Chapter 206

Between the lower stands and upper stands, there was a vast section encircling the arena designated for VIPs and the control room. This exclusive space provided an optimal view of the battles below, offering a sense of both privilege and authority to those who occupied it.

Within this domain, the control room stood as the heart of operations, where Toto and his appointed supervisors meticulously oversaw the events unfolding in the arena.

At this moment, Toto was stationed behind the reinforced glass of the control room, his piercing red eyes fixated on the intense battle below. His two white ears stood erect, signalling his heightened focus.

Positioned behind him were Lorien and Kaya, both standing in observant silence as they, too, watched the clash taking place in the sands of the arena. Below them, the warrior known as Lava Fist was in the midst of an aggressive charge, his molten form radiating heat as he rushed at Ali with unrelenting force.

"He will ascend tomorrow, alongside another player," Lorien reported in a steady voice, breaking the silence.

"Good..." Toto uttered only a single word, his tone devoid of emotion as his focus remained entirely on the battle below. His sharp eyes tracked every movement, taking in the way Lava Fist slammed his leg into the ground, causing an eruption of molten pillars that sent streaks of searing lava hurtling toward Ali and the surrounding area.

Lorien, his expression unreadable, spoke again. "Has a decision been made regarding Ali's proposal?"

For a moment, Toto remained silent, his gaze still locked onto the combatants. He watched as Ali, moving with an almost inhuman level of speed, effortlessly evaded the streaks of magma. The gap between him and Lava Fist vanished in the blink of an eye.

Lava Fist, reacting swiftly, lashed out with a powerful punch, his right hand surging with liquid fire. However, before the attack could land, a crimson light ignited in Ali's grasp-a red lightsaber humming with deadly energy. In a single, precise motion, Ali cleaved Lava Fist's fiery hand into five distinct pieces.

There was no hesitation. Ali swung the blade once more, cutting through Lava Fist's other hand with equal efficiency. Within a fraction of a second, both of the molten fighter's arms were severed into multiple fragments.

Though Lava Fist's body had the ability to reform, the process took time, and in the middle of combat, time was a luxury he did not have. Realising his disadvantage, the fiery warrior let out a ferocious roar, his torso inflating unnaturally before he shot out a massive blob of molten lava straight at Ali.

Ali barely moved. He simply flicked his finger, and the burning mass of molten rock veered off-course, crashing harmlessly into the sand beside him.

With an air of calm precision, Ali swung his lightsaber twice more. This time, his blade sliced cleanly through Lava Fist's body, cutting him into four distinct sections.

Ali lowered his gaze, observing the molten pieces of his opponent struggling to reconnect at his feet. The lava squirmed and coalesced, trying desperately to reform.

"Hope you like the taste of sand," Ali remarked, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.

He deactivated his lightsaber and released it back into his interface, freeing both hands.

Raising his arms to his sides, he summoned the Force, bending the elements around him to his will.

The surrounding sands trembled, lifting into the air as if responding to his command.

With a swift clench of his fists, the floating grains surged forward, rushing toward the still-reforming Lava Fist.

The fiery warrior had no time to react. Within seconds, a massive torrent of sand engulfed him, burying him beneath an ever-growing mound. Ali did not relent. He continued exerting his power over the sands, compressing them further and further, until what remained was a small, densely packed mountain standing as a silent grave.

Satisfied, Ali dismissed his weapons from his interface and extended his hand, retrieving his Sith jacket. With a casual motion, he slid it over his shoulders, his gaze lingering on the mound of sand before him. Suddenly, a deep red glow began emanating from within, the faint flicker of molten lava still struggling beneath the heavy grains.

'He's still alive?' Ali mused, intrigued by his opponent's persistence. He remained still, waiting to see if Lava Fist would emerge once more. However, before the fiery warrior could resurface, the glowing embers abruptly darkened. The lava solidified into pitch-black stone, its fiery essence extinguished beneath the weight of the sand.

His time had run out….

Above, Toto's voice resonated throughout the arena.

"Your Winner: Ali."

The silence shattered.

CLAP! CLAP! AHHHHHHHHHHH! WOO000000!

A roar of applause erupted from the stands. While the crowd's reaction was not necessarily a celebration of Ali himself, they had paid Player Credits for this duel, and they were more than satisfied with the entertainment they had received.

In a section of the stands, a muscular woman with fiery red hair observed the fight with a contemplative expression. She was surrounded by members of the Fire Guild, all of whom had watched the battle with keen interest. This woman was Luciana, the leader of the Fire Guild on the second level.

"This isn't the first time the Force has been used in the arena," she mused aloud, her gaze still locked onto Ali. "But never at this level of dominance. They lost before the fight even started."

Beside her, Claire, one of her most promising subordinates, smirked as she studied the victorious warrior on the screen. "He's stronger than I expected," she admitted, a flicker of ambition burning in her eyes. Luciana noticed it immediately.

"That's nowhere close to what he can do.." another voice chimed in.

