Chapter 2: During the Match, Kicking the Groin is Prohibited.
Su Xiao sat in the spectator stands, watching the battle below. The arena was a massive circular platform, surrounded by a translucent energy barrier that shimmered with faint blue light. The crowd roared, their voices blending into a chaotic symphony of excitement and bloodlust.
On the field, two contractors were locked in combat. One was a burly man wielding a massive axe, his movements heavy but powerful. The other was a slender woman, darting around with a pair of daggers, her strikes quick and precise. The axe-wielder swung wildly, but the woman dodged with ease, her agility far surpassing his.
"Boring," Su Xiao muttered, leaning back in his seat. He had seen countless battles like this—brute force versus speed, a classic matchup that usually ended with the faster combatant winning. But this time, something was different.
The woman suddenly stumbled, her foot catching on an uneven patch of ground. The axe-wielder seized the opportunity, bringing his weapon down in a devastating arc. The woman rolled to the side, barely avoiding the blow, but the axe slammed into the ground, sending cracks spiderwebbing across the arena floor.
"Not bad," Su Xiao commented, his interest piqued. The woman's recovery was impressive, and she quickly regained her footing, her daggers flashing as she lunged forward. The axe-wielder tried to block, but she was too fast, her blades slicing across his arm.
Blood sprayed, and the crowd erupted in cheers. The axe-wielder growled, his face contorting with rage. He swung his axe in a wide arc, forcing the woman to retreat. But she was already planning her next move, her eyes cold and calculating.
Su Xiao watched intently, analyzing their techniques. The woman was clearly a skilled assassin, her movements fluid and precise. The axe-wielder, on the other hand, relied on brute strength, his attacks powerful but predictable. It was only a matter of time before the woman found an opening.
And then it happened. The woman feinted left, drawing the axe-wielder's guard, then spun right, her dagger aimed at his throat. But the axe-wielder was faster than he looked. He dropped his axe, grabbing her wrist with his free hand, and pulled her close.
"Gotcha," he snarled, his other hand forming a fist. He punched her in the stomach, and she doubled over, gasping for air. He didn't let go, instead lifting her off the ground and slamming her onto the arena floor.
The crowd gasped, then cheered even louder. The woman struggled to get up, but the axe-wielder was already on top of her, his knee pressing into her back. He raised his fist, ready to deliver the finishing blow.
"Stop!" a voice rang out from the stands. A referee stepped forward, his hand raised. "The match is over. Winner by submission."
The axe-wielder grunted, releasing the woman and stepping back. She slowly got to her feet, her face pale but determined. She nodded to the referee, then limped off the field.
Su Xiao watched her go, his expression unreadable. He had seen enough. He stood up, stretching his arms, and made his way out of the stands. The next match was about to begin, but he had no interest in watching it.
As he walked through the corridor, he heard a familiar voice. "Hey, Bai Ye! Wait up!"
He turned to see Bubu Wang running toward him, his tail wagging excitedly. Behind him was Baha, flying low, and Amu, trudging along with a bored expression.
"What is it?" Su Xiao asked.
"The next match is about to start. It's a team battle—three versus three. I heard one of the teams is from the Don Quixote Family," Bubu Wang said, his eyes gleaming.
"Don Quixote Family?" Su Xiao raised an eyebrow. "That's interesting. Let's go take a look."
They returned to the stands, finding seats near the front. The arena had been cleared, and new combatants were entering. On one side, three figures stood tall and confident. They wore matching uniforms, each embroidered with the Don Quixote Family crest—a stylized windmill.
On the other side, three contractors stood, their appearances more varied. One was a tall, muscular man with a scar across his face. Another was a woman with long, flowing hair, her hands crackling with electricity. The third was a young man, his eyes darting nervously around the arena.
"Looks like an uneven match," Baha commented, landing on Su Xiao's shoulder.
"Maybe," Su Xiao replied, his gaze fixed on the Don Quixote Family members. They seemed calm, almost bored, as if the match was already decided.
The referee raised his hand, and the battle began. The Don Quixote Family moved as one, their coordination flawless. The scarred man charged forward, his fists glowing with energy. The electric woman raised her hands, sending bolts of lightning toward the enemy. The nervous young man hung back, his hands forming seals.
But the Don Quixote Family was unfazed. The lead member, a man with a cold expression, stepped forward, his hand slicing through the air. A blade of wind shot out, cutting through the lightning and forcing the scarred man to dodge.
"Impressive," Su Xiao murmured. The Don Quixote Family's leader was clearly a wind-element user, his control over the air precise and deadly.
The battle continued, the Don Quixote Family dominating from the start. Their teamwork was impeccable, each member covering the others' weaknesses. The opposing team struggled to keep up, their attacks scattered and uncoordinated.
Within minutes, the match was over. The Don Quixote Family stood victorious, their opponents lying defeated on the ground. The crowd cheered, but Su Xiao's expression remained neutral.
"They're good," Bubu Wang said, his tail wagging. "But not as good as you, boss."
"Flattery won't get you anywhere," Su Xiao replied, a faint smile on his lips. He stood up, ready to leave. But as he turned, he noticed something—a figure in the shadows, watching the arena with intense focus.
It was a woman, her face hidden beneath a hood. She seemed to sense his gaze, turning to look at him. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and then she vanished, disappearing into the crowd.
"Interesting," Su Xiao muttered. He had a feeling that this tournament was going to be more eventful than he had anticipated.
As he walked out of the arena, he heard the announcer's voice echo through the halls. "Next match: Kukulin Bai Ye versus Mawen Hua'erzi. Please report to the preparation area."
Su Xiao paused, a grin spreading across his face. "Looks like it's my turn."