Night Training

Kirk and Spartacus also became companions after their initial fights. Spartacus had come to discuss night training with him. The Marseille Dionysia Festival was about to begin, and Spartacus was eager to defeat Cress, who held the title of "God of War," in Marseille. He now needed a sparring partner. Vero had trained with him for too long; they knew each other too well, and sparring had little effect. Kirk, a rough fellow with crude fighting and terrible fundamentals, was thick-skinned, had strong explosive power, and a good imagination, making him a good match for Cress's characteristics. Thus, the two had come to invite Kirk to train with them by the sea that night.

After much thought, Kirk finally decided to accept their invitation. It wasn't for any other reason than the fact that this man was Spartacus, who would be invincible in one-on-one combat later. Sparring with him would undoubtedly yield great rewards, much like a national table tennis team sparring partner who could go on to become a world champion. His own close-quarters combat was self-taught, and compared to these professional fighters, the gap was huge. If not for his powerful equipment, decent stats, and his exploitation of opponents' desire to win, he wouldn't have had the chance to fight Spartacus to a mutual defeat.

It was now 8 PM, and the three had agreed to train by the sea at midnight.

After seeing Spartacus and Vero off, Kirk welcomed three more guests: the One-Eyed Dragon, the giant shield mt contractor, and the Female Magician. Kirk was somewhat surprised, wondering why the slaves, who should have been locked in their pens, were still running around at night. The giant shield mt said he had already bribed the greedy Ashur, but he could only stay for a while.

Kirk had already guessed their intentions; they were clearly here about Audi, the American cult leader and the current arch-nemesis of the contractors.

As expected, the One-Eyed Dragon got straight to the point: "Are you and the veteran Audi working together? After becoming gladiators, do you also plan to bleed us dry and then kill us?"

Kirk clearly denied it: "I'm becoming a gladiator to live better and protect my own interests. I have no intention of imitating that scoundrel Audi."

The Female Magician suddenly looked up. Kirk noticed she had beautiful lake-green eyes, as clear as lake water and possessing an endless allure.

After a while, the Female Magician said softly, "What he said is true, at least for now."

Kirk realized he had been subjected to a spell similar to "Detect Lie" by this woman, and he couldn't help but feel a little annoyed.

"Don't be nervous," the giant shield mt quickly explained. "We just desperately need to know if you are our enemy. Now, you've proven that you're not, at least for the moment."

"What do you plan to do?" Kirk asked. It was clear that under the pressure of survival and Audi's oppression, the remaining contractors had united, and these three were their frontmen.

"We plan to unite, temporarily, to eliminate Audi," the One-Eyed Dragon's hoarse voice sounded.

"He's a veteran," Kirk said, not optimistic about their chances.

"We have 14 people," the giant shield mt said.

"You can't challenge him directly," Kirk shook his head.

"That's the problem, and it's why we came to you," the One-Eyed Dragon continued slowly. "We need information, we need a solution."

Kirk decided to help them, but not for free, of course.

"I have the solution and information about the main quest that you need, but what benefits can you give me?" Kirk was also direct.

"He's your enemy, and he'll rob you first before killing you!" the Female Magician snorted.

"Yes, he's an enemy, but he'll kill me after he kills you," Kirk laughed heartily. He was a gladiator now, not raw material to be slaughtered. The Dionysia Festival was imminent, and gladiators were in short supply. Audi wouldn't risk angering Bartitas by killing another gladiator. Kirk was in an advantageous position.

"How much do you want?" the Female Magician asked after a moment of silence.

"That depends on your sincerity, but I guarantee the reliability of the methods and information I provide."

"Space verification!" the One-Eyed Dragon declared.

After a battle of words and bargaining, Kirk finally received 10,000 survival points and 3 "Weidomei Cakes" for replenishing health. They weren't top-tier, only able to restore 50% health in 5 seconds, but they could be used in combat.

Due to excessive spending in The Space and Little Fatty's burden, Kirk's medicine reserves were low. Coupled with the consumption from Spartacus's battles, his current stock was running low. These three cakes could alleviate the urgent need.

The 10,000 survival points were reserved as backup funds for "Odin's Summon." This thing was an endless money pit, but as Kirk's ultimate life-saving trump card, it was better to be well-prepared and at ease.

The contractors weren't at a disadvantage either. 10,000 points sounded like a lot, but divided among 14 contractors, it was just a drop in the bucket. They were currently like headless flies, most in need of a way out and a plan.

