Let's Give Them A Demonstration

A human.

His hair a shade of fiery red, his skin flawless and ebony. 

We stared at each other for a few seconds, gauging each other's prowess. I wasn't certain how accurate my prediction was, but I believed that if we fought right now, I would not win. It was the first time I felt weak.

'So this is what a protagonist looks like.'

Not only was his growth rate monstrous, but confidence seemed to ooze from him like water from a geyser. 

It was weird.

"Adam Verheyne," he said, clearing his throat. Unsheathing his longsword, he pointed the tip at me. "Now you."

"Aiden Nightshade."

"Weird name."

"I get that a lot," I replied with much indifference. "Nightshade is just that unique of a surname."

"I'm sure it is."

A short silence descended upon the hall. The two of us were waiting for an opportunity to strike, but it seemed neither of us were confident in our victory. Finally, I broke the silence, taking a step forward.

"Shall we?"

Adam nodded, assuming a stance. Both of us were exhausted, judging by my racing heart, and the sweat trickling down his face. I didn't know what his stats added up to be, but I was certain they were above mine.

But I wasn't too worried.

It just meant I needed to finish this quickly.

I rushed forward, my heightened agility allowing me to flow alongside the wind. I silently thanked Priyank, as his item allowed me to harness such power. We eventually clashed as Adam charged forward at a similar speed as me.

Sparks burst from our colliding weapons. I exerted the entirety of my strength, ignoring the pain from my stomach. Veins bulged from my arms, my '9 (+2)' Strength stat working its way towards my victory.

The average 'Strength' stat for a human was 7, so 11 was not overly excessive, but it was incredibly difficult–if not impossible–to gain stats before challenging the tower, even as a Descender.

That made it fairer and easier for participants to possibly surpass Descenders.

Adam seemed troubled by my unusual strength, as he retreated from the first sword lock. I pursued him, slashing downwards while adopting an efficient footwork. I treaded along the vast hall, improvising and bettering my sword style to fit the situation.

However, no matter how much I attacked, I could never shatter Adam's defenses.

"Strong…" He muttered under his breath, his eyes slightly wide.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

As our swords continued to collide, the gazes of other participants and Descenders came our way, essentially acting as a peanut gallery. It was weird how a single battle had paused the bloodbath.

It was because everyone was waiting for the moment one of us fell.

Their scheme was quite obvious.

Once one of us was defeated, the other would undoubtedly be too exhausted to continue, and would essentially be vulnerable to the other Descenders who licked their lips at our battle. Excitement permeated across the hall.

'I'm sure he realizes it, too,' I thought, clicking my tongue. 

But he didn't seem to react. What was he thinking?

Suddenly, I glanced at Adam, observing his facial expression. At that moment, I suddenly realized his intentions. 

He didn't give a fuck!

The red-haired man before him cared only about the battle, nothing else. It seemed he couldn't even see the people that were beginning to encircle him and me. He only cared about having 'fun.'

I almost laughed, shaking my head at the absurd development.

I soon joined him.

As our weapons collided, his expression turned bright in pure bliss and excitement.

I'd encountered a battle maniac. 

***

Adam was in his zone. As he and Aiden fought like wild dogs, the former realized how much he'd missed fighting. After focusing solely on his crafts for a few years, Adam felt it was necessary to refine his battle skills.

Although his stats were lacking, he dominated every single participant and Descender in his batch.

Except one.

Ever since the man had stepped up to the djinn alongside him, Adam had noticed something different… something unique that resided within him. Although he wanted to fight him first, a lizardman stole his opportunity.

By then, he'd already begun a 'Coin Farm' (slaughter), and couldn't deviate from his path.

However, finally, he'd gotten the opportunity to engage in battle with him… 

'Aiden Nightshade, he said,' Adam muttered internally, repeating the name while racking his brain. However, no matter how much he searched, Adam couldn't recall a Descender by this name.

So was he a participant? Could a participant possess such talent… such monstrous growth?

'I want more.'

Sparks flew in all directions as their battle continued.

After a while, a few 'flies' began interfering, their gazes plastered on Adam and Aiden's battle. They watched on with hungry eyes, much to Adam's discontent. He wanted to slaughter them right then and there, but he couldn't.

The battle was so heated that a single mistake could result in his untimely death.

'I don't plan to die yet.'

Of course, he–internally–didn't wish to kill Aiden, either. If he could help it, he wanted to fight the man again, someday. 

'We both have no skills right now,' Adam said internally. 'Our stats are low, and we haven't had time to build a stable foundation. This battle means nothing.'

'It's not a representation of my power.'

So he wanted to convince Aiden… 

"Let's end this," said Adam, assuming a defensive stance while showing just a bit of vulnerability, but not so much as to allow himself to be caught off guard. Aiden formed an expression of confusion.

Adam could practically read Aiden's mind at that moment.

'This idiot wants to… stop fighting?'

The former smiled, turning his head to face the Descenders and participants that had encircled them. It was as if devil horns grew from his head, his face contorting to accommodate the evil expression that had appeared so suddenly.

"These guys have been waiting for a while."

Silence.

"Let's give them a demonstration."