After Mark left, Ethan didn’t chase after him or dwell on it.

Instead, he walked back over and joined the two attractive A Ranks on the sofa. His body was sore and drained after using Partial Assimilation, and especially after Beast Impact, but overall, he was in good condition.

’Much better than being headless,’ he joked to himself.

Kaela was still smiling, while Elara watched him carefully.

"Mark must be on his period," Ethan muttered under his breath as he settled down.

Kaela burst out laughing, and Elara shot him a glare.

"You were quite impressive," Kaela said, leaning back casually. "You’re like a strong C Rank... maybe even brushing a shitty B Rank."

Ethan smirked.

"Nope. I’m just an E Rank."

She laughed again, shaking her head.

"Yeah, sure you are."

She studied him with unnerving intensity, her purple eyes staring deep into his soul.

"Where did you learn to fight like that?"

His abilities were impressive, but ultimately nothing special. It was his combat prowess, ruthlessness, and confidence that intrigued her.

Ethan just shrugged.

’It’s not like I can say that, as part of my Title, I hunt every in a tower full of beasts that’s in my dreams.’

Well, he could, but he didn’t want to.

She didn’t press him on it, her grin widening slightly.

"Anyway, the night’s not over just yet."

Ethan raised an eyebrow.

At first, he thought she meant more fights and entertainment, but the look in her eyes said otherwise. And what was coming was even more insane than anything that had happened so far...

-

Ethan leaned back into the plush leather of the VIP lounge sofa, one arm draped lazily across the backrest, the other resting on his knee. The atmosphere inside the suite had settled again after Mark left.

He was doing a good job of not overthinking things, but one thing clung stubbornly to him.

The smell of blood.

It lingered faintly beneath his nails, staining the edges of his fingers. Though they had returned to normal after the fight, a dull red tint remained, as if refusing to let him forget.

He rubbed his thumb against his fingertips absentmindedly.

Despite it, he felt good.

’I’d call this a successful day.’

A faint, twisted smile tugged at Ethan’s lips

Mace was gone for good, so there was no more unfinished business, and on top of that, he’d received a reward from the system, watched high-level fights, and reconnected with Kaela.

’Not bad at all.’

He rolled his shoulders slightly.

There was no major damage or injuries, while his MP was steadily recovering as well.

’Didn’t even cost me anything either.’

His gaze drifted toward the arena below.

Ethan wasn’t naive.

There were definitely people who knew his identity and would have their eye on him now, after seeing his abilities that weren’t those of an E Rank. From the so-called Cyclops who ran this place to Kaela, he had opened a big can of worms.

’But I kept my face covered.’

That mattered, concealing his identity from most of the onlookers.

’And most importantly, I didn’t show everything.’

His strongest abilities and most dangerous tools were still hidden, especially his S Rank skill. That alone still gave him an edge and safety net, so he wasn’t too concerned.

’And I’m going to get stronger anyway.’

A wider grin spread across his face as he reached over and shamelessly grabbed another cigar from Kaela’s expensive-looking box.

"Oi," she yelled.

He lit it anyway, taking a slow drag before exhaling her way shamelessly.

"Yeah," Ethan muttered, sinking deeper into the couch. "I can get used to living like this."

Kaela laughed.

"With the amount of bets you’ve won off me tonight?" She said, swirling her drink lazily. "You probably could."

She wasn’t wrong.

Fight after fight, Ethan had won almost every bet, having a sharp intuition into which Titled was going to win. This was his first time here, while Kaela had attended almost every UFC event, and yet she was down a shit ton.

Just by studying their body language over the first couple of seconds, he seemed able to gauge who would come out on top.

But that wasn’t what interested Kaela most.

’He really doesn’t care that he just killed someone in cold blood?’

It surprised her.

’I mean, I wouldn’t either, especially if there was bad blood like there seemed to be between them. But not even the smallest reaction is wild.’

Not to mention that it was a skilled C Rank that he had overpowered before beheading him. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

’And he’s supposed to be E Rank?’

She almost laughed at the thought, seeing clear as day that it wasn’t the case.

