Hero of Darkness

Kahn returned to his mansion at night while the subordinates were carrying out their duty to collect all their earnings from his matches which would take them a few days to tally before they reported it to their master. 

But this time, Kahn also had an infuriated expression on his face. When he was having dinner, the maids and servants thought that their master was unhappy with their service or the food was bad but in reality.. It was something else that even made a calm and collected person like him feel enraged. 

THE RULES WERE CHANGED… AGAIN! 

By the previous set of rules, he should've qualified for the Quarterfinals after winning today's match. But after he went to arena management for details regarding his next match.. They informed him that new rules were added and the match schedule had changed since yesterday. 

There will be another 1 on 1 battle for all the participants in the seventh round, where the winner who wins both the matches will qualify for the quarterfinals. 

"What kind of fucking bullshit is this?! 

Does the government really thinks people with brains won't know.." he spoke with an infuriated tone. 

To the normal public, it would appear as if the competition would give them extra matches and more entertainment with all these rounds that were happening every day throughout the empire. 

To someone dealing in the business world, it would appear that the government was trying to extend the competition to make extra money with more matches and rounds where people would bet their fortune through the betting system. 

But to someone like Kahn who had seen a side of the inner circle and how the powerful ruled the empire.. Knew that it was just a front to cover up something big. Something that even the top 3 factions and their clans who controlled the government itself had collectively agreed upon. 

And anyone who wasn't part of their circle would not be able to see through it at all. 

"Fine then.. I'll play along for now. Until I find out what's happening behind the scenes." he said with a resolute mind. 

5 days later, the subordinates came back with the reports and also suggested some ways to launder the money in case they have to legally invest it somewhere in the future. 

Kahn was now the owner of 50 trillion gold coins.. He had no idea how rich he would be on earth if the gold prices were to be converted into dollars. But since this world was far richer and vast in terms of resources, the normal sense of denomination on earth did not apply here. 

For the Seventh round, his matches were to be held in the seventh richest district of the capital famous for exotic tourist points and rich lifestyle. Even the normal shop owners here earned more than 10 times when compared to normal people. The capita per annum was simply too high for ordinary salaries. 

—————-

As Kahn finally reached the battle arena and waited till his turn came for the first match, there was something different in his demeanor. 

His odds were as always, 50:50 and today, his opponent was a half-naked blue thrall swordsman who had a wreath on his neck which had multiple small skulls woven in it. 

Anyone who saw this opponent would be scared to death after the first glance. 

And as usual, he put up a good display for the audience by having an intense battle with the opponent. 

Thralls could temporarily turn themselves into smoke for a dozen seconds so Kahn acted like he was getting cornered and played around by the opponent as he dodged, evaded and parried the variety of attacks in a nick of time. 

But in the end, defeated the opponent with Executioner's Gaze skill as he threw the thrall out of the battle ring when he couldn't move because of being paralyzed and put into stasis.

[[Author : Reference Art for Thrall swordsman in chapter comments. Check it out.]] 

After doubling his earnings, he waited in the resting area for his next match. 

But just then.. An employee from the arena management came and handed him an envelope. 

"What's this?" asked Kahn. 

"Sir.. Please read this and then come with me." said the employees in management uniform. 

Kahn read the letter inside the envelope and his countenance turned serious. Because the letter mentioned that the head of the management for this battle arena wanted to meet him in his office. 

Kahn followed the employees and headed towards the northern end of the highest floor of this battle arena. 

In a grand office, Kahn now sat next to a 2nd stage saint dwarf battleaxe warrior who was the chosen official appointed by the government and the man in charge of handling this arena. 

Although he didn't leak it.. His aura was tremendously horrifying for someone like Kahn who wasn't even a first stage saint yet. 

"Kahn from the Rukon district is it?" asked the Dwarven warrior who was drinking a big glass of mead. 

"Yes, sir. May I ask why I have been summoned?" asked Kahn politely. 

"We have had our eyes on you for quite some time now. After your previous round.. I have been informed about your strength and talent as an intermediate grandmaster rank swordsman. And even today.. I do see that the words were indeed true." spoke the dwarf in a carefree tone. 

"But a young man like you should know when to win and when to give up. Being hot-headed at this age can turn out catastrophic, don't you think?" asked the dwarf in an authoritative tone. 

"I don't understand what you mean, sir. Can you put it in simple words?" asked Kahn with an alarmed expression on his face. 

BOOM!! 

The next second, the entire room was filled with heavy and horrifying pressure as the 2nd stage saint released an insurmountable aura. 

Thud!! 

Kahn was forced to fall from the chair and both his hands and legs gave out under this pressure. 

The dwarven official then spoke in a deathly tone as he released his killing intent on the young swordsman. 

"What I mean is…" he took a pause and spoke in a tyrannical and grim voice… 

"I want you to lose the next match."