Diamond's combat arena was their interpretation of an ancient amphitheater. The central platform was larger than standard, surrounded by nearly 6,000 seats. Ten minutes before the match began, every seat had already been filled.
"How'd you get such good seats?"
S-Rank Hero Jonathan Oh handed a burger to Julia Seo. She had somehow secured front-row spots with a perfect view.
"You told me to stay focused, but you came here first thing this morning to snag the best seats," she replied.
"Shut up and sit down."
Jonathan snickered and dropped into the seat beside her. "Man, this brings back memories, huh?"
"Bad ones. I remember you getting your ass kicked. You used to hate watching Super Martial Arts after that."
"…I got better. It's on TV all the time. My family's really into it now."
Super Martial Arts was one of the world's most popular sports—flashy battles between superhumans, magical explosions, and raw, unfiltered power. It had inspired a generation of children to chase the life of a hero.
"That's nice to hear."
"'Nice to hear?' Please. The world's going to shit. Phantoms are more active than ever, and kids don't consider other career paths anymore."
"I don't see what's wrong with that."
"Because of people like you, the Association's in shambles."
Suddenly, Jonathan felt a chill run down his spine.
"…Who's that?"
A menacing man sat across the arena, grinning directly at them, baring his teeth like a predator.
"He's been staring at us for a while. Probably just a spectator."
"A spectator? He can look us dead in the eye from across the stadium?"
"I guess so. Oh—it's starting."
The host's voice boomed through the arena as he introduced the day's matchups. Julia opened her laptop.
"Typical associate executive… Who should I keep an eye on?"
"Saul Mayne and Lila Dawn. Top of their class. Den Garry too."
"Oh! Two of the top six? Who are they up against?"
"Saul's fighting a top students the same with Lila but their opponent name is not stated yet. Den Garry's opponent is… Paul Wayne."
"Paul Wayne?"
Julia blinked. "Rank 930?"
"…930? Isn't that way too low? Is he special?"
She pushed up her glasses. "I've heard rumors. Apparently, he keeps disappearing from Diamond."
"So Den Garry's punishing a troublemaker? Never figured him for the justice type."
Julia closed her laptop. "It's starting."
"…Tsk."
—"First duel: Rank 18, Den Garry… versus Rank 930, Paul Wayne! How will Paul Wayne bridge the massive gap between them? Why did Den Garry choose such a low-ranked cadet?"
A shimmering mana barrier rose around the arena. Jonathan watched the cadet walking onto the platform.
"That must be him."
"Yep."
To most people, he looked… average.
---
Cadets weren't allowed to use personal weapons. That meant no Iron Maw. Nexus remained hidden.
I was left with a standard-issue pistol and a basic combat vest.
Beating Den Garry looked impossible.
But losing wasn't in my plan.
"Let's go."
"…Yes."
I climbed the platform, scanned the shimmering barrier, and felt the weight of 6,000 stares. My hands trembled—not from fear, but anticipation.
Den Garry stepped in from the opposite side.
"Oh, Den Garry~"
I raised both arms mockingly.
He didn't respond. Just strapped on his gauntlets.
I gripped my handgun tighter.
—Three!
Den Garry cracked his knuckles.
—Two!
His magic flared, coating his body in a rough layer of reinforcement. Not perfect—but too durable for standard rounds.
—One!
He shifted forward, eyes locked.
I activated Timer.
Time slowed.
I loaded a special bullet—one laced with Stigma's magic.
Anti-magic.
I fired.
Clang—!
The bullet slammed into his chest. A strange burst of energy cracked the reinforcement.
I fired again.
Den Garry ducked, tumbled, rolled—but I kept tracking him. Shot after shot pinned him down.
He dove for cover, tearing up the floor. A weaker, blue aura rose around him—his second reinforcement.
"Huu…"
He licked his lips and dashed again—serpentine, unpredictable.
I was ready.
I pulled a bullet from my belt, laced it with Stigma's magic, and threw it.
The bullet flew like a boomerang.
"Fuck!"
He dodged, sensing something was off. I yanked the tether.
The bullet curved mid-air.
He caught it.
Bad move.
I fired.
Boom—!
The bullet exploded in his hand. Magic scattered.
"Uk!"
His aura cracked.
He lunged, desperate, ignoring the pain.
I shot—arm, elbow, knee. Each impact threw his limbs off balance.
"Huaaaap—!"
He roared and swung wide. I dodged, backflipped, and latched onto a ledge using magic. From above, I fired again.
"Hey! You fuck, this is cheating!"
I grinned—and shot his legs.
He couldn't jump this high.
The fight was mine now.
The final bullet drilled into Den Garry's stomach. He buckled, crashing to the ground with a dull thud. The arena fell silent.
I stood there, breathing hard. My fingers tingled with the last of Stigma's power. I lowered the pistol—but kept my guard up.
Den Garry glared at me, rage burning in his eyes. One arm still moved.
If I got close, he'd kill me.
The duel was over, but his pride wasn't.
"…Tch."
I scanned the arena. Then raised my pistol again—straight into the sky.
A smirk tugged at my lips has I stepped out of the arena.
"I forfeit."
Shrieeeek—!
The horn blared. The mana barrier dissolved.
The crowd gasped.
I turned my back on Den Garry and walked off the stage without a word. Each step echoed.
I didn't need a clean win.
I'd made my point.
Let them remember my name.
End of Chapter 16.