Kane stepped into the center of the sparring pit, spinning his twin iron axes with ease.

The chained weapons whistled through the air, drawing curious and judgmental stares from across the busy training yard.

He didn’t mind the audience at all.

Brak and two other Bloodfang warriors circled him closely with their shields raised, trying desperately to find an opening in his guard.

They rushed him at the same time, coordinating their strikes perfectly.

Kane ducked under Brak’s spear thrust and brought his left axe up to parry a clumsy sword strike from the second man.

He moved seamlessly, weaving through their attacks while using the blunt sides of his blades to smack their shoulders and ribs.

Kane wasn’t just beating them down for fun.

He was actively training his own footwork to match the fast-paced, relentless rhythm he would need for the upcoming arena battles.

Rutheus stood near the edge of the pit, resting his giant sword casually on his shoulder. He didn’t join the spar, but he watched happily.

A loud chuckle escaped the barbarian every time Kane swept one of his men off their feet or countered a strike with surprising speed.

’What a find,’ he thought

A few elven duelists nearby sneered at the crude display of wrestling and bruising.

They quickly turned their noses up and got back to their own elegant, dance-like training routines, muttering about savages ruining the sacred grounds.

Kane caught Brak’s spear shaft with the iron hook of his right axe.

He twisted his wrist sharply, disarming the young warrior instantly, then tossed the wooden spear aside and took a step back to give his men a much-needed breather.

’These iron axes are taking a real beating,’ Kane thought, noticing a fresh chip on the edge of his left blade.

’They are good for clearing out low thugs and basic forest monsters, but they will not hold up much longer against elite fighters. If I try to block a high-tier elven spell or a seasoned beastman’s club with these, the iron will just shatter in my hands.’

Brak bent over to catch his breath, wiping a stream of sweat from his forehead.

"Will we participate, too, Chief?" the young warrior asked, looking hopefully at the colorful banners hanging above the main arena.

Kane smiled warmly, tossing his axes back into their holsters.

"You guys have definitely gotten stronger over the last few weeks. Your teamwork is getting better every single day, and I am proud of that. But that doesn’t mean you are strong enough to fight the elite elves or the beastmen yet. You would just get yourselves killed out there, so only I will join the matches for now."

Brak nodded, understanding the harsh reality of the situation.

He knew his chief was only looking out for their long-term survival.

Kane stepped forward and placed his hands on the chests of the other two panting barbarians, giving them a firm push backward to signal the end of the session.

He turned his head and scanned the crowded yard until he found his archer practicing near the back wall.

"Sira," Kane called out loudly.

She lowered her new bow immediately and jogged over to him. Her orange hair bounced slightly as she stopped right in front of him, waiting patiently for her orders.

"Every day, go to the outer gates at night," Kane instructed, keeping his voice low so the surrounding fighters would not overhear their plans.

"Walk far away to the right side of the wall. Our men outside will be sharing information about who got past the checkpoints and entered the city. I need you to tell me everything they see."

Sira nodded quickly, committing the plan to memory.

"Understood. Should we be wary of anyone specific, Chief?"

Kane crossed his arms and let his mind wander back to the countless hours he spent playing this exact tournament in the game.

Playing as the main protagonist usually meant guaranteed victory because of plot armor, but the reality of this physical world was far less forgiving.

The elven prince was the final boss of this arc, but there was a terrifying hurdle waiting in the semi-finals.

’Lothburk,’ Kane thought, picturing the vicious beastman.

’He is a mutant born with four arms, and he tears regular fighters apart just for fun. He is the most dangerous enemy standing in my way before Prince Aelrindor. I need to watch out for him as he doesn’t play by the arena rules, and he loves to cripple his opponents.’

"Just keep an ear out for a beastman named Lothburk," Kane finally answered, patting Sira on the shoulder.

"If he is in the city, I want to know where he sleeps and who he talks to. Don’t engage him under any circumstances."

Before Sira could ask any more questions about the mysterious fighter, a quiet presence approached them from the side.

Grieselda walked toward Kane with her usual blank, doll-like expression. Her eyes stared up at him, completely devoid of any visible emotion.

She stopped a foot away and slowly extended her pale hand toward him, holding it open as if expecting a gift.

Kane looked at her empty palm, genuinely confused by the gesture.

"What?"

She simply moved her hand back and tapped a slender finger directly against the center of her own chest.

Kane frowned, trying to decipher her strange charades.

"Heart?"

[System Notice]

[Companion Grieselda is asking for the Grimfang Bear Corrupted Heart.]

Kane stared at the text floating in front of his face, his eyes widening slightly as the pieces finally clicked together.

He looked back down at the strange, emotionless girl he bought from a sleazy merchant back in the village.

Her steady heartbeat pulsed quietly in his ears, reminding him of the hidden power sleeping inside her fragile frame.

’You can forge weapons?’ Kane thought, a new wave of excitement rushing through his veins. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

’I knew she was a rare prize, but I didn’t expect her to solve my equipment problem right before the tournament begins.’