"Thanks for the help, Jake. I really appreciate the time you spent working on this with me."

"Eh, no problem, man. If you want to help me out and also get more experience, I can hook you up with a gig."

My eyes would've narrowed if I wasn't trying to imitate Jerry.

"What kind of gig? I already have a job, so anything like that wouldn't work."

I technically have a job even though I only went once and am still technically on leave to "recuperate" from my injuries. I'll go speak to nelson once I need to gain more levels.

"Dude, you already have a full-time job and are a student? Damn, you must be really busy. If you can spare the time, the guild I was talking about hosts underground fights every other night."

"What makes it underground? Is it legal?"

"Yeah, totally. It's underground because it's not open to the public. You need to be invited by a member of the guild or a member of the club. The guild got permission from the Church of Merita so we could gamble on any of the fights. Honestly, we probably would've made a betting ring without permission."

"What was the name of your guild again?"

"Caliphaxe"

~

We exchanged contact information and went our separate ways. I recall what I remember about the Caliphaxe guild before heading to my next destination.

It's one of the top three guilds next to the Cerulean Shield and the Heralds of Many.

Caliphaxe believes they should be aggressive with their practices and focus more on the battlefronts against the monsters at the borders. They are constantly recruiting fresh blood to fill the ever-growing demand for power. Ironically they have the least amount of deaths per year.

They are a martial brotherhood, a group of people that would do anything for one another. Usually, the government would contract them for military work if needed.

Personally, I dislike the Cerulean Shield. They preach about them being the "guardians of humanity" even though they are running a protection sting throughout the Prime Territories. The foundations of the guild are based on guarding against anything blue. Whether it be sea or sky, the Cerulean Shield will protect you. Or so they claim.

They also took on a task. "Keeping strong people outside of Bluefield." It keeps the city safer but is annoying as shit when I want to visit my family in the future. I have to bribe the guild or be strong enough where it's not worth agitating me.

The only thing I know about the Heralds of Most is: To join, you must be a devout follower of a god or have a divine-related class. And a name change occurred after some allegations about giving a religious terrorist sanctuary within their walls.

From Herald of All to Herald of Most.

I think their mission statement is religious freedom or something about supporting the pantheon? I'm not sure. A large gathering of religious people with different ideologies sounds like a headache.

I go grab my beasts and head home. If I want to practice martial arts, I should probably do it in the safety of my own home. Plus, I don't want to get banned from the training center when I start mutilating myself.

I start training [Master's Whistle]. Since the effect is so convenient, I might as well see what happens if it levels up. I also have my tamed beasts attack me to train my resistance, healing, and martial arts. It lets them try out their new skills on me as well. Win-Win.

[Master's Whistle C lv1 > Lv2]

The Master may whistle to summon their servant. The servant must not be incapacitated. The servant is apparated within five feet of the Master and may bring everything they carry.

Mana Cost: 25

Cooldown: 50 Minutes (NEW)

[Resistance: Piercing 90 > 100]

[Resistance: Blunt 195 > 196]

[Resistance: Slashing 67 > 80]

[Resistance: Lightning 80 > 92]

[Resistance: Radiant 59 > 74]

[Resistance: Mental 89 > 90]

I was scared that increasing my mental resistance too high would make [Mind] magic stop working on the voices in my head, but she assured me that raising my mental resistance would also make the voices quieter. Just in case, I only rounded it up.

Right before heading to sleep, I get a message from Jake.

*Ding*

[Hey, dude. There is a fight tonight at this location. It's rookie night, so only people level 50 and under can join. If you are within the level cap, I recommend coming over. You can stick around afterward and watch how the pros do it.

Ps: Free food for fighters.]

Sure, why not. Fighting against people at my level and possibly people mightier than me sounds fun. I wonder if they allow tamed beasts.

~

I meet up with Jake at a literal underground fighting ring. It's underneath the branch office for the guild and holds a glass cage where people can fight it out without fear for the audience's safety.

He tells me the rules.

Don't go for the killing blow.

No illegal substances allowed or potions.

Only two people are allowed in a fight unless it's a team fight.

Bring your own gear, don't get it stolen after the fight.

If you somehow break the wards on the cage, you have to pay for the next one.

Don't speak about the club.

