Extra's Descent

He chose to participate in the arena battles to test his skills and create an alibi for why a head had selected him.

Specifically, to create a reason for Zed to approach him.

Staring at the lizardman, Brandon unsheathed his blade.

No magic, no zones, no binding vows.

All pure body strengthening.

SHIIING—!

He knew he was never good at the sword. Reason being, he had never formally learned swordsmanship.

It was then when he recalled a certain memory.

m|vle mp _yr novel source

—Remember, you are no duelist. That body isn't fit to fight like a duelist. It's not even fit at all to fight as a mage.

—But with your involvement, it should be enough to at least be comparable to mages.

It was for that reason why his defense stat was always low.

'No.'

Brandon shook his head.

The least person he wanted to listen to when it comes to fighting was the other Brandon.

Call it ego or maybe arrogance, but he was determined to do things his own way.

Extending the blade forward, mana gathered around his body. Small runic marks glowed on the ring in his finger, and he felt his muscles relaxed.

His body felt light.

The lizardman. He was the one who told Zed he wanted to fight it.

It was because he knew of the lizardmen's inner nature.

They were proud warriors.

One of the few races that humanity was in good relations with in the previous progressions.

And according to Zed, they had been able to capture at least four lizardmens.

"Come."

Swoo—!

Hearing the lizardman's voice, Brandon kicked the ground.

He felt light in his feet. However, his speed was disappointing by his standards.

He kind of missed the lightning affinity.

He had a skill to make up for his lack of speed. But he didn't want to reveal all of his cards.

For this fight, he had planned on relying only on his pure combat skills.

The accumulation of all the memories of previous progressions.

Seeing Jin's fighting style.

His swordsmanship.

The way the other Brandon was getting thrashed around in every duel.

It was as if he was experiencing it for himself.

The lizardman had his own weapon.

It was a spear.

The trademark weapon of all lizardmens

Clank—!

His blade and the spear clashed, sparks flying in the air, as a metallic sound echoed.

Clank—! Clank—!

Brandon was able to keep up as a flurry of strikes hurled his way. But he knew he was at a disadvantage.

The spear was long, allowing the lizardman to keep a fixed distance from him. For that reason, his blade had a hard time reaching it.

'Guess I have to use it.'

Extending his left hand, threads flew out.

Clank—!

With the blade on his right hand, Brandon repelled the spear and leapt backwards.

Threads loomed around the lizardman. The lizardman jumped back and thrusted its spear on the threads. At that, the threads cut off and Brandon rushed for another attack.

Brandon's blade drew an arc in the air. But the lizardman was quick in its feet as it twisted its body to the side, dodging the attack.

Brandon's eye flicked and traced.

Swoosh—!

Kicking the ground once more, he rushed towards the lizardman.

Clank—! Clank—! Clank—!

He was persistent in his attacks, not giving the lizardman any breathing room.

If his technical skills were subpar, he could make up for it with his speed and the versatility in his attacks.

Threads extended from his fingertips, and successfully coiled themselves around the lizardmen's leg.

Brandon clenched his hand, tightening the threads.

"...."

He was only able to close his hand so much. The lizardman's flesh was tough, as if it served as its armor.

Swoosh—!

In that instant, a spear thrusted forward and Brandon narrowly dodged, feeling the cool sensation of metal grazing his cheek.

Leaping backwards, he touched his cheek and felt a wet sensation.

"...."

He looked at his hand.

There was blood.

Feeling blood trickle down his cheek, Brandon wiped it off.

"Huu…."

Taking a deep breath, Brandon continued his relentless attacks.

Clank—! Clank—! Clank—!

"This. Futile. You. No. Skill."

"...."

Hearing the lizardman's words, Brandon paid no heed to it.

The lizardman was trying to provoke him, and he knew that. He was well aware he had no skill, or talent with swordsmanship or anything regarding weapons.

And in the first place, Brandon hadn't given it his all.

Not once had he taken the fight seriously.

The colosseum staff had told him to prolong the fight. He was only following instructions.

"Cocky lizardman."

Swoosh—!

Brandon bolted from his position and appeared before the lizardman.

"...."

"Heh."

Brandon scoffed. Clenching his hand tightly, he could see the lizardman struggle to move.

"...."

Clank!

His spear fell on the ground, and the lizardman's back straightened up. Threads wrapped around his body and its eyes widened.

"You. How….?"

"...."

Brandon didn't respond, tightening the grip of the threads. Although the threads weren't strong enough to decapitate the lizardman's body, it was still capable enough to subdue and immobilize it.

"You see this?"

"....?"

There was one thread on each fingertip. But that was all on the surface.

While lizardmen were warriors, they weren't well versed with magic.

No, that was the elves' territory.

On the other hand, lizardmen were physically adept in nature. Similar to the way duelists and mages were categorized.

While the orc that Evelyn had fought earlier was a mix of both spectrums.

It wasn't that each race leaned more to specific abilities. There were, of course, some exceptions.

But it was for that reason, that the lizardman was unable to notice the extra threads, subtle enough, where one needed to focus mana into their eyes to notice.

Brandon leaned close to the lizardmen.

"...."

Spurt!

He thrusted his sword, piercing through the lizardman's chest.

Thump!

The lizardman's body grew limp and stumbled down. Just like that, the lizardman was dead.

"...."

A tentative silence filled the colosseum, and Brandon looked around.

Shortly after….

"Wooooooh!"

"Moriarty….!"

Screams erupted, cheering for him.

Brandon turned his head slightly. Two green eyes met his gaze, with a sly smirk on his face.

"Ha."

Brandon scoffed and stared at Zed—who was atop the chambers, seated on his seat.

With this, the first phase of their plan would be set in motion.