Rogue Villain-Chapter 200: Mike

Thanks to conveniently placed signs in the waters around the islands, Ackster knew that the middle-sized island he ended up on was called Vivi Island. It wasn’t so small it wouldn’t have any decent dueling arenas. But it also wasn’t so large it had to have strict security. It was a relaxed island Ackster could use as a stepping stone into the world of duels in Matar.

Ackster couldn’t help but grab some attention with his pale skin as he strolled along on the paved stone roads. Matar was, after all, a tropical island nation, and most of its inhabitants and long-staying residents had built up a bronze-like tan.

But it was also a nation with many sights and weather that people from other countries liked. The duels also attracted many fighters from nearby continents. So, Ackster wasn’t the only foreigner. He was the only one-armed one with trimmed red hair and a dashingly handsome face, though.

Fortunately, Bo’s training had also given Ackster the mental strength necessary to set aside his paranoia for a moment as he focused on getting the trident.

The first step in that direction Ackster could take was to enter a bustling courtyard with walls just tall enough for him to be unable to see over. But he could still hear the sounds of several battles within. The sounds of fists hitting flesh, breaking bones, and grunts spread into the surrounding area. But there was no one rushing to or away from it in alarm or fear. No one tried to stop it, but no one seemed worried by the sounds.

’There it is.’

That could only mean it was a common occurrence. As in, it’s a dueling arena. It wasn’t quite what Ackster had in mind when he thought of the dueling arenas mentioned in the original story. But that could be because The Hero only visited the highest-level dueling arenas during his trip to Matar.

For a smaller island with a population hovering in the thousand, it only made sense for their dueling arena to be less than a colosseum.

Ackster walked toward it, and he didn’t even need to open the doors as a person flew through them right as he was about to enter. He sidestepped and watched the bruised man crash to the ground before getting up and rushing back inside.

’Seems fun.’

Ackster strode in and immediately scanned his surroundings, taking note of the half-dozen stone platforms with two combatants each. Each platform housed a duel and was surrounded by a crowd. Most crowds were small, aside from the one in the center of the courtyard around the largest platform. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

The guy who had just flown through the doors was already on his way back up on the platform after getting tossed by the other, much bigger fighter.

"Hey, Mike! You’ve already left the ring! You need to wait your turn!"

One of the spectators who had been on his way up shouted at the tossed fighter.

"Shut it! It’s an informal battle. There’s no need for rules. Besides, tossing me off like that is a cheap move. If I don’t take this guy down today, I’m not a man!"

"You said that yesterday...!"

"..."

Mike ignored the prospective challenger and rushed at the burly fighter, who was several heads taller than most people around.

"If you think me not breaking your bones and cracking your skull wide open is a cheap move, I’ll show you something you can’t complain about!"

"Good!"

It didn’t take long for Mike to get what he wanted as a resounding thud, accompanied by the sounds of bones breaking, rang out as the big guy smashed him into the ground.

Two of the spectators hurried up on the platform and carefully moved Mike to the side where a bunch of other injured fighters were receiving treatment for injuries, both worse and less severe.

Ackster didn’t waste any time.

Without giving anyone else the opportunity to go up the ring and challenge the burly fighter, Ackster leaped over the crowd and onto the platform. Since everyone had been busy watching the fight, no one had taken note of the one-armed man’s arrival. But with such a flashy entrance onto the biggest ring, how could they not notice?

However, since ackster had displayed a significant amount of technique and strength by jumping over the crowd before landing on the ring effortlessly, no one objected or clamored, though the guy who had complained about Mike did have a sour face.

"Haven’t seen you around before."

The apparent champion raised his guard as he looked at Ackster, trying to inspect his opponent.

"Makes sense. I haven’t been around before."

Ackster flashed what he felt was a sufficiently kind and charming smile that was suited for his banter.

"You can call me Lex."

"Okay. I’m Tunk. Lex, do you know the rules?"

Since it was obvious Ackster was a foreigner, Tunk wanted to make sure they were on the same side in terms of knowing what to do.

"I just heard there weren’t any rules."

"Alright. Rule one. Don’t listen to Mike."

"Okay."

"Good. I’ll keep it short. Straightforward fighting goes. No killing blows. Cheap shots are allowed but frowned upon, especially if they’re unnecessary. If you win, you stay. If you lose, you wait your turn."

"Seems simple enough."

Tunk nodded in agreement as some people looked in Mike’s direction. But he didn’t say anything else as he dashed forward, lunging out with a fist toward Ackster. It wasn’t his full strength since he wanted to test the waters with this unknown combatant. But it was a blow powerful enough to send Mike stumbling down the ring.

Ackster saw the punch well in advance. Even as Tunk started moving, Ackster could already begin dodging. But he didn’t move until the last moment as he wanted to study Tunk’s movements up close.

He could see that Tunk was moving based on his minute muscle movements. But he couldn’t tell what he was going to do other than move forward.

Since he had read about martial artists being able to read their opponents several moves ahead from a single glance, Ackster wanted to do the same. He also wanted to gain experience.

So, Ackster dodged Tunk’s attacks while moving around the ring, not letting a single blow hit.