Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

A palpable tension hung in the air. Among the spectators, a growing sense of irritation began to take hold. For these individuals, the arena held special significance. It wasn't just a place for combat; it was a sacred ground where they could indirectly display their strength and prowess through their chosen champions.

The usual pride they felt when their representatives emerged victorious was notably absent on this particular day. Rain found himself embroiled in a fierce struggle with no guaranteed outcome. This departure from the norm was difficult for the audience to accept. They were accustomed to seeing their champions dominate the competition, but today was different.

Nonetheless, they persevered, clutching onto a glimmer of hope. The sight of Rain sporting visible wounds served as a stark reminder that their champions were putting forth his utmost effort, even when confronted by a formidable adversary.

"We are almost halfway through… how are your wounds?" Jori asked. "We are almost completely rested."

"I am fine. I avoided critical damage," Rain said. "Some of the needles reached my muscles, but they barely scratched it."

That was hard to believe. Besides, damaged Bones and muscles hurt like a bitch… Rain was a tough guy, so his friends wondered if he was trying to look composed even though he was suffering a lot. It was hard to say, considering his usual behavior.

Regardless, they still had a long way ahead of them, and Rain could heal himself, so things couldn't be that dangerous. The only downside of the whole situation was that Jori and Reca knew that Rain would do everything to make sure that they would win… defeating the beast king by himself in one way or the other hopefully would do the trick. Still, he was clear that he was also ready for plan B.

Rain's plan B was basically to cause as much damage as possible to make sure that the tribe leaders and the beast king would have a hard time recovering in a matter of months. That would be nice. Not having to worry about several months would definitely come in handy.

Knowing Rain, Jori and Reca also assumed that if that isn't possible, Rain would probably split those mountains to make sure that the beast people wouldn't cross it… that would be inhumanely impossible, but it felt like such a word didn't exist in Rain's vocabulary… everything will be decided once the six matches are over.

The next opponent eventually emerged to the arena, and he certainly looked pissed, and the fight didn't even start. The beastman before them was like an enraged dog, and his anger was evident in every aspect of his appearance. His muscles, already well-defined, seemed to bulge even further as if they might burst through his skin at any moment.

Veins popped out on his forehead and neck, throbbing with the intensity of his fury.

His eyes blazed with anger, the whites barely visible amidst the fiery glare. His bared teeth glistened menacingly, with strands of saliva dripping from the corners of his snarling mouth. In this moment of unchecked wrath, the dog beastman was a formidable opponent, consumed by a primal fury that made him a force to be reckoned with in the arena.

"I guess a few punches will probably knock him down due to the blood loss if I hit those," Rain said. "It would be a swift end for a fight of this caliber, but I don't think that I want that..."

"Ah… he heard you…" Reca said feeling a bit uncomfortable thanks to the gaze of the beastmen and since the opponent began to grunt in sheer anger.

"It is fine, dogs that bark don't bite," Rain said and then stepped in again.

"I am sure that dogs that bark bite as well… just return in one piece," Jori said and then gulped.

Since the opponent was enraged, the fight in theory ,should be more straightforward, and Rain had the upper hand when it ccameto that, or so his friends wanted to believe.

When Rain and the dogman faced each other in the middle of the arena, even Rain began to feel annoyed while seeing his grunts and the opponent's mmouth-watering Did that guy truly want a piece of him?

"I will make you pay for what you did to her," the dogman said.

"What did I do? Should I have surrendered?" Rain furrowed his eyebrows. "You are the king of retard that I hate the most."

Rain considered killing the guy since he knew that this type of person would only cause problems in the future… he wondered if he could at least make sure that he wouldn't be able to fight once again in order to avoid such troublesome situations… Then again, he could send others to do that instead. In the end, there was only one thing that Rain could do to achieve all of his goals.

In the next moment, the beast king swung down his right hand and the battle started. The dogman suddenly assumed a four-legged stance and then began to run around Rain insanely fast…

Rain had a hard time following the guy with his body while turning, but he didn't have to. It was hard to believe that such a mad dog would actually hide his bloodlust and manage to surprise Rain while he attacked.

The opponent began to gain even more speed and then eventually charged at Rain before he swung his sharp claws at Rain and then sliced the clothes on his back and then the flesh as well… the enemy passed by Rain and then looked at him while grinning, but Rain kept his poker face without showing a hint of anger.

The dogman looked confused for a moment since it was impossible for the attack not to have caused any damage… he could smell the blood in his claws, after all. Still, Rain looked unfazed, and he actually looked a bit bored, and that enraged the dogman even more…