Netero stretched his muscles and bones, then looked up as if deep in thought.
"Hmm... That's true, but I've got an explosive device installed in my heart. Even in a sparring match, one careless move could make all our efforts go to waste."
"I'd better be careful. You'll have to look after an old man like me, too... How about we change the rules?"
Though Netero phrased it as a question, he wasn't actually asking Gelman's opinion.
He simply laid out the final terms he'd prepared in advance. That was his usual way of doing things.
He seemed democratic, but was domineering in practice.
On top of that, he pretended the idea had only just occurred to him.
Gelman waited calmly for Netero to continue.
"How about this... The new rule is that you can't attack me in any way. You can only dodge, defend against, or destroy my attacks."
"You win if you dodge at least ten of my attacks in a row."
"As for how I win... The decisive battle against the Ant King and the Three Royal Guards is set for November 23 at midnight. If you haven't won by midnight on the 22nd, then I win."
"And the arena won't be limited to the basin anymore. It'll cover the entire primeval forest."
Netero smiled.
"Well, Gelman? Do you understand the rules? Anything you don't understand? Are you ready?"
As expected, Netero had no intention of asking Gelman's opinion. He'd already decided everything.
Gelman could have refused these terms, which were overwhelmingly unfavorable to him.
After all, even the Ant King before his reincarnation couldn't dodge ten of Netero's attacks in a row.
Netero's attacks couldn't penetrate the Ant King's defenses, but he could still hit him.
However, Gelman didn't refuse.
This was actually a good opportunity.