Cartag Coliseum – Underground Corridors
Waiting Area Assigned to the Slaves
My mind was somewhere else. I had hundreds of thoughts rushing through me as I looked at the other slaves around me. They stared at me strangely.
But their opinions didn't matter. It had been so long since I'd felt this sensation—this pounding in my chest.
How long had it been since the last time I was happy? Sports had saved me once. Even when my damn Essential Tremor ruined my life at eight years old…
I lost my music, I lost my bond with them. There was a time when I even grew to hate my own hands.
Not being able to play the last videogame my mother bought me. Never again being able to touch a piano, a guitar…
If I hadn't gone there in 2014… I don't think my soul would've endured. I went back to practicing soccer or baseball… and that feeling I had when the bat connected with the baseball, that rush when I kicked a ball—
For a moment, I didn't feel the tremor in my hands.Sports were solace—a way out. A new form of expression he taught me.
And I practiced. And practiced. Every day. I focused so much I became really good. Even though I always knew I'd never be as good as Santiago.
"Am I a shitty person, or did life just turn me into shit? I'm not sure… How the hell did I go from feeling fine to this wave of nostalgia? Damn it."
Once I finally managed to clear my head of useless thoughts, I realized everyone in the waiting hall was drowning in emotion. I could see it—anxiety, nerves, even fear.
I understood them. Their frustrations, their dread toward the arena… even their deep hatred for a society that literally paid to watch them die fighting monsters.
Maybe… I could've been like them.Nah. With my level 9 and the state of this body when I took it over? Without that flaw, I'd have been dead long ago.
Anyway… it seems the "high-interest" contestants are kept in their own waiting rooms. Classist pieces of shit.
That annoyed me—until Galio walked in, accompanied by a squad of soldiers guarding him.
The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly. The slaves and gladiators with me murmured under their breath, their posture shrinking the moment they saw Galio's face.
What had Galio done to them for everyone to fear him this much? Regardless, he walked straight toward me and said:
Galio: —"Abuser, you'll go first… You'll face six Jundurs."
—"What?" (Does no one realize I'm a kid?)
Galio: —"That's what was decided… You hyped up the crowd a lot yesterday. We expect you to do it again."
—"Okay, whatever… let's get this over with." (Officially and definitively… I hate this society.)
The guards flanking him gestured urgently, as if telling him to leave quickly. The gladiators' stares were growing heavier, the environment tense. But before stepping out, Galio turned back and added:
Galio: —"I hope you don't disappoint."
Every eye in the room locked on me—relentlessly, almost uncomfortably. I knew I had to outdo myself this time, make a strong debut…
But most importantly—Do it my way.
***
Cartag Amphitheater – 9:30 A.M.
The buzzing of the expectant citizens grew louder as they awaited the first fight. A soft autumn breeze tempered the heated atmosphere while nobles from across the continent exchanged words. And then:
Announcer:—"Ladies and gentlemen, this guy… haa, he shocked us all yesterday. This little one came out of nowhere. Don't judge him by his strange name—his power isn't a lie… The one who shows no shame and dances like a jester…Presenting… The Abuser!"
Brian positioned himself in the shadow of the passageway leading into the arena. Using the interface of the CI-Mask, he connected to the drone Artia had built last night.
The drone flew inside the arena undetected, perfectly camouflaged. Since it used no magic, it was practically invisible to any ordinary mage.
But Sam—despite his nostalgia, his emotional whirlwind, all his sensations—once the announcer's voice declared his entry, his mind clicked, and through the CI-Mask he played: "Seven Nation Army" (2003).
Brian had no idea, but that entrance—so extravagant, the dark outfit, the digital screen of the CI-Mask, and that specific song—gave many citizens goosebumps.
That bass intro. The drum beat. The simple yet explosive guitar line.That insolent, defiant music and voice.It was something they didn't know, something they weren't ready for. Sam only chose it because he thought it made a cool debut.
Something similar to the modern combat spectacles of his world. Whether he understood the impact or not… unclear.
This time, he didn't dance. He simply walked in with arrogance—or was it confidence?Either way, he knew dancing would ruin the moment, so he walked in seriously. On the digital visor of his helmet, an emoji with sunglasses appeared.
The crowd could only remain silent, stunned by the song. Even the announcer wasn't sure what was happening with this strange slave. But in some way, he liked the eccentric theme:
Announcer:—"And against him… the ten-meter serpents… the ones that crush and devour everything in their path… Ladies and gentlemen, commoners and children…The Jundurs!"
Massive cages rose from the ground as the beasts awaited the mages' spell to release them.
Marilyn and Lucia watched the eccentric entrance, though Marilyn felt something off—something strange about him calling himself "The Abuser." And as if whispering her thoughts:
—"Abu-kun?"
It was an inexplicable sensation, but she felt it was the young man who had saved her days ago. She remembered the moment she regained consciousness for just a second, barely opening her eyes to see that her rescuer looked like a child.
But she hadn't expected this: So different.
Not kind—arrogant.Not free—a slave.Not a hero—a nobody.
Lucia observed coldly, waiting to see the obvious conclusion she expected: the death of that peculiar clown.
April, on the other hand, was surprised to see six B-rank monsters facing a completely unarmed participant. She couldn't help feeling excited, though she admitted the challenge seemed a bit unfair.
Meanwhile, the genius of the Battler clan and Prince Alex were intrigued by the background music during his entrance. The entire arena set its eyes on this uneven duel:
Announcer:—"Let the battle begin!"