The Sea Deity Ark'shaRin raised its two massive hands into the air and cleared its throat, before addressing its people once more. "It is finally time. For the main event of today!" Ark'shaRin boomed. "As our two challengers will soon face the King Beast—the Champion of the Colosseum."
The excitement carried in its thunderous voice spread like a plague through the stands. The faces of every spectator present twisted into eager smiles and manic anticipation.
They were all hoping—no, craving—to witness another stroke of brutality, another macabre display of death. Steven could see it clearly in their eyes.
But he wouldn't let that happen.
He stood tall within the arena, spine straight despite the chains of fate hanging over him, and glared intently at the bloated face of the Sea Deity as it continued its self-indulgent speech.
"And for a fair match," Ark'shaRin continued, a grotesque grin stretching across its face, "I will be instilling my blessings upon them—fresh parts of my flesh."
Its thick fingers trailed slowly across its left forearm, almost lovingly. Then, in a swift and nauseating motion, it dug its fingers into its own flesh and tore out a large, wet chunk. Golden blood spewed forth, splattering like molten metal onto the marble floor below. Within mere seconds, the torn wound sealed itself as though nothing had happened.
Steven's stomach churned.
"And after they have consumed my flesh," the Sea God went on casually, as though discussing a feast, "they will be sent into the Colosseum with the great strength of my blessing. And when they prevail over the Champion, I will be glad to announce new brothers joining us here—as Lords of the Colosseum."
A thunderous round of cheers and applause erupted from all sides.
Steven only felt further disgust coil within his chest.
'It's not like we're going to survive a battle with a monster above the Dreadling rank—even if there were a hundred of us, you bastard.'
From Ark'shaRin's tone alone, Steven could tell the Sea Deity was merely mocking them. Dangling false hope like bait before starving animals.
He turned toward Drake, the dashing man standing beside him. Drake's gaze was fixed on the elders seated above, his expression mirroring the same simmering disgust burning in Steven's own eyes. The moment they had entered the Colosseum, Drake's respect—whatever little there might have been—had completely evaporated.
As Ark'shaRin finished its speech, mainly glorifying itself and praising its twisted sense of honor, it stretched out two bloody chunks of its own body toward the challengers.
The rough brown flesh seeped golden blood, shimmering faintly, giving it an almost tempting appearance. Even the elders couldn't hide the jealousy blooming in their eyes. This blessing was far more than they themselves had ever received.
Yet none of them dared voice their complaints.
Steven had no interest whatsoever in the flesh Ark'shaRin offered.
Still, he walked forward.
Each step brought him closer to the towering figure of the Sea Deity. The closer he got, the more its grotesque form filled his vision. Even while seated, Ark'shaRin was already three times the size of a human. Its obese body sagged unnaturally, folds of damp flesh clinging together, and a foul, rotting stench oozed from it—one that made Steven fight the urge to gag.
"Humans and gods."
Steven's voice rang out.
Gasps erupted among the elders, followed by confused glances. The Colosseum itself descended into chaos—murmurs spreading like wildfire as shocked spectators turned toward Steven in disbelief.
"At a time, I thought we were all different..." Steven continued, completely unfazed by the attention. He no longer worried about the consequences that would follow his actions. After all, he was going to die today anyway.
"But now I see—both humans and gods are scum."
The next moment shattered the entire Colosseum.
Steven's hand flew to the hilt of his dagger. In a single fluid motion, he hurled it with all his strength, aiming straight for Ark'shaRin's skull.
Drake's face drained of color. His body froze.
Ark'shaRin, caught off guard, barely managed to react. It raised its hand just in time, blocking the attack. The dagger impaled straight through its palm, stopping inches short of its head.
The sheer precision of the throw sent a wave of fear through the audience.
But Steven wasn't done.
He charged forward, boots pounding against the stone, face twisted with raw determination as he released a furious battle cry. His intent was unmistakable.
He was going to kill the Sea Deity.
"Get him!" one elder shrieked in panic.
Guards rushed forward from all directions, armor clattering as they moved to intercept Steven.
But the Marked was too fast.
His movements were sharp, calculated—every step measured. By the time the guards reached him, Steven would have already delivered his strike.
Drake hesitated.
Honestly, he had not expected this—an outright assault on a god, with nothing but a dagger and pure madness.
'Is he insane?!'
His mind raced. Options flashed before him, each more disastrous than the last. He grunted in frustration, realizing there was no escaping this anymore. If Steven failed, both of them were dead regardless.
'This slimy snake tricked me...' Drake frowned.
He drew his longsword and dashed toward one of the guards pursuing Steven. His blade flashed, slicing cleanly through the back of the guard's neck, beheading him in one brutal motion.
Drake lunged toward the next guard, but this one reacted quickly, parrying the blow with a clang of steel.
"Kill the bastards!" the guard shouted.
Two more guards halted their pursuit of Steven and turned toward Drake instead. Three armed men now faced the single Marked.
Drake gritted his teeth, muscles tensing as he raised his sword. This was shaping up to be the most dangerous battle of his entire life.
"You better know what you're doing," he roared, charging forward with a savage battle cry.
Meanwhile, Steven closed the distance between himself and Ark'shaRin in mere seconds.
He had only one chance, Failure meaning death.
He crouched slightly, gathering strength in his legs, then launched himself forward, dagger raised high, aiming straight for the bleeding Sea Deity. His roar echoed through the Colosseum as he struck with all his fury—
"Fools."
A single word escaped the lips of the enraged god. Its bloated face twisted into spiteful rage and utter disgust.
What happened next sealed their fate.
{Ding}
{The Sea God has activated a Divine Skill}
{Divine Skill Name: Puppeteer's String}