Strength Totem (Bonus Chapter for 'leo627')

Then came the second, third, and fourth matches.

The later the fight progresses, the stronger the gladiators become, and the more intense the battles become.

However, in the end, almost all of them were Pyrrhic victories after both sides were severely injured. The fighters selected by the organizers were all of similar strength, and the prolonged and intense battles were more likely to please and satisfy the upper-class people watching the fights.

The nobles frantically extracted pleasure from this bloody feast.

In their eyes, the lives of slave gladiators were probably no different from those of animals that could be slaughtered at will.

As Rein watched the corpses being dragged out, he recalled the words that the squinty-eyed Metternich often uttered: certain dark classes truly deserve to be destroyed.

Finally, it's time for the eighth game!

The final act featured High-tier Extraordinary at the Third Tier.

"Now, welcome our gladiators to the arena."

Just then, the announcer announced the gladiators' entrance, and cheers erupted from the stands, one wave after another.

"A poisonous snake!"

"A poisonous snake!"

"A poisonous snake!"

"."

Aside from a few people looking to pick up bargains and gamble on the underdogs, almost everyone placed a heavy bet on that "Barbarian Viper".

Amidst the cheers, several burly men with iron hoods and chains emerged. A few meters behind them, a tall, brown-skinned warrior, his upper body bare and adorned with faded serpentine totems, was chained by seven or eight iron chains. It was as if he were leading a wild, ferocious tiger out slowly.

Rein saw the patterns of the totem on the Kolman Warrior's body, his pupils contracted, and he murmured to himself, "A warrior of the Mountain Snake Tribe."

He also guessed the organizer's malicious intentions.

If the Great Shaman Mafat had witnessed this scene, they would likely have known it was a trap and would have certainly chosen to rescue the people. This scene was designed to provoke the "big fish" who had infiltrated the city.

Kolman Warrior was shoved into the octagon, his chains were broken, and he charged madly at the gladiator named "Ironhead Jack" on the other side. To Kolman Warrior, these "invaders" deserved to die, so he was extremely ruthless!

Without any probing, the two sides immediately went into a life-or-death struggle.

That gladiator was very burly, about two meters tall. But compared to Kolman Warrior, who was over three meters tall, he was significantly shorter, with a much shorter reach and longer legs.

Although both were Third Tier Extraordinary, the Kolman Warrior was clearly much stronger.

Thump, thump, thump, thump

The two clashed violently, without using weapons, their punches landing squarely.

At first, "Ironhead Jack" could hold his own for a few rounds, but as time went on, the Kolman Tribe's superior physical strength became apparent.

The Kolman Warrior who were captured alive must have been the tribe's elite. Against physically weak ordinary people, their combat power was at least half a level higher than that of Extraordinary Rank.

The battle was almost without any suspense; from beginning to end, Kolman Warrior were just relentlessly beating up "Ironhead Jack."

In the end, he was like a maddened bear, smashing the gladiator into a mangled mess.

The battle was over. Kolman Warrior's fists were stained with his opponent's blood, and he glared at everyone in the stands with hatred in his eyes.

Rein sighed. He had survived, but the outcome didn't bring much joy.

"A poisonous snake!"

"A poisonous snake!"

"."

Another wave of cheers erupted from the stands, because this "barbarian" had won them money.

Just when Rein thought the gladiatorial combat was over for the night, something unexpected happened.

Those people didn't open the box and let the Kolman Warrior out, and at that moment, the host came back on stage.

Holding a megaphone, he excitedly shouted, "Ladies and gentlemen, the most exciting tiebreaker is here! A genius fighter from the Oma Empire is ready to challenge our 37-win streak 'Barbarian Viper'!"

Upon hearing this, everyone cheered again!

"Haha, another tiebreaker!"

"I wonder what surprises they'll bring us this time. For every tiebreaker, the organizers always manage to bring in some unexpectedly skilled opponents."

"Exactly! And the odds for a tiebreaker will be very high. Tsk tsk, I just felt like I didn't win much earlier, now I'll have to take a good look."

"."

The gamblers also got excited.

The host enthusiastically introduced, "Next, please welcome the fighting genius from the Oma Imperial Capital, the esteemed 'Lionheart Viscount' Uhm Lopez!"

Upon hearing this, Rein's pupils constricted sharply. "It's that guy! He's still alive?"

Uhm Lopez, the eldest son of the president of the "Sunflower Merchant Guild," who had a conflict with the "Plague Base"!

His own sister died at his own hands!

"This is interesting. Those Red Robe Mage actually teleported this guy away too."

Rein squinted as he watched the cloaked figure mysteriously walk toward the octagon.

When the host introduced the cloaked man's identity, the audience erupted in excitement.

"Oh, the slave owner actually participated!"

"He's actually the eldest son of the Lopez Family."

"."

Aside from professional gamblers, almost all the people in the stands were either rich or powerful.

