The Survival of the Third-rate Villain

After accepting Raye's challenge...

Tap- tap- tap—

Christian began his ascent, climbing up the arena's steps at a measured pace.

"..."

All eyes were on him.

The air was thick with tension, the atmosphere heavy with anticipation.

"It's Christian..."

"I heard he was the weakest of the elite four."

The crowd's whispers followed his every step.

(Elite Four: Elias, Ignis, Ace, Christian)

"Still, he's one of the strongest four."

"Yeah, can Raye still win?"

"I don't know, why did he challenge him anyway...?"

The murmurs grew, uncertainty rippling through the audience.

The other contenders watched with narrowed eyes.

"Does that guy plan to take all the fun?"

Lycus asked, smiling while looking at Raye from the spectating area with the others.

"Haha, he's greedy, alright."

Devin laughed.

"..."

Lena just stayed silent, observing Raye and his opponent.

"..."

This was the same for Jerusha, she's confident that Raye would win.

"Raye's awesome."

Jerusha unconsciously mumbled, remembering Raye's first match.

And at her words...

"Hmmmm...?"

Sofia's ears perked up, a small smile appeared on her face.

Anyway...

Everyone knew Christian's strength.

They knew just how dangerous he could be.

And yet—

"Hmm..."

Raye stood firm, his expression unchanging as he watches Christian approach his direction.

His eyes were locked on his opponent, unwavering, unyielding.

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Christian reached the top of the arena.

His movements were calm, almost casual.

And as he faced Raye—

"Why me?"

He asked that, his voice steady, curious.

"Why did you pick me as your opponent?"

His eyes were sharp, searching for an answer.

And at his question—

"Meh."

Raye just shrugged his shoulders.

"Just because."

And then he said that.

"...?"

Christian blinked.

"...No reason?"

He asked in confusion.

"Mhm."

Raye nodded his head as a response.

"..."

A silence hung between them.

Christian's brows furrowed, his gaze locked on Raye's face.

But then—

"...Hah."

Christian let out a laugh.

His lips curled into a small smile.

"I see... Well, I'm not as strong as the others, you know."

His tone was light, almost humble.

"The truth is... I'm the weakest of the four. So please go easy on me."

His words were spoken softly, yet they echoed through the arena.

"..."

The crowd went silent at his admission.

But then—

"Pssh..."

Raye let out a dry scoff.

"That's bullshit."

Then he declared that.

His voice was cold and dismissive.

"...!"

Christian's eyes widened, he was taken aback.

And opening his mouth again—

"You're not the weakest."

Raye followed.

His tone was absolute.

"And you know it."

"..."

Christian's smile faltered.

A flicker of surprise crossed his face.

And Raye...

'In the game, Christian didn't do much in the monster hunt, he also got a low presence, almost like an extra. But later on, in this part of the competition, it was revealed that he was actually the strongest of the four.'

He just recalled that from the [Brave Hearts]!

"He's even the smartest."

Raye mumbled to himself.@@novelbin@@

Meanwhile...

"..."

Christian was speechless, he couldn't rebut Raye's words.

Because in that moment—

He knew Raye was serious and sure of his words.

"...How did he saw through me?"

Christian questioned under his breath.

His shoulders relaxed, his posture shifting.

Then—

FWOOSH—!

A surge of mana erupted from his body!

The air around him grew heavy, electrified with power!

Rumble—

Crack -

The ground beneath him trembled, small cracks forming from the sheer force of his presence!

"Whoa...!"

"This pressure...!"

"Is this really the power of the weakest?!"

The audience felt it too.

Their breaths caught in their throats, hearts pounding wildly.

The shock rippled through the crowd, disbelief painted on their faces.

But Raye—

"..."

He remained unfazed.

His expression was calm, just smiling and staring straight at Christian.

'People really likes intimidating others with their dominating presence, huh.'

Raye said in his head.

And just then—

Swoosh—

Christian reached into his spatial storage.

His hand moved swiftly, expertly.

And with a single motion—

FWISH—

He pulled out his personal weapon!

It was a long, sleek spear!

Its blade gleamed under the arena's lights, reflecting a cold glint.

The shaft was black, adorned with intricate green patterns that seemed to pulse with mana.

It was elegant yet deadly, radiating a powerful aura!

And as Christian held it—

Fwip-

His posture shifted.

His stance was perfect, balanced.

His eyes grew sharp, focused.

His demeanor changed completely, no longer humble, no longer casual.

He looked like a predator, ready to strike!

Raye felt it.

The weight of Christian's intent.

The pressure of his aura.

The overwhelming power he had been hiding all along.

Raye's expression didn't change.

He didn't flinch.

Instead—

A small smirk appeared on his lips.

'This is kinda exciting...'

His eyes gleamed with excitement!

Then—

Tap-

Charles stepped forward, his presence instantly commanding attention.

"..."

His gaze shifted between the two contenders.

"Are you both ready?"

Charles' voice boomed across the arena.

Fwip-

Christian's grip tightened around his spear.

His posture was firm, his mana was steady.

"I'm ready."

Christian declared.

And following him—

"I'm ready too."

Raye muttered, fixing the hold on his swords.

Raye cracked his neck, his body was relaxed.

His eyes gleamed with anticipation.

And hearing both their answers—

"THEN START!!!"

Charles suddenly announced that!

The sound of his voice signaled the start of the match!

And in that instant—

BAM!

FWOOSH—!

Raye moved first!

His figure shot forward, his speed explosive!

The ground beneath him cracked, dust erupting in his wake!

His movement was direct, aggressive.

He was aiming straight for Christian!

The crowd gasped!

"He's charging in!"

"Is he crazy? Christian's got the reach advantage!"

Christian's eyes narrowed.

His stance remained firm.

And then—

Swoosh—!

He reacted swiftly, his spear slicing through the air with incredible precision!

He took full advantage of his weapon's length, aiming to intercept Raye's approach!

A quick thrust forward—

The spear's blade shimmered, its mana-infused edge deadly!

But—

Fwish—!

Raye's body shifted mid-dash, his movements agile!

He twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the spear's tip!

The wind howled as the blade missed his face by a hair's breadth!

But Raye didn't stop!

His momentum carried him forward, closing the distance between them!

His hand tightened around his sword's hilt.

And then—

SWISH—!

He unleashed a horizontal slash with his right!

Swoosh-

[Nyx] cut through the air with speed and precision!

Mana surged along its edge, creating a faint, dark trail behind it!

The black mana-enhanced slash shot towards Christian's torso!

And seeing that—

CLANG—!

Christian reacted with lightning speed!

He spun his spear, deflecting the attack with its shaft!

The force behind Raye's strike reverberated through his arms, but Christian's stance remained unshaken.

Their weapons clashed, sparks flying from the impact!

The shockwave was felt across the arena, sending dust and debris scattering!

The audience felt it, the intensity of their collision.

The sheer power behind their attacks!

Neither of them backed down.

Raye's eyes slightly shone with excitement.

Christian's expression grew serious, his stance firm.

Their mana clashed, the tension between them escalating.

Raye's lips curled into a grin.

Christian's gaze hardened.

And in that moment—

They both knew.

This was just the beginning.