Chapter 77: Huangyan
The arena buzzed with anticipation as the quarterfinals began. The crowd, significantly larger than for previous rounds, filled every available seat.
Grim arrived early, taking his position in the competitors’ area. His mind still churned with what he’d discovered in the vault.
[You seem distracted,] the voice noted.
"I have reason to be," Grim muttered under his breath.
An official stepped into the middle of the ring, raising his hands for silence. The crowd gradually quieted.
"Today we begin the quarterfinals of the Imperial Tournament," he announced, his voice magically amplified. "Eight competitors remain from the original one thousand and twenty-four. By day’s end, only four will continue their journey toward glory."
The crowd roared its approval. Grim remained silent, his eyes scanning the other competitors. Max Luminaris stood on the opposite side, deliberately avoiding Grim’s gaze. The petite girl whose early match had caught Grim’s attention sat calmly, seemingly untouched by the mounting excitement around her. And there was the massive hooded figure whose identity remained a mystery despite advancing through multiple rounds.
"Our first match," the Tournament official continued, "pits Lady Huangyan against Koda the Faceless!"
The crowd’s response was immediate and enthusiastic. The petite girl had apparently become something of a favorite among the common spectators, while nobles seemed to favor the mysterious Koda, whose sheer size promised a devastating display of power.