Chapter 73: Chapter 67: Colosseum 1
The trio returned to their rooms and got their new weapons. Woo had a dark blue rapier with thunderbolt patterns on it. Woong and Bum’s weapons looked a bit ordinary in comparison. They were just a simple warhammer and a simple battle ax. But one could still feel the bloodlust hidden in those seemingly simple weapons.
When everyone was ready, they asked a servant to lead them to the Vice Head’s office. The servant nodded and did as he was told. Once they had reached their destination, the servant bowed and returned. The Vice Head’s office was inside a courtyard that was guarded 24/7.
The guards looked at them and said, "Halt. State your business."
Zeke said, "The Vice Head had asked us to come to him whenever we were ready. My name is Ryeong."
The guards nodded. The Vice Head had informed them that four very distinct children would soon visit and that they should let them enter. And the children in front of them were distinct. Still, one of the guards said, "I’ll go and confirm, just in case."
The other guard nodded and the guard left. He soon returned and said, "Let them enter."
The guard stopped blocking the gate and let them enter. They walked inside until they reached his office and knocked on the door. They heard the Vice Head’s voice, "Enter."
They opened the door and walked inside. They said, "We greet the Vice Head."
The Vice Head nodded and said, "So, what brings you here?"
Zeke said, "We want to challenge a Lower Squad today."
The Vice Head said, "Have you decided which squad you want to challenge?"
Zeke said, "We want to challenge the Demon Sword Squad."
The Vice Head hummed and took out a few documents. He opened them and read aloud, "Demon Sword Squad. Ranked 11 out of 27. Nineteen members in total. Two are in the Demon realm. All of them wield swords. Hmmm...Are you sure that you want to challenge them?"
Zeke said, "Yes Sir."
The Vice Head said, "Very well. I’ll send them a notice. Your challenge will be held in two weeks."
Zeke asked, "Two weeks?"
The Vice Head laughed and said, "What? Were you expecting to battle them today?"
Zeke nodded. The Vice Head said, "Most of their members, including the squad leader, are out on missions. It will take time to call all of them back."
Zeke thought that it made sense. He sighed and said, "Then we’ll train in the meantime."
The Vice Head nodded. They were about to leave when Zeke suddenly paused. He said, "I almost forgot to give this to you."
He gave a paper with a list to the Vice Head. He said, "I owe some wine to the Senior from the Treasury. He said that I can tell you what I need to brew it."
The Vice Head said, "You know how to brew wine?"
Zeke nodded. He said, "In addition to the things on the list, I’ll take any extra natural treasures that you have lying around."
The Vice Head stared at him. He said, "For the wine, of course. That Senior seemed to really enjoy alcohol so I just wanted to make something delicious for him."
The Vice Head said, "Right. I’ll see if I have anything...lying around."
The trio stared at Zeke. They had never expected him to be so blatantly shameless. It just didn’t fit with his serious character. If Cass or Leonel were to hear someone calling Zeke serious, they would laugh so hard that they would literally fall to the ground. Anyways, Zeke and the trio left the Vice Head’s office and returned to Zeke’s room. Zeke looked at them and said, "Try to break through to the Demon realm in these two weeks. I can tell that you’re already at the peak of the Lower Demon realm."
The trio nodded and returned to their rooms. What they didn’t know was that Zeke was scheming against them. ’I can’t spar with them with their current strength. Hopefully, when they break through, they’ll serve as satisfactory opponents.’
Yeah. He hadn’t forgotten about the promise that he had made to them. But in his current state, it would be meaningless to spar with them. He sat down and started cultivating. He thought that he might as well increase his strength as there was nothing else that he could do. By the time he was done, it was already evening,
A servant knocked on his door. He said, "Enter."
The servant entered and said, "Lord Vice Head has sent some materials for you."
Zeke thought, ’That was quick.’
He said, "Alright. He must also have prepared another room for me. Send the materials there. And send a meal for me. Thank you."
The servant bowed and left. Soon, he returned with dinner and left again. Zeke ate his food and started cultivating again, only this time, the Hell Qi didn’t gather in his Middle Energy Core and was only absorbed by his body. The next day, he went to the room with the materials and made ten batches of wine and sealed them so they could ferment. Then he trained with Sasin.
He also worked on the passive cultivation that he had experienced in the Treasury. After a week and a half, he was able to train his body to subconsciously cultivate at all times. Even while he was sleeping. Although it was much slower than when he was actively cultivating, in the long term it would be faster than just actively cultivating.
That was because there was a limit to the time he could actively cultivate. After that, his meridians needed rest. But passive cultivation wasn’t like that. One morning, he was having his breakfast when he sensed energy fluctuations. He got out of his room and saw that Woo and Bum had done the same. That could only mean one thing. Woong was breaking through to the Demon realm. Seeing this, Woo and Bum’s competitive spirit seemed to ignite and they went back inside to break through as soon as possible. The deadline was nearing.
The next day, they also broke through. Then, he beat, no, sparred with them. They ’sparred’ until there was only one day left before the match. He let them rest on that day. Finally, it was the day of the challenge. A servant guided them to an arena. It was almost like a colosseum with seats for spectators all around the arena.
And it was packed. There were two gates, one on either side, for the participants to enter. The four of them were led to one side, while the Demon Sword squad was led to the other. In the center of the arena, stood the Vice Head.
He used his internal qi to amplify his voice as he said, "I am the Vice Head of the Demons’ Den, Choi Ki-Hyun. And I will be acting as referee in today’s challenge. I’m pretty sure that all of you particularly enjoyed the performance of the Little Demons a few days ago.
Well, if you did, then you’re going to love today’s match. Because today, the top four of the Little Demons are going to fight against the 11th Ranked Lower Squad, the Demon Sword Squad. This fight will decide if they can keep their rank. If they lose today, The four Little Demons will be able to create their own squad.
Now, let me welcome the Demon Sword Squad. They need no introduction. We all know their dedication to the sword."
The Demon Sword Squad entered the arena and the crowd started cheering. This crowd included servants, other squads, and even members from Divine Hell. They were all very different from each other but they had one thing in common. The one thing that had been instilled in them since they joined the Cult at a young age. Strength is supreme. This had also made them battle maniacs who enjoyed both participating and even just observing battles and fights.
In the waiting area, Zeke looked at the four of them and said, "It looks like the Vice Head means to make a show of this whole thing. Well, if that is what he wants, then that is what we will do. When he calls your name and you go into the arena, show them why we are called the Little Demons."
The Vice Head continued, "You all have already heard of what the Little Demons went through. The life that they have lived until now. And these four, they are the strongest, most ruthless and brutal of the survivors.
When he finished the final trial, he was accompanied by a pack of tigers. And used a tiger Spirit Beast as his steed. Let me introduce you to...BUUUMMM."
Bum cracked his neck and entered the arena. The audience stared at him. He fully unleashed his Killing Intent. He pointed his ax at the Demon Sword Squad and let out a deafening roar. The audience and the opponents all understood what his actions conveyed. He was openly provoking them. And the audience loved it.
