Chapter 18 (1/2)

Translator: Atlas StudiosEditor: Atlas Studios

“The newly arrived cult leader wants to enter a deathmatch with the ‘beautiful beast’!”

“The ‘beautiful beast’ won’t even spare one contribution point?”

“Could the cult leader already be hit by his spell?”

“Ohh, then it wouldn’t just be one contribution point. The beautiful beast might earn 50 contribution points this time…”

As he listened to the discussion in the audience stands, Ash forced a smile as he wrapped his fist in bandages. “It seems that you are indeed feigning weakness.”

“On the contrary, I feel that you are the one hiding your strength to lure me into a trap.” The blonde-haired, blue-eyed, fair-skinned Igora smiled and said, “You are the Four Pillar Deities Cult leader who dared to go against the Blood Frenzy Hunters, while I am just an ordinary swindler. No matter how I think about it, your martial strength should be greater, right?”

It was true. Before the deathmatch with Igora, Ash had asked Runner about Igora’s criminal record.

After all, almost every criminal would make their introduction on the news channel before they came in, so the criminals’ resume were almost transparent to each other, just as everyone now knew that Ash was the leader of a small cult that had been taken down by the hunters.

Igora Borgin was also known as “The Deceiver”. He worked in the insurance industry and was put in jail for swindling many wealthy people and obtaining large amounts of money. He was a spiritual sorcerer and possessed a series of mental manipulation spell spirits, such as “Contract”.

Although the prison theoretically prohibited the use of spell spirits, the prohibition was only “direct”, rather than “complete”.

Spiritual sorcerers like Igora, who focused on mental cultivation, could still evoke the power of their spell spirits through verbal spells, hints, body language and so on. It was like the team invitation Igora had sent to him in the hall. Once Ash had agreed to it, the spell spirit would silently imprint itself on his mind.

It sounded like Igora did not have any direct combat ability, but—

Ding!

The lights around the Deathmatch Society went silent again. Only the hologram above the arena attracted everyone’s attention.

[Igora Borgin Stakes 46 Contribution Points]

[VS]

[Ash Heath Stakes 1 Contribution Point]

Everyone would only stake the lowest limit in a deathmatch, which meant that Igora had already fought 45 battles!

According to Runner, Igora had won all past 45 battles!

Then why did Ash agree to this deathmatch?

Because he had already agreed to it.

When Igora jokingly asked if Ash would come to the deathmatch, Ash also responded jokingly with a “sure, sure”. At that time, he had already fallen into a trap—he could no longer go back on this joke.

It was hard to describe this feeling—it was not that his body was controlled, but that his concepts had been altered. This was just like having the absurd notion that “water is poisonous” in his mind. Ash was very certain that he had to fight the deathmatch with Igora.

Ash did not know what the consequences of rejection would be, because the thought of “rejection” would not even appear in his mind. It was as if even thinking, the freest action of all, had been shackled.

“That’s why you shouldn’t casually respond to any invitation from others in the future.”

Sword Maiden leaned against the railing and said lazily, “You are the Terminus Observer. The way I see it, you should reject the goodwill and malice of anyone and say ‘no’ to everything. You should use your own power to conquer all and your own will to rule everything. You should reign the world like a demon king—”

[No!]

“You brat…”

Just as Sword Maiden was choking, a transparent barrier rose around the arena, announcing the start of the deathmatch.

As a ‘ding’ sound rang in his mind, he felt as though a shackle had been released from his body. The chip at the back of his neck no longer restricted them from attacking each other!

At the same time, Igora leaned forward, and his athletic build charged forward like a cheetah!

Ash immediately raised his arm to defend himself and dodged to the side. However, Igora seemed to be able to predict Ash’s reaction early. Igora used a slide tackle to make Ash lose his balance and directly land on his face!

Even though Ash quickly recovered and stood up, he still could not avoid Igora’s follow-up attacks. He was punched in the stomach and almost vomited out bile.

“Clench your teeth.” Igora reminded him “kindly” and punched his temple again!

Ash was dizzy from the beating. He leaned against the wall and used his arms to protect his vital parts. However, Igora seemed to be able to predict all of his movements in advance. Every straight punch and hook hit the places that Ash could not defend against. After a while, Ash’s face was bruised and swollen. He fled while getting beaten up in an extremely sorry state.

He roared in his heart, [Has the experience transfer not started yet? If this continues, I’ll be beaten to death!]

[It hurts! Sword Maiden, quick, possess me and kill this blonde!]

[Mommy Sword Maiden, save me—]

Sword Maiden replied perfunctorily, “Almost there. The more you get beaten up, the faster your experience will be transmitted. Also, don’t just get beaten up. Try to fight back!”

[Can counterattacking speed up the experience transmission?]

“No, but it’ll make this deathmatch more interesting. After all, it’s actually quite boring to watch your one-sided beating.”

Although Sword Maiden said that, she was actually a little surprised.