Kirk slowly began, "This space has a hidden main quest."

As soon as he said this, the expressions of the three opposite him changed. Although they had suspected something, they had never found a way to break through their current predicament. This "Arena Mode" actually had a main quest?

"Is it related to the gladiator status?" the Female Magician asked softly. It seemed this observant person had guessed something.

"Yes, the mainstream in this world is gladiatorial combat. Your current status is 'raw material,' and within four days, before the Marseille Dionysia Festival begins, you must obtain the status of 'gladiator' or 'auxiliary gladiator.' This will allow you to join the training camp as a gladiator and appear in the arena. This is a hidden main quest that is triggered without any prior notification. If you cannot successfully achieve promotion, you will join the gladiatorial combat as a slave, and the benefits will naturally be very different," Kirk explained.

"Our main problem now is Audi," the One-Eyed Dragon asked.

"Yes, but it's essentially the same thing. If we obtain gladiator status, with the Dionysia Festival imminent, he won't be able to extort us. What are the conditions for becoming a gladiator?" the Female Magician said softly.

Kirk glanced at her, recognizing her as a very clear-headed and calm woman.

"Only through direct combat, defeating a gladiator, can one qualify to become a gladiator. Now that the Dionysia Festival is about to open, the training camp is severely lacking gladiators. You can think of a way; Bartitas will promote you. According to gladiator law, as long as the raw material forgoes their right to surrender, a gladiator cannot refuse a challenge from raw material! You can use this as an excuse to prioritize strengthening one durable warrior to directly tie up Audi, occupying his training time, and he won't have the opportunity to extort you," Kirk revealed everything.

Currently, Audi, as a veteran, was the strongest and held a transcendent position, posing the greatest threat to Kirk. Kirk absolutely did not want to see him monopolize all the benefits. He had to stir up the water to fish in troubled waters. It would be best to use these contractors to tie up Audi for a while until he became stronger, then find an opportunity to eliminate Audi.

The Female Magician gave Kirk a deep look and smiled slightly, "Good idea. During daily training, we'll focus on strengthening one person to challenge Audi. He has no reason to refuse. As long as we continuously occupy his training slots, he has no reason to extort and blackmail us under the guise of training raw materials." Although strengthening required lending out their equipment and medicine, it was much better than being completely drained.

Kirk saw a glint in the One-Eyed Dragon's single eye, indicating that this fellow had made up his mind.

At 12 AM, Kirk arrived at the edge of the forest where they had agreed to meet. He saw Spartacus and Vero already there, practicing with wooden swords. The strength of gladiators came not only from superhuman talent but also from diligent practice. The two trained non-stop, showing no mercy in their sparring. They didn't look like good brothers practicing; they fought with earnestness as if in a life-or-death duel.

In the distance, the bright moon hung high, and the Adriatic Sea shimmered enchantingly under its light. Waves gently lapped the shore, and the sparse sound of red mangroves rustling in the sea breeze filled the air. The salty, fresh sea breeze cleared the mind.

Kirk couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion. He smiled and walked towards the two who were training hard.

Vero and Spartacus stopped. Vero smiled, "You're very punctual. I'm tired of being beaten by this beast; it's your turn now." He tossed the wooden sword he was using for training over.

Spartacus shook his head, "Let him use his own preferred weapon. I don't feel enough threat with a wooden sword; the effect is limited."

Kirk didn't stand on ceremony. He drew two formidable weapons from The Space. Their pale green and deep blue blades gleamed under the moonlight. He charged forward directly.

"Good momentum!" Vero nodded. It seemed it wasn't a coincidence that this "raw material" could force Spartacus's bloodline to awaken.

"Average!" Spartacus blocked Kirk's slashing long saber with a parry. Then, using the force of the block to deflect, he skillfully twisted it. Kirk felt his long saber in his right hand almost slip away. He quickly retracted his blade, managing to prevent Spartacus from disarming him.

The two smiled and resumed their fierce engagement.

"Watch your footwork. The Space is your best weapon. Utilize it fully," Vero shouted instructions.

"So-called combat skills are techniques that skillfully utilize space and time. Spatial and temporal differences are your best weapons. Do everything possible to use your strongest aspect against the opponent's weakest, and you will win," Vero continued to explain.

Kirk felt a flash of lightning strike his mind. Many of his vague insights suddenly became clear.

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