Newcomers have to fight.

Since I am new, I have to jump into the ring. But first things first, I have to get tested.

I am forced to touch an orb for over a minute to prove that I am not over level 50. I wonder how this thing works and if it's stealing my data. I don't feel foreign mana entering me, or do I have to circulate my mana through the orb, so It seems fine.

Jake waves me back over after I got tested.

"Alright. My friend is working the betting stall and told me the next fight is against a barbarian-type class that doesn't use a weapon. It's an opportunity to get in a match since his opponent hasn't been selected."

I nod and approach the referee. Without me saying a word, a flash of recognition flairs in his eyes. I don't recognize him, so it's a bit strange.

"Put me in the next fight."

He writes something down before speaking up, "Are you that Ellis kid who won the local institute's freshman fight?"

"You know about me?" I'm genuinely surprised. I wonder if he was that fan who wrote that racist article.

"Of course. In my line of work, you need to pay attention to any sanctioned match. I wrote you down for the next fight. I'll announce it in a minute so prepare yourself, kid."

Instead of walking back to Jake, I head to my beasts. This underground fighting ring has a lot of headspace and room for spectators. No fights go on at the same time as another one.

I am not the only one to bring tamed creatures down here. I can count a few tigers and a few bats the size of men hanging from the rafters. Or at least I hope they are tamed. If not, this place has some severe infestation problems.

Only Flash Gordon and Rob seemed to wish me luck. The other two seem to not care. I make sure Khan won't eat anybody before preparing for the fight.

My health and mana are basically topped off. I leave my blade with Flash Gordon and Rob. Why would I need it against an unarmed opponent., It's the perfect time to have an old-fashioned bare-knuckle brawl.

"Alright, ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the first match! The two fighters are new to the club, so give a rousing welcome to Ximon."

The crowd cheers, unlike in a stadium. Everyone here is excitable but not overzealous. The announcer reveals a huge half-naked hairy man with luscious red hair. He is well over eight feet tall and bears no weapons.

"Ximon is new to the city, brought over by our wonderful host, Caliphaxe! His hometown is on the outskirts, and we believe that he has giant in his blood."

Well, no shit.

"And over here is the second newcomer. This young man recently won the local institute's beginning of the year freshman tournament. What's more impressive is that he won against a [Necromancer] and a [Shadow Assassin]!"

The crowd cheers for me.

"Not only that, my darling spectators. He won while missing an arm and not even having a combat class!"

I jump into the ring and show myself to the crowd. The hype is nice, but it feels like lying. Specifically, not mentioning I am a tamer type class gives the impression that my beasts did not help. I am still proud of my personal growth, but I would be nothing without Flash Gordon and the others.

The giant Ximon gets into a stance, almost like he's about to pounce on me. I also get ready. If this guy reached level fifty like me, he probably has the strength advantage. His raw Might is probably higher thanks to his blood.

"Alright, it seems that our two newcomers are itching to start. Three! Two! One! Go!"

As soon as the word "go" left the mouth of the ref, Ximon pounced. Instead of dodging left or right, I jump straight up. He doesn't expect this move as I stomp him right in the face.

*CRACK*

-75

I use his face as a springboard to jump back.

Ximon's face pours blood from his broken nose. I watch him reset his nose with a crackle of cartilage.

His red hair starts to lift as the signature move of a barbarian activates. [Rage].

"RAAAA"

The bear-shaped human claws at me with his hands, trying to catch me within his grasp. I'd rather be beaten bloody than getting grappled by this guy.

His Agility and Might are definitely higher than mine now, but his mental stats must have taken a nose dive. His attacks are easy to read but hard to dodge.

Every time he overextends a swing, I step in to strike back and step out before he can grab me.

My damage starts to lessen as he must have an injury reduction skill based on how much damage he takes. His blows start getting heavier and faster.

I purposely let a full-powered attack hit me so I could use [Cross-Counter].

-254

Crack, my jaw breaks

-326

But so does his.

-23

His knuckles are bloody from the magic thorns under my skin as his fist triggers my ring's reflection.

We both recoil in pain and set our jaws at the same time. He looks at me with intensity in his eyes, respect from deep inside.

I throw caution to the wind. This fancy dancing is not for me.