Hero of Darkness

The day of the quarterfinals finally arrived and Kahn departed to Zelda, the second richest district of the capital and the named Qaboj where the first and opening match of the new round will be held.

For now, no one had tried to contact or pressure him regarding the competition as if some invisible force had been barring the enemies. In actuality, it was all the efforts made by Kahn and his generals who had been creating the image of the underdog and a dark horse in the minds of the general populace of the capital.

And with the quarterfinals being broadcast throughout the empire, Kahn even had a bigger opportunity to make his name well known. Because the incident of the previous round had already made him realize that if he isn't in the limelight.. He was easy to be cut off by anyone with substantial influence and power.

And he wanted to avoid the scenario where some saint had put him in the ground again. So other than using the public as his form of defense, Kahn had no choice but to attract the whole empire's eyes on him at this point.

Doing this also ensured that his life would be secured and no power would try to target or kill him for some time and if he qualified for further stages.

The battle arena that held today's match was 3 times bigger in terms of size, audience capacity and the number of floors. Even the security guards here were at least beginner rank fighters.

Kahn felt like suddenly he entered an intergalactic tournament where he would have to fight gigantic aliens.

Even the battlefield itself was 1 kilometer in radius, indicating the scale of this competition was going to be on a completely different scale.

At this point, even a single seat cost 10 thousand gold coins yet the entire colosseum-style arena was full of people cheering for their respective fighters.

This time, Kahn had ordered all of their members from seven deadly sins to be present from here on. He spent a few hundred million just for their attires, traveling expenses and creating a fake background that'd make the organization members look like local rich tycoons and help them properly blend in with the crowd.

All of them were given space rings where at least a hundred million gold coins were kept that they'd have to use while betting on a candidate as per the orders.

Kahn was looking at considerable gains here as well. Because he wasn't a fool to think that his story and recent fame was enough to completely sway people towards him and make them bet their fortunes on him.

For now, they were only intrigued by him but not fully aware of his capabilities or the true rank. So being the greedy and shameless man he was.. Kahn only waited for the odds to be revealed.

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After the commencement speech by the hosts and announcers, a cultural dance and singing act was put on similar to the opening of the Olympics on earth.

When the winning odds for the betting were revealed, it was 70:30 on the scoreboards. And an hour was offered to the audience in the arena and people watching throughout the empire to place their bets and register their amount on the official booths.

Just as he expected.. The Mikealson clan was indeed very powerful and influential to affect the odds by this much despite Kahn's attempt to increase his popularity among the masses.

Just the name Mikealson was more than enough to blindly trust and choose the opponent over him without a second thought.

[Go all the way in.] commanded Kahn to his people.

And finally, from two different corners of the battle ring, walked today's talented combatants of the young generation who were escorted by two squads of soldiers.

Kahn had already hidden his rank and stats to match that of a peak grandmaster swordsman since many saints in VIP rooms would be watching today's match so he came fully prepared.

All the top influential forces in the empire had sent their important figures such and commanding officers, heirs and some top rank saints despite this match being only the beginning of the quarterfinals. So even Kahn felt like things were getting real at this point.

As soon as both the parties at the center of the ring, both clad in their fighting gears and weapons; the announcer stood in between the young swordsman donned in black and golden longcoat with a black giantsword on his back and the redhead swordsman with a white and black attire who had a navy force style cap and a rapier sheathed on her waist.

"In front of me, stand both of today's combatants. So for all of our audience sitting in the arena and all the viewers watching throughout the Rakos empire, I want to ask both of today's fighters a question." asked the middle-aged elven emcee.

"Who do you think will win?" he asked and moved his mic towards Veronica.

Veronica folded her arms and looked at Kahn who was taller than her. She gave him a thoughtful look and spoke in a soft tone.

"I think I will." declared Veronica without any hesitation.

"And why do you think so?" asked the emcee curiously.

"Because my opponent isn't very skilled and his fighting style is crude. It is very clear that he didn't have any proper training from a skilled teacher either.

And during his previous match, he threw away his sword to beat the opponent with bare hands. It shows that he doesn't respect his sword as a warrior either.

And I will never lose to someone unskilled like him." spoke Veronica in a prideful tone.

It wasn't that she was being high on her horses.. Rather she spoke with facts because that was the real truth for Kahn. And her being a proper and honest warrior herself, she spoke her mind without holding back.

GASP!

Millions of people who were watching the live broadcast gasped throughout the empire at the same time.

Although she was being honest, her tone was misunderstood as her looking down and insulting her opponent.

"Mister Kahn, what would you like to say in response?" asked the emcee to Kahn.

Kahn slightly leaned towards the mic and spoke in a polite tone with a slight smirk on his face..

"Arrogance destroys the footholds of victory."

Shock! Gasp!

"Boaaaahhh!!"

A billion people collectively gasped and also screamed out of surprise throughout the empire.

Just with one line.. Kahn roasted Veronica publicly.

Calling her arrogant also implied that she thought too highly of herself and her ignorance would be her downfall.

Not just Veronica but even the Mikealson clan members who came in a few hundred thousands to support her were infuriated after Kahn's response.

Pissed! Veronica was thoroughly pissed off.

She tried to talk like a professional but her opponent acted like an immature manchild who insulted her instead. He had no sense of professional courtesy or any humbleness.

"Hmph! Let's see if he really has the strength to back his claims." spoke Isaac who was in one of the VIP rooms along with Veronica's father, who was a 4th stage saint and also his second uncle.

But unlike him, her father has no impulsive reaction or spoke a word as he kept looking at Kahn as if trying to see through him.

"That young man'¦ there's something different about him." he spoke in a solemn tone.

Not only him but dozens of saints who had come to represent their respective forces and watch this match also had their gazes locked at Kahn for some reason.

On the battle ring, Veronica clenched her fist tightly as an exasperated expression appeared on her face.

"Big claims for a man who's about to lose." spoke Veronica with a hateful expression.

"Unlike you.. I don't have the habit of daydreaming." replied Kahn and went back to his corner of the ring while folding both of his arms behind his back.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

"Begin the match!" announced a thrall referee and the match officially started.

Veronica took her thin and mid-sized rapier with golden hilt while Kahn on the other brandished Lucifer.

Both of the combatants took their attacking stance and waited for the opponent to make the first move.

Boom!!

A burst of brown aura released from Veronica's body as she released her peak grandmaster rank strength.

Kahn could already guess that Veronica was only lacking in fewer levels than him so he too decided to not hold back.

Boom!!

A loud boom resounded in the ring as Kahn revealed his strength and rank with a release of black and red aura.

War Dominance!!

He quickly activated this skill and put intense pressure on the opponent right from the start.

"In my eyes.. Trash like you will never be a true swordsman." spoke Veronica from the other end.

To her words, Kahn gave a playful smile as he spoke in a tyrannical voice.

"Winners do not care about the opinions of the losers."