Grave Dominion

Grave Dominion was a grim, colosseum-like structure with a maze-like interior, filled with enslaved individuals from various races—some victims of poverty, debt, crime, or abduction, while others had been falsely accused. It served as a haven for wealthy nobles who thrived on bloodsports.

Within this harsh world, a strict hierarchy existed: the strongest among the slaves held the highest authority. Most of the prideful were beastmen, but some humans commanded respect, like Jaguar Supremo, the colosseum's top fighter and the undefeated conqueror of the Giants.

After defeating Darv, Jaguar Supremo earned the allegiance of the Giant slaves in Grave Dominion. His new Giant followers made other slaves cautious, leading them to avoid unnecessary confrontations with him.

In Grave Dominion, the strongest slaves abused their power, tormenting those who were weaker and unable to resist. The guards overlooked these actions, adhering to the slaves' laws to ensure smooth operation for future events.

Arnold, a beastman with a predatory nature, was notorious for his cruelty. His superior instincts and strength set him apart, though his lack of intellect was a notable weakness—beastmen raised in human territories could be surprisingly sharp.

Visgard, frustrated by Arnold's relentless bullying of Regie for standing up for him, felt tension rise. Arnold's intense gaze at Regie from across the table bothered Visgard, even as Regie seemed unfazed.

"Is Regie really confident he can take on Arnold?" Visgard wondered.

[Sage: His heart rate is rising quickly, indicating emotional instability.]

"So you can analyze panic too?" Visgard asked.

[Sage: Yes, I can detect such signs.]

"Do you think Regie has any chance against Arnold?"

[Sage: After assessing both individuals, Regie's chance of victory is 0%. His survival rate is about 10%.]

"Wow, so you don't see Regie winning or even making it through unscathed…"

[Sage: Correct.]

"What about me? Do you think I'd survive a fight with Arnold?" Visgard asked, already fearing the answer.

Despite his lack of combat experience, Visgard was shocked when Sage's response was unexpectedly positive.

[Sage: Calculations show your probability of victory is 80%, with a survival rate of 100%.]

Visgard was stunned. "Are you sure? Is this some sort of mistake?"

[Sage: There's no error. My analysis shows you are significantly superior to Arnold.]

Visgard found it hard to believe, given his minimal combat skills.

"Are you flattering me just because I'm your master?" Visgard asked.

[Sage: No. All assessments are based on data. You are indeed superior to Arnold.]

"You know I have no combat experience. How could I be better than him with a non-combat skill?"

[Sage: I am a support skill designed to help you achieve your goals. I can also take control of your body in emergencies.]

"So you can fight for me using my own body? Will I lose consciousness?"

[Sage: Switch mode allows me to take over your body while keeping your consciousness intact.]

"I see. So you have a switch mode? I didn't know skills could have sub-skills."

[Sage: Yes, Heroic Sage includes several sub-skills to enhance its effectiveness, including Switch mode.]

"This feels like a cheat," Visgard murmured, amazed by the power of Heroic Sage.

[Sage: Compliments are unnecessary. I exist because of your desire.]

"I didn't specifically want a support skill. I just wanted a skill."

[Sage: Desires are inherent in the soul and bring skills into existence.]

"I didn't know that," Visgard said, contemplating his true desires.

As Visgard thought, a loud bell rang.

"Time to get to work! Move it!" a guard shouted, ringing the bell.

Visgard glanced around as the slaves began to leave the cafeteria for their work assignments.

"Come on, Visgard, let's get moving," Cornio said, patting Visgard's back with a smile.

Regie also stood up, and Arnold, along with his henchmen, glared at Visgard's group as they left their seats.

The group made their way to their worksite—the Mineral Cave beneath Grave Dominion—a vast cave that had been mined for decades, providing a crucial source of income.

Cornio, noticing Regie's calm demeanor, said, "Hey, Regie."

Regie turned. "Yes?"

"Can't you see? They've been watching you since we left the cafeteria," Cornio said, concerned about Arnold's behavior.

Regie tilted his head and noticed the tormenting gazes of Arnold's group.

Meanwhile, Visgard somehow knew that something was about to come later on.

And on the other side.

In the grim, tumultuous realm of the Slave World, where the Grave Dominion fighters reigned supreme, there existed a distinct domain within the Grave Dominion—a realm governed by giants.

