"Look, another one’s going up!"
"It’s a Gnoll, is he looking for death?"
"My god, it’s a Gnoll. For this round, I’m betting on the Fire-scaled Beast to win!"
"A Gnoll, is he going up there to fetch some bones?"
"..."
The crowd was murmuring and mocking, and Dirtclaw could vaguely hear their comments.
He glanced at the bow on the ground, a weapon that had been dropped by a Blood Elf warrior after their death. The bloodstained bow made Dirtclaw feel anxious and desperate.
The first Blood Elf warrior to go down had lasted only fifteen minutes before being bitten and swallowed whole by the Fire-scaled Beast.
Thinking about the same fate possibly awaiting him, Dirtclaw’s legs shook with fear and excitement. These emotions clashed within him, each trying to take control of his body.
On the other side of the arena, the Fire-scaled Beast that had eaten two warriors seemed to have grown even stronger, rather than weakened.
"I can’t wait to advance to Alpha-level!" Dirtclaw muttered to himself, tightening his grip on the long blade as he stared at the Fire-scaled Beast.
---
In the meeting hall,
"Lord Orion, your subordinate seems to be afraid. You can switch him out before the duel begins," Jorik said with a hint of mockery.
Orion shook his head and glanced at Jorik. The man didn’t seem to have much regard for Dirtclaw. Orion and Jorik were on good terms, but this comment was a reminder from Jorik.
"He volunteered to go up. That means he’s ready to face death," Orion replied, turning his gaze back to the arena and focusing on Dirtclaw.
Orion and Dirtclaw had met during the first southern invasion. At that time, Dirtclaw was a newly promoted hero-level Gnoll captain, a scout who had been discarded as cannon fodder.
Since then, Dirtclaw had grown within the Stoneheart Horde, reaching the peak of the hero level. However, despite consuming Alpha-level resources twice, he had never advanced to Alpha-level, which had caused him significant shame and pressure.
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Dirtclaw’s potential was limited, but his determination was unwavering.
"If he doesn’t advance here, perhaps this duel will be his best way to bow out," Orion thought to himself, sighing.
To be honest, he didn’t have much faith in Dirtclaw’s success. After all, Dirtclaw was just a Gnoll, and his bloodline and combat skills weren’t on par with others. If it were a member of the Giant race, perhaps they’d have a chance due to their strength, but Dirtclaw—Orion couldn’t see him winning.
"Lord Orion, shall we join in the fun?"
Orion looked up at Grand Duke Richard, the representative of the Human Kingdom, who was at the upper Legendary level.
"Oh... have some fun? You and me?"
Orion raised an eyebrow in surprise, and then a murderous gleam flickered in his eyes, though he didn’t hide it.
Grand Duke Richard chuckled and raised his goblet. "Lord Orion, don’t misunderstand. We’re not here to entertain others."
"What I mean is, shall we make a wager?"
Orion clinked his cup against Richard’s and drank it down. "A bet, huh? Go ahead, tell me."
Richard’s smile grew even more enigmatic, and he spoke slowly. "Lord Orion, if your subordinate is killed by the Fire-scaled Beast, I want you to release our Princess Ava unconditionally."
"But if your subordinate kills the Fire-scaled Beast, I will pay double the ransom."
Orion’s expression shifted as he realized what this was really about—Grand Duke Richard was after Princess Ava.
Turning his gaze back to the arena, Orion’s eyes fell on Dirtclaw.
Then he shook his head. "Double is too little. I want five times the ransom."
Richard’s smile remained, and Orion didn’t see any hint of anger on his face.
"As you wish, respected Giant King," Richard said.
Orion narrowed his eyes, giving Richard a long, penetrating look. Then he turned to Lireesa, Jorik, and Dain.
"Since that’s the case, you three can be witnesses."
Lireesa, Jorik, and Dain nodded, their eyes gleaming with understanding.
---
Back in the arena, roars of beasts filled the air.
The Fire-scaled Beast, now freed, fixed its blood-red eyes on Dirtclaw, emitting a cold light.
The battle was about to begin. Dirtclaw took a deep breath, focusing all his energy.
The gate to the arena creaked open with a groan, and the Fire-scaled Beast charged forward with a terrifying roar.
"Charge!" Dirtclaw yelled, and with a battle cry, he also charged forward, wielding a massive sword almost as big as his body.
The Fire-scaled Beast was cunning. From over 300 feet away, it suddenly leapt into the air, aiming to pounce on Dirtclaw from above.
Dirtclaw reacted swiftly. Realizing the change in the Fire-scaled Beast’s tactics, he accelerated forward, ducking and sliding beneath the Beast’s deadly strike.
With a thud, the Fire-scaled Beast landed, spinning around quickly.
Having narrowly avoided the pounce, Dirtclaw dropped to one knee, planting his left hand on the ground, and with his right hand, he gripped his sword, preparing for another charge. A low growl rumbled from his throat.
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
Dirtclaw’s eyes were full of savage bloodlust, a killing intent born from countless battles.
At the same time, his bloodline power surged, and his body was enveloped in a blood-red mist. He charged at the Fire-scaled Beast once more.
"Roar!"
The Fire-scaled Beast snarled, sensing fear from what it had initially thought to be a weak Gnoll.
This couldn’t be allowed.
The Fire-scaled Beast rushed forward, flames beginning to brew in its throat as it prepared to incinerate the Gnoll into nothing but ash.
The flames came fast, and Dirtclaw had no way to avoid them.
In that instant, Dirtclaw’s eyes widened with fear. A chilling sensation spread through his body, as if the heat had frozen him in place.
"Fire... I can’t avoid it... am I going to die?"
"My tribe... my lovers... my younglings... they have the Horde and the master to rely on... I... I can rest now!"
Darkness, death, and blood were upon him.
"I never made it to Alpha-level... I still can’t accept it..."
"Why was I so stupid... wasting two chances..."
"The darkness around me is so thick, where am I?"
"Why can I still think? Am I not dead yet?"
"I’m not dead... I refuse to accept this..."