Rather than choosing to be an underdog and carefully progress through the tournament rounds as his enemies underestimated him, giving him the chance to turn the tide of battles at the last moment, Kahn decided to do the opposite during his second battle.
Why did he make this decision?
As Atreus, watching the match between Pandakin and his opponent named Tai Kung, Kahn came to a sudden realization.
The Pandakin appeared harmless and barely made any outstanding moves or displayed his strength. One might even describe him as a jungle panda rather than a saint. However, one thing was evident - his eminent victory that came with unshakable resolve throughout the battle was the final result.
Regardless of what others thought of him or how they perceived him as a combatant, the Pandakin's victory was undeniable. Other people's opinions, expectations, and predictions about the battle didn't matter.
Kahn had a moment of epiphany. He realized that his previous strategy of being the underdog and relying on the enemy's underestimation had a significant flaw. He could never be sure if his enemy would underestimate him or not.
He realized that he had been downplaying himself and hiding his strength, regardless of where he went and how powerful he was compared to his enemies ever since he reincarnated in Vantrea.
Whether it was Rakos Empire's Emperor's Chosen competition or the Nadur Empire's Tribal Tourney, he always chose to be the underdog.
At one point, this approach made sense and was logical, given his circumstances. However, times had changed. Kahn was no longer fighting for himself but as the representative of the entire Fenrirborne Tribe, as well as his master, Romulus Lykaios, also known as the Heavenly King, in front of the entire Beast Empire.
He was no longer just a nobody with no background who would face dire consequences by defeating the prodigies of the top tribes. Instead, he would be looked down upon if he won his matches by only a hair's breadth.
Kahn realized that he needed to change his mindset and strategy. He understood that he had to show his full strength and not hold back, as he had done in the past.
And prove that the decision to make him the Shadow Disciple was not a mistake.
He understood that continuing to downplay himself and hide his true strength would tarnish the reputation of his master and the entire Fenrirborne Tribe, who were looking forward to his impressive performances in the tournament. He realized that he shouldn't always have to be the underdog and cower in front of people to hide his identity.
It might have been acceptable in the past when he had no background, influence, or force backing him. However, now he had all these things at his disposal, and he was clearly stronger than everyone in the tournament. There was no reason for him to hide like someone avoiding the eyes of the top powers.
Kahn could even conceal his bloodlines and auras from an 8th stage now, so there was no point in acting like a guy who only revealed his true battle prowess at the last moment.
He realized that he had to be confident and show his full strength to represent his tribe and master to the best of his ability as this was the only way to help him in the future where he would be treasured instead of being looked down.
At this moment, he realized another saying…
'The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.
Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.'
When this strategy was realized… Forget choosing to fight you… Your enemies would either surrender or run away from the battle itself.
Becoming a figure who can break the enemy's will to fight was something Kahn hadn't experienced ever since he was reincarnated in Vantrea.
"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win." spoke Kahn.
"I don't want to be a trash who can do nothing but play the mindgames to win.
My entire training and all those million deaths I suffered through would mean nothing if I am still acting like someone who can be undermined by their opponents.
It is my opponents who should tremble in fear as they stand in front of me." he spoke to himself with a tone filled with indomitable resolve.
And right after making this doctrine as his approach for the rest of the Tourney…
Kahn overwhelmed his next opponent while disgracing her in front of the entire empire.
Why did he make derogatory remarks about her species and mocked her tribe?
Because no way his opponents would take him seriously or decide to go all out unless they hated and feared him first.
All the power he achieved through training would never be brought forward if the opponents didn't treat the battle seriously as if their and their entire tribe's honor was on the line against Atreus.
He voluntarily chose to be the bad guy who commanded hatred and disdain as he crushed his enemies under his feet.
And that was why he purposely attracted the ire of billions of people and the other shadow disciples. To test himself to the best of his abilities and cement himself as the strongest of this tourney so no one looks down on him and also his master as the representative of the Fenrirborne tribe.
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Crack!
Under his feet, Atreus crushed the feline's entire arm and the opponent passed down from intense pain.
"Tch! So weak… Couldn't even withstand this small injury. So disappointing…
I wonder if all the descendants of the Godbeast Baihu are this weak." he spoke with an exhausted voice as if it was he who was wronged.
Flash!
The battlefield suddenly changed its appearance and then Atreus and his opponent were brought back into the arena.
"Boo!"
"This bastard wolf! I'll show you who's weak!"
"Somebody kill this trash! How dare he talk down on all of us!" shouted people in the audience.
More than a billion citizens across the entire Beast Empire shared this resentment against Atreus.
Right at that moment, a voice resounded in Romulus' head.
[Heavenly King of Fire… Your shadow disciple better lose soon.
Because otherwise, I will have my disciple kill him if he reaches the finals.] spoke the Heavenly King of Metal, Jaro.
[Same from me. If he survives the Tourney somehow… I'll make sure he is taken care of.] remarked the Heavenly King of Light, Haldor.
[Is that so? Then don't blame me if I end up wiping both of your tribes from the face of this planet along with you two with them.] replied Romulus in a menacing tone.
He wasn't going to let others talk down on him just because of Kahn's behavior.
So what if he insulted his opponents?
He wasn't weak himself and Romulus had already decided to back him up all the way.
Just a minor issue like this and others were acting like Atreus massacred millions and his crimes were unacceptable.
He didn't care if someone tried to use this against him.
Romulus had only one creed throughout his life ever since Abyss Empire fell and he was left alone in the world.
He would go to the depths of hell for his family, loved ones and those who loyally followed him.
If anyone dared to harm the people he cared about, the Fenrirborne would pull out their damn spine from the back and make them watch as he ripped it apart.
[Silence! All of you need to contain your anger.
The Tribal Tourney is not where you act like a war is going on.
As demeaning as Atreus' remarks may be… It's not something that has happened for the first time in history.
Stop making a big issue out of it.] the grim and domineering voice by the Empress, Kaali Adisesha echoed in their minds.
Although this issue was going to cause civil unrest for some time, the Empress was more eager to see if Atreus actually had the power to back his bold and arrogant behavior.
She wanted to see if he was all bark and no bite. Thus, instead of jumping to conclusions, she chose to place her bets after the tourney.
And if the results went against Atreus… Then he would have to pay a great price for this transgression.
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As everyone kept cursing Atreus while other species members laughed and cheered Atreus for thrashing his opponent like a boss… The warrior came back to his pavilion, where everyone gave him a thumbs up in approval.
On the surface, they condemned such behavior. But inside their soul… They enjoyed it.
4 Hours Later…
Another 2 matches ended and now, it was time for Atreus to fight his next opponent.
He was the first one to arrive in the arena.
Thud!
His opponent jumped in.
Before Atreus stood a massive Apekin, towering at a height of four meters. The creature had a striking resemblance to a gorilla and was clad in legendary rank armor. His weapon of choice was a staff, which he held confidently in his hand. The sheer size and strength of the Apekin were intimidating, even for someone like Atreus, who was no stranger to formidable opponents.
Despite the imposing figure in front of him, Atreus remained calm and collected, his blue fur shining under the light.
The tension in the air was palpable as the two combatants locked eyes, sizing each other up.
This new opponent was none other than the Shadow Disciple of the Heavenly King of Water…
Harambe of the Kong Tribe.
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