Reborn Financier-Chapter 13: The Fight Begins

The subterranean combat arena was in shambles. Sweat filled the air, the stench of previous battles’ blood, and the cacophony of drunken, starving masses roared loudly within the stone arena. Before the flickering shadows of the torches’ light, two men faced each other from opposing ends of the pit.

One of these was a giant of a man, approaching seven feet high, his body bristling with raw muscular strength. His countenance bore scars like those awarded for conquest, and just looking at him could send even newcomers into cringing terror. The Mad Giant was his tittle given to him by the people, and indeed, he had earned it in his long line of victories as a ring hand. His twin-headed battle axe, heavy as death itself with the malevolent spirit of itself, rested over his shoulder, the blade as dry as cracked leather with blood.

Across from him was the underdog—a contrast to his giant of an opponent. Lean and well-muscled, but far from intimidating. His stance was calm, his piercing eyes locked on the giant with unyielding confidence. He carried a slender, elegant sword—a sword that did not belong on so savage a battlefield. Nonetheless, in the face of the odds against him, he did not flinch.

The audience shouted when the announcer raised his hand.

"Let the match... BEGIN!"

The sound of the bell’s ring resonated within the arena.

****

The Battle Commences

Mad Giant did not wait. In a terrifying haste, he charged forward, his huge body propelled by a velocity that defied its size. He swung his huge axe in a wide arc, attempting to end the match with a single stroke.

The spectators gasped. The velocity was unnatural for a man his size.

The swordsman barely had time to react. He rotated his body, ducking just as the axe cut across his cheek. A thin line of blood shone, tracing its path down his face. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

The stadium rang with cheers and roars.

Mad Giant grinned. "You’re quick, I’ll give you that," he growled, his voice a thundering bellow. "But swiftness won’t save you."

The two fighters moved in a circle again, but this time something was different. Mad Giant did not charge in a second time mindlessly. He was contemplating his opponent this time, breaking him down. The crowd murmured to one another in a condition of bewilderment. They were used to him charging in madly, overpowering his foes through brute force only, as his tittle saws "MAD GIANT".

But Kaidën, sitting in the stands, grinned to himself. He is not a brute moron. He’s observing the fight... but already it’s too late.

The user of the sword struck first this time.

With a flash of motion, he charged at Mad Giant. His feet precise, his sword shining in the weak light of the torches.

Kaidën’s eyes narrowed. He’s good. Better than that... he’s using mana.

The sword wielder’s attacks were swift—his sword flashing like lightning, striking at Mad Giant’s exposed arms. Each slash was precise, exact, and mana-imbued, supporting his attacks with force greater than human.

Mad Giant parried some of the attacks with his axe, but he was also losing momentum. The absence of mana was becoming an increasingly crippling disadvantage. The sword fighter was becoming faster and faster.

The fight continued. Sparks of metal on metal were visible. The audience was on its feet, watching as the momentum of battle went back and forth.

The Mad Giant, no longer invulnerable, was again at his heels. Blood oozed through the countless gashes he had suffered—small at the beginning, but growing with each second.

The audience who had cheered him a second ago now directed their vocal cords towards the underdog.

"Finish him!"

"Kill him already!"

Bruised and bloodied, Mad Giant ground his teeth together. His own breathing came in ragged gasps, but his fury was by no means exhausted. For a final, despairing bellow, he charged forward again, axe raised for the death blow.

The sword bearer never hesitated.

With one stroke, he deflected the attack and struck his sword.

A sleek, flawless arc.

There was a creepy silence in the arena.

Mad Giant was frozen in shock for an instant. Then his head fell off his neck, and his body hit the floor with a horrific splat. Blood spattered on the floor.

The crowd erupted in cheers.

The underdog—the swordsman—stood tall, his sword glinting with red, victorious over the one time unbeatable champion.

****

Kaidën hunched forward in his seat, his eyes fixed intently on the action as the cheers boomed around him. His keen eyes scanned the winning fighter with increasing interest.

That was no ordinary swordsman.

The way he moved forward, the way he regulated his blows with such precision—that wasn’t something one would pick up from a run-of-the-mill pit fight in the underground. That was the art of a seasoned sword master.

And swordmasters were scarce—less than ten percent of the entire nation’s population. With over fifty-two million citizens of the kingdom, these fighters were in high demand by nobility, military factions, and mercenary guilds.

So why is a man of his caliber fighting here?

Kaidën smirked, his interest aroused.

****

After the Battle

When the excitement of the battle dissipated, reality caught up with the spectators. The cheering began to subside, and the cursing and the groaning took its place.

The punters who had wagered everything they had on Mad Giant were now tallying their losses.

"That moron Giant was useless!" one man shouted.

"All my gold—lost!" cried another.

These same people who had been endorsing Mad Giant were now disparaging his dead corpse, treating him like trash.

Kaidën snorted in disgust, muttering under her breath. Pathetic. Once you lose, you’re garbage.

He stood up and went to the gaming center to collect his winnings. He had bet heavily on the underdog, believing that skill would overcome brute force.

But as he approached the betting booth, something was. amiss.

A few men stood at the counter, arguing with the bookkeeper. The tension hung in the air.

Kaidën’s smile vanished. It seems things will not quite happen as I had originally planned.

To be continued...