The King's Bet

"Let the game begins!"

Announced Lero Ro as a huge yellow cube appeared in front of him and he entered it. After entering, the cube rises until it reaches the ceiling of the arena.

He then continued speaking with an amplified voice:

[I count to five. Teams that want to advance to the first round must press the buzzer before the countdown ends!!]

[One-]

___

"For now let's observe, it's too risky to participate in the first round."

Aguero said, while observing the outside of their room, he was with his team sitting in the back of their room seeing the participants of this round.

"I completely agree, it's not worth going in the first round, other than wasting energy unnecessarily."

Baam agreed, he didn't want to lose the opportunity to go straight up a floor just with this bonus game. For Rak it didn't matter, although he wants to fight, he is not so stupid to want to put his selfish desire first instead and failed this test.

As he says, he is a real leader who takes care of these turtles.

___

The main trio wasn't the only one to think about this strategy, most teams resigned themselves to leaving their room in the first round. Some wanting to analyze the weak and strong point of the other participants to see who would be the most annoying in this bonus game or others thinking of ways to successfully complete the crown game.

It's the same for Shibisu who has ideas about this game:

'It's too dangerous to participate in this trick.... It's better that I observe a little.'

'But this game is very advantageous for us. If we go out in the fourth round, we've basically won!!'

*BUZZ!*

The sound of the buzzer echoed throughout the large hall. It was that same sound that made Shibisu's thoughts falter while breaking his confident smile.

"Let's go."

The lizard girl said rigorously, walking side by side with her samurai teammate towards the exit.

Shibisu could only sigh in defeat, he stood up while stretching his aching arms and followed his two teammates out of their room.

"I knew you wouldn't care about consequences or details...."

"Fifty minutes is more than enough against these guys."

She replied with confidence, while wearing a cocky smile.

"I agree."

His other teammate agreed, holding the hilt of his katana tightly on his haramaki.

'It's true.... After all we are the best team.'

Shibisu reassured himself, but when he saw their opposing team, his worry for the first time evaporated.

"Oh? Stupid team huh? I'm afraid you'll regret it."

He openly mocks them with a voice tinged with confidence, obviously that doesn't matter to their opponents.

[Well! Time is up!!]

[The first round of the crown game, begins now!!]

Declared the Examinator, opening hostilities.

"This time, I will fight alone. Don't get in the way."

Decided Anaak, she just received an approving look from her teammates. But it's not the same for the black-haired boy, his knuckles tighten on the handle of his red needle in the face of the arrogance of this lizard in front of him.

"You're such a show-off b*tch. Do you really think you can fight us alone?"

"The question is not whether I can fight all of you alone, but whether you three losers can fight me."

She replied with a big smirk, which made the boy's forehead tense but one of his teammates, annoyed at the excessive arrogance of this lizard, exclaimed angrily:

"You proud little gecko!!! Take it seriously instead of bragging about it!!"

Receiving only silence and just the narcissistic look of the lizard, he then took a step before her by drawing his two swords on his back.

"Alright!! I will make sure that such insolent words never come out of your dirty mouth ag-"

*BOOM!*

Without him and his team even realizing it, Anaak found himself in front of him, delivering a palm strike which sent him flying across half the arena at full speed, until he violently hitting a wall.

"KON!! HEY KON!! WAKE UP!!!"

Exclaimed the black-haired boy, still in shock at what he had just seen, but his cries were heard by a deaf person because his teammate simply lost consciousness with a bloody head.

As for Anaak, she just cracked her neck with an indifferent face, as if beating up Regulars was a habit for her.

"You f*cking show-off lizard!! You're going to regret this!!"

Exclaimed the boy with obvious anger, holding his needle in both hands on his right side, he charged towards the lizard who still kept his smile.

*SHIIIING!*

"Argh!"

She casually swung her hook which extended to stop her opponent's momentum, daring him to come any closer.

"HOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!!!"

*BONG!*

The priest took advantage of this moment to sneak up behind Anaak and deliver a powerful punch in the temple.

But Anaak didn't feel anything at all, or even flinch, she just returned with a look reflecting her boredom. The priest could only be stunned by the absurd resistance of such a little girl.

She then grabbed the hilt of her 'opponent', and she exerted a little force to break his hilt.

"ARGHHHH-"

It was his last word before his body flew until it crashed into the back of the room with just one quick movement of the lizard.

The black-haired boy could only watch helplessly as his teammates were beaten like rag dolls.

"AAAHHHHHHHHH!"

Gathering his courage, he charged towards Anaak again while shouting. He launched a stabbing attack towards her to try to impale her away but it was a futile attempt for she spun around with superhuman speed and caught the tip of her adversary's needle.

*BOOM!*

Like his teammates, he was thrown against a wall, without him being able to do anything.

The entire arena was plunged into silence.

The Regulars in their respective rooms, seeing this spectacle, could only remain speechless at the absurd power of the lizard girl.

Anxiety and the panic are mixed within them, their free ticket for the next Floor seems to have already been taken by the lizard team.

"This lizard....She wasn't kidding when she said she could exterminate them without worry..."

