The corridors of the Coliseum Competition were spacious.
On either side of the corridors, relief-carved stone pillars stood every few meters, extending all the way to the end.
The semicircular arched floor was paved with square stone slabs, faintly marked with dark green patterns that gave it a heavy, oppressive feel.
As Maud walked along the corridor, he saw many people with various expressions.
Some sat, while others stood, all watching the contestants who had come in from the entrance with subtle, guarded postures.
Their seemingly casual observation was, in truth, mostly reconnaissance.
After all, the champion's rewards had injected unprecedented vitality into the Coliseum Competition this time.
To obtain the Devil Fruit rumored to be a Zoan Ancient Zoan, along with a starting prize of fifty million Beli.
Everyone inside the Coliseum Competition, whether newcomer or veteran, was giving it their all.
Money was one thing. The Zoan Ancient Zoan Devil Fruit was the true rarity of the age, drawing people from all sides.
If not for the circumstances of the Aha Kingdom, it was hard to imagine such a rare Devil Fruit being offered as the champion's prize in a competition centered around fighting beasts for entertainment.
The moment he entered the Coliseum Competition, Maud once again endured a baptism of gazes.
It was an unavoidable effect brought about by fame.
Wherever he went, he would always attract the attention of most people present.
Most of the gazes directed at him held no attempt at concealment, openly sizing him up.
If his reputation carried greater deterrence, then even if he attracted the attention of those nearby, he would not be scrutinized so brazenly.
Ignoring the gazes from around them, Maud and the others split into two groups under the guidance of the staff.
Maud was a contestant, so