Morning arrived, and with it came the muted buzz of excitement within the lower levels of Babel Tower. Word of the challenge had spread quickly, and the arena on the 10th floor was expected to draw a larger-than-usual crowd.
The betting booths were bustling, as residents eagerly sought to capitalize on the rare opportunity to make Babel Points—a rarity in the lower levels, where the system was usually stagnant, offering little change in odds.
The odds were heavily in favor of Duan Da, 1:5. As a veteran of the 10th floor, Duan Da had been its leader for so long that many believed the only reason he hadn't ascended to higher floors was his strategy of hoarding of Babel Points.
"Duan Da's been sitting pretty on the 10th floor, just raking in points," one warrior commented.
"I heard the new guy bet a thousand points on himself," another chimed in.
"These rich kids think they can just buy their way to the top. Can't wait to see him get trashed!"
"Let me put a hundred on Duan Da," someone else said, eager to take what seemed like an easy win.
Yan Jin's name was already a whisper on the lips of many—a newcomer daring to challenge the strongest of the 10th floor with barely a day's preparation.
Stepping out of his quarters, Yan Jin was a vision in an all-black robe, with a white regal cape draped over his shoulders, giving him the appearance of a delicate prince. His tall figure, crowned with the mysterious mask, added an aura of enigma to his presence.
Zhang San and Wei Xi waited for him at the entrance, flanking him silently as they made their way to the arena.
The arena was already packed with over a thousand spectators from various floors. Ten stages hosted simultaneous fights, and cheers erupted for the battles nearing their conclusions.
Lee Ann spotted them and hurried over, her face a mix of concern and determination.
"Let me lead you to the waiting hall. I managed to negotiate a center stage fight," she informed them, guiding them through the bustling facility.
The waiting hall was filled with over twenty warriors, each preparing for their turn in the arena—stretching, sharpening weapons, and mentally preparing for combat. As they made their way through, a tall, muscular man stepped forward, blocking their path. Your next chapter awaits on m v|l--NovelFire
"You must be the new guys," he said, his tone condescending.
The crowd erupted in cheers as the spotlight focused on Duan Da. He leaped onto the stage, his light armor glinting under the arena lights. His chest was protected by a sleek chest plate, with additional bracing on his shoulders and forearms. Blood tools on his ankles, likely designed for speed enhancement, hinted at his incredible agility. He raised his hand to the crowd, soaking in their adulation.
A fighter card flashed on the screen:
Name: Duan DaAge: 25Bloodline: Thunder LeopardBloodtype: BRank: 1/10th FloorWins: 190/200Particularities: Extremely fast
The crowd's excitement was palpable. Duan Da was clearly a fan favorite, and the energy in the arena reflected his status as a top fighter.
"Now, let's usher in his adversary, the rookie who dares to challenge him! Make some noise for Huangggggg!"
As Yan Jin made his way to the stage, the energy in the arena shifted. A stunned silence fell over the crowd as they took in his appearance: the delicate cape still draped over his shoulders and the mysterious eyeless mask concealing his face.
The screens displayed his fighter card:
Name: HuangAge: UnknownBloodline: UnknownBloodtype: BRank: 100/1th floorWins: 0/0Particularities: Blind
Murmurs of disbelief swept through the crowd. "Are you serious? Is this a joke?" "The tower is messing with us!" "We paid for a good fight, not this."
Boos and jeers grew louder as Yan Jin ascended the stage. His calm demeanor stood in stark contrast to the discontent from the audience.
The announcer stepped forward, raising his voice to regain control. "I will now repeat the rules of the fight. This is a one-on-one match. Any external intervention will result in the fight being considered void. Killing an opponent will incur a fine of one thousand Babel Points. The winner will receive two thousand points as initially agreed.
If anyone has objections, voice them now."
Silence followed as the crowd absorbed the final instructions.
"Good, let the fight begin!"
The gong signaling the start of the match echoed through the arena, and the spotlight focused on the two combatants as the crowd held its breath, eager to witness the clash of these two very different warriors.