Luciana and Claire turned their heads to see Mark, a newcomer from the Slum, standing behind them.

Luciana narrowed her eyes.

"Explain."

The other Fire Guild members turned their attention toward Mark, intrigued by what he had to say.

Mark exhaled before speaking. "I was tasked with watching him in the Slum, and I can confidently say that his close combat is the scariest ability he possesses. If I had to describe it..." He hesitated for a moment, then continued. "He's simply better than everyone at everything... at the same time."

The weight of his words settled over them.

Mark took a deep breath. "He fights like he doesn't need to breathe. Like a machine.

Every strike he throws can kill you. Every. Single. Strike."

Luciana studied Mark, intrigued by his cautious yet firm tone. He was nervous, likely afraid of saying something that might offend her.

"I want to fight him even more now.." Luciana murmured. The intensity in her voice was unmistakable. The very air around her grew hot, forcing those nearby-except for Claire

—to instinctively take a step back, their skin tingling from the rising heat.

Back in the control room, Toto set down the speaker and turned his attention back to Lorien and Kaya.

"We have decided to accept his proposal," Toto announced coldly. His gaze sharpened as he regarded the two. "You two will handle all matters related to him... since he seems to have taken a liking to you both."

Lorien and Kaya exchanged glances before nodding in acknowledgment. Without another word, they departed to carry out their new responsibilities.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the second level was bathed in the cool embrace of night. A lone figure, concealed beneath a black hood, moved silently through a narrow alleyway.

'It should be somewhere around here, Ali thought, his sharp eyes scanning the dimly lit surroundings. Turning a corner, he spotted a small metal door adorned with a neon sign

—a glowing white skull.

Ali's gaze shifted upward. Six figures lurked atop the rooftops, their watchful eyes locked onto him.

'Yeah... I'm in the right place, he thought before stepping toward the door.

CREAK.

The door groaned as he pushed it open, revealing a stairwell that led downward. He descended and arrived at another door. Pushing it open, he stepped into a large tavern...

The moment Ali stepped into the tavern, the lively hum of conversation was snuffed out like a candle in the wind. A heavy silence settled over the room as countless pairs of eyes turned toward him, their gazes filled with wariness, curiosity, and in some cases, barely concealed hostility.

The tavern was larger than he had expected. Wooden tables and sturdy chairs were scattered across the room, occupied by groups of players who had been indulging in drinks and conversations-until his arrival. A long bar counter, crafted from high-quality wood, stretched along the far side of the establishment, though at the moment, no bartender was present.

Ali took in the tense atmosphere with mild amusement but paid little attention to the glares thrown his way. He moved forward unbothered, his boots making steady, measured steps across the wooden floor as he approached the counter.

Taking a seat on one of the bar stools, he let his gaze wander toward a large board mounted on the wall. It was covered in bounty posters, each marked with names and corresponding amounts written in shining black letters.

His lips curled slightly as he spotted his own name.

'Ali-25,000 PC!'

'Tenth highest in the entire second level, Ali mused, tracing the numbers with his eyes.

His attention shifted slightly upward to the top of the board.

'Highest: Wu Gongfu-96,000 PC.'

Before he could contemplate further, the silence in the tavern was interrupted by a soft swing of a door opening behind the counter.

A woman stepped into view.

She was tall, with long dark hair cascading down her back, framing her striking features.

Her black eyes carried a sharp, assessing quality, and the light makeup beneath them only enhanced her intense expression. She exuded a confident, effortless allure, emphasised by the way she moved.

Ali's gaze, however, was drawn downward for a moment-to the generous curves straining against her tight-fitting top.

'Wow, she's got a nice pair', Ali thought as he openly admired the way her ample chest swayed slightly with each step she took.

The woman, Evelyn, folded her arms beneath her bust, unintentionally accentuating her figure even more as she met his gaze.

"How can I help you?" she asked, her voice smooth and businesslike.

Ali leaned against the counter, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "I heard this was the place to enjoy the night."

Evelyn arched a delicate brow. "You heard right. You're welcome to stay and enjoy yourself-so long as you don't cause any trouble." She tilted her head slightly.

"Interested in ordering a drink?"

Ali's smirk deepened. "I don't drink." He paused for a moment before adding smoothly, "But I'll have you if you're on the menu."

His voice was calm, confident, laced with a playful edge.

Evelyn's black eyes flickered with a mix of amusement and mild surprise as she studied him. He had lifted his hood slightly when he spoke, revealing the sharp black right eye.

The tavern, which had begun to return to its usual murmur of conversation, once again fell into hushed silence. Several players nearby had overheard his words, and a few even turned in their seats to get a better look at the bold newcomer.

For a moment, Evelyn simply held his gaze. Then, ever so slightly, the corners of her lips curled upward in a smirk of her own.

"Well.." she murmured, leaning slightly closer, her arms still folded beneath her chest.

"That depends. Can you afford me?"

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