Many people have heard of "Uhm Lopez".

The slave trade is the most profitable business, apart from Gene Potion and a few resource-monopolized industries.

The president of the "Sunflower Merchant Guild" appears to be Omar's Minister of Commerce, but the largest shareholder is actually the Lopez Family, to which Oma Empress belongs.

The Lopez Family also owns the largest slave trading company in Omar, and they are the biggest "slave owners"!

Seeing the "slave owners" personally enter the arena for gladiatorial combat only made everyone more excited.

"Tsk tsk, I didn't expect even the dignified Viscount Omar to participate. This gladiatorial match is getting interesting."

"I've heard of that guy. He's a once-in-a-century fighting genius in the Oma Imperial Capital, and rumor has it that he's never been defeated among the Third Tier Extraordinary."

"Heh, it's just a bunch of nobles playing petty sparring games. They haven't even lost a single match yet? How laughable, those greenhorns probably haven't even seen blood yet!"

"Huh, the odds are very close. It seems the organizers think Uhm has a good chance of winning."

"Damn, is there even a need to choose? When have you ever seen 'Viper' with odds of more than three times? It's probably just some arrogant young noblemen who think they're invincible in their circles and want to test their skills. Just watch, it won't be long before that guy gets beaten to a pulp by the barbarians, and some High-tier Extraordinary will come to the rescue."

"I think so too. That bookmaker is trying to lure us into betting on the underdogs! Anyway, I'm betting all my money on 'Viper,' three million, and I'm guaranteed to make a profit!"

"Hehe, such high odds are clearly designed to lure us into betting. Although I suspect the bookmaker is up to something, I'm still going all in on 'Viper'!"

"."

The gamblers started placing bets again, but almost everyone still bet on the Kolman Warrior.

This is the highest odds ever for "Viper" in a match.

After all, Uhm Lopez is a fighting prodigy, but he's only at the Third Tier the Transcendent. Invincible among his peers? Hah, that's just a fig leaf for the nobles' fighting games.

"Viper" has already proven with his strength who is truly invincible among his peers!

Listening to the gamblers' conversation, Rein also felt that Kolman Warrior had a better chance of winning.

Perhaps, as the gamblers say, this guy is just here to test his skills.

The young master Uhm he had seen before was indeed very strong, but only among ordinary humans.

If he were to truly face the Kolman Warrior, even with his mastery of numerous Profound Martial Techniques, he wouldn't gain the slightest advantage. The difference in absolute strength, battle aura, height, and reach is too great. Furthermore, the combat experience Kolman Warrior has accumulated from fighting magical beasts since childhood is something a sheltered noble young master could never match.

Just a second before Uhm removed his cloak, Rein was still convinced of his own ideas.

But when he removed his cloak, Rein's expression changed drastically.

"Now, please welcome our Viscount Uhm to the stage!"

The host gave a passionate introduction, collected enough bets, and then announced the start of the gladiatorial combat.

Just then, the cloak-covered figure slowly removed the cloak from his head, revealing a cold, indifferent face. Surprisingly, his face also bore some mysterious totem patterns!

Upon seeing this, Rein was greatly shocked and almost blurted out, "Elder Habu's [Strength Totem]! How could it be on this guy!"

All Kolman Tribe will draw totems on their skin, but only the elders are qualified to refine those few Divine Power Totem.

The Fire Totem was stolen by Kipling Winster, the patriarch of the Winst Family, one of the Five Great Families of City of Radiance.

The Wood Totem fell into the hands of Dia Banella, one of the "Ten Great Legends" and the Black Witch.

A little over a month later, Coleman's first warrior, Habu, was auctioned off, and his [Power Totem] actually appeared here!

"That's what those guys were planning."

When Rein saw the shimmering totem glow on Uhm's face, his gaze turned extremely gloomy.

This "bait" is so tempting, it makes you want to kill that guy!

"Hey, why does Young Master Uhm have barbarian totems painted on his face too?"

"I don't know. Could that thing possibly enhance combat power?"

"Heh, playing tricks."

"."

The gamblers also witnessed this scene, but few of them recognized the [Strength Totem].

The Kolman Warrior inside the net cage, upon seeing the totem on Young Master Uhm's body, became like a bull with bloodshot eyes, lunging at the net cage and roaring madly at those outside.

Rein understood Coleman's Kolman curse: I will kill you, you damned invader!

At that moment, Rein felt a chill in his heart.

Seeing the totem on Uhm's face and his indifferent expression, he knew that this battle would be difficult.

"The ninth gladiatorial match of the night shall now begin!"

At the host's command, the arena staff carefully opened a large door to the cage.

Just then, the Kolman Warrior charged over like a madman, seemingly wanting to break out of the net cage and attack the cloaked Uhm master Um.

But just then, a loud "pop" was heard in the air!

Rein's pupils contracted, and he cried out in his heart, "This is bad!"

