Chapter 1953

On the day of the match, Morpheus held the banned drug in his hand. After hesitating backstage for a moment, he unscrewed the cap and swallowed it.

His throat felt as though it had been sliced open by this tiny pill. He seemed to envision a version of himself, gutted and covered in blood, utterly grotesque.

Even on the battlefield, he had never resorted to underhanded methods. He had always been upright. He could fend off others' hidden attacks, but he couldn't bring himself to harm someone with deceit.

Today, however, he broke his rule for Persephone for the first time. All his principles and beliefs collapsed when he saw that tiny figure in the crowd.

All he knew was that she was watching him from the stands, and he didn't want her to witness him being defeated.

He grabbed the nearby bottle of water, gulped it down, slammed the cup to the ground, and stormed into the ring.

-

Persephone sat somewhat uneasily in the stands. Amidst the uproar, she recalled her first meeting with