Chapter 64 ‒ The Last Roar
Chapter 64 ‒ The Last Roar
“FINAL MATCH! Kragg the Fallen versus [Player]! BEGIN!!”
[Player: Tyler] [Species: Human-human] [Level 123]
[Enemy Identified: Kragg the Fallen] [Species: Dwarf-cow] [Level 154]
[Status: Affected by [Addiction] due to consumption of [Bone Juice] x100. Target experiences abnormal increase in combat abilities but loses his sanity, and may enter a permanent state of madness]
The stadium shook with an almost animalistic roar as Kragg lunged forward, his massive axe swinging like a titan’s hammer. Tyler instinctively activated [Dash], slipping just under the devastating first swing, but Kragg was already upon him. A massive fist smashed into Tyler’s ribs before he could regain footing, sending him rolling across the blood-soaked sand. He gasped, coughing up red splatters that dripped onto his trembling hands.
Tyler forced himself up, his entire body screaming in pain. He’s even faster and stronger than before… that bone juice turned him into a monster. But there was no time to think. Kragg was barrelling forward, each thundering footstep shaking the ground like an earthquake.
“I CAN’T LOSE!!” Kragg bellowed, his eyes bloodshot and wild, froth at the corners of his mouth. “I NEED TO WIN! I MUST SEE HER AGAIN!”
Kragg’s axe descended in a devastating arc. Tyler crossed his swords to block, but the force sent a shockwave through his arms, almost tearing them from their sockets. The blades shuddered, sparks flying as the metal ground against Kragg’s monstrous strength. Tyler was thrown back, crashing into the arena wall. Cracks spread like spider webs around him as he slumped to the ground, armour split and blood seeping from countless gashes.
Above, the audience screamed, a chaotic symphony of excitement, horror, and wild betting shouts. Some shouted Tyler’s name, others cried for Kragg’s endless victory, while others simply screamed, intoxicated by the raw violence.
Collector burst into Drellic’s office, eyes wide. “Manager! It’s chaos! Tyler is being torn apart! The crowd is going wild — the bets, they’re—”
Drellic waved a dismissive clawed hand, eyes sparkling with a predator’s delight. “Good. Let them feel every shiver of dread and thrill. This is the pinnacle of entertainment, Collector. The beauty of a beast tearing down hope in real time.”
Tyler struggled to stand, bracing against his trembling swords. I can’t fall now. If I lose… they stay here forever. I have to win, even if it kills me.
Kragg stomped forward, each step echoing like a funeral drum. His roar split the air again: “I WILL NOT LOSE!! MY SISTER! SHE’S WAITING!”
Tyler’s eyes widened. Sister…? Is that what drives him?
But there was no time to process. Kragg lunged, swinging horizontally with enough force to decapitate. Tyler ducked, feeling the wind rip past his scalp. He lunged forward, slicing along Kragg’s thigh. Blood burst out, spraying across Tyler’s face.
Kragg howled, blindly swinging downward. Tyler barely rolled aside, the axe blade crashing into the sand and cracking the stone beneath. He’s faster… but sloppy now. His movements… they’re deteriorating.
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Tyler staggered to his feet, face streaked with blood, both his and Kragg’s. He charged in again, slashing across Kragg’s arm, drawing another crimson spray. Kragg roared, grabbing Tyler by the shoulder and hurling him like a ragdoll into a pillar. Tyler collapsed, the breath knocked from his lungs.
Tyler spat blood, vision swimming. I can’t stop. I promised… Milo… Kelmo… everyone. He slammed a hand into the ground, forcing himself up again, one leg trembling violently.
Kragg charged again, voice cracking into a maddened screech. “I CAN’T LOSE!! I CAN’T LOSE EVER AGAIN!!”
Tyler’s mind screamed at him to move, and he activated [Dash] at the last possible second, narrowly avoiding a bone-shattering punch. He countered with rapid twin slashes, carving deep cuts across Kragg’s abdomen. Kragg stumbled, coughing up blood, yet somehow still lunging forward, swinging fists and axe in a wild barrage.
Tyler ducked, dodged, and weaved through the storm of attacks, but each near miss shaved away at his endurance. A glancing blow smashed into his shoulder, spinning him and nearly ripping his arm from its socket. He screamed, pain igniting every nerve. He barely managed to stay standing, blades trembling in his grip.
He’s slowing down. I can do this. One more push! Tyler’s eyes burned as he activated [Berserk]. His veins glowed faintly, his breathing turned ragged but focused.
He dashed forward, slashing furiously at Kragg’s chest and arms. Kragg tried to counter, but his limbs felt leaden, his vision blurring. “I… can’t… lose…” Kragg rasped, voice dissolving into a broken whimper.
Tyler twisted behind him, delivering a brutal slash across Kragg’s back, severing muscle and nearly dropping him to his knees. Kragg shrieked, turning to swing one last desperate blow, but Tyler caught it with crossed swords, sparks spraying violently. With a roar, Tyler forced Kragg’s arm aside and delivered a devastating cross slash over his chest. Blood erupted in a crimson geyser.
Kragg felt his strength drain like a river drying under a cruel sun. His eyes searched the crowd, seeing blurred shapes — perhaps hoping for a glimpse of her. His lips moved, mouthing a final ‘Sister… I’m sorry…’ before darkness swallowed him.
Kragg faltered, eyes wide and unseeing, finally collapsing forward, shaking the earth with a thunderous crash.
A long silence fell. Then, the announcer’s voice broke through, trembling: “KRAGG THE FALLEN… HAS BEEN DEFEATED! THE NEW CHAMPION IS [PLAYER]!!”
The arena erupted. Cheers, cries, and furious curses tangled in a wild crescendo. Gold coins were thrown into the air, echoing the chaos and disbelief of the gamblers. Some people collapsed in shock; others hugged each other or raged at their losses.
[Achievement Unlocked: Last One Standing]
[Grade: B]
[Condition: Defeat every challenger and emerge victorious in the Grand Arena]
Tyler staggered backward, dropping both swords. His armour was shredded, his body covered in deep wounds and purple bruises. He fell to one knee, gasping, his vision swimming. I won… it’s finally over… He looked at Kragg’s unconscious body, sorrowful. I’m sorry. You were strong, but I couldn’t let you win.
Guards rushed into the ring, dragging Kragg’s limp, massive form away. Tyler watched, each breath burning like fire. The once roaring crowd now looked at him in stunned silence, then erupted into fresh cheers again, chanting his name.
High above, Collector burst into Drellic’s office, pale and shaking. “Manager! We underestimated him! We owe over seventy thousand gold to the ones who bet on [Player]! And… according to the contract, we also have to transfer ownership of half the slaves to him!”
Drellic’s eyes narrowed, a strained laugh escaping him. “Ah… so it didn’t go exactly as planned after all. Well, it seems I must make some amends myself.”
He stood, straightened his coat, and grinned wickedly. “Let’s meet our new champion properly.”
Drellic descended from the stands, stepping into the blood-soaked arena. Tyler forced himself to stand, every muscle screaming in protest. Drellic spread his arms, voice echoing eerily across the hushed stadium.
“Hello, [Player]… or should I say, our grand champion of the Arena! Haha! Would you like to listen to another very interesting offer?”
Tyler glared at him, blood dripping from his brow, his hands trembling over his swords.
One final act remains, Tyler thought, his eyes locked onto Drellic.