At last, the day had come.
When I opened my eyes that morning, my heart was already racing. I knew this was the day everything would change.
But before waking up… I had the dream again.
That same endless white world.
That same warm voice calling my name.
And then I saw her.
She stood before me once more, shining brighter than the sun itself. Her golden hair flowed like light, and her eyes carried both sadness and hope.
Without saying much, she stepped closer.
Then she whispered into my ear.
I couldn't understand every word… but my chest tightened.
Before I could ask anything, she gently took my hand and placed a ring on my finger.
The moment the ring touched my skin—
I woke up.
My breathing was rough.
The ring… was still there.
I immediately rushed toward the tournament entrance.
This was the competition she told me about.
The one month had passed.
This was my chance to save her.
When I reached the gate, two guards blocked my way.
"Sorry. Registration is full. No more participants."
"What?!"
I clenched my fists.
There was no way I had come this far just to be rejected.
Then one of the guards noticed my hand.
His eyes widened.
The ring.
He instantly bowed.
"M-My apologies, sir! Please enter at once!"
The second guard did the same.
"Welcome, honored guest!"
I didn't understand what was happening… but I didn't waste time.
I entered.
Inside the massive arena, thousands of people cheered from above.
Lucas and Mirei were sitting in the audience.
Both looked nervous.
Probably worried I'd do something stupid.
Which… was fair.
Then a loud voice echoed through the stadium.
A man in shining clothes stood in the center.
"WELCOME EVERYONE!"
The crowd roared.
"I shall now explain the rules!"
He raised one finger.
"Rule One! No outside weapons may be brought into this round!"
Second finger.
"Rule Two! Contestants may choose any weapon placed at the entrance!"
Third finger.
"Rule Three! Elemental abilities such as fire, water, lightning, and similar powers are forbidden!"
He smirked.
"However… enhancement abilities such as acceleration, body hardening, speed boosts, and similar skills ARE allowed!"
The crowd screamed louder.
"Now then!"
He pointed dramatically toward the battlefield.
"The first game mode begins now!"
"All contestants shall enter at once…"
"And fight until only TEN remain!"
My heartbeat slowed.
This was it.
I whispered to myself.
"Don't panic. You trained for this. Don't lose."
I picked a sword from the weapon rack and secretly swapped it with my hidden dagger.
No one noticed.
Good.
I stepped into the arena.
The moment I entered—
Several fighters rushed me.
Of course.
I looked weak.
Small body. Human. No flashy aura.
Perfect target.
I activated Acceleration.
My body blurred forward.
Slash.
Slash.
Slash.
Five men screamed as I cut the muscles behind their legs.
They collapsed instantly.
Then something horrifying happened.
A huge man walked over.
He picked them up one by one…
And started eating them.
Bones.
Organs.
Blood.
Everything.
Like soup.
The crowd CHEERED.
My stomach twisted.
Rage exploded inside me.
I charged.
"YOU DISGUSTING BASTARD!"
The giant turned slowly.
His smile was wrong.
"You speak to me, little human?"
He licked blood from his fingers.
"You worthless insect."
"I am the noble Johnny."
"What can a useless human do to me?"
I pointed my blade at him.
"Johnny?"
"Johnny my ass."
"I'll kill you."
The crowd gasped.
Johnny laughed.
"How amusing."
"You're next."
Then dark energy exploded from his body.
"GLUTTONY… RELEASE."
My eyes widened.
That pressure…
This wasn't normal.
I grinned.
"Gluttony?"
"No."
"You're just dead meat."
I thrust my dagger forward.
"GIANT FANG!"
The blade enlarged into a monstrous spear-like fang and shot toward him.
Johnny opened his mouth.
And swallowed it whole.
The crowd screamed in excitement.
Johnny laughed louder.
"That all?"
"You disappoint me."
I clicked my tongue.
"Didn't want to use this yet…"
I held the dagger tightly.
"Awaken… OROCHI!"
The weapon trembled.
Then a giant serpent spirit emerged from the blade.
Eight glowing eyes.
Venom dripping from its fangs.
The arena went silent.
Johnny frowned.
"I'll eat that too."
I smirked.
"This snake's from Japanese legend."
"And his poison…"
"Is hell."
I pointed forward.
"Orochi."
"Mix your venom with Giant Fang."
The serpent bowed dramatically.
"Yes, Master!"
"GIANT FANG—SERPENT VENOM FORM!"
The fang launched again.
Johnny laughed.
"Same trick twice?"
He swallowed it again.
I crossed my arms.
"Good job, Orochi."
The snake smiled proudly.
"Thank you, sir!"
"Now rest."
He returned into the blade.
Johnny spat on the ground.
"That pathetic snake was useless."
I began counting.
"10…"
"9…"
Johnny frowned.
"What are you doing?"
"8…"
"7…"
"You think you're better than me?!"
"6…"
"5…"
Johnny grabbed his throat.
His face changed color.
"4…"
He staggered.
"3…"
Black veins spread across his neck.
"2…"
He collapsed to his knees.
"1."
Johnny smashed face-first into the dirt.
Dead silent arena.
Then chaos.
The crowd exploded.
At the same moment, other battles ended across the field.
Only ten remained.
The announcer screamed into the microphone.
"WE HAVE OUR FINAL TEN!"
"And among them…"
He pointed dramatically at me.
"THE SMALL HUMAN BOY!"
The crowd shouted wildly.
Lucas stood up cheering.
Mirei covered her face like she had a headache.
Typical.
The announcer continued.
"Only TWO game modes remain…"
"And then…"
"The final battle against our LORDS!"
The giant gate behind him opened.
Golden light poured through.
"And whoever wins…"
He pointed toward a balcony high above.
A beautiful girl stood there in chains.
"…shall claim this magnificent maiden…"
"And the title of FAME!"
My chest tightened.
It was her.
The girl from my dreams.
She looked directly at me.
Even from that distance…
I knew.
She remembered.
I gripped my blade.
My whole body burned with purpose.
"I…"
"…will not lose."
To Be Continued...