"Go kick his ass, boss!"
I exhaled slowly, stepping into the arena's center as the deafening roar of the crowd washed over me like a crashing tide. The air crackled with anticipation. Cheers and shouts echoed from the audience platform above, separated from the pit by a tall, looming wall. People were on their feet—some screaming, others wide-eyed with excitement.
From the chaos, I spotted Rafaela waving, her eyes locked on me. Beside her, Xin stood with arms crossed, expression unreadable, while Leo was deep in conversation with some sharp-dressed butler-looking guy.
I gave Rafaela a quick wave back—just before a voice sliced clean through the noise.
"So, you're the new leader of the Fang Faction."
The hell?
I snapped around. Someone stood just a few meters away, calm and composed like he'd been there all along.
But he hadn't—I was sure of it. I didn't sense him at all.
[Notice: Absolute Concealment Skill in activation. Unlike Kuro, this elf has mastered a higher-level concealment that hides both presence and mana.][Imitation unavailable. Skill must be evolved.]
Like Hephaestus' passive awakening?
[Correct.]
Damn. Is there a skill that beats even that?
[Assessing…]
The crowd exploded again.
"Master Leal!!""Leal!""Master Leal!!!"
So that's him.
He brushed back his short blonde hair, eyes sharp and calculating, his lips curled into a smile I didn't trust. Long, pointed ears. Elf. No question.
He wore a pristine white tux with matching slacks and black leather shoes—looked more like some young noble from a royal house than a faction leader. I expected a hardened mafioso, maybe with some scars and a whiskey glass. Not this polished, lethal-looking guy.
"Leal Bertrand. Leader of the Marionette Faction. Founder of the Marionette Corps." He placed a hand over his chest and bowed slightly. "At last, we meet, Troy."
"You always accept challenges in a place this flashy?"
"Only when the opponent's worth the spectacle."
Fair enough.
"Before we start," he continued, his tone shifting to something colder, heavier, "I have one question. Why is a Summon in this town? A walking calamity like you should know better."
That again?
"I'm a traveler," I answered, meeting his gaze. "First stop was here. I saw a place screaming for change, soaked in inequality. To change it, the factions need unity. I plan to make that happen."
He chuckled—a low, humorless sound. "A noble reason… for a normal person."
"You have a problem with me?"
Even if I'm just some fake Summon, or whatever the hell I am.
He shook his head. "Not just me. The world does." He took a breath. "But I have some conditions. If you defeat me, you may take the territory—but not my mercenaries. They remain mine. If you lose, you leave this town. For good."
"Fine by me."
He blinked—like he expected more pushback. But when I want something, I don't stop. If it kills me, so be it.
"If I win," I added, "you help me rebuild this town. You become my ally."
Leal gave a sly smile. "Then it's a deal. You'll lose anyway.""But just so you know—I won't be holding back."
He stepped back, raised his hands, feet wide apart.
"It's a pleasure to meet you… Troy."
[Cherubim: Still analyzing.]
I didn't even get the chance to ask more. Leal vanished from sight.
A split-second later—Boom.
My face met the dirt as I was launched across the arena. My body rolled like a ragdoll. Then—white-hot pain exploded across my nape. Felt like my spine cracked in half.
What the—?!
I groaned and clutched my neck, barely managing to stand.
That… that was a single kick. A kick. And it almost turned me into a corpse.
Gasps rippled across the arena. Everyone saw it. No one blinked.
Power surged through me—the lingering effect of his attack charging up my own strength.
If I didn't have Warrior's Rage, I'd be twitching on the floor like a dying fish.
Leal clicked his tongue. "Tch. What an annoying skill." His eyes burned into me. "I wanted to end this quickly. But thanks to Leo's blessing, instead of knocking you out, I made you stronger. That changes everything."
I spat out dirt and wiped my mouth. "I'm impressed. You did all that research in one night?"
He smiled, amused. "One night? I started the second you floored Leo. Your name. Race. Abilities. Threat level. All of it. And based on what I've learned…" He clenched his fists, eyes like jade fire. "You're a threat that needs to be erased before you become something none of us can control."
Dude. That fight happened yesterday. I don't even know what I am—and here this guy already wrote my biography.
"If this is still a game to you," Leal continued, voice cold as steel, "it's not to me. You're a walking disaster in waiting. I don't care what Xin thinks. If he won't act, I will."
I activated my Fire and Lightning magic. Energy crawled across my arms like a storm looking for release. I stepped forward.
"I've got something I need to do, Leal. So no—I'm not leaving. And if you think you can make me…" I cracked my knuckles, the air around me beginning to shimmer. "Then come and try."
Pretty sure something inside me just dislocated.
But it doesn't matter.
This time, I'm not backing down.