The results of the first stage were in. Five fighters will advance to the next stage. Since there will be an odd fighter, one of them will automatically be advanced to a stage further.“After discussing with the referees, we’ve decided to choose Matthew Dragunov as this person. We hope that everyone can agree even if you don’t like it because this decision is final.” Nile announced.“Makes sense to me.”“Yeah, I think he’ll get there anyway.”“I don’t like him, but whatever.”“He definitely deserves it!”From the murmurs of the crowd, it seems that they were accepting of that decision.“Thank you for your cooperation. Now, I will announce the next two matches. First up is Rain Sky versus Ryuka Harini. And in the second match, Midnight versus Ajax.” Claire read from a piece of paper in her hand.Upon hearing this announcement, Matthew and Loki looked at each other.“The victors of this round will then be put together with Dragunov in a three man battle royal. Without further ado, let’s
I was born into a poor family. I had an older brother, Ajax. He was an outgoing and naughty guy. We used to play together and we had fun despite our family's situation.Dad worked as a construction worker and mom was a housewife. Dad's salary was barely enough to take care of us. Then, he got into an accident during one of the company's projects and died. Mom had to work at a night bar to support us.As days went by, mom got depressed and drunk when she got home. Because of that, she would beat my brother and I until she eventually fell asleep. When she wakes up and finds out what she did, she becomes even more sad.I was only eight years old at the time, and Ajax was thirteen. Ajax decided to look for a job as well to help support the family. I joined him too.We cleaned shoes on the streets, delivered newspapers, and helped anyone that was willing to pay for it. We never begged. Ajax said that it's inefficient and unseemly. "If we're able to work, we should. It guarantees pay and be
Matthew leapt from his seat to the wall separating the audience and the arena, and then through a hole in the barrier and landed on the arena floor.“Dr-Dragunov has entered the arena somehow! He has interfered with the fight. Could this mean that he is disqualified?” Nile asked.“I think that’s not the important part here, Nile.” Claire said.Midnight backed away from Ajax as he was wary that Matthew would move if he tried to attack Ajax again. Matthew walked closer to Ajax without letting his eyes off of Midnight. Matthew pulled out his spear and Midnight’s sword.Ajax felt a sharp pain when Matthew pulled out the sword and coughed. “Ugh! What are you doing?”“Saving your butt. Appreciate it, why don’t you?”Ajax slowly stood up with the little strength he had. “Guh… Please don’t kill him.”“No promises. Now, get out of the way.” Matthew said.Ajax didn’t like that answer, but there was nothing he could do. He limped out of the arena through a hole that was somehow there and it clos
Matthew’s aura was blazing red and yellow and engulfed the desert in it. Ajax remembered the time when he felt something similar to this a year ago, and seeing it in front of his eyes was simply astonishing.“How can someone conjure up so much astra?” Ajax asked, but no one replied.Even the people from the host could feel something despite not being able to sense astra. The ones that can were awestruck.“That’s Dragunov’s aura! I can feel it all the way from here!” Nile said.“This is Matthew’s?” Isaac was shocked as well.“It is stronger than before.” Akame mentioned.“I thought I'd already seen his full power.” Rain scoffed.Back in the desert, Alan took off his mask in case it clouded his vision, but it did not. “Y-you! You’ve been hiding so much power?!”That line felt familiar to Matthew. “I don’t know what you did, but I can’t summon any weapons anymore. Well, I don’t need them to beat you though.”“Grr! Attack!” Alan pointed his sword at Matthew and commanded his legion of mon
After the fight with Midnight, it was decided that Matthew was to be disqualified for interfering in the match and killing a participant. These reasons were not liked by anyone, even the referees themselves, but it was a fair decision. Matthew himself did not mind it since it wasn’t his original goal, but of course he was disappointed.Ajax was also supposed to be disqualified as well because he went out of bounds and was unable to continue his match anyway. However, the referees decided to give him another. Ajax was not interested though and forfeited.In the end, Ryuka was officially the victor of the entire tournament. The result was not liked by everyone, but rulewise, it was only fair. Although the tournament came to a rather abrupt end, the final fight between Matthew and Midnight was the most epic fight that everyone had witnessed. The scale of their fight and the fact that even the average person can feel the intensity of the battle was a memorable moment.“It’s really too bad
A few days after the party, everyone was already back home. Sara and Jack focused on recovering the black pills from everyone that got it. Since the effect was already made clear on the news, everyone that has obtained it gave in their pills and the ones that have already consumed it were told to gather and wait for Matthew to neutralise them.In the meantime, Matthew split with Cecilia and Yuki when they reached the mansion. Matthew went back to the Alpin Peak. Raisya congratulated him for his feat although he lost the tournament. Platinum also praised him.Matthew told them of Rose’s general location and his plan to go there. Platinum offered Matthew to just use her [Teleport] spell, but Matthew declined since he already told Afro to book the same ship as him. His chimaera followers wanted to go with him but Matthew declined as well since there was only one ticket.A week since the tournament ended, all the identified people who consumed the black pill were gathered at the Hunters A
Waves crashed on the harbour wall as the sea breeze blew. Birds cawed high above, circling the harbour. Ship workers were seen all over the area, banging nails on ships, sweeping the decks and floor, brushing the side of the ships, and transporting goods among many others. People were bustling to get on the ships and others were waiting for theirs.However, they all stopped whatever they were doing when a commotion suddenly arose. People pointed fingers and took pictures on their smones. The commotion came from a man with golden hair with blue and gold dichromatic eyes. He wore a blue shirt and a red jacket over it. He also had a backpack on him. The man was surrounded by knights that cleared the way ahead of him.Beside the man was a tan skinned woman who wore a headpiece that veiled her head and face except for her eyes. Her clothes were decorated in gold showing her wealth and authority. Her eyes were almond shaped and light brown in colour. Her body was slender yet had beautiful c
Two weeks have passed since the tournament ended and it was the day that Matthew planned on leaving the mainland toward the island of Phulu. After saying his farewells to his friends and family, Matthew went to the San Coro International Harbour several days before. Matthew ran across forests and deserts to get there. He thought it would have taken longer, but he got there within two days.Matthew was wearing a red hooded and long sleeved jacket to cover himself from the sun, and a scarf that covered his face. His body was covered in sand.There were two guards at the gate and more on the walls. The two guards saw Matthew approach them and greeted him.“Hello there, sir. How can we help you?” One of them asked.“Hi. I want to head to the harbour. Where is that?”“Oh, you mean the international harbour? It’s in the City of Kubalt, west of here. Err, if you don’t mind me asking, how did you get here? I don’t see a carriage.”“Oh, don’t worry about that. So it’s west of here, right?” Mat