Blinded By Deceit

"Hey, Nitin, let's train again." Ethan sat on the grass, shirtless, sweat dripping down his body.

The golden sunlight kissed the cascading waterfall, where the shattered raindrops formed a radiant rainbow, and birds danced in the mist.

Ethan's eyes traced the lush greenery around them, taking in the peaceful scenery.

"I don't have any more strength left. Let's clear another dungeon tomorrow instead," Nitin said, splashing his face with the cool water from the waterfall.

"Hey, guys! I think it's time for the second team fight. Let's go—Matteo, Viktor, and Tomasz need our cheering!" Sebastian called from the top of the waterfall.

Just then, a body came flying out of the waterfall and crashed onto the ground. The person who had sent him flying stood, drenched in sweat.

"Now, for the next match. All candidates, come to the stage!" the referee declared as Matteo, Viktor, and Tomasz stepped into a white circle carved into the grassy field.

Nitin, Ethan, and Sebastian watched from behind, while Miles stood nearby, gripping an opaque bag.

Their opponents—Nitwit, Zelen, and Envia—stepped into the ring. Their well-built physiques radiated strength, their cold blue eyes devoid of emotion. Their smiles, however, brimmed with malice. Victory was all they desired.

"This fight is going to be tough. What do you think?" Sebastian asked, looking at Nitin and Ethan.

"I think everything will be fine. Trust in our friends. We've improved since then—clearing dungeons together, refining our teamwork. I'm confident in them." Ethan crossed his arms.

"And… .....begin!" The referee swiftly jumped out of the ring.

They activated their PBV.

"I guess he's mine." Zelen lunged at Tomasz.

Without wasting a second, Nitwit and Envia charged in, engaging Viktor and Matteo.

A sharp right hook came flying toward Tomasz, but he tilted his head just enough for the fist to graze past his cheek. A jab followed immediately, but he leaned back, his upper body swaying like a pendulum, effortlessly dodging the attack.

Zelen's frustration grew. He unleashed a flurry of left and right combinations, but Tomasz ducked low, weaving right to escape the vicious left hooks. He pivoted smoothly on his toes to evade the follow-up right cross.

Sweat trickled down Zelen's face as Tomasz sidestepped yet another punch. An uppercut came dangerously close, but Tomasz dipped just in time.

With a sly grin, Tomasz leaned back, letting another punch sail harmlessly past him.

"I thought you were going to crumble, but you're quite good," Nitwit sneered, stepping forward before launching a sharp right punch at Viktor's head.

Viktor barely turned in time to let the punch skim past his cheek. Nitwit followed up with a left hook, but Viktor ducked low.

Then came a rapid assault—a right jab, a left cross, and a spinning backfist—but each strike met nothing but air as Viktor sidestepped, leaned back, and weaved below the onslaught.

Nitwit aimed a high kick at Viktor's temple, but Viktor raised his forearms to block it with a heavy thud. In retaliation, Viktor executed a swift low sweep, forcing his attacker to leap back to maintain balance.

Nitwit then came in with a straight punch, but Viktor slipped inside the attack, rotating to the side and staying in close range.

The surrounding soldiers watched, unable to blink. Meanwhile, Sebastian, Nitin, and Ethan grinned, their chests swelling with excitement, their bodies covered in goosebumps. Their bright smiles and animated gestures painted a thrilling scene.

The crowd roared with excitement, the noise echoing through the arena as nearby birds took flight.

"Those bastards….... when did they get this strong?" Miles muttered through gritted teeth, gripping his bag tighter.

Envia clenched his jaw but focused on Matteo.

With a swift roundhouse kick aimed at Matteo's midsection, Envia struck.....but Matteo stepped aside, letting the attack cut through empty air.

A spinning back kick followed, targeting Matteo's ribs, but he leaned back just enough for the heel to graze past his chest.

Undeterred, Envia launched a quick side kick aimed at Matteo's stomach, immediately followed by a snapping front kick to his face. Matteo blocked the side kick with his forearm and tilted his head back, narrowly avoiding the front kick.

Envia then attempted a jumping axe kick, but Matteo stepped diagonally forward, letting the attack crash into the ground.

In desperation, Envia threw a rapid jab-cross combination, but Matteo leaned to his left, skillfully redirecting the strike with his forearm.

This relentless exchange took a toll on their opponents, who hesitated, losing confidence. They backed away.

Miles suddenly felt out of place, his grip tightening around the bag.

"Your time will come," a voice echoed in his mind.

"I thought you guys were men, but it turns out you're just cowards," Zelen sneered, grinning.

Zelen moved his index finger in a circle, a gesture marked by Nitwit and Envia.

Viktor saw it but paid no attention.

"Instead of running your mouths, why don't you fight? Do you think taunting us will break our focus?" Tomasz challenged, waving his hand dismissively.

"You're right. You guys are pretty good.....…" Envia smirked. "I mean, pretty good at running away like scared dogs."

Envia reached down, touching his leg, while Zelen subtly blocked him from Tomasz and the others' view.

"Then come and face us. Stop hiding behind your words. After all those attacks, you haven't even managed to touch our clothes," Matteo said with a cocky grin.

The crowd erupted, chanting, "Fight! Fight! Fight!"

"You're right. How could we touch your clothes?" Nitwit smirked, standing upright as he brushed the ground near his shoes. "After all, they're already stained…... with Mogambo and the others' worthless blood."

"You bastard, watch your mouth!" Tomasz's eyes narrowed, his fists clenching.

"Oh, easy there. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings," Nitwit chuckled, stepping back while balling his fists.

"Hey, please forgive him. He shouldn't have told the truth," Zelen taunted. "After all, your comrades died like dogs on the battlefield. What were your skills doing back then?"

Matteo's ears turned red, his body trembling as the memories of fallen comrades and their final screams flooded his mind.

"Guess the dead really can't use their levels. Too bad for his wife…..... she'll have to roam the streets now," Envia said coldly, his gaze piercing through them.

"This is bad…... those bastards," Sebastian growled, stepping forward.

"Now they've done it," Ethan muttered, following him. Nitin was right behind.

Tomasz charged at them, blinded by rage.

"I'll paint this field red with your blood!" Matteo followed suit, his thoughts clouded with fury.

"Wait, you idiots!" Viktor shouted, realizing too late the grins spreading across their opponents' faces.

Zelen swiftly intercepted Matteo and Tomasz's fists, while Nitwit and Envia hurled dirt into their eyes.

"No—what the....…!" Viktor rushed toward Zelen.

Zelen shoved Matteo and Tomasz toward his allies, then turned to face Viktor, who was now mentally shaken.