Zixin's thoughts began running wildly, How do I escape? Wait… if I do try, the possibility of being halted would rise because this is a betting game between the Hunters and they wouldn't let their "entertainment" escape this ring. Even if I do bother, it would likely end in failure. When a group of Hunters pursued me right after entering the market, I was almost caught. In other words, I have no escape plan.
His thoughts soon wandered into his foe, Uh… how do I say it? I can't imagine myself attaining victory against my opponent. He's likely to be an experienced fighter so victory is improbable. As for using my sub-ability… Snowdrop is terrible, it isn't much help. Even if I do try to fight, I only have my Body Enhancements and nothing else. Oh! I also have the hand knife that Xiaoxiao gave me. I suppose that's an advantage with an unarmed foe.
Zixin's thoughts collapse just as the voice of the Announcer echoed throughout the ring, "Ladies and gentlemen! Here we have Lady Silk's desperate attempt to overthrow the Champion, Vanor with Krausel!"
He continued, "Also known as the Rookie Crusher, Kraushel stands here today to demolish Vanor's bet!"
Zixin's unnecessary thoughts started running, Kraushel? Isn't that a Limian word? Although he is my opponent, I feel a sense of joy knowing that this language has not yet been erased from history. Hmm… as for my plan–no fighting as long as my annoyance doesn't consume me. The plan is simple: conserve as much mental energy as possible and wait for an opportunity to escape. If this doesn't happen, perhaps the audience will witness my defeat.
The Announcer shouted, "And here we have, Mysterious Cloaked, Vanor's bet against Lady Silk but… who the hell are you?! I gave you a title, so tell me about yourself!"
Zixin, seeing an opportunity, chose his words carefully and replied, "My name is Fang Hau, a wanderer who happened to stop by. I did not expect myself to be thrown into this mess."
The Announcer laughed, "Bad luck kid, but I'll give you a choice: fight or die."
That's hardly a choice. It's like showing someone a path only to later learn that the path they chose wouldn't have made a difference. Zixin analyzed, his annoyance rising with each passing second. He smiled lightly, continuing his thoughts. I suppose my first plan is a failure, how about the second? The forfeit plan? Hmm… based on the Announcer's tone, I would likely end up dead if I even dared to forfeit–not like it changes anything. If I somehow successfully forfeited, the audience would surely hold some grudges against me, resulting in me… either becoming a crumbling corpse or an immobile body.
Zixin decided to probe, "Would this be a life or death match?"
The Announcer laughed at him once more, "Life or Death? Are you serious? If we wanted that, we would have thrown in the most hated Hunters and not some random outsider."
Yeah, sure. Zixin commented internally after sensing Kraushel's ever-growing bloodlust.
Sigh, out of all my decisions, entering the market seems like something I should regret but I'm oddly calm even though my annoyance only continues to grow. Zixin shook his head, preparing for Kraushel's first move.
The Announcer shouted once more, "Would we witness the rise of the Mysterious Cloaked, overthrowing Kraushel's winning streak, or would Kraushel prove his strength? Today, I declare the start of the match!"
Kraushel wasted no second, rushing forward with sudden vigor. He curled up his fist, sending a few jabs with incredible speed.
Zixin attempted to dodge, but his speed wasn't enough. His thoughts moved faster, This is my second plan–defeat. If I were to lose, it would be boring for the audience, which may cause some of them to start leaving, and allow me to escape. If Kraushel did decide to kill me, I wouldn't hesitate to defend myself.
Kraushel smirked, his jabs gaining a sudden boost in speed. He laughed, pushing Zixin's hood to open, revealing his identity.
…
At her seat, Lady Silk sighed after witnessing the fight before her. Although she was winning, she felt no joy; after all, her foe was her most trusted customer. "As a tailor, I would often meet with various individuals, many of whom carried quirks that I see as burdens. His would be that unrivaled curiosity, almost–insatiable. And this curiosity led him here, to this market."
She bit her lip, shaking her head as she continued, "I can only hope that you'll make it out alive. I unfortunately cannot back off this gamble against Vanor. A pain, isn't that what you would call this situation?"
…
The crowd roared, laughter echoed, filling the entire District. Maniacs laughed like a bunch of purposeless fools while the innocent Arbane's eyes widened.
"What the…" Zixin muttered unknowingly.
The Announcer's mocking voice filled the District, "To think that the Prince–Zixin of Longevity would fall so low. Fighting inside the ring like a sheep trapped in a fence. What does it feel like now, to be powerless like the rest of us?"
