Level 1 (24)

Composing this chapter was quite a challenging task. I experimented with various opponents for the protagonist, but I still found the storytelling lacking in vividness. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure of his identity myself. Nevertheless, I do hope that you, as the reader, find some enjoyment in this chapter.

---

The surface beneath my feet was a combination of iron and stone, extending to the sides and overhead, enclosing me within an insurmountable maze. My curiosity got the best of me, and I ran my palm over the uneven surface, feeling the vibrations produced by the movements of countless living beings. As I navigated the twisting path, the sounds of thunderous howls and the roaring of creatures ahead grew louder.

I gazed ahead and caught sight of a serpent-like creature slithering its way towards the front row, deftly evading the jagged limbs of other creatures. Clutching my sweaty palms, I trailed behind the peculiar creature adorned with thorns and a flower on its back. Abruptly, a shrill screech pierced the air, followed by a resounding crack and a volley of sharp pops.

Overwhelmed by the uncertainty of what way ahead, a suffocating sense of fear and despair gripped me. The impending battles loomed ahead, a constant threat of fatal consequences.

Gasping for breath, I shut my eyes tightly, hoping to quell the rising panic. Suddenly, the ground beneath my feet began to shake violently, sending an explosive wave of terror through my body. Instinctively, I reached out for support, but my hands found nothing but empty space.

Caught off guard, I staggered back and opened my eyes. The startlingly bright light blinded me, causing me to emit a deafening roar of confusion and pain. Overwhelmed and disoriented, I sank down to the ground, pressing my palms hard against my eyelids in a desperate attempt to regain my composure.

Amidst the chaotic mix of sensations, I suddenly heard a voice that seemed to come from everywhere:

"Dear ladies and gentlemen, I cordially welcome you to the Arena. I urge you to watch carefully, for the creatures you will see will surpass even your wildest imagination. You will see ferocious beasts with razor-sharp claws, tall giants with skin as hard as steel, and insidious predators with fangs capable of tearing flesh like paper. These creatures know from birth how to fight, survive in the most brutal conditions and emerge victorious in the face of insurmountable difficulties."

The presenter's voice became more passionate, his excitement for what was happening became obvious.

"But do not be mistaken, dear audience. This is not just a display of brute strength and savagery. These creatures are intelligent, cunning, and possess skills and abilities beyond what any human could imagine. They have learned to use their own bodies as weapons, crafting blades from scales, clubs from bones, and whips from tails. They have honed their senses to a razor's edge, able to detect the slightest movement or scent from their opponents."

The blinding light still obscured my vision, and I struggled to discern the identity of the speaker. The inevitability of what was about to happen only increased my anxiety. But I had no choice but to continue listening to his words.

"Today, you will see battles that will leave you breathless, skill of strength and agility that will astound you, and moments of sheer terror that will make your heart race. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. And remember, in the Arena, there are no heroes, only survivors."

The bright light began to fade, but the environment remained shrouded in uncertainty. Only one translucent window glowed in front of me, displaying a message that revealed my location:

[The system is updating.

Arena binding detected.

Level 1.

First Floor.]

The words of the speaker were met with stormy applause, which was like an immense ocean that swallowed up my whole being. Suddenly my body began to transform against my will. Needle-like bones erupted from every inch of my skin, my wings spread out, and my claws lengthened. I felt as if an uncontrollable energy had taken over my body and I was helpless to resist. The vibrations of millions of living beings permeated me, exacerbating my fear and confusion.

My heart raced as I tried to calm myself. The hum in my ears became louder and more persistent, drowning out any other sounds.

I looked around and saw long, thick rods piercing the metal floor of the cage, disappearing into the void above me. It dawned on me that I was trapped in a massive cage.

Suddenly, a bright yellow light lit up from above, enveloping everything in a sharp glow. A voice boomed over the speakers.

"Today, I present to you the newcomers of our Arena! Especially for you, we have brought creatures directly from the Forbidden Land!"

The crowd erupted once again in whistles and claps.

