Am I Really This Strong?

Sakaar, 9:00 p.m.

The massive arena was brilliantly lit, and the roaring crowd sounded as though it might blow the roof off. Strings of incandescent lights wound around the outer walls.

This was a truly grand event. The hundred-meter-high stands were packed to capacity. Drones hovered above the arena, casting spotlights down onto its center.

A holographic projection system activated in the middle of the arena, and a gigantic phantom formed from light and shadow rose from the ground. The Grandmaster, more than a hundred meters tall and dressed flamboyantly, appeared before everyone, his face glowing red as he wore an irrepressibly excited smile.

"Wow, I'm so happy to see everyone here tonight." He began his opening speech. "A wonderful show, a beautiful night. I'm your host. Now, let's give another round of warm applause to all the contestants about to compete!"

In an instant, thunderous applause erupted throughout the arena, accompanied by deafening cheers.

The Grandmaster was right. The people of Sakaar had an utterly unreasonable level of anticipation for arena matches. They screamed themselves hoarse, shouting until they could barely make a sound.

Even seated in the VIP room, separated from the outside audience by a transparent energy barrier, Richard could still clearly feel the dizzying vibrations.

Yes, not only had he gotten a free ticket, he had also been specially invited into the VIP room to watch the match with the Grandmaster. It was the very seat Loki had gotten in the movie.

Richard did not need to curry favor with the Grandmaster through petty cleverness like Loki had. Though they did not belong to the same system, Richard was still a legitimate cosmic god. The Grandmaster was more than willing to grant him such a small favor.

"Thanks to the warriors who are about to leave