Said in a dead tone Baam, he was somewhat amazed at the strength the lizard demonstrated.

"Having so much physical strength without using Shinsu, I wonder if she wouldn't be a Princess of Zahard..."

Deducing Aguero, wondering how he could win a test against such a powerful Regular, his remark tickled Baam, thinking about how Princesses of this Zahard would be known for just their physical strength.

But it seems he understands better why Aguero comes to this conclusion, if this lizard is already this strong without Shinsu, how powerful will she become when she learns to use this power?

___

The black-haired boy gets up with difficulty while wiping a trail of blood from his lips and faces the lizard girl again who is looking at him with an impassive face.

"What? Do you want some more?"

She said with a mocking tone, which the boy in front of her said nothing about, clearly understanding the reason for her arrogance.

He could only admit that this lizard was too powerful for her, as if she came from another world.

Her team couldn't win against her head on, but if they follow the rules...

"AHHHHHHHHH!"

He rushed towards her again, but it was only a feint, because he was not aiming at her but at the throne in the center of the arena.

"GUYS!!! NOW!!"

Shouting to signal his teammates, the three sprinted towards the throne, hoping to grab the crown and win the first round. The boy thought it was a good idea since the other two teammates are too far away to intercede and the lizard girl wouldn't have time to catch up.

But he was greatly mistaken in underestimating her.

*TAP!*

'Eh?!"

They could only watch in shock as the lizard girl landed in the blink of an eye on top of the throne.

*SHOOOOOOOO!*

*ARGHHHHHHH!!*

Before they could realize it, Anaak whirled his hook, extending it into a whip, and with one quick swing, his three opponents were hit hard by his weapon, each falling unconscious.

"The five minutes haven't been up yet, right?"

She said while taking the crown and placing it on her head, she sits on top of the throne, waiting for the limited time to run out.

To say that the Regulars spectators of this unitary massacre were shocked is an understatement, some of them were even beginning to lose hope seeing this monster played with a team of its own.

'D*mn! Why does an individual like her have to take the same test as us?'

Aguero thought with a nevorister starting to appear in him. Seeing these events, he doubted he would have a chance of passing this bonus test.

'This lizard's level is much higher than ours... and then the samurai doesn't seem to be easy either. If this guy in the purple tracksuit sits on the throne with the crown and these two protect him...'

'..... These guys have a great chance of winning this game!!'

He concluded bitterly, he could only think about making any plan to win this game.

___

"Okay now give me the crown, Anaak. If I sit on the throne, you two can fight."

Shibisu suggested, extending his arm with a victorious smile, but his smile quickly faded when he heard the response of the lizard who was lying nonchalantly on the throne:

"No."

"Eh!?"

Shibisu could only remain frozen and wide-eyed upon hearing the unexpected response of his teammate who wags his lizard tail.

*DRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNG!*

"IF YOU HAVE THE CROWN, HOW DO WE DO IT?!?! IDIOT!!!"

His cry was mixed with the ringing which meaning the end of the first round. Lero Ro's voice came out of the cube and resounded throughout the arena:

[As Anaak sits on the throne wearing the crown before the five minutes are up, this round ends with the victory of the team Anaak, Shibisu and Hatz!!]

"Come on!! Get up you little pest!! Is it time to have your teenage crisis?!"

Shibisu desperately pulled the lizard's collar but she didn't move from her place, her decision was firm, or maybe because she's too lazy?

[Ah, little reminder. The person who is wearing the crown and sitting on the throne cannot get up until all the turns are completed.]

This statement shocked Shibisu. Incredulous at this rule, he clearly expressed his dissatisfaction:

"What the hell is that?! This was not specified in the rules you gave earlier!"

[I seem to have told you to read the instruction book under the button.]

The Examinator replied categorically, which Shibisu could only slap his forehead in the face of this oversight which could have caused them to be eliminated without knowing it.

'Sh*t.....we press the button before reading the rules...'

He could only sigh in defeat as now his team has been significantly weakened, from now on it's at complete risk for them to lost the game.

"Why are you worrying for nothing, Shibisu."

"H-Hatz?"

His teammate moved closer to him looking at him being four steps away lamenting about their situation, he still had his stern gaze on him before speaking:

"We can protect the throne very well with my sword and your deadly martial arts, right?"

'Deadly martial arts?!'

His teammate's comment left him completely stunned, wondering how he could be so naive to have believed his bullsh*t.

"Did you believe me? Did you believe that?!"

He said with tears flowing like waterfalls down his face, he was moved by how his teammate believed in him, although it's just that Hatz was very naive.

"It's obvious to believe in your partner."

Hatz replied simply, he had great confidence in his teammates, it's in his samurai codes.

[Well, should we start the second round?Since there was a winning team in the previous round, only four teams can join this round.]

Announced Lero Ro from his yellow cube, starting the countdown before the start of the second round.

[One-]

___

"Phew...I don't know what this situation is but the odds are in our favor."

Aguero sighed in relief at how the situation played out, although he wondered if the lizard was too arrogant or maybe she had something on her mind...