’Assuming that he truly was an E Rank when he was assessed, that means he’s jumped two ranks in a month or two...’

That left her with one question.

’Has he reached his limit?’

She had no way of knowing, but she couldn’t help but doubt it, her smile deepening slightly.

’I’ll find out eventually.’

Her gaze then shifted to his silent counterpart, who was watching everything.

Kaela’s purple eyes flickered faintly, violent energy dancing beneath the surface. She was filled with curiosity about her, or more correctly, what was inside her. Her fingers twitched, and for a moment, she almost acted and drew the demon out of her by force.

Thankfully, she managed to restrain herself.

’Not yet...’

Below, the fights continued.

There were a series more C Rank bouts that were brutal, fast, and entertaining.

But then, the lights dimmed slightly.

The atmosphere shifted, and the announcer’s voice rang out loud, sharp, and dramatic.

"Ladies and gentlemen!"

The stadium stirred.

"It is time... for our main event!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, excitement flooding the arena.

"It is our only B Rank bout of the night between two fearsome Titled!"

Ethan leaned forward slightly.

’B Rank? If they’re anything like Darius, this’ll be a fun one.’

"Coming out of the red gate!" the announcer boomed. "With a record of 4 wins and 1 loss, it’s..."

He paused for effect.

"The Verdant Warden - Rowan Drake!"

The red gate opened with an over-the-top flare and fireworks shooting out for dramatics.

A man stepped out slowly.

He was tall, lean, and had a grounded presence.

In his hands was a staff that wasn’t wood or metal, but looked alive, like a small tree. Branches twisted upward, leaves faintly rustling despite the still air.

Ethan’s eyes narrowed.

’Interesting...’

"And out of the blue gate!" the announcer continued. "Undefeated, with 3 wins and 0 losses..."

The crowd leaned in.

"The rising star - the Pink Flash - Seraphina Veil!"

The blue gate burst open.

Pink hair flowed behind her as she stepped out, calm and confident.

Ethan recognised her instantly.

’So she’s a B Rank.’

She was the one who had helped stop things from escalating with the so-called Bulldozer, but now he would get to see her in action properly.

"My money’s on her," Ethan instantly blurted out.

They had an agreement where the first would get to claim their choice, and the other would automatically have the bet on the other fighter.

"Hey! I was going to pick her."

Ethan gave Kaela a taunting look, to which she just sighed as both of them focused down on the arena.

-

The fight began, and Rowan moved first, striking his staff on the ground.

Thud!

Instantly, the arena shifted.

Vines erupted from the cracks, thick and twisting, surging forward like living things. But the one they were trying to bind or trap was already gone.

A pink blur shot across the arena.

Slash!

The vines were cut apart before they could even reach her.

Rowan didn’t hesitate.

He produced more plants even faster this time, with thorns sprouting and roots bursting open. Even small trees erupted from the ground, forming barriers in her path and protecting him.

’He’s controlling the terrain,’ Ethan noted.

Seraphina weaved through it all effortlessly, using nothing but sheer speed. Destroying everything in her path, she darted forward, and...

Crack!

Her kick slammed into Rowan’s guard as he raised his staff, a bark-like layer forming over his skin at the last second.

The impact echoed, but he held firm.

Then he countered.

His staff glowed faintly, and from it, a massive tree trunk erupted upward between them.

Boom!

It forced her back with vines lashing out from all sides, wrapping around her body and constricting her movement.

For a moment, it looked like he had her.

Then there was a pink flash, living up to her name, and she vanished.

Swoosh!

She was next spotted above him, striking down with lethal speed and, by extension, force.

But he reacted, branches twisting upward and defending, splintering upon impact.

The back-and-forth continued.

He shaped the battlefield while trying to predict her movements and cut her off with walls of roots, barriers of bark, fields of throned vines.

But she was simply too fast.

It seemed like they had reached a stalemate, with neither managing to land a significant blow in their thrilling exchange.

Minutes passed.

Three.

Five.

Seven.

Ten.

The arena was unrecognisable, overgrown and destroyed.

But the victor was still unclear.

That was until a sudden attack caught everyone off guard...