Chapter 16: Breaking Point

Just as Arabella and Baran were about to clash in the arena, she noticed something strange — Baran wasn't wearing the specialized dueling outfit.

"Why aren't you wearing proper dueling clothes?" Arabella asked curiously.

Baran glanced down at himself — shirt, jacket, trousers — perfectly fine for dueling. In fact, he preferred dressing this way."I don't need them," he replied simply, his tone cold, glancing at Arabella's navy-blue training tracksuit.

"Hmph. Just don't come crying when you lose," Arabella said with confidence as she adjusted her stance.

Baran, meanwhile, nocked an arrow with calm precision. Arabella conjured small magical circles over her hand to enhance her arrows as she settled into her stance. Just as they were about to begin, another voice cut through the tension.

"I'll be the referee," Theodore announced as he suddenly stepped forward to claim the role.

Arabella didn't seem to care — but Baran shot Theodore a glare that could kill.

Pressure.

"Didn't I tell you… not to pull stupid stunts again?" Baran's voice was venomous and laced with killing intent. The air in the arena grew heavy, suffocating, with each word he uttered.

All eyes in the arena turned to Theodore and Baran.

"B-but… how are you going to spot mistakes in an unrefereed match?" Theodore managed to force out under the crushing pressure.

Baran didn't relent — his murderous stare continued to bore into Theodore."Angellica. You're the referee," he ordered coldly, his voice slightly calmer but still icy.

"I-I understand. With your permission, Theodore," Angellica replied as she moved forward to take his place, surprised at the way Baran had so casually commanded her.

In truth, she was relieved — this way she could intervene if Baran went too far and injured Arabella.

Once Angellica stepped in as referee, Baran withdrew his killing intent and fixed his eyes on Arabella.

"Are you ready?" he asked, his voice cold and poisonous.

"I'm ready whenever you are," Arabella replied confidently.

The moment the words left her mouth, Baran fired his first arrow.

Arabella dodged it deftly and retaliated, firing arrows infused with energy and complex magic arrays at him.

For five minutes… ten… twenty… the two exchanged volleys, a ceaseless cycle of arrows flying back and forth.

Arabella's arrows were laced with deadly magic sequences, each one capable of inflicting serious injury.Baran, on the other hand, maintained a calm expression, evading every shot — often at the very last moment — and occasionally firing back.

However, one thing was clear: Baran's skill with a bow was far below Arabella's. Anyone watching could tell after just a glance.

Arabella herself had noticed. Hah… how did someone like him earn the Sonnenaufgang title with that level of archery? she thought, mocking him inwardly.

Baran was fully aware he was falling behind — but he wasn't concerned. He hadn't even begun to reveal his real hand yet. And then…

A shrill whizz pierced his ear.

Baran's eyes darted to the sound — an arrow was heading straight for him. Instinctively, he snatched it out of the air.

He glanced down at the arrow — and his eyes widened. It was enchanted with an explosive spell. He scrambled to pull an anti-detonation charm from his pocket — but it was too late.

BOOOOOM!

The arrow exploded in his hand.

Angellica, Theodore, and even Arabella froze in horror. None of them expected him to just let the arrow explode in his hand.

Angellica was the first to break out of her shock and rushed toward him — but suddenly, the atmosphere turned unbearably heavy.

Pressure. Pressure. Pressure…

Neither Theodore nor Angellica could move under the oppressive weight. Arabella couldn't even stand — her legs gave out completely, leaving her helpless on the floor.

And then… the smoke around Baran dissipated.

The three of them stared, frozen in terror.

His hands were mangled — flesh torn, tendons and bones exposed. His arms and torso were streaked with blood, his uniform soaked crimson.

Angellica and Theodore couldn't hold it in any longer — they both vomited at the gruesome sight.

But that wasn't what terrified them the most.

What truly chilled them was the way Baran smiled through the blood — a wide, deranged grin that bared his teeth like a psychopath.

Who could smile like that in this situation? they both thought, paralyzed.

Then…

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA—!"Baran's laughter echoed through the arena, deafening and terrifying as he slowly approached Arabella with his bow still in hand.

His presence radiated nothing but one thing.

KILLING INTENT.