"Though this lizard sits on the throne, his level is well beyond ours. I think she can still fight against 2 or 3 people while on the throne, but it's still an advantage for us since she deliberately limited her movements."

Said Baam, which made Aguero agree because his teammate's reasoning is correct but they cannot participate in this round again, wanting to wait for their opportunity.

___

[five!]

*BUZZ!* *BUZZ!*

Two new buzzers were heard by everyone in the large room, the two teams who decided to join came out of their rooms when the doors opened.

"Urgh... Why did two teams have to come at the same time?"

Shibisu could only groan in the distance, he was hoping that there would only be one team participating in this round, but now he and his teammate must each take care of a team.

The team Hatz faced was led by a man with a vertical oval head and two wings folded behind his back, he had only one red eye on his blank face and he held a long sword in his hand.

As for Shibisu, he was in a fighting stance, putting his guard close to his face. He was facing the team of his dear partner with whom he was crossing the Veil of Shinsu together.

"I thought we were friends, old hag. But look, you seem to want to slit my throat. You're exaggerating."

He said with a dramatic tone although his smile reflected his mockery towards her, which she doesn't care about.

"Very funny, I've never been partnered with a loser."

She said dryly, while taking her dagger out of her belt.

"Ouch that stings. But why are you missing a person?"

Shibisu asked with a sheepish face, he was somewhat perplexed by the disappearance of their third member.

"..."

Silence was the only response he could muster, but he saw that both of his opponents turned around to see a sleeping bag on the ground. He tells himself that this must be their last teammate given their reaction to seeing him simply sleeping during a test.

"Ha-hahahaha! He'll come for the second part of the round, there's no reason ffor the three of us to go to fight an old loser like you."

She finally replied, although her nervous laughter was mostly to hide her embarrassment at his teammate's casual behavior.

"Ah really?"

'It's a bit annoying but it's true, I'm not that strong.'

Shibisu thought, but he didn't let this belittling comment get him down.

*TAP!*

With a confident step, he advanced towards them, determined to want to fight even if he ended up dying.

"COME IF YOU HAVE THE COURAGE!! YOU B*STARDS!!"

___

"I see you are wielding the sword, black-haired young man."

Noticed the cyclops man, he slowly drew his sword from its sheath, while continuing to speak:

"Do you know that the higher you go in the Tower, the denser the Shinsu becomes.....and there is no one using a sword with such a large friction surface?"

*SHIIING!*

Hatz did not respond to his opponent's explanation, only the sound of his sword coming out of its scabbard was a form of response for his opponent who held his two-handed sword at the top of his head.

"This could be our last time using our swords, isn't it beautiful and sad at the same time? But although I don't want to waste this great opportunity, I can't play fair because we need the crown."

"Exactly, we will take the crown from you in less than 5 minutes, with my super flame fist!"

Exclaimed a tall bald guy with 4 eyes, he clenched his fist and out of the smoke he came out with a burning red glow surrounding his fist. Which did not at all intimidate Hazt, who has his sword in hand and ready to engage in combat against the opposing team.

___

On Shibisu's side, he's not doing too badly. He moves to one leg to give more weight to his front kick from which the old woman took.

"Arghh!"

Although she had time to block him by raising her arms, she groaned in pain from the impact while being pushed back a few meters.

His other teammate presses his legs and accelerated while wanting to deliver an upward kick to Shibisu, who last expected. He grabbed his shin and threw him over his shoulder violently to the ground.

The old woman, rushed behind him seeing an opening, she tried to stab him in the back but her movement was stopped by her opponent who turned around instantly, grabbing her arm and threw a punch towards her nose which broke because of the force exerted by his blow.

*PAF!*

"YOU LITTLE SH*T!! YOU DARE HIT A WOMAN? YOU WANT TO GO TO JAIL?!"

She shouted in rage and pain, her nose was bleeding profusely and she wiped the blood with her arm, while throwing a murderous look towards Shibisu who didn't care at all about her threats.

"Pfff, women. I'm sorry to say this but my hands are for gender equality."

Shibisu mocked while not even trying to suppress his laughter. Which of course accentuated the anger of the old woman in front of him, she could no longer support this man without shame or value.

But no matter how arrogant and confident Shibisu acts, it's just a facade. He begins to struggle against his two adversaries, because they begin to cooperate better with each other.

Especially since he is suspicious of the person who sleeps as if nothing had happened, he doesn't think they buzzed from the second round relying on the abilities of his other two teammates.

The only way he can do this is to buy time until Hatz clears the other team so he can come help.

"Hey jogging, since you're teaming up with these monsters, I think you're deluding yourself."

The old woman declared with a a mocking voice, which left Shibisu perplexed but she did not let him think further about her words as she sprinted at him, the same for his teammate who rushed behind Shibisu.

"YOU'RE NOT LIKE THOSE MONSTERS!! YOU'RE JUST AN ORDINARY GUY LIKE ME!!"

She shouted, which seems to resonate like a desperate cry. She was now a few centimeters from him and she sent a cut, which Shibisu managed to dodge in time but it still grazed his jacket.

