Chapter 130: The First Clash
The makeshift arena was a testament to brutality—a pit carved out of concrete and steel, lit by hanging bulbs that swayed with the ambient vibrations of the underground facility. The air was thick with smoke, sweat, and the charged anticipation of the gathered audience. It was nothing like the sterile, controlled arenas of organized combat. This was raw. This was primal. A place where blood would stain the floor before the night was over.
Vincent Giovanni and his entourage sat at the front, occupying the best seats just beside the ring. My operations team flanked him, their eyes locked on the pit like seasoned gamblers at a high-stakes table. Though I could tell that Milan and Anthony were slightly anxious. Beside them, I sat as Mr. Beetle, my mask concealing everything but my calculating gaze. The girls sat nearby, their masquerade masks blending them into the decadent crowd, but I could feel their tension. Sienna's fingers curled slightly on her lap, Camille leaned back with an easy, unreadable smile, and Alexis sat stiff, absorbing everything like a scientist examining a volatile experiment.
A buzzer blared. The first match was about to begin.
Leo "The Ghost" Choi vs. Ragnar "The Beast" Wulf.
Leo stepped onto the battlefield first. He was wiry but composed, his footfalls light and purposeful. He moved like a phantom, slipping past obstacles that only he could see. His hooded gaze betrayed nothing as he rolled his shoulders and took his stance. His job title flickered into view as I activated Scan:
Name: Leo "The Ghost" Cho
Job: Assassin (A-Rank)
Silent Footwork (Lv. 7): Reduces noise and increases movement efficiency, making it difficult for opponents to read his positioning.
Edge Instinct (Lv. 6): Heightened ability to detect and react to the slightest shifts in an opponent's stance.
Vital Targeting (Lv. 7): Enhances the precision of attacks toward vulnerable areas without relying on brute force.
Pain Mitigation (Lv. 6): Allows the body to dull pain response temporarily, extending endurance.