Chapter 261 - End Of The Battle For Blood

It was a close shave, to be honest. If I didn't tug hard enough to break the [Heavenly Chains] and get away from there as soon as the [Spears of Heavens], declaring me as the second place wouldn't be surprising. Thankfully, all of the exchanges we have had in the past timeline proved to be really helpful in predicting her movements. And yes, this isn't her peak form yet. This is not yet as terrifying as the past timeline's immovable holy knight. If she ever reach that point and I battle against her in my current state, it is a one-sided fight. Even if I have the help of my companions and pets, she would just easily mop the floor with me and my companions. That is how strong she was in the past timeline.

After winning, the Arena Organizers was about to call the Clerics to resurrect the two who died but I decided to help them and resurrected them by myself. Sigma scratches her head and also touches the area where my sword pierces her. I didn't bother her anymore and went to Kazuki or should I say Kaisar. Eh, whatever, I would stick calling him Kazuki. Since the spears disappeared after I killed Sigma, Kazuki's crushed body is fully seen in the public. He was poorly crushed by the [Spear of Heavens], poor bastard but he still deserves it.

I resurrected him and he opened his eyes like he was in a deep nightmare and just woke up from it. He looked around and saw that there are no more spears that rained the area earlier.

"Huh? What happened? What is going on?"

"You died and you are resurrected by me since the match ended already. It's time for the award ceremony."

"Award ceremony? So that means I lost??! ME?! I lost?"

"Just accept it, you easily got killed by Sigma. See ya later, the awarding will take place a few minutes later."

"No, this isn't what was supposed to happen! F*ck that ceremony, I would rather go back hunting if I am not the champion, I don't need the award!"

He then logged out of the game after that. That behavior of his really irked some people including me. He is still not accepting losses at all and just goes leave to avoid losing face.

...

After a small rest, the award ceremony occurred in the arena. There are still many people who stick around since they are the ones who had a bet with the betting system in the arena. They will be getting their payouts after the awards ceremony so they are not just waiting for the ceremony to commence, they are also waiting for their rewards so that they can start shopping in the Arena shop with their winnings.

"Ladies and gentlemen! The first arena colosseum competition that will be held annually has finally ended! It was a great match and congratulations to all players who participated, whether you guys won or lost, you guys are all great warriors, and be proud of it! If you lost, then you guys needed to improve more, as for those who won, don't let this victory get in your heads! Strive and improve yourselves further! Well then! Let's proceed to the award ceremony that everyone is waiting for and although we already know who won and claimed the top spot, we also need to award the ones who came next. Now, let's welcome the champion, the second placer, and the third placer!"

The audience started clapping hard when we went out. Many players who bet on me are cheering after winning big and as for those who lost, some cursed at me while some are just in a neutral stance and just clapped.

I also see my parents and friends cheering up in the audience. I also didn't expect to see Harmless Sparrow there too. Well, you can say she is a friend but I won't say we are very close enough for that. But I am sure that the events in Sandurk will not be the end of our collaboration.

Sigma and I came together to go to the stage in the arena. The emcee was bewildered when he saw that only the two of us went out. He then beckons me and I can easily tell that he is going to ask me about Kazuki's whereabouts since I am the one who revived him.

"Mr. Champion, congratulations on your win but may I ask where is Mr. Kaisar? I don't see him along with you guys."

"He left after he learned he is just in third place and lost the battle. He also said he won't accept the reward."

The emcee shook his head in agitation and disappointment. "That's a shame but we must go on with the awarding ceremony so please cooperate just this once. We can't let this awarding get ruined because one forfeited."

I nodded in response and returned to the side of Sigma. When I was about to reach where Sigma is standing, I noticed that she keeps on glancing at me from time to time. Her eyes tell me she is curious about me. Might be because I broke off her almost invincible defense.

Stepping next to her, she started speaking to me.

"You are a curious person. The rumors about you being one of the strongest players in the game are not just a mere rumor of bystanders."

"Oh? Did my rumors become a bit exaggerated for other people to even accept?"

"Most sounded impossible so yeah, but it seems like not all of the rumors are just mere exaggeration. That ability you showed before is something that you have in you. You are quite good already in battles and it seems like you can read every movement of mine."

"It's a bit easy since I am dealing with many players. Also, you rarely move and the one that is moving is your skill so it's a bit harder for me to defeat you. If I made a big mistake during the time you captured me, I would never be able to escape. You just needed to level up a bit more and experience more battles for you to perfect this playstyle."

Sigma smiled when she heard me say "perfect this playstyle" which I found rather familiar but I don't think I have seen her before in real life either.

"I see. Then, can we become friends? I would like to spar more with you and maybe in the future, we can share some quests to fight enemies and raid bosses. This way, I can increase my chances of easily perfecting my playstyle and maybe defeat you. What do you say? Are you good?"

"Sure."

Sigma opened her friend request and sent one to me which I immediately accepted.

After that, the awarding ceremony went by without a hitch. It pretty underwhelming so there isn't much to do. The only thing that made the crowd have a ruckus is my champion throne. Since I won the first tournament and crowned as the champion, I will be holding the title as the champion for this year. Next year, I will be the champion that everyone will try to compete against with for a chance to claim the title away from me. The final battle will be held between me and the final winner of the Battle For Blood and the winner between that battle will be the champion. That means, if I win, I will retain the title and reputation of a Champion. Of course, if the opponent of mine wins, then I will have to hand over the title of the champion to the winner.

The reward for my champion status is free usage to the Arena facilities except for the Arena shop. Although I won't be able to get things in the arena shop for free, I have a 50% discount on the goods being sold there so that is a good perk for me.

I also received 1 million Arena Shop currency which is why I am going to be really in a good mood after this. With all the essentials I can buy in the Arena shop with only the need to pay 50% of the original amount of the item, that is a big plus for me. Aside from that, I also receive two titles, one is the limited title that will be removed from me if I handed over the title of a champion to other player and the unique title that increases my Arena Shop Currency earnings everytime I win in battles in Arena or if I bet. It's a good effect but not a necessary thing since Arena coins will be plenty in the future.

My parents decided that they will hold a celebration party with my friends in the mansion but I decided to just log out for a bit and will be back a bit later to join them. After fighting for how many hours, it would eventually tire me out and I needed to take a good breather since after this, I will have to take my Class Rank Up quest that will be needed for me to unlock the level cap off and manage to get skills that are beyond Tier 5 and also for me to get my level get to level 101.. The work has only just begun.