Chapter 15: Ch 15: Planet of Champions- Part 4
As Nova stepped into the arena, the crowd buzzed with sudden excitement. A humanoid challenger entering a deathmatch wasn’t common—especially one without reputation or backup. A wave of murmurs spread like wildfire.
"Another hybrid? Ten creds say he won’t last a minute."
"Is he unarmed? No way he lasts."
The man who had signed Nova up chuckled beside the betting counter, shaking his head with a crooked smile.
"Relax, folks. The new guy’s match is a soft one. Nothing to worry about."
But the sly grins and stifled snickers from other organizers told another story. Nova noticed. He didn’t react.
As Nova stepped into the harsh, sun-baked arena, a hush fell over the immediate crowd. It was the kind of silence that came before a joke—or a slaughter.
Bets were exchanged, jeers thrown like stones.
Nova didn’t react.
He walked calmly toward the center, expression unreadable, body language loose—confident in a way that unsettled those who paid attention.
The gate opposite him let out a mechanical groan before slamming open with a gust of heat and dust.