Unfortunately for him, he was caught off guard by the old woman's other teammate, holding him by the armpits and preventing him from being able to free himself.

The old woman, seeing this opportunity, took the opportunity to stab him in the ribcage. Shibisu, seeing his imminent death, could only close his eyes and wait to be killed for sure.

'Sh*t!! is this the end?! I'm sorry my friend, but I'm too banal.....'

*BAAAANG!*

Shibisu, who was making his will in his head, opened his eyes to see that he is not in the beyond but a blade pointed horizontally cuts his vision in half.

Seeing that this blade is familiar, he turns around slightly to see that it was his teammate who came to his rescue in time.

"HATZ!!"

Shibisu shouted with joy, he was happy and gratifying that his teammate was able to help him.

"In such a short time? How is this possible?? Where did the other team go with the super flame guy?"

She exclaimed, her confusion could be defined just by looking at the grimace on his face, she looked around to see where the other attacking team is, but her gaze landed on this team whose members are lying on each other's ground, all lost consciousness.

"What happened?"

"I feel sorry for them."

Hatz responded nonchalantly with indifference towards the team he has just eliminated, faced with this response, Shibisu jumped on him giving him a bear hug and congratulated him:

"Haha, I knew it little guy!! You wiped them out in no time!!"

"Ah, let me go."

he complains, his eyes scanning around and noticing that something is wrong.

"But why are there only two? Where is the other one?"

"Ah, I think he's sleeping over there."

"He is sleeping?"

Said Hatz being a little surprised, he looked at the third person who was missing sleeping on the ground wrapped in a blanket , which he of course irritated seeing how this person let his teammates do all the work while he does nothing other than sleep.

"His teammates are risking their lives fighting and is he sleeping? To think that such waste is a Regular..."

*SHING*

"Highest Flying Sword."

Without hesitation, Hatz threw his katana which hovers in the air, the blade flies just above the sleeper, ready to fall on him at the command of his master.

"LAURE!!"

Cried the old woman, but her cry was heard by a deaf man.

"I don't like killing but trash is different. If you don't intend to fight, get up or you die."

Hatz threatened, with venom tinged in his voice. Just as his blade was about to pierce him, Laure's eyes opened, but somewhat drowsy.

"You're all are being noisy."

He complains in a hoarse voice, Laure, looking sleep deprived, surveyed the arena. He sees that the other attacking team has been eliminated and that only them are left to steal the crown.

Stretching out his arm towards the throne, Laura began to create a ball of light in her right hand. As blue energy surged through his open palm, Laure's aura caught the attention of everyone around, whether it was those in the arena, the Regulars in their respective rooms or the Ranker watching the scene inside his cube.

The air crackled with power as energy develops, although fascinating for the Regulars seeing this spectacle, it was not the case for Hazt who turned his gaze towards Anaak and shouted at him in a panicked voice:

"ANAAK!! DODGE!! IT'S SHINSU!!"

"?!"

Anaak's attention now turned to Laure who prepared her technique, who finally unleashes all the power of his technique in a concentrated Shinsu Cannon towards the throne at a speed similar to a bullet.

"PSHIIIII!* *BOOOOM!*

A screen of smoke enveloped all the throne in the face of the power of Laure's attack. Shibisu, worried, wanted to shout to Anaak to know if she is okay because of the magnitude of this attack.

But her worry dissipated when she saw that her teammate was unharmedas soon as the smoke clears. Anaak had dodged at the last second the Shinsu's Cannon and she found herself standing on the throne, her clenched teeth could show that she was irritated that her rest was disturbed.

Seeing this opportunity, Laure's teammates rushed towards Anaak, jumping from the throne and attacking him simultaneously, but Anaak skillfully dodged each of their attacks but...

*BOOOOM!*

She didn't see the Shinsu thrown by Laure coming, hit her in the face.

"SH*T!! ANAAK!!"

Shouted Shibisu, showing his concern that his teammate had really been hit by such an attack.

"Give us the crown kindly, I can attack you from anywhere."

Laure suggested calmly, but her calm was replaced by surprise when he saw Anaak without even a single scratch as soon as the dust fell, only his clothes were somewhat torn by his attack.

"You f*cking snorlax, don't you know your limits?!"

She spat, she was annoyed by Shinsu's outbursts by Laure.

Grasping tightly the hilt of her weapon, with fluid movements she turned her hook above until the whip extended several meters.

His weapon released its intent, the pressure weighed on the environment and warning anyone who felt it that what happened next would become dangerous, even killing them.

A monster with short and wavy hair, a sickly green color with a big smile showing his sharp teeth could be seen in ghostly form behind Anaak, none other than the spirit dwelling within his weapon.

Anaak only said a single word, and this word shocked and even chilled the blood of certain Regulars who understood what the meaning of this word was.

"IGNITION!!"

His weapon began to decompress and grow in length and width, until it reached the height of the ceiling of the arena. Just the force exerted from the transformation of his hook produced waves in the Shinsu environment, causing gusts of wind making nearby Regulars struggle to stand.

"You....are all dead."