He was very familiar with this move, but its speed far exceeded his expectations, even beyond the scope of visual capture.

He quickly shifted his gaze to the entrance of the net cage.

Sure enough, the cloaked phantom remained in place, but the next moment, a muffled thud like a cannon shot was heard.

Just outside the octagon, Kolman Warrior, who was about to rush out, was caught off guard and kicked in the chest.

A shockwave visibly spread outwards.

"Bang!"

The tall figure was sent flying backward, crashing heavily onto the ground of the arena.

The gamblers in the stands were shocked to see this.

After a 37-game winning streak and seemingly invincible record, "Viper" was actually kicked away?

"How is this possible!"

"That young master Uhm's kick was powerful enough to send the strong barbarian flying? No way, could it be that 'Viper' was careless?"

"It doesn't seem like carelessness. Judging from the force of that kick, it was definitely powerful."

"Didn't you see how fast Young Master Uhm rushed forward? Without absolute explosive power, even the [Secret Technique: Divine Speed] couldn't achieve such a terrifying speed."

"Damn it, the bookies have tricked us again! There's definitely something strange about that noble kid from Omar, otherwise, even Third Tier Extraordinary with pure strength wouldn't be able to kick that far, let alone Fourth Tier one!"

"No wonder the odds are so similar, Uhm is actually that strong."

"."

A battle that was originally a foregone conclusion suddenly turned into a stalemate where the two sides were evenly matched.

No one expected that an ordinary human could actually compete with a "savage" in strength and not be at a disadvantage at all!

With a murderous intent, Kolman Warrior launched a frenzied attack on Uhm.

Uhm was not afraid at all. Instead, he wore a sneer that seemed to have gotten exactly what he wanted. His every move was calm and ruthless, and his whistling fists were already showing signs of developing their own unique style.

That was his own fist!

Rein squinted, watching the fierce fiery lion slowly condense from the battle aura emanating from Young Uhm's body. His expression was solemn as he thought, "This guy has already reached the threshold of what Bazel called 'using momentum to subdue intent'."

Having spent so much time with Bazel and the others, his perspective had naturally broadened. He could easily see that the "power" Uhm was accumulating was anything but simple; it was ferocious and violent.

Upon seeing this, Rein's expression suddenly changed: So that guy was also trying to use this to concentrate his 'fist intent'!

Uhm grew stronger with each battle, but thanks to the blessing of the [Divine Power Totem], he made up for the difference in strength and even gained a slight advantage. The two exchanged blows, each punch landing with brutal force, making for a very fierce fight.

Thud! Thud! Thud.

They all fight head-on, exchanging a variety of advanced fighting techniques that are dazzling to behold.

[Divine Speed] is flexible and versatile; [Cannon Fist] is incredibly lethal; [Storm Slash] has fluid and graceful leg techniques; [Ten Hands]; [Vajra].

There were no underhanded schemes or tricks, just a head-on clash!

The Kolman Warrior was being beaten until he was coughing up blood repeatedly, Uhm wasn't in much better shape, his face also covered in blood, but he looked even more ferocious. Both of them had a murderous look on their faces!

"I see."

Rein also saw it and finally understood what the "soul of martial arts" meant!

This Uhm, his martial arts seemed to be integrated with himself, his fists and feet exuding the "kingly power of the fiery lion".

Rein looked at the scene and felt that he had vaguely grasped something, but it was not quite real and he could not hold onto it.

He stared coldly at the two locked in fierce combat in the arena, his mind racing. "It's fortunate that guy only recently obtained the [Divine Power Totem], otherwise, if he were to advance to the First Tier, his power growth would reach a terrifying level."

Rein was confident that he could advance to the Third Tier and would definitely not be worse than this guy, and might even be much stronger.

But now he is worried about something else.

The [Divine Power Totem] not only amplifies strength but also restores battle aura, giving it an advantage in prolonged battles.

Tonight, that Kolman Warrior is in grave danger!

While the gladiatorial match inside the "Oak Tavern" was in full swing, it had already gotten dark outside the tavern.

When night falls, that's when the "zombies" are most active.

At this moment, the guards on the city wall, each holding a musket, eagerly awaited their arrival.

With these high walls and powerful cannons, the nightly zombie hordes are a freebie for them.

But today, strangely enough, it's almost midnight, and the area outside the city is eerily quiet; not a single zombie has been seen.

"Huh, that's strange. Why isn't there a zombie horde today? Sigh, I finally got citizenship and paid my way into a city defense patrol job, hoping to earn some extra money by working night shifts. What's going on?"

"Who knows? Maybe they've been in the Mechanical City for too long, and the zombies in the vicinity have been mostly cleared out?"

"Wait a minute, even after cleaning up, there should still be a couple of small skeletons left."

"Hey, look, isn't that here? Wait! There seem to be... a lot?"

"Oh no! There's a massive zombie horde, an S-Class Corpse Tide! Send out the alarm immediately!"

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