This domain, a battleground for warriors, was where the giants exerted their formidable authority over those who dared to defy their rules.

Here, the fighters of the colosseum arena enjoyed a peculiar privilege.

Unlike their peers, they were spared the grueling labor inside the perilous mineral caves.

Instead, they were assigned to a relatively safer worksite, meant to ensure their well-being. However, this semblance of safety was deceptive. The worksite, though less hazardous, was still inhabited by fighters who had developed a profound attachment to the brutal bloodsports that defined their existence.

Jaguar Supremo, a titan-like figure among the giants and holder of an undefeated title, commanded the highest authority within this worksite.

The nature of their labor paled in comparison to the relentless toil demanded within the mineral caves.

As a result, most of the fighters were afforded ample time to relax and train to their heart's content.

Training grounds and weight equipment were readily available, a luxury that should have been a source of immense satisfaction.

Yet, this supposed privilege was marred by a fundamental issue—the Grave Dominion guards, responsible for maintaining order, were notably apathetic and uninvolved.

This neglect fostered a hierarchy of its own making. The strongest fighters within the Grave Dominion wielded the power to set their own rules, often making life difficult for others.

They monopolized the training grounds, demanding compliance with their arbitrary edicts. Some even resorted to extorting money for the right to use these facilities, creating an environment of oppression and exploitation even among the so-called privileged.

In this brutal hierarchy, Jaguar Supremo stood as the epitome of authority and strength.

Yet, his dominance came at a cost. The human, revered as the strongest among them, was engaged in an intense effort to enforce his will.

He compelled several fighters to bow to his authority and serve him, although the exact reasons behind his demands remained shrouded in mystery.

This initiative sparked unrest and fierce resistance among the fighters, leading to significant factional strife within the Grave Dominion.

One prominent figure of resistance was Helios, a beastman who boasted of his prowess and ranked as the fourth strongest fighter.

His pride was boundless, and he considered himself a leader of sorts, unyielding in his refusal to serve anyone.

"Me? Serve that human? Over my dead body!" Helios proclaimed defiantly, his voice echoing his disdain for the very notion of subservience.

"I am Helios! The mighty Kiba of the Tiger Tribe! I do not serve under someone!" His declaration was a challenge aimed squarely at the giants who now followed Jaguar Supremo.

The giants, once loyal to Darv, had transferred their allegiance to Jaguar Supremo, becoming instrumental in executing his plans and recruiting new members.

Despite Jaguar's attempts to persuade even the most stubborn fighters, his efforts were met with widespread rejection.

The prideful warriors dismissed his proposals and continued to resist, leading to a fractious atmosphere marked by hostility and suspicion toward Jaguar's faction.

Frustration weighed heavily on Jaguar Supremo. "Ugh, this is bothersome," he muttered, his stress palpable as he dealt with the obstinate fighters.

He was determined to unite the fractured factions, but the road ahead was fraught with challenges.

Concerned for his leader's well-being, a giant named Grock stepped forward. "My lord, please, let me handle this. You should rest, as there's another event scheduled for next week," Grock urged, his voice brimming with genuine concern for Jaguar's health.

"No, Grock," Jaguar replied, shaking his head. "If I were to send you, they'd not only reject you, but they might not even agree to meet with you. They are prideful beings and are set in their ways."

Grock's worry was evident. "But if you're to fight next week, you must be mentally prepared. Stress is detrimental to your mental state," he pointed out, his concern for his leader's psychological well-being shining through.

Jaguar managed a reassuring smile and gave Grock a light tap on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Grock. If I succeed in uniting them, there won't be an event next week," he said, his confidence unwavering.

Grock's eyes gleamed with admiration at his leader's resolve.

"I don't fully understand this grand plan of yours, but I, Grock, will do everything in my power to support you and help you achieve it," he vowed with unshakeable loyalty.

As Jaguar glanced around at the giants who had overheard their conversation, he saw them bowing in deference.

The display of loyalty from his followers was a testament to the respect he commanded, even amidst the chaos and conflict that enveloped their world inside Grave Dominion.

The path ahead remained fraught with challenges, but Jaguar Supremo's unyielding determination and the steadfast support of his loyal allies provided a glimmer of hope in their relentless struggle for dominance and unity within the Grave Dominion.

Chapter End.