She said with a dark tone and a wicked smile, with a quick and fluid movement, she swung her weapon in a vertical blow towards Laure who was still shocked to see such a powerful weapon held by a Regular who had just come to start climbing the Tower.

"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!*

The giant whip hit the ground violently, covering half of the arena and making a long furrow produced by the impact of its attack.

Laure was able to narrowly dodge the attackand manages to escape from such a fatal blow by flying away with his blanket.

He is still in disbelief that a Regular could possess such a weapon with devastating firepower.

'What is this crazy weapon? It can freely change its size to the point of covering the entire testing room? That's why this lizard chose to stay and sit in the throne, I should have looked better....'

Laure thought bitterly, he regretted his decision to have participated in this round, he does not see how he and his team can take the crown when there is a lizard with such a powerful weapon.

The giant whip began to retract, returning somewhat to its original shape and dancing around Anaak.

"You think you're the only one who can attack from anywhere? You're such an idiot!!"

Anaak exclaimed, not being satisfied, she returned her attack on her second try, as if she were fishing.

*BOOOOM!*

Once again, Laure jumped in time to dodge the giant club, but the surprises weren't over because his eyes widened seeing the green hook sprout several vine extensions from its main branch, like a tree.

*SWICH* *SWICH* *SWICH* *SWICH*

The green vines twist like snakes and move at phenomenal speed towards a single target which is none other than Laure. The sleeper could only dodge, making acrobatic jumps or moving in the air, or even gaining a foothold on the immense green branches.

It was like he was fighting against a living forest.

'That d*mn lizard... She really brought back an unbearable toy.'

He swore mentally, he could no longer even attack towards the lizard who had a narcissistic smile as he saw his opponents struggling as best they could, at best Laure could just block the vines which traced paths towards him using Shinsu Cannons.

But he and his team could only be powerless against the power of Anaak's weapon.

___

The Regulars in their room seeing how the lizard was bringing about the apocalypse alone began to be frightened or become anxious at the power demonstrated by Anaak.

'What is this sh*t? Such a weapon triggered by a Regular...how can we fight such an individual?'

Aguero thought, he was stunned by the absurd scene he saw.

"D*mn, this lizard is not laughing at all. Having such a weapon must be illegal."

Baam exclaimed, frowning, but his frown is not due to the absurd power of the lizard but it comes from the Black Mars which has only been vibrating and sending painful impulses to his palm since Anaak ignites his weapon.

He knows more or less why the Black March is acting in a strange way, it is because of the presence of the lizard's hook which makes the Black Mars so madly alert.

He concludes that the weapon held by the lizard was also one of the 13 months explained by Yuri, and that she would then be a Princess of Zahard since only these women can have these weapons as owners.

But there was something wrong. Baam being able to know that this lizard was undeniably much weaker than Yuri given that she is a Ranker. And given how Yuri talks about these legendary weapons, a Princess of Zahard like Anaak who has just started her Ascension would not yet be qualified to carry such an important weapon.

But that wasn't the most important thing, because if the Black March felt the presence of the 13th month of Anaak, that would mean that the lizard girl could very well also detect the Black Mars in Baam's hands.

He hoped that this lizard only pays attention to this test and that she will not notice his 13 month, otherwise he can say goodbye to his second life.

Not that he is afraid of this lizard even if she is much more powerful than him. Above all, she could report this to Zahard's empire and not only could her life be in danger but so could Yuri.

He didn't want to involve another person's life in his problems, especially if it's a person like Yuri that he got help from her out of kindness.

'Ahhhhh, how ridiculous. I, Grey, who was a prestigious but selfish King, without purpose, without will and empty of emotion. Worry about others?'

'It hasn't even been a day since I've been in this Tower with a new body and I feel emotions that have been extinguished for a long time.'

'It seems the personality of the previous owner of this body influenced my way of thinking towards people.'

'Maybe...maybe I could truly start a new life.'

Baam had a small smile facing all his thoughts, even facing the situation he could find himself in if the Black Mars in his hands is revealed, he has the feeling that everything will go well and that he must always move forward.

Aguero and Rak look at him strangely when they see him smile, wondering what he could do to make him smile when their chance of winning this test has dropped to zero, although Rak doesn't care if he passes this test or not.

"Phew... What do you think Baam? Do we forfeit or not? I think it's suicide to go and fight this crazy lizard."

Sighed Aguero, he wanted to ask his teammate's opinion, maybe he had a solution seeing how he seems calm, not being anxious in front of their future opponent who is the strongest among the Regulars.

"Frankly, I don't see how to resolve this loly version of gamora. But I would be disgusted to abandon a test that we haven't even participated in yet, right Leader Rak?"

"Hahaha, as expected of my prey!! Of course we don't give up, just because this lizard is playing with oversized twigs doesn't mean we have to run away like cowards!!"

"That's not how a hunter acts!!"

Exclaimed the crocodile in a firm voice, he was absolutely not afraid of fighting this lizard. Although in possession of this weapon, she seems invincible.

'....We are dead....'

Aguero thought with dead eyes.

___

In the arena, Anaak's multiple and incessant attacks suddenly stopped, leaving the Regulars perplexed by this drastic change.

