Atlas conceded defeat decisively. However, even after he jumped out of the battle ring, the enraged Miles pursued him with his sword. He looked like he was out for blood.
“Hey! What are you doing? I already surrendered! What else do you want?” Atlas cried out in fear as he dodged each vicious strike.
He hadn’t expected Miles to go berserk. Miles was fighting with a relentless fury as if he were willing to go down with him. If he had known, he wouldn’t have provoked Miles earlier.
Atlas’ pleas fell on deaf ears as Miles’ sword continued its relentless assault. Each blow aimed at Atlas’ throat.
Upon seeing Atlas in danger, the referee finally stepped in. With a swift movement, he effortlessly caught Miles sword between two fingers.
“Contestant Number 34 has conceded. The match is over. No fighting outside the battle ring,” the referee said calmly. His commanding voice snapped Miles out of his rage.
Miles’ anger gradually faded as he regained his composure. “Sorry, I got carried away.” He quickly sheathed his sword and apologized.
Yet, he was astonished that the referee had effortlessly stopped his powerful thrust with just two fingers.
This unassuming referee was clearly a hidden expert. It was a reminder not to underestimate the monks of Sacred Wyrm Summit.
“Damn it! How did I end up fighting a psycho like you? This isn’t fun anymore. I’m out,” Atlas cursed and quickly stormed off.
“The winner is contestant number 12,” the referee announced loudly.
The crowd immediately burst into cheers. Those who had bet on Miles rejoiced and celebrated their victory.
“We did it. Miles won!” Ruby shouted as she jumped up in excitement.
Miles’ victory wasn’t just a personal triumph. It was also a source of pride for the Sword Union. As a guild member, preserving honor was paramount, and he had certainly upheld their reputation in the match.
“I never expected Mr. Young to be so brave. This calls for celebration,” Dalen remarked with a smile and fanned himself.
He had always believed that if Miles fought bravely, victory was within reach. It all hinged on whether Miles dared to risk everything. His sudden surge of strength had certainly impressed Dalen.
In the martial world, one couldn’t expect to go far without the courage to risk it all.
“Miles has finally broken through his limits. From now on, his mindset and skills will soar to new heights.” Crystal, typically stoic, smiled warmly. She was proud of Miles’ victory.
“Number 12 really pulled it off! I thought he was going to lose, but in a surprising twist, he won. That’s impressive,” Alicia cheered from the stands.
She had placed her bet on Miles, so she had been rooting for him to win. Despite the rollercoaster match, it ended on a high note.
“Fortune favors the brave. Once he went all out, it completely turned the match around,” Aurora agreed with a nod.
While skill mattered, courage was equally important. She had definitely gained some valuable insights that day.
“Fuck! What the hell? Number 34 was all aggressive earlier in the match and now he’s chickened out? What a coward!”
“Ugh! If I knew this was going to happen, I wouldn’t have bet on him. I’m broke now.”
“Screw this! Give me my money back!”
In every match, there were winners and losers. Those who had placed their bets correctly celebrated in joy, while those who hadn’t cursed their luck and regretted their choices. Once the match result was announced, it was final and immutable.
The battle ring was a whirlwind of changing fortunes. What seemed like a certain victory one moment could turn into sudden defeat the next. It was this unpredictability that made the match so captivating.
As applause filled the arena, Miles returned to his seat. He was visibly exhausted as he gasped for breath.
His impressive performance had already started to earn him recognition. He could rise to fame if he kept winning and made it into Group A.
After Miles’ match ended, the next round began. The referee called up contestants number 5 and 19.
Contestant number 5 was a priest. He was clad in a tattered robe adorned with a circlet and rosary beads around his neck. In addition to his attire, he also wielded a blade.
He was an ascetic priest. These special beings rigorously trained their minds and bodies through asceticism. Despite their rarity, they were known for their incredible strength.
They could endure unimaginable pain and suffering. Plus, they could remain calm and unfazed even under extreme torture or the threat of death. Their extraordinary willpower surpassed that of ordinary people and had reached an awe-inspiring level.
Ascetic priests usually shunned fame and fortune. Instead, they focused solely on practicing asceticism. Therefore, it came as a surprise when one of them appeared at the tournament.
Soon, whispers began to ripple through the crowd.