Desperate for some sense of control, I turned to the system and pleaded for information on when the battle would start.

[The Arena representative has prepared a short speech about each new race captured from the Forbidden Land, it will take no more than half an hour.] the system replied.

"Today we are proud to present you the captured hitherto unknown mutants from the thicket of the Forbidden Land. I must warn you that they are vastly different from any beasts or critters you may have seen before.

Living in isolation, the inhabitants of the Forbidden Land have lost their minds and have never encountered humans. As a result, these mutants are beings of pure darkness and have no cognitive function whatsoever." said speaker.

----

It was as if the fog had lifted from my eyes, and I saw an endless audience behind the cage where I was. I've seen creatures that looked like Susie. Humans. Their faces were contorted with disgust and disgust.

"See how his body is shaking with anger and hatred! It's like he's preparing to devour his opponent." laughter rang out among the audience.

I stood motionless in the middle of the cage, waiting for the inevitable fight to begin.

As I watched, a portal suddenly materialized at the opposite end of the cage. The atmosphere around me shifted, causing me to tense up in response. The audience roared with excitement, their eyes fixed on the opening. It was as though they awaited the emergence of a gladiator from the underworld.

The first thing I noticed were long paws completely bound in bandages.

The creature was thin and looked too frail for the cruel spectacle that was about to unfold. The creature was covered in matted fur, and it had large watery eyes that darted around the cage, scanning the surroundings.

The bundle that the creature held tightly in its grasp was small and tattered, barely big enough to keep its contents. As I observed the scene, I prepared myself for any possible attack, uncertain if the bundle concealed some sort of weapon.

However, as I squinted, I noticed a miniature version of my opponent nestled within the bundle. Upon closer inspection, I realized that they are resembled a mother and child. The little critter stretched its miniature hands towards the ceiling, as if trying to reach the light.

But the audience was unfazed. They bellowed for blood and death, their voices echoing off the walls of the cage. The pressure was building, the adrenaline pumping through my veins. I could feel the weight of their expectations bearing down on me, forcing me to act.

And so, with a heavy heart, I stepped forward to face my opponent.

But my opponent remained motionless, as if waiting for death, and the audience egged me on, shouting for me to fight. Following their voices, I increased my speed with my claws at the ready. I watched as the creature clutched the bundle, covering its child and exposing the back of its neck.

My heart was pounding wildly, I growled, running past the creature. I clung to the bars of the cage and tried to grab the nearest person. The audience recoiled in fear, witnessing an unprecedented scene.

My claws struck the barrier, causing them to break off with a sickening crunch, tearing the flesh from my hands. Despite the pain, a chuckle escaped me.

Finally, there was silence.

"It seems the monster has forgotten the basic rules. Apply limiters," the announcer's voice was tense and nervous.

Suddenly, an electric shock surged through my body, causing me to convulse. The enthusiastic audience erupted into laughter and applause.

I joined in their laughter, although it sounded more like a growl.

The situation was comical to me. No matter what they said, people only craved the spectacle of blood and suffering.

"I understand you," I muttered through gritted teeth.

----

I pressed my palms against the cool metal floor, feeling the adrenaline still coursing through my veins.

Then I noticed two glowing windows:

[Endurance: 76%]

[Health: 89%]

[Participant 137, you have lost 11 health points, as well as 24% stamina. If you act recklessly, there is a high probability of your death. You have lost the first battle.]

My chances of survival were fading in parallel with my indicators.

After examining the cage, I couldn't find my previous opponents. Getting to my feet, I prepared for the next challenge, watching the appearance of another portal. This time it opened wider, revealing a huge monkey at least three meters tall.

I tilted my head back to get a better look at the creature's features, marveling at the sheer variety of creatures here. Suddenly, a voice from the audience broke my concentration.

"I hope this whitish creature will be devoured with all its guts!" someone shouted, followed by a chorus of "eat! eat!" from the others.

As if answering their call, the monkey beat its chest and charged towards me with incredible speed.