Particularly Laure, wondering why she stopped her furious attack sequence, but her thoughts were short being pulled and dragged by his teammate who runs towards their cage, taking advantage of the fact that the lizard has calmed down from being bored.

Which obviously made Laure protest and ask the reason why they had to withdraw, and he just received a brief response from his teammate that at times like this you have to flee.

After entering their room, they were considered to be disqualified from the crown game.

Only the breathless panting could be heard through their room. Laure, disgusted and disappointed with his performance in his fight against the lizard girl, decided to wrap himself completely in his blanket, the fact that they ran away was confusing for him.

Her teammate could only sigh at Laure's immature and childish behavior.

___

"Anaak!! The game is over because they ran away!! You can get off now!"

Shibisu exclaimed, but Anaak didn't pay attention to her words, she was more interested in the thing she saw, one of the cages.

Whether it was her weapon or her, she felt the same aura as her hook emanating into the cage she stared at fiercely.

Her eyes landed on the black needle held by a boy who to her was not even worth mentioning given how weak he seemed.

Even though this same boy is the one who wasn't affected by a Ranker's Shinsu, she thought it was just a fluke andthat the feeling she felt towards him was only her imagination.

No, she was much more interested in this needle that he was holding, and even with a white band that surrounded the handle of the needle, she was able to deduce what this weapon could be.

'Black March?'

She concluded, Anaak didn't understand what such a weapon was doing in the hands of such a pathetic boy, and when she met that same boy's eyes, something inside her began to arise.

It wasn't a nervous or scared look towards her, it was a mocking and provocative look, as if the boy expected her to discover the secret of his weapon.

Her face was so impassive that it looked like it was sculpted over there ice, not even being shaken once he faced his menacing gaze.

Anaak, irritated, accepted his challenge.

*CRAAAACK!*

Contracting the muscles of her legs to the extreme, she took a strong support which cracked the armrest of the throne. In the blink of an eye, she no longer found herself on the throne, much to the shock of her teammates, but she was now in front of the boy's cage.

Which alerted Aguero and Rak, the crocodile was standing with its spear clutched tightly in its grip, ready to defend itself against their attacker. The same goes for Aguero who was next to Rak with a dagger in his hand.

Only Baam sat, not seeming to be bothered by the lizard's strange movement. His conjecture turned out to be true so we can say that he expected this lizard do such a stupid thing.

*BOOM!

With a sharp blow, Anaak broke the bars of the cage that separated him from her and Baam's team.

She walked slowly, step by step, while looking straight into Baam's eyes, not paying attention to the two others that they were about to pounce on her at the slightest hostility on her part.

"This weapon. Give it to me."

She demanded, in a cold tone, which made Aguero uncomfortable, and wondered why she would make such a mess over a simple needle?

Baam, not responding, just slowly got up from his place, while positioning himself between his teammates. He had an amused look and a slight smirk, as if he was amused by all of this.

"Are you going to answer?"

She said, although it seemed like a growl to the others, she became annoyed at this boy's silence.

Baam, deciding to break his silence, but not with the question the lizard wants so much:

"It seems that you know that this weapon which is part of the 13 months series is the Black Mars, like your hook. Isn't that right, Princess Zahard?"

His statement made the eyes of people present in the room widen, including Shibisu who had just entered to ask what his teammate's reason was for leaving the throne for a simple weapon as he would say. Only Rak was not shocked by this news, always taking precautions against this lizard.

'What?! Black Mars?? Princess of Zahard?? What does that mean?? but more than anything, what does one of the 13 months do in the hands of Baam?'

Several thoughts run through Aguero's head, the mystery behind Baam's identity becomes more confusing to him.

He wanted answers from Baam, but just one look made him understand that now was not the time to ask questions, understanding that his teammate would tell him at the end of this bonus game. To which Aguero could only agree bitterly.

"It seems that you are not ignorant, but since you know what kind of weapon the Black Mars is, it is preferable that you have it to someone more worthy, like me who is Zahard's daughter. "

"Pfft~ Hahahahahahahahahaha."

Everyone was stunned by Baam's sudden laughter, as if the funniest thing he heard. But the person who was most affected by this sneering was none other than Anaak, she clenched her teeth so much that one would have thought that at any moment they would break.

"Why are you laughing?"

She said in a voice so mean that it made Shibisu jump in fear, the fact that she was a Princess of Zahard was a shock to him but that she could have such a dark face that it was terrifying for him.

Anaak had more than enough of the behavior of the boy in front of her, he openly made fun of her even though he saw very clearly through the arena what she could do.

Baam, who wiped his tears from his laughter, met the lizard's gaze, with a smile, he finally replied:

"I just find it f*cking ridiculous, you think you're authoritarian and above everyone just because you're a princess? Don't make me laugh, and this weapon was lent to me by a princess much more powerful than you. If she learns that you have the nerve to steal her weapon, you risk becoming a roast lizard."

"She might even take away the hook in your hands that you are so proud of."

He declared with a mischievous smile. It was no longer irritation that Anaak felt but pure anger at the insolence of this boy whom she could kill with a single finger.

