Great Sword Dien, may have lost to you, but do you think I would lose to anyone else here, let alone that brat with his slightly fancy movement?”

“It’s not just slightly. If you pay attention you will notice the complexity behind each precise movement and also there was a rhythm...”

“What rhythm? Wasn’t he dancing around like some monkey?”

“All right! You guys should calm down! There’s no need to fight among yourselves. There is only one way to confirm your doubts, and that is to have some people receive our newbie Gladiator’s challenge. Is there anyone who is willing to take on this challenge?”

“…”

“No one?”

“Why don’t you go? Since you seem to acknowledge the situation clearly, then you should go and take on that newbie’s challenge. Why do you wait for someone else to take on the challenge instead?”

“Well, I am mediating here, so how could I bring myself to go on the stage? Who would take my place if I did that?”

“Bullshit! You just want to use others to test the waters before taking the stage yourself. You think I can’t tell what kind of person you are, Twin Snake Dagger Zeroth? You’re always cunning. Even Dion is slowly becoming unscrupulous because he listened to your advice.”

“...What are you talking about? I was simply trying to…”

“Enough nonsense! I don’t really care what you’re trying to do then or now! But if no one is going, then I, Great Sword Dien will take the newbie on and show him the terror of us veterans!”

“...There is no need for that, senior. Let us juniors fight him together and teach him some manners.”

“That’s right. He dared to show such arrogance his first time in the Coliseum. No one can tolerate such behavior no matter how talented they are!”

“Hmm… You two… Well, then I’ll leave it to you guys. Just make sure you don’t hold back when you fight, or you will regret it!”

“”Naturally!””

These two Gladiators, who decided to take on the challenge, left to confront Randy in place of the senior Gladiator, as they felt that it wasn’t necessary for the senior Gladiators to act. They were the new batch of Gladiators who came under the orders of the kingdom to train and prepare for the war.

That aside, as older juniors, it was only right for them to teach a new junior his place. Furthermore, this would establish their reign as seniors in the future. Therefore, they had to grasp this opportunity in front of them.

Shortly after the two Gladiators left, one of the senior Gladiators, Fortress Defender Manock, suddenly said: “Hey Dien, are you sure you’re not simply getting heated up because your half-brother Dion lost to that kid?”

“Hmph! That stupid brother of mine mainly focused on speed and neglected his training in other areas. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have lost to that brat!” Great Sword Dien didn’t deny it, but he didn’t admit it either.

Knowing him, Fortress Defender Manock could only shake his head helplessly as he smiled. He knew that although he won against this friend of his, it was only by exploiting his weakness, which was his overconfidence in his body. Otherwise, he couldn’t have won so easily when they fought a while ago.

Not to mention that after using his skills, he was almost unstoppable with his swordsmanship and overwhelming strength in combat. On the battlefield, he was like a War God as he slayed demons on the front line alongside him.

He had always wanted his little brother to learn swordsmanship, but he refused, claiming that it wasn’t his passion. Even though his little brother focused on speed and dagger mastery, he still doted on him.

That was because he knew the capabilities of his little brother were beyond normal standards and that he wouldn’t lose to most people on the Gladiator stage.

However, his little brother suddenly lost to a newbie Gladiator who came out of nowhere?

He most likely couldn’t accept such an outcome because of the pride he had in his little brother.

Thinking of this to himself, Fortress Defender Manock looked at the grumpy Great Sword Dien and said inwardly: ‘This guy is too temperamental, but I am also curious about the capability of this newbie. His strange movements were too sophisticated to be just random movements. Moreover, that punch he threw, although he didn’t land it on Dion, it still contained a tremendous power, enough to disperse the wind around Dion. Though I wonder if he had similar ability as Dion to be able to unleash such powerful punch under the effects of the Power-Restraining Bracelet. I need to observe him more closely to find out.’

With that in mind, he focused his attention on the stage and observed attentively.