V2Ch141 New Reveal

It was maybe ten minutes of listening to the announcer before Apleek collapsed in the ring. Saphina was the winner. In terms of a one-on-one, ten minutes is a long fight. I thanked Apleek for stretching it out for so long in my mind.

Yet another unfamiliar official emerged. It was time to head out for my semi-final match. I followed quietly. The official gave no indication as to whether The Black Hunt was awake or not.

I didn't need to wonder for long. Halfway to the arena, I heard him.

"WHERE IS HE?! WHERE IS THAT CUR! I'LL TEAR HIS THROAT OUT!"

I let out a sigh of relief. I noticed the official was looking at me and had a concerned look. I suppose I would be concerned too if I was potentially leading someone to their death and they were relieved to hear the voice of their executioner.

"BRING HIM OUT HERE!"

I emerged from the shade of the hallway into the sunlight of a decaying afternoon. The two rings that shared the arena were gone. Only a single circular ring held the center of attention now.

His eyes locked onto me instantly. I gave no indication that I was worried or looking for him. I casually strolled over to the ring as if I was in charge of a tedious chore.

I was surprised that he had enough restraint to keep from running at me the second I entered. He was growling and furious. His eyes were wide. He was nearly foaming at the mouth. His claws were pointed up and he was crouched, ready to attack. I could almost sense his killer instinct in overdrive.

Even with all of the signs of his desire to kill, I was not phased. What immortal would be? Honestly, I just want to get a few good hits on him before I take the win. He deserves much more.

The referees were getting into position.

"Hey! It's Bad Dog!"

an audience member called out. The Black Hunt turned to the audience behind him.

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?! WHO SAID THAT?"

"Bad Dog!"

Another voice came from my right.

"Bad Dog!"

"Bad Dog!"

"Bad Dog!"

More and more of the audience began to chant the phrase until it was in full stereo.

"YOU BASTARDS! ALL OF YOU! I'LL KILL ALL OF YOU! EVERY LAST ONE!"

*DING*

At the sound of the bell, the audience went quiet. The Black Hunt was about to step out of the ring.

"STOP RIGHT THERE!"

I yelled.

"Take one more step and you forfeit the match. Are you really sure you want to do that... Bad Dog?"

He slowly turned back to me. He took a low stance and let his claws drag on the ground as he ran at me. The moment he got close, I raised my hand with an open palm. As I was hoping, he stopped in his tracks just outside of my reach.

"PFFFT HA HA HA!"

I couldn't help but laugh at his reaction. Some of the audience noticed and laughed with me.

"RAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

He shouted as he lunged at me. I was ready for him and slapped his hand as I dodged his attack to the side. He slid along the floor of the ring, nearing the edge. When his grip on the floor returned, he started running at full speed on all fours.

He was faster than expected on all fours. He closed the gap too fast for me to dodge. All I could do was hold up my left arm to block his bone-breaking jaws. The cracking sound of the bone in my forearm breaking was cause for some sounds of disgust in the audience.

Blood dribbled down his teeth and my arm. He pulled back with the expectation of me in tow. I held my position so that all he got was my arm. I held up the bloody stump just beyond my elbow. I could already see my healing take over without my command.

I wasn't happy. I wouldn't be able to hide my immortality from the crowd around us.

With my severed arm still firmly locked in his jaws, The Black Hunt took in a large inhale before blowing air out with all his strength. The dribbling blood from my lost limb was blown right into my face, temporarily blinding me.

No matter how I tried to wipe the blood from my eyes, it just seemed to smear. I felt a slash at my neck on the right.

Something sharp... No, two sharp things dug into my lower back. I felt his hands grab the top of my head. He pulled back on my hood, clawing the flesh from my forehead down to my upper back. I was suddenly thrust forward from whatever was in my lower back.

At the moment, my only priority was to grab onto anything and not get tossed out of the ring.

"HOLY ENT! I've never seen a match this vicious! Lake is even more bloodied than Grampus right now! He even... He... Is that? Hold on. IS HE HUMAN?!"

Shit. My hood. I forgot. I finally got one eye wiped enough to see through it properly. The Black Hunt was on the far side of the ring. He was stopped in his tracks.

"IS THIS LEGAL? Is a human allowed to participate in the fighting rings? I thought they were a protected species!"

Voices of wonder and gasps sounded out all around. I pushed myself up.

"HOLD ON... HIS ARM IS ALREADY BACK! HE IS HEALING HIS LOST LIMB IN FRONT OF US! IT'S ALREADY BEEN HEALED DOWN TO THE WRIST! WHO IS THIS GUY?"

I stood up. I felt a light breeze on my back. My shirt was basically shredded and pointless. I removed it and tossed it out of the ring after wiping my face with a clean portion of it.

"Well. The cat's out of the bag. Care to continue?"

"Hold on!"

A referee from behind had stopped me.

"We need to confer with the judges. This match is on hold until a decision can be made."