"I don't really care, either you give me the Black March or I'll kill you all right now."

She threatened, which made Aguero panic a bit because he knows that she can even kill his team single-handedly. Even Rak was nervous about the threat of this lizard.

But this was not the case for Baam, far from it. He remained unfazed by the threat of the lizard, as if it were just a kid talking nonsense.

And he did something that even the craziest wouldn't dare do.

*SPIT*

He simply spit, right below Anaak's feet. And said in the most narcissistic voice possible, raising both hands towards his chest and with a mocking smile:

"If you lick my spit with your lizard tongue, the Black March is rightfully yours, otherwise, you can return to the wild. Loly b*tch."

This defiant statement left absolute silence spreading throughout the room.

Shibisu's soul seemed to have left his body.

Hatz, although a brave warrior, was somewhat pale at this humiliating gesture.

Aguero's mouth was so wide open that his jaw could touch the floor.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!"

Rak could no longer stop his laughter from coming out of his big mouth, he would never have known that his turtle would have such a big ball for his small size.

*CRACK!*

Rak's laughter stopped abruptly at the murderous intent emitting from Anaak, the veins on his forehead were so big they looked like they were going to explode, his eyes were injected with blood and his knuckles were so tight that blood was coming out of his fists.

Another thing has been added to her list, not only will she want Black March but she also wants the life of this b*stard who dares to mock and humiliate her so openly in public.

No matter how much she emits her bloodlust or glares murderously at Baam, her smirk doesn't disappear, it's the opposite, her smile widens seeing his reaction.

As if he was satisfied to see her so angry and easily provoked, like a little girl who is easy to make cry.

And its pushing inside Anaak to want to tear that b*stard's face off.

"You know my mother told me that those who don't know their limits die sooner."

She said coldly, while preparing her weapon to attack. Baam's two teammates accentuated their guard, except Baam who decided to make things more pigmented:

"Well, I think your mother gave you a bad upbringing, since you didn't follow her words to the letter."

This time, it was the last straw, tightening her hook tighter, she wanted to cut this narcissistic b*stard in two.

"DIE!!"

*Grabs*

"Eh!?"

Anaak was stopped in her tracks, she couldn't even move, as if she was trying to pull the weight of the world onto her weapon. She tried to pull again but all attempts were in vain.

Annoyed, she turns around to see who the b*stard is holding his weapon. She thought that maybe it was Hatz or Shibisu who was holding his hook although they didn't have the strength to do that, but it was none other than Lero ro who he looked down on with stern eyes.

Just with that look, she could understand that she had crossed the line.

"What Mr. Baam said is correct, you don't know your limits....Anaak Zahard."

The Ranker said sternly, while releasing Anaak's hook, causing her to stumble a bit at the sudden force.

"Your team lost because of you, who came down from the throne. Return to your room, Anaak Zahard."

"I will no longer let you behave as you please."

Lero Ro warned, meaning very well to Anaak that if she breaks the rules again, she is disqualified.

Anaak looked straight into Baam's eyes, and had an idea that could give her what she wants.

"Listen, Mr. Examinator. Can you add a new rule?"

"A new rule?"

Asked the Ranker, with a hint of curiosity, wanting to know where little Regular was going with this."

"Yes, I know we can add a new rule as agreed by the Examinator."

Lero ro simply nodded and let the lizard girl continue:

"I'm asking you for a special event, with my Green April and his Black March at stake."

"That's...quite interesting."

Hummed the Ranker, interested in this suggestion, but he felt the Shinsu becoming heavier. His eyes suddenly darted towards the source of this intense bloodlust.

It comes from Baam, this time, his narcissistic look has completely changed into a sharp and serious face, and his eyes said a lot about his anger.

Although this pressure did not do him anything, he felt uncomfortable in the face of this murderous intent and especially shocked that a boy as young as Baam had such a thirst for blood.

But for the Regulars it was different, Shibisu had difficulty breathing, falling to the ground holding his throat while hoping to get the Shinsu to put it in his lungs. Hatz was disturbed by such pressure, holding the hilt of his katana tightly.

Aguero had chills running down his spine, and even some sweat coming down his forehead.

As for Rak, his instinct tells him to move away from the black turtle next to him, as if it were very dangerous, even deadly.

Even Anaak was not spared, although she held up better than the other Regulars except the Ranker, her muscles tensed and a certain disbelief was visible on her face.

'How many people did he kill to have such bloodlust?'

The five of them all thought it in unison. Each of them knew that Baam was weak, but this murderous intent weighing in the surroundings made them doubt.

After a few moments, Baam retracted his pressure, leaving Shibisu to breathe again.

He then spoke, but with a cold voice and seeming as if he were spitting venom:

"You f*cking Lizard, since when did you decide to make such a bet without my conscent?"

His words once again shook those present in the room.

Anaak even instinctively recoiled, but she regained control and later replied:

"Isn't it smarter for you to participate? Because I fully intend to recover the Black March at the end of this game, and even kill you."

