The Place Where Everything Begins

Shortly after, the metal gate was finally lifted fully, revealing a black silhouette standing in the dark passageway.

'Eagles Eyes.'

Upon seeing the black silhouette, Jeremy promptly activated the [Eagles Eyes] skill...

*Zoom*

The sight in front of him suddenly warped into the farther distance towards the passageway...

Together with his [Heightened Senses] skill had let Jeremy identify the creature's features roughly.

'Hmm... As I have thought... a human, huh.'

Jeremy thought after finishing identifying the being within the dimly lit passageway.

According to his assumption that this place was a copy-paste version of Zodia Arena from the human branch's War of the Worlds, it also meant the gladiators that Jeremy had to fight ought to be humans like in the actual Zodia Arena.

Regarding the War of the Worlds or something, it could be said to be something very essential for the myriad races living on Ortus...

As the cupid had said before that the resources on Ortus were pretty limited. If the entire human race as a whole was brought there without being 'screened' first, they would just either starve to death or become enslaved to the other races instead.

It also meant people of various races there had to fight to snatch the said resources from other races and species.

However, the Ortus' size alone was just too big, as big as a quarter of the Sun in the solar system.

How could those races go to other races' territory and fight to snatch the resources for themselves then?

That's how one of the System's creations, War of the Worlds, came into play...

In fact, it could be said that most races' survival on Ortus solely depended on it...

'Hmm... He looks big...'

Jeremy thought wonderingly while looking at the black silhouette coming out of the passageway slowly.

*Flip-flop*

*Flip-flop*

The rhythmical footstep sounds rang out from within the passageway...

Not long after, the black silhouette from earlier had become more and more apparent until Jeremy could finally identify the figure's appearance clearly...

Thus, he deactivated the Eagles Eyes skill before scrutinizing the male human in front of him by using his normal sight...

At first glance, the man was easily taller than two meters, maybe even a bit taller than Eddie. He wore dark-brown leather armor and shoes made from unknown animal skins.

Meanwhile, he didn't wear any head guard, causing head facial features to be exposed...

The man had tanned skin, light purple eyes, dark purple hair, which was considered quite peculiar for a normal human.

Actually, all his body hair was also purple in color, but it was not that long with only the same length as normal humans on Earth, causing it to be inconspicuous, unlike his eyes and hair.

The man's muscle was very bulging as it could be distinguished very noticeably with one's naked eyes; he was even more bulk than Eddie.

Meanwhile, in the man's hand was something akin to a viking sword around 120 centimeters in length.

Well, he looked so much intimidating that even with one briefing glance on him, a crying baby might have to stop crying in fear...

*Creaks*

*Chrrrick* *Chrrrick*

*Chrrrick* *Chrrrick*

At this time, the metal gate behind the man suddenly fell back down after he had come out from the passageway completely...

Simultaneously, Jeremy also felt an 'intent' exuding out from the human warrior in front of him as he furrowed his eyebrows a bit...

'What the... The man's 'intent' clearly shouts his class out loud as he is an Initiate Warrior who has already come into contact with Aura energy. Anyway... Isn't it too overkill for any ordinary human to fight him?'

Jeremy thought in bafflement after feeling his enemy's pressure and aura exuding out incessantly.

Before he could think any further, the sounds of cheering and shouting came from all around the arena...

"Yayyy!!!"

"Kill!!!!"

"Kill!!!!"

"Fight!!!"

"Woahh!!!"

The cheering sounds were, of course, from the 'possibly sentient' audiences from the seats above the arena's wall.

However, it could be clearly seen that they didn't have feelings or expressions in any way because they only shouted some six or seven distinct words in intervals as if they were 'programmed' beforehand.

Obviously, they were created by the System, no doubt...

After looking briefly at his audiences and adorers, Jeremy turned his head back towards the muscular 'human', who stood around twenty meters in front of him.

"Hey, big guy. Care to introduce yourself?" Jeremy said in universal language with his casual, charming smile.

"..."

When the 'big guy' had heard Jeremy's teasing words and saw his casual smile, the former only stared at the latter silently without speaking anything.

'Well, I think he should have understood my words when I spoke, but he just doesn't care to answer. What an arrogant guy.'

When Jeremy talked to the muscular man in universal language earlier, the latter's eyes widened in surprise for a split second.

That meant he actually understood Jeremy clearly but chose not to chit-chit with the soon-to-be corpse.

Anyhow, it seemed like the so-called warrior had underestimated Jeremy considerably, and he would regret his decision soon.

Afterward, the man presumed to be an Initiate Warrior bent his two knees for a bit...

Then...

*Whoosh*

The muscular warrior dashed out explosively towards Jeremy while holding the sword firmly within his right hand...

*Tabdak* *Tabdak*

*Tabdak* *Tabdak*

The man's leather boots hitting the dirt ground created the friction noises loudly within the arena.

"Yayyy!!"

"Kill!!!"

"Blood!!!"

Simultaneously, the audiences also cheered as loud as they could to stimulate and excite the upcoming battle even more.

'Let's play passively first to assess his strength...'

Jeremy thought leisurely after seeing the brawny warrior come running in his direction at breakneck speed.

Then Jeremy put his left leg a bit to the front while placing his right leg behind, and he bent his knees lightly. Whereas the spear in his right hand was retracted behind him as the spearhead was pointed towards the approaching robust warrior.

It seemed like spear thrust was Jeremy's typical way of 'testing the water'...

When the warrior had almost reached three meters in front of him, Jeremy instantly unleashed the spear thrust...

*Whoosh*

The spear blade traveled through the air swiftly, plunging directly towards the incoming warrior's stomach...

At the exact moment, the rushing warrior narrowed his eyes slightly before suddenly jumping obliquely to Jeremy's left flank while swinging the viking sword forcefully in front of him.

*Clang*

The light sparkles came following the clanging sound from metal hitting metal...

Jeremy's spear thrust was blocked yet again...