At this moment, John slowly walked into the arena.
As the crowd caught sight of the challenger—a figure so slender and nearly entirely cloaked in a cape—they couldn't help but jeer.
"To think he dares to challenge the Immortal Messenger looking like that, he might as well go home and drink his milk."
"He probably won't last even 30 seconds."
"Be bold—I bet he can't even make it past 10 seconds."
"This is hilarious, when did the Immortal Messenger become so undignified? To accept such a challenger is truly embarrassing."
"I guess there's not much to see here. I'll bet on the Immortal Messenger."
"Exactly, as long as the Immortal Messenger makes a move, victory is certain."
"How does he have the guts to challenge the Immortal Messenger? It's absolutely ridiculous."
Everyone speculated, yet some harbored other thoughts.
This person seemed no different; could it be he truly had something to rely on?
"Our challenger is also our most esteemed guest at the Rose Hotel, a gold-tier awakener."
"After witnessing the imposing presence of our Immortal Messenger, he decided to issue a challenge. Now, let us see what kind of thrilling duel they will bring us!"
Upon hearing the host's words, the jeering in the crowd grew louder.
"I'm dying of laughter, a gold-tier awakener dares to challenge the Immortal Messenger?"
"When did they run out of worthy opponents? Can't they bring someone stronger, even an emerald-tier wouldn't stand a chance."
"Didn't the last emerald-tier challenger get torn to pieces in less than three minutes?"
"It's so dull, I thought we were in for a fierce battle, but it turns out it's just a gold-tier awakener."
"Well, since some people like rushing to their doom, let's just watch a bit; maybe there's a chance to make a big profit."
"Come on, it's just a gold-tier awakener, there's nothing exciting here, let's wait for the next one."
"I remember the next one is a diamond-tier powerhouse! He came from another fighting arena, now he's here to challenge. The next match will be worth watching."
Nearly everyone doubted John, after all, he was just a gold-tier awakener, hardly a match for the Immortal Messenger.
Although Immortal Messenger was only an diamond-tier master, he had already defeated several transcendent-tier opponents.
He had even challenged a supreme-tier master.
That time, the Immortal Messenger had sustained serious injuries.
That powerful challenger was only that—a challenger.
Victor continued to stare at John.
He stood motionless.
John knew the extent of Victor's power, so he dared not make any rash moves.
Thus, to everyone watching, it appeared as though both were simply standing still, motionless.
But the audience was growing restless.
Some began to curse loudly.
"What's going on? The opponent is just a gold-tier awakener, do you need to be so cautious? What are we supposed to watch if you don't move? This is ridiculous."
"Can you just kill them now? I can't wait for the next fight. Immortal Messenger, what are you even doing?"
"Can you start fighting already? I came here to see a fight, not to watch you stand there."
The crowd was becoming increasingly vocal and agitated.
Meanwhile, Victor slightly tilted his head, his face still expressionless, and even his pupils showed no emotion.
John watched Victor intently and noticed a twitch in Victor's facial muscles as he tilted his head.
Clearly, Victor was under control, and it seemed he had just attempted to break free, but failed.
Victor began to move.
His actions were incredibly fast, too fast to see clearly.
In a swift motion, Victor reached John's side, his hand shaped like a claw, thrusting towards John's heart!
John distinctly heard the whooshing sound, and had he not dodged in time, he would likely have a hole in his chest now.
Though John remained outwardly calm, he was very tense inside.
It seemed that even though Victor had completely lost his memory, his strength was undiminished.
John's expression was grave as he pulled a staff from his storage ring and gripped it tightly in his hand.
Now everyone could see that John was actually a long-range magus.
The jeers grew louder involuntarily, everyone thinking he was there for laughs.
"Is he joking with me? A long-range magus daring to engage in close combat with the Immortal Messenger?"
"I'm dying of laughter, this is the funniest joke I've seen all year."
"I'm starting to think he's lost his mind, but then again, who in their right mind would participate in this kind of contest?"
"Even if someone were out of their mind, a long-range magus engaging in close combat is just absurd."
"I'm so done, I've lost all interest in watching. I'm going to grab a bite to eat, and you guys can tell me the outcome when I get back."