"Hmph, it's true you're right, but I can very well win this bonus game since you're eliminated, right? You won't be able to do anything to me when I'm on the next floor as for you who will still be in doing these incessant tests."

Baam retorted with a smirk, which made Anaak grit his teeth.

"But..."

Baam continued:

"I'm not the kind of coward to shy away from a challenge, especially if it's against Dr. Connors' lost daughter."

"Pfft~!"

Whether it's the Ranker or the Regulars, they each stifle a laugh except Rak who obviously doesn't have the reference, but he is especially happy that his turtle is not a turtle that hides its head under its shell.

Anaak just suppressed her anger as much as possible, otherwise she would have given this arrogant kid a horrible death.

"Very well, if Baam's team wins the next round, Green April will go to Mr. Baam, but in the event of expiration, Black March will go to Mrs. Anaak."

"But the rules can no longer be changed, have I been clear?"

The Ranker suggested, to which the two Regulars simply nodded.

After that Lero Ro left the room and entered his yellow cube again.

Through his cube, he then explained to the Regulars that a new rule had been added, and upon mentioning that 2 of the 13 months its stakes, there were several gasps in the rooms around the arena.

Which is a normal reaction, these are two weapons which are world famous in the Tower, they are considered legendary weapons.

___

Before Anaak left the room with his team, she turned back to Baam, the two did not look away, until Anaak spoke:

"Know that if you win this test, it doesn't matter how you did, I will hunt you down to the very depths of the Tower."

"Thanks, I love you too."

Baam simply replied with a big stupid smile, not caring about the threat of the lizard, which the latter growled in annoyance before following suit and leaving the room.

"D*mn...you're really not afraid of death, you viper-tongued b*stard."

Aguero finally released his breath, the tension was too enormous against these 2 Regulars, he had to admit that his teammate had a lot of balls to deliberately make fun of the strongest Regular in this test.

"Hey, don't say that. We have to put this alien back in place. She breaks people's doors without knocking, do you think it's okay to do that?"

Baam sneered, which made Aguero sigh once again, but continued with a serious air this time:

"But I still owe you an apology, I could have simply refused this bet and we would have won this test without this lizard even being able to do anything to us. My pride played on my decision."

What Baam had just said made Aguero's mother's words flash through his head.

|Don't trust anyone.|

"..."

"Don't say that Baam, I trust you. And besides, it was f*cking cool. You didn't even look down at this crazy lizard, while trashtalking her at the same time. It was epic."

Reassured Aguero, he was really sincere about that. In truth he could no longer even think that his teammate was ordinary in the face of his interaction with the lizard, especially when he unleashed this intense bloodlust.

Which still baffles him.

"But that doesn't change the fact that you don't have the strength to protect Black Mars, Baam."

1st critical hit

"In short, what you did was just a bluff."

2nd critical hit

"Hearing you, I would have taken you for a kitten wanting to scratch without a claw."

3rd critical hit

K.O

'Urgh, that b*stard hits where it hurts.'

Baam mentally groaned, recovering from this pain which came to crush his pride of which he was so proud earlier.

"But I'm kind of thinking why this Princess lent you the Black March."

Added Aguero, although he says so, he is still confused on the real reason for this Princess lends such a valuable weapon to a Regular. She risks being executed if this is found out in Zahard's Empire, especially if she entrusted it to a man.

"Haha, she fell under my charm."

This conceited statement made Aguero roll his eyes.

Well, it's not like he's wrong.

"Haha, personally it suits me that you accept the bet of this damn lizard. The prey is no good if you didn't hunt it with your own hands!!"

The big crocodile exclaimed loudly, which made poor Aguero sigh for the umpteenth time.

But there was another reason why Baam decided to make this crazy bet.

It's to get rid of Black March.

Well not really, he basically wanted to keep it hidden as much as he could until he met Yuri again and gave it.

But the lizard has ruined everything, now revealing to everyone in the arena that he has such a prestigious weapon.

He can't just refuse this bet and go upstairs, simply because there will be rumors that the Black March is in the hands of a Regular not affiliated with the Zahard Empire and he could get killed and hunted down by the Zahard Rankers.

Things get even worse if he holds not 1 but 2 of the 13 months.

Zahard could even track him down personally if necessary.

So why not just give the Black March to Anaak instead of participating in this stupid bet?

'It's simple, because it's just shameful to meekly give away the weapon this lizard wants so badly. People will think that I am someone who submits to the strongests.'

'It's not my style to be such a coward, so why not play his game and pretend to lose? Like that, I remove myself from the burden that is the Black March.'

'Although it it's still cowardly and ungrateful not to return Yuri's weapon directly, she will get it back when she learns that her needle is in the possession of this lizard princess. After all, aren't they supposed to be sisters?'

'Well, that won't be my problem anymore, although it's a shame I have to miss the opportunity to go straight up a Floor. But I guess it's not such a bad idea, as Rak said, the results won't be good if we don't do the test with their own hands.'

'I must climb the Tower little by little, to amass as much power as possible if I am to stand a chance against the countless powers at the top of this Tower.'

'I will surpass them all, and no one will ever look down on me again.'