Rebirth: Childhood friend of the heroine

Chapter 119- First round

There are four rounds one needs to face before one can be selected as the quarter-finalist. Every battle would be two-on-two, where the participants either have to completely incapacitate their opponents or make them surrender.

There are no rules here; you can kill or permanently damage your opponent, and that's why this tournament is known as the contest of savages.

After you qualify in the quarter-finals, the participants are no longer allowed to participate in the pairs. They all will have to fight individually to advance into the semi-finals and then finals.

Alex and Rebecca would be participating until the quarter-finals. After that, Rebecca was unsure if she would continue. Although she was battle hungry she doesn't think she would find competent challengers here.

As a Vampire and someone who possesses such an extremely versatile and dangerous skill, Rebecca is already an A-rank hunter—someone who can earn multiple stars if she decides to join the military, like her father.

Alex would have done the same, considering the necessity to prepare for the upcoming ascension tournament, he needs to battle much stronger opponents. However, he was fighting this tournament for something else.

He wishes to liberate the person who has been getting tormented for years now.

He wants to free his mother.

"Aww, how adorable."

Alex rolled his eyes, hearing that from Rebecca.

The girl couldn't hold herself from squealing in awe, seeing how determined her Darling looked to liberate his mother.

His cold gaze and clenched jaw are so handsome that she can pay to watch him for hours.

"It's our turn next. Get ready." He said as they sat on the participant's stands, which were attached to the arena wall.

There were about three thousand people gathered around the whole arena, witnessing the battle that would decide the two champions of Dorhales.

The arena was surrounded by a protective barrier that ensured that none of the attacks or spells damaged the audience. The barrier was infused by high ranking runes, and magicians. There were four referees and they all were brilliant combatants—just in case they needed to step in.

"It's strange that despite the grand prize only thirty-two people participate." Rebecca casually muttered. Although she was happy that she had to fight only four rounds, her time with Darling would get reduced as well.

"Well, there is a prerequisite to participate in this tournament. They test your strength or see your hunter's card or your experience stars to ensure that you are not wasting their time."

Rebecca hummed, as she gazed at the four fighters, doing their best to defeat the other one.

"Do we need to drag the battle so we don't demolish others' morale?" Rebecca asked, which gained a shrug from Alex,

"Nah, that would be a waste of time. And considering your hunting style I don't think you will feel encouraged to drag the battle." Alex spoke, as he recalled that night when she defeated Amanda—a Star-crowned sorceress—within minutes.

[Next contestants; please step on the stage!]

Hearing the announcement, Rebecca and Alex got up from their seats and approached the arena.

Alex was continuously wearing his mask, and a cloak covered their body.

From the other side, there were two men wearing similar clothes and welding axes. They were tall and bulked up, wearing a grin to be matched against a pair of young lads.

"Aren't they infamous B-rank hunters who are known for killing their opponent in every battle?"

"Yeah, whenever they landed on a battlefield, someone died."

"The other two look delicate enough that even I can defeat them."

"Damn, that woman is a looker..."

The audience was going wild with the comments; everyone wondered how long it would take for the younger ones to get defeated or, worse, get killed.

Rui, who was in the stands, watched them with kin interest. He has had his eyes on Rebecca ever since he gazed at her for the first time. It was a disappointment that her younger brother got betrothed to her, but now that he is out of the way,

'I will get you, Rebecca.'

The duo faced their opponents with a nonchalant demeanor.

The referee stepped on the stage before stating the rules, "We will intervene if, despite your opponent surrendering you keep attacking them. Second, the round will continue for twenty minutes; if the winner isn't decided by then, then no side will be declared as the winner."

"Now, are you ready?" The referee asked, and got a nod from both sides, urging him to slash his hand and announce, "BEGIN!"

The echoes of the audience and the rush of cold wind came to a standstill as Alex and Rebecca shot forward, their figure disappearing from the eyes of their opponents before the duo wielded their weapons and sliced their opponent's leg.

