Hupo stood at one end of the arena, deep in thought.

The prize money is so close that I can almost taste it. I can’t risk underestimating my opponent in the finals.

Several strategies came to his mind, but the one that seemed most appropriate for the situation was ‘pre-emptive strike.’ It was one of the military tactics he had studied to improve his World of Lorecraft gameplay. The idea was to weaken or defeat an enemy before they could do any harm. He wanted to make sure that he would be the one making the first move. To do so, he would need to move faster than his opponent. Fortunately, he had skills that would allow him to do just that.

The gamemaster announced the start of the match. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is the match you've all been waiting for: the Combat Tournament finals! From the west entrance, we have the dark horse of this tournament, Hupo!"

As Hupo made his way to the center of the arena, he was greeted by loud applause and cheering from the audience. The bright sunlight caused him to squint his eyes. He heard a crunching noise with every step he took. Looking down, he saw broken teeth mixed with the blood-stained sand.

"From the east entrance, we have the runner up of the previous Combat Tournament. Standing seven feet tall, the walking fortress, Amondo!"

The audience cheered much louder for Amondo.

They must really like the former runner-up.

Amondo walked up to Hupo. "I don't know how a shrimp like you made it all the way to the finals, but your luck just ran out."

"Why’s that?"

"You see, I've been fighting with only fifty percent of my power. That was enough to make it this far. Unfortunately for you, I'm going to use one hundred percent of my power for this fight. This is not a match I can afford to lose." Amondo bent his knees and hunched over. “Limiter Release!"

He began grunting. His body swelled in size and the pressure emanating from him increased dramatically. "Now do you see the difference in our power? I just doubled my speed and strength. This match was over before it even begins. You have no hope of winning."

Hupo burst into laughter.

Amondo glared at him. "What's so funny?"

"You looked like you were constipated."

"What? You'll pay for your insolence, you little shrimp! I'll grind you into mincemeat, and then I'll take what's left and grind it even more!" Amondo shook his fist at Hupo.

"We'll see about that."

The gamemaster's voice resounded in the arena. "Competitors, please get to your starting positions."

Hupo and Amondo moved away from one another. Once they were in position, they turned around to face each other. The whole arena was silent as the two them stared each other down.

The starting bell rang.

Hupo snapped into action. Using [Sonic Speed], he jolted forward at the speed of sound. His senses were able to keep up with his incredible speed. Despite moving so fast, he felt as though he was in full control. As he traveled through the air, a staggering amount of air pressure pressed against his body.

Is this how astronauts feel when they blast off into space?

He grabbed Amondo’s head and slammed it into the ground. Sand and broken teeth exploded upwards from the point of impact. A fraction of a second later, a thunderous boom shook the arena. The match was over before the starting bell had finished ringing.

Hupo released his hand from Amondo’s head. With a crooked nose and missing front teeth, Amondo was a bloodied mess.

The audience was completely silent.

"Unbelievable! The match lasted less than a second! Hupo is the new Combat Tournament champion!"

In response to the gamemaster’s announcement, the audience rose from their seats and broke into applause and cheering.

***

"Impossible..." Youji's hand trembled.

He could only imagine the level of skill and strength needed to pull off the move that Hupo had used to defeat Amondo. Hupo had propelled himself forward with enough force to crater the ground. He had moved so fast that he’d looked like a blur.

King Rowan mumbled something, but his voice seemed so distant.

Youji's attention was transfixed to the crater in the arena below.

"Youji!" King Rowan's voice brought Youji back to his senses.

Realizing his error, Youji dropped on one knee and bowed his head. "My sincerest apologies, Your Majesty!"

"I was asking if you were alright. What has gotten into you?" King Rowan's brows drew together.

"I have just glimpsed the summit of strength."

King Rowan looked blank.

For Youji, a veteran of many battles, recognizing the level of a skill was second nature. In contrast, a noncombatant like the king would not be able to readily do so.

"Please forgive my rudeness. I meant that the skill Hupo had used to defeat Amondo was of an unimaginably high level."

"Was it really that impressive?"

"Of course!" Youji cleared his throat. "He’s the most skilled warrior I’ve ever seen."

King Rowan leaned towards Youji. "Would you be able to defeat him?"

Even I can’t move fast enough to dodge such a fast attack.

Youji shook his head. "I'm sorry, I can't imagine myself beating him."

King Rowan leaned back in his chair. "The Combat Tournament is very expensive to host, but it’s money well spent. It attracts talented warriors like Hupo to this country. He would be a very valuable addition to the army."

"I couldn't agree more."

"I'll leave you with the task of recruiting him. Offer him a knighthood and a high army rank."

Youji rubbed the back of his neck. "There's a slight issue."

"What do you mean?"

"His impression of our knights is probably very poor. Earlier today, he saved a coliseum worker from a squad of knights. They were giving the worker a beating, because the worker had offended them."

Hupo was, undoubtedly, the masked warrior who had decimated Moe's squad of knights. He certainly had the power to do so.

"What? Which knights?" King Rowan gripped the armrest of his chair.

"I've already given them the appropriate punishment."

"Good, I trust your judgment. You need to show Hupo that not all knights are so disgraceful."

"I will, but what if he still refuses?"

"Then give him more time to think about it. Don't be too pushy. I don't want to risk antagonizing him any more than we already have."

Youji bowed. "As you command, Your Majesty. There’s another matter I would like to talk to you about.”

“Go on.”

“Aside from Combat Tournament champions, all of the high-ranking positions in the army belong to nobles or those with close connections to them. Their promotions were based on their noble status and who they know. As a result, the army is currently filled with incompetent leaders. If, instead, we promoted knights based on merit, our military would be much stronger.”

“I’m lucky there aren’t any nobles around here, or I’d be getting an earful from them. I agree with your assertion that the military is in dire need of reform, but the nobles will never go along with it. I may be the king, but I cannot rule this country without their backing.”

Youji wanted to continue arguing his case, but doing so would be disrespectful toward the king. Just being heard was enough.

“You’re right. Perhaps it’s too soon to bring up the issue of military reform. Like you said, it wouldn’t work under the current political climate.”

“I know you have this country’s best interest at heart. Never stop fighting for it.” King Rowan paused. “I’ll talk to the nobles about the issue of military reform. They probably won’t agree with what I have to say, but at least your concern will be heard.”

Youji smiled. “Thank you, Your Majesty!”