From Survivor to Vanisher

The aftermath of Aditya's first fight was a whirlwind of cheers, whispers, and a healthy dose of confusion. As he returned to the waiting area, he found himself surrounded by a mix of curious fighters and bemused attendants.

"Silent Poison!" a burly man with an eyepatch called out. "That was some fight! Lavender mist, really? Thought I was watching a street performer, not a Blood Circle match."

Aditya waved him off. "Just doing my part to keep things interesting. Can't have everyone taking themselves too seriously, can we?"

The man laughed, clapping Aditya on the back hard enough to nearly knock him over. "You're a strange one, kid. But I like it. Can't wait to see how you handle your next opponent!"

The Arena Rules

Before Aditya could respond, a stern-looking clerk approached him, holding a scroll. "Silent Poison, your victory in the first match has been recorded. Congratulations. You may now proceed to select your next match."

"Select?" Aditya asked, raising an eyebrow behind his mask.

The clerk nodded. "As per the arena's rules, fighters have some agency in choosing their battles. Of course, this isn't a free-for-all. There are guidelines."

Aditya leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "Do tell."

The clerk unfurled the scroll and began reading in a monotone voice:

"Fighters may challenge opponents within their rank or one rank above.Each fighter is limited to three matches per day to prevent exhaustion—or death.Defeat results in either forfeiture of prize money or a mandatory penalty, such as service to the arena.Matches can involve direct combat against other fighters or battles against captured monsters.Wagers can be placed on oneself, but cheating is grounds for immediate expulsion—or execution."

Aditya tilted his head. "Execution? Seems a bit harsh."

The clerk shrugged. "This is the Blood Circle. Harsh is the norm."

Aditya hummed thoughtfully. "What's the deal with these monster battles?"

The clerk's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Monsters are ranked similarly to martial artists. The higher the rank, the more dangerous the creature. It's a popular choice for those seeking fame—if they survive."

Aditya tapped his chin. "Interesting. And the prize money?"

"Varies based on the difficulty of the match. Criminal fights offer a flat reward, while monster battles have a scaled payout depending on the beast's rank."

"Noted." Aditya gestured toward the clerk. "Anything else I need to know before I start punching things again?"

The clerk arched an eyebrow. "Don't die."

A New Challenge

Returning to the match selection board, Aditya scanned the options.

1. Crimson Blade (Balance Seeker, known for swift sword techniques)

2. Sand Scorpion (Captured monster, venomous, rank equivalent to Path Initiator peak)

3. The Howler (Balance Seeker, infamous for his ear-piercing sonic attacks)

Aditya smirked. "Sand Scorpion, huh? Sounds like my kind of challenge. Poison versus poison. Let's see who does it better."

He tapped on the board, confirming his selection.

Preparing for the Match

Before the fight, Aditya returned to his corner to prepare. He adjusted his mask, ensuring it was secure, and checked his pouch of alchemical concoctions.

"I might need something special for this one," he muttered, pulling out a vial filled with a thick black liquid. "Anti-venom prepared from the venom of a Death Fang. That should do the trick if things get messy."

A snide voice interrupted his thoughts. "You sure you're ready for this, Silent Poison?"

Aditya glanced up to see a fighter leaning against the wall, smirking. "Sand Scorpions aren't your run-of-the-mill pests. One sting, and you'll be paralyzed before you can blink."

Aditya shrugged. "Good thing I'm faster than a blink, then."

The fighter chuckled, shaking his head. "Good luck, newbie. You'll need it."