**SQUELCH**

"....huh?"

"Hmmm?"

It was too sudden, too abrupt for them to believe their eyes. However, when the searing sensation assaulted their minds, and their body began to tilt to their left, the two bald men realized the situation.

"Aghh!"

"Fuck! My leg! MY LEG!!"

Alex and Rebecca were standing behind them, cleaning their weapon, which was tainted by the filthy blood, as they marveled at their handicraft.

"Mine is cleaner cut." Rebecca grinned.

Alex sighed, "Yeah, whatever."

The referee and the audience were all too silent as they witnessed the two infamous murderers falling in the arena with blood pooling around them and crying for their lives.

The referee regained his composure and immediately signaled to the medic team. And as he did so, he declared,

"The White Fang wins!!"

Alex narrowed his eyes before turning towards Rebecca, "You named our team?"

Rebecca nodded, "Fangs as in my daggers, and white as in for your hair. Isn't it cool?"

"That's the most generic name I have ever heard." Saying so he began returning to the stands—when suddenly a familiar bastard appeared before them,

"You are strong. I almost lost track of you back there." Rui now understands why Rebecca chose this man as her mate.

He is strong.

Experience tales at empire

Alex ignored the guy and continued to walk, only to hear him say again, "But don't forget, once you lose, what's yours will be mine."

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"Cela, on your left!" Hearing Valerie's warning, Celestria ducked and sent a vortex of soundwaves into the solar plexus of her enemy.

"Guh!" The fox woman, grunted before she was sent flying back—giving Celestria some breathing space.

On the other side, Valerie swung her axe, but the enemy was fast, as she dodged the attack, and the opponent countered with a swift jab to Valerie's ribs. Valerie winced but retaliated instantly, her fist igniting as she drove a flaming uppercut into the woman's jaw.

The enemy staggered, but before Valerie could press her advantage, the woman spun, aiming a kick at her knee. Valerie blocked it with her forearm, flames sparking on impact, and roared, unleashing a wave of fire that forced the opponent to backflip out of range.

Meanwhile, Celestria turned to assist, her voice ringing like a whip-crack as another sonic vortex shot out. The soundwaves collided with the fox woman's torso mid-dodge, sending her crashing to the ground.

"She's tough!" Valerie growled, flames licking her knuckles as she stood ready.

"No time to hold back," Celestria replied, stepping beside her, soundwaves rippling around her hands.

She brought her hands together and pointed them at the advancing fox woman.

**SCREEEECHH**

The heavy sound funnel was impossible to dodge as the opponent was hit by a force that was heavier than a bull's strike.

The fox woman was sent back at full pace, colliding against the barrier, before she fell to the ground; unconscious and defeated.

"Eyes on me, bitch!" Valerie roared as she took advantage of her opponent's distraction, and swung her axe to target the fox woman's shoulder.

The lady tilted her body at the last moment, only to find her boot being trapped under her opponent's foot.

"Nice dodge. But how about now!" Valerie punched the woman in her gut, making her choke, before launching a flame thruster from point blank; releasing her foot and seeing the woman joining her sister.

"Crimson Echo wins!!!" The referee shouted, as Celestria and Valerie, while breathing roughly, stood victorious.

Edric couldn't stop jumping and cheering for the duo, while Amanda just clapped to congratulate them from the stands.

Approaching Celestria, Valerie couldn't help but admit, "You have become stronger."

Celestria slowly regained her breathing, as she said, "Well, to stand beside a strong man, I need to be strong as well."

Valerie chuckled, as while shaking her head, she said, "For you, everything starts and ends with Alex, no?"

Celestria wiped her sweat, as she casually muttered, "Once you fall for someone, you will understand me."

Valerie raised her brows, as she glanced at a certain someone in the stands, and couldn't help but think,

'Then...what do I feel for Edric? Is it not love?'

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A/N:- I hope you all enjoyed reading the chapter. If you did, then drop a comment/review.