And then, right there and then, his thoughts clicked, as if the missing puzzle pieces had just been obtained, I see… this perhaps is the main reason why Hope dissuaded my prior attempts of entering the market. Of course, they would know who I was, after all, isn't the market a place where information flows? As for the common folks' ignorance of my identity, perhaps my dear sister has kept it a secret. What a pain…
He sighed, realizing something odd, Huh? Aren't I too–calm? I almost feel apathetic yet my annoyance continues to brew deep within. I only wish to end this ridiculous farce.
"Nothing–I have always been powerless. This circumstance only proves my point. From the moment of my birth, perhaps I was always meant to stay weak." He replied to the Announcer, his tone dyed with coldness.
Zixin closed his eyes, concentrating until he split his mind. Kraushel, witnessing Zixin's attempt, decided to waste no time, sending his most brutal punch without mercy. But beyond everyone's expectations, Zixin had taken out his hand knife, stabbing Kraushel's fist with the hope of halting it.
Keaushel gave no signs of stopping, pushing through without a hitch. Trying to avoid a head-on confrontation, Zixin kicked Kraushel's chest, sending him a few meters back.
Waiting for his opponent's next move, Zixin decided to take deep breaths.
Kraushel grabbed the knife that was stuck in his fist, took it out, and tossed it to the floor. Zixin tried to remember where the knife was but his attention soon returned to the match at hand when Kraushel lunged at him, sending a kick in return. Zixin's body flew backward, hitting the ring's barrier.
"Ugh!" He groaned, puking out a mouthful of blood.
Kraushel lunged again, but Zixin managed to leap to his left, catching him off guard. Using this opportunity, he reclaimed his knife. But even so, Kraushel was still able to turn back but a black substance covered his view–Zixin's cloak!
Kraushel smiled, punching downwards, foiling Zixin's plan for a sneak attack.
Zixin jumped backward, avoiding Kraushel's attack.
Kraushel complimented him, "Not bad kid, you have potential but unfortunately… your opponent is me!"
Just shut it… Goodness sake, when will it end… Zixin's thoughts wandered for a moment, unexpectedly creating an idea.
Kraushel jumped, and Zixin ran to his side but Kraushel used the momentum of falling down to slam Zixin down. The ring shook as Kraushel missed, causing Zixin to mutter in disbelief, "How could an Unchosen be so… powerful?!"
Once Kraushel landed, he wasted no time, throwing a brutal uppercut. Due to Zixin's disbelief, he was unable to dodge in time, sending him flying in mid-air.
Having managed to keep his mind straight whilst mid-air, he decided to throw his knife as a distraction.
Luck! Rang in his mind when the knife pierced through Kraushel's chest. Kraushel stumbled, showing signs of weakness.
Unexpectedly, Zixin felt his body falling apart, his arms weakening, and his legs shivering. Almost falling face-first to the floor, his legs tightened, saving him.
Hmm? Kraushel hasn't taken out the knife like before, is there something wrong? Deciding to dig deeper, Zixin probed by rushing to take his cloak from the floor.
Not even a second after reclaiming his cloak, he threw it to block Kraushel's line of sight once more.
Kraushel prepared himself, leaping into the air, ready to slam down. Upon scanning his surroundings in a second, he predicted Zixin's route. Ignorant of Kraushel's scheme, Zixin ran as usual but was inevitably crushed to the ground.
Scarlet blood leaked out, his body instinctively coughing out more. Yet his mind remained stable, and when the chance appeared before him, he acted without hesitation. With swift hand movements, he obtained a grip on the knife. But his luck soon ran out as Kraushel noticed him.
In a matter of seconds, his grip tightened as he pulled the knife. Kraushel growled, spewing out blood before continuing his barrage of punches. Taking one final breath, Zixin stabbed Kraushel's eyes, the blood dripping down his face.
Kraushel roared in pain, his movements coming to a halt. Wasting no time, Zixin pushed Kraushel's body away, giving him enough space to stand up. Heaving a sigh of relief, he placed his foot atop Kraushel's head.
"Crush." He muttered without any hint of emotion.
Concentrating his remaining strength, he crushed Kraushel's skull. What was left was nothing more than a mush of flesh and blood, a disgusting sight to behold.
Suddenly, he felt his body becoming numb, his mind merging together, and his consciousness fading away. He fell face-first to the ground as his mind lost control.
The Announcer spoke in shock, "Ladies and gentlemen, the unexpected had just occurred! Zixin of Longevity successfully takes the life of Kraushel!"