Rogue Villain-Chapter 202: Charloga Champion

After fighting his way through Charloga Arena’s fighters, Ackster’s final opponent was Hoga, a mace-wielding fighter employed by the island’s ruling clan to stay on Charloga instead of challenging the other islands or trying to challenge the central island.

Of course, Hoga had already tried to challenge the other twelve islands, which was why he could be persuaded to stay. Otherwise, no amount of money could control the spirit of a Matar fighter.

The fact that he had agreed to remain on Charloga as a champion and fight any challenger didn’t mean he had given up on defeating the central island’s champion either. It just meant he was honing himself through repeated combat. He was biding his time and building his strength.

Ackster could tell as soon as he stepped into the coliseum-like arena that Hoga was different from any of the rabble he had fought so far. Whether it was Hoga’s taut and well-defined muscles, sharp gaze, or scarred body, they all spoke for his experience in the arenas. He was a veteran fighter who had no intentions of losing or retiring any time soon.

’Finally.’

Ackster was excited to finally meet someone who could hopefully start to put his martial skills to the test. He didn’t think he would lose or that it would be a close fight since he could tell that he had a better body, thanks to Bo’s training. If need be, he could also use his mana to strengthen his body even further.

But Ackster had come to Matar to try out his martial arts, not beat his opponents using brute force. He was past that already.

Ackster’s—Lex’s—reputation had already spread around the island, and the crowd cheered as he entered the arena. Hoga had reigned undefeated almost since he was elected champion. But there had finally come someone to challenge him. Naturally, people were excited.

Hoga also seemed excited as he beckoned for Ackster to bring it with bright eyes.

Since he was the challenger, Ackster was obligated to make the first move, at least in an official match like this one. It didn’t matter in smaller fights like the one against Tunk on Vivi Island. But there was a certain code of conduct to follow for high-level matches.

Fortunately, after the first move, there was no more code to follow. Fighting, beating each other, and emerging victorious was all that mattered.

So, Ackster didn’t waste any time.

It wasn’t his first time up against a single-handed mace, but it was his first time against someone who knew how to use it to the degree Hoga could. Not that it mattered.

As long as he didn’t get hit, Ackster didn’t have anything to fear. It was the same with all weapons and magic. They only did damage as long as they struck.

Now that he didn’t have his skills, Ackster couldn’t rely on an uncanny recovery ability to outlast his opponents in a brutal dogfight. Bo’s training had also made his body dodge attacks on instinct.

Ackster dashed across the arena and stayed low with his legs bent to land a blow on Hoga’s side. Hoga’s swing forced him to dodge, which weakened his punch. Ackster could still feel his fist hit Hoga’s solid trunk. It wasn’t a great hit, and it barely did any damage. But it gave him further insight into his opponent.

Ackster didn’t have time to think about that insight very much since Hoga was already sending his mace crashing down on him, forcing him to roll to the side.

Hoga’s mace left behind a small crater as he raised it again with ease before lunging forward with a backhand strike as soon as Ackster stopped rolling.

Ackster leaned back to dodge the blow while reaching with one foot and kicking the shoulder of Hoga’s outstretched arm. The kick would have dislocated the shoulder of a weaker person. But on Hoga, all it did was prevent him from redirecting his strike downward.

Before Hoga could recoup, Ackster spun around by changing the leg he stood on and sent his heel toward Hoga’s chin.

Hoga jerked his head back just in time to avoid major damage. But it was not enough to avoid Ackster scraping against the tip of his nose, drawing the first drop of blood of the fight.

Ackster stood up straight with his guard raised as Hoga took a step back and wiped the blood off his nose.

Hoga charged forward with an excited grin as he raised his mace and unleashed a fervent assault that didn’t give Ackster any time to counterattack. He was, however, successful in dodging all but one strike that had the mace’s tip scratching his belly. It was like revenge for Ackster’s first blood.

Ackster didn’t even glance at his injury before taking advantage of the opportunity. Hoga was far from spent, but he had to catch his breath after such a fierce push. His arms would also be just a bit slower than when in their prime.

When Ackster threw a feint with his fist toward Hoga’s right side, Hoga raised his guard and placed the mace vertically, aiming to block the attack with its handle. He would have succeeded if it hadn’t been a believable and threatening feint.

Hoga was too slow to react to Ackster’s true attack, which was a leg sweeping into his left ankle and a foot yanking that ankle forward. It wasn’t enough to topple the sturdy and experienced Hoga, thanks to his reflexes. But it was enough to rub his balance and force him to use his arms to stabilize himself. That opened up another hole in his defense that Ackster could thread his fist through and land a solid punch to Hoga’s gut.

With such a fierce hit striking true, Ackster managed to get the upper hand. And he refused to let go of it. Maybe because he missed his other one.

Hoga put up a valiant struggle, but, in the end, he was no match for Ackster’s raw ferocity and attacks.

Ackster got his gold pin and managed to test out his skills against a qualified fighter.