1 Worse then a hangover.

"Where am I?" were my first thoughts after waking up.

It was a cell of some sort, but it was moving. A voice interrupted my thoughts. Do you want power? do you want fame? Do you want to hear the cheers of a crowd?

Not particularly I replied to the robotic voice. Well, that's too bad because you have been bound to the one the only. Drumroll, please.

The Gladiator system.

The what? Where are you anyway?

Who knows? All you need to know is without me you will die.

Will you shut up in there! yells a voice from my enclosure. I'm sorry I yell.

Whoever was there didn't respond. I can hear your thoughts no need to speak out loud my gladiator. Don't call me that my name is Nickolai.

Not anymore. What do you mean not anymore? Look at your left hand and you will see. I bring it close to my face as my cage is dark. There are five fingers one more than I had previously.

What did you do to me? Me? I did nothing. Your heart though forgot to give in its two weeks notice before leaving. But if I'm dead then how? Your new body and name are called Agustus.

This isn't what's important right now though. What is important is your first match is going to start soon.

My first match? no time for even mental preparation?

What did you think that they were using a carriage for transportation in this era?

So they know I've been talking to you? Of course not. it's a far-away shot for cinematic purposes.

Thank Mars, they would think I'm insane talking to myself. What an idiot he hasn't noticed the system thought.

The ride is over and the camera is closing in. Remember to smile.

Almost hitting the bars from the abrupt stop, I get my first glimpse of the world. A paved street, parking lots but no sidewalks, Strange cars without wheels. and the centerpiece, The colosseum. A modern look combined with marble columns engraved with scenes of fights.

Two guards walked to the cage. They unlocked it and bound my hands. One of their hands was strangely cold. I was thrown into a room and told. "There's a list of weapons. you have 3 minutes to choose"

The system finally spoke again. Pick the gladius it's the only weapon you can start with. Why can't I choose something else? While there are benefits to binding with me there are also restrictions. One of which being you must start with a gladius.

I was not excited to hear about these other restrictions. Since you are a system can't you bring up a status window or something? I thought you'd never ask the system said. Here it is.

Strength 0.8 (Average 2)

Dexterity 0.5 (Average 0.92)

Charisma 0.3 (Average 5)

Why am I so under the average? And why is charisma important I have to fight not flirt right?

The average was calculated with all of the outliers. For charisma, you would be right if you were the average warrior. A gladiator does not just fight. They put on a show. You are not fighting only for the win, you fight for the fame, to have your name put on every t-shirt on the planet.

Anyways my distraction is over. You didn't get a chance to look at the list so you can't even suggest another weapon.

I hated to admit it but the machine got me good.

The guards arrive again "Times up! If you haven't chosen you'll have to fight bare-handed"

While a gladius is not ideal it is better than one-handed. I quickly point to the gladius on the list, not trusting my voice.

"A quiet one then? well, I'll hear you plenty loud when you're dying" The guard throws the sword into my room before leaving with his friend.

The metal wall behind me opens scaring me quite a bit.

As soon as I pick up the gladius the system speaks again. Detecting poor form. Please keep your feet spread apart, your knees slightly bent, and your left foot behind your right. Breathe with your stomach and stay calm.

Doing that I look at my opponent. A young man with fear in his eyes. He holds a longsword and has no armor but metal gauntlets. Remember that it is you or him the system says. The crowd yells as we lock eyes.

I shuffle forwards with my sword in my left hand. When he gets close enough I slash at him. He defends surprisingly well. I stab at him this time and he deflects it mostly. The crowd collectively gasps.

His shoulder is bleeding but it's not life-threatening. He half hands the sword and stabs me in the arm. With my other hand, I punch him in the jaw hard. I stab again and he starts bleeding profusely. A rush of adrenaline comes at me and possesses me to yell "Veni ad me!" Before I punch him again. The crowd starts cheering as this happens. The system rings in my ears. Lift him up and do a thumbs up and then do a thumbs down while looking at the crowd.

Why would I do that? He cannot fight anymore so the crowd must decide his fate. Begrudgingly I follow the instructions. Unfortunately for the young man, everybody wanted more blood. Agustus obliged their demands and thrust his sword through his throat. His mind was only filled with the smell of Iron. Retrieving his sword he burnt the face of the man into his mind. He would never forget this moment. The moment however was ruined by a notification. Beginner's Crowd Execution +0.1 Charisma.