The Psychopathic Beast Emperor

Bahamut and Gabi nodded at each other and left the now destroyed arena floor. In front of everyone watching, the two brutally injured people walked off the stage as if they weren’t hurt. People could even see that they were already healing as they walked back, making them wonder just the kind of freaks they were.

Most were especially shocked at Gabi’s strength. The lizard-kin youth always appeared weak and meek, but that image had shattered in their minds. Anyone who had thoughts of bullying him could only swallow their saliva as chills ran down their spines. What they had witnessed was no weak boy. He was a monster!

Someone like that should never be messed with. They would die without knowing how they died. That was evident from the change in terrain on the arena’s floor. No one was definitely going to mess with him, unless they had a death wish.

The next people to battle were Exildra and a handsome guy with dark grey hair and blue eyes. Yarick.

...

"Next!"

Elder Hakar’s voice rang out again, cutting through the lingering excitement and tension left behind by Bahamut and Gabi’s monstrous clash.

"Exildra Esteria... versus Yarick Rud."

A low murmur spread through the arena.

Exildra stepped forward calmly, her golden hair flowing behind her, her eyepatch resting neatly over her right eye. Her expression was composed, almost gentle... but those who knew her well noticed the faint coldness in her gaze.

Beside her, Lily crossed her arms.

"Beat him up," she muttered.

Sel snorted.

"You don’t even know the guy."

"I don’t need to. He looks annoying."

Ren nodded sagely from Sel’s shoulder.

"Very punchable face."

...

Across the arena, Yarick stepped forward with smooth, confident strides. He was handsome. Painfully so. Dark grey hair styled neatly, blue eyes sharp and clear, and a smile that looked like it had been practiced in a mirror a thousand times. The moment he stepped onto the arena, he flicked his hair back lightly and glanced at Exildra.

Then he smiled wider.

"Well... I got lucky."

Exildra said nothing. She simply walked to her position. Yarick followed, stopping a few meters away from her, casually rolling his shoulders.

"You’re even more beautiful up close," he said, voice smooth. "I’ve been meaning to talk to you."

Silence.

Exildra stared at him blankly.

"You don’t talk much, do you?" he chuckled.

Still nothing.

From the stands, Bahamut tilted his head slightly.

"Who is this clown?"

Sel sighed.

"He’s about to die."

Elder Hakar raised his hand.

"Begin!"

The moment the signal dropped, Yarick didn’t move. Instead, he took a step forward casually.

"No need to rush. We can take this slow. I wouldn’t want to hurt you..."

WHOOSH!

Exildra vanished. Yarick’s pupils shrank.

That was too fast!

BAM!

Her fist slammed into his face. His head snapped violently to the side as his entire body lifted off the ground and crashed into the arena floor. The sound echoed loudly. The entire arena went silent.

Yarick lay there for a second, stunned, his brain trying to process what had just happened.

"Huh?"

He pushed himself up slowly, wiping a bit of blood from the corner of his lip. Then he laughed.

"Oh... I like that. Feisty."

He stood up fully, cracking his neck.

"Guess I’ll have to get serious..." He disappeared, flashing and reappeared behind Exildra, his hand reaching for her shoulder.

"Got you..."

SMACK!

Her backhand hit him before he could even finish. His body spun mid-air and slammed into the ground again, this time harder.

CRACK!

The ground beneath him fractured. A collective gasp rippled through the audience. Exildra didn’t stop. She walked toward him slowly. Yarick groaned, pushing himself up again, this time with a bit more difficulty.

"Alright... enough playing around." His expression shifted slightly, annoyance creeping in.

"You’re strong. I’ll give you that. But don’t think..." He lunged forward. This time, his movements were sharper, faster, and more precise. His fist shot toward her midsection. Exildra moved forward with a cold expression and a malicious glint in her eyes.

THUD!

Her knee slammed into his stomach. All the air left his lungs instantly, and his body froze.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

Her fists rained down: one to the ribs, one to the jaw, one straight to his chest. Each hit was heavier than the last, each hit filled with something more than just force.

Anger.

Yarick tried to retaliate. His hand came up, but she grabbed it. She twisted it violently, forcing him to his knees.

"W-wait-!"

SMASH!

Her foot drove into his face, slamming him flat onto his back. The arena shook. Silence followed as everyone looked at her in shock. No one moved or spoke. What was this massive turn of it?

Exildra stood over him, her breathing steady, her expression cold. Yarick groaned weakly, barely conscious, his body twitching as he tried to move.

You’re... crazy..." he muttered faintly.

Exildra crouched slightly, grabbing him by the collar and lifting his head just enough so he could see her face.

Her one visible golden eye glowed sharp and cold. "Don’t flirt with me," she said quietly. Her voice wasn’t loud, but it carried. Across the entire arena, a chill ran through everyone present. She then let go of his collar.

THUD!

His head hit the ground. He didn’t move again. He was unconscious. Elder Hakar blinked once... then twice... before raising his hand.

"Winner... Exildra."

The arena erupted, but this time there was hesitation in it, because what they had just witnessed wasn’t just strength. It was dominance absolute and unquestionable. Exildra turned and walked away like nothing had happened, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

When she reached Bahamut and the others, Lily stared at her with wide eyes.

"Remind me to never annoy you."

Exildra smiled sweetly.

"I’m very nice."

Sel coughed.

"Yeah... terrifyingly nice."

Bahamut looked at her for a moment... then grinned.

"I like this side of you."

Exildra’s cheeks flushed slightly.

"Shut up." But her smile didn’t fade. Behind them, Yarick was being carried away, broken, bruised, and unconscious, and completely forgotten.