Chapter 68

Each of them knew that an F-tier lived in a completely different world from an A-tier. The chances of Kaiden coming out victorious were statistically below one percent, they each understood it perfectly well...

... But when they saw the fire of determination burning brightly in his eyes, any such voice of reason left their minds immediately, only to be replaced by the fervent belief they held toward the man who saved them from self-destructing due to the miserable hand life dealt them. The man who they adored more than any of them ever thought possible.

It felt as if their entire beings vehemently rejected the very idea that Kaiden could lose this battle. Whether it was their Sinsworn Valkyrie selves influencing their brains to have such a strong trust in their Paragon of Sin or if it was just their madly in love feminine brains trusting the man who swooped them off their feet, they didn't know, but neither did it matter.

They offered no further resistance, instead stepping up close behind him in a show of utmost support.

"An F-tier challenged an A-tier awakened!!!" A woman screamed excitedly once she finally managed to come out of the daze Kaiden inflicted upon them with his sheer, overwhelming menace.

"Is this a first in history?!" a man shouted and began taking dozens of pictures per second.

"Is he insane or what?" another asked.

Hearing these statements, David couldn't help but remember that he was, in fact, a supreme existence, an A-tier awakened, while Kaiden was a bottom-of-the-barrel nobody.

"I accept. You know that an Awakened Duel has to have a wager, right? It's impossible, but just to satisfy the rules, tell me what you want in case you overcome the odds and win," David said with a confident smirk.

"You to get on all fours and apologize, one by one, to each of my lovers," Kaiden replied without needing a single moment to think.

"Confidence is key, as they say... Haha. I'm amazed at your belief in yourself-"

"Cease your incessant yapping, bastard," Kaiden interrupted his monologuing.

"Hm. I see how it is. Alright, you don't have anything that I would want, so I'll settle for ten thousand dollars- no, since we're awakened now, let's make it a hundred Chronos."

"Deal," Kaiden accepted the wager instantly.

The reporters couldn't believe their ears. Did the F-tier truly accept such an unfavorable wager? An apology versus a large amount of money?

This was the juicy story each of them had been craving, so they eagerly continued their recording as they followed the pair who went into a different part of the Awakened Association to notify the organization of their request.

An Awakened Duel was an officially recognized challenge overseen by the association. It had to be conducted in a specific arena and refereed by a professional.

The administrative process was swift; the two men soon found themselves facing each other in the arena. Numerous people filled the audience seats because this was a rare occurrence. Not the part where they could see an F-tier fight against an A-tier, but the part where they could personally see the might of an A-tier combatant.

A-tiers were like demigods among men, and there was no doubt in anyone's mind either the government or a high-tier guild would quickly run at David with offers of unimaginable wealth in exchange for having him join them. Most people had only ever seen an A-classed person on their screens, never in person. It was a special privilege to see what one was capable of.

To them, Kaiden was just a target dummy to be used by the new phenom to display his might, nothing more, nothing less.

"Do you think he is a warrior-type?"

"Maybe a rogue! He kinda looks like a sleazy scumbag, that archetype might fit him better."

"Nah, he gotta be a mage! They are all spineless cowards; he fits right into the archetype. He nearly shat himself when the F-tier glared at him."

"So did you, and you not just 'nearly.'"

"... I'm not an A-tier awakened..."

Many such conversations took place in the audience.

The referee was a man in his thirties who looked very businesslike. "Allow me to relay the rules. This arena has been created with the special intention of being used by awakened to settle their differences. Your spells will not be able to leave the arena's edges, and your lives will also be safe. You can sustain injuries, but in case of a serious threat to your life, the arena itself will teleport you away to safety. The fight will last until one of you surrenders or gets teleported to safety. You didn't ask for any specific rules to be implemented, so that's it from me. Walk to the edge of the arena on your side and wait for my mark to begin."

Both men did as told.

"Kai, you can do it!" Nyx shouted from the top of her lungs. Many eyes turned toward her, but she couldn't care less.

"That's one of the women who got wronged by the A-tier..."

"I heard a rumor saying she might be a pornstar..."

"Kekeke! I wonder if they will remain loyal to him once he gets pummeled here!"

"K-K-Kai, I believe in you!" Luna yelled with some difficulty. The Storm Valkyrie was not ready to embrace the way of shamelessness like Nyx very evidently was.

"Kai!!! I love you!!!" Aria screamed with even more vocal strength than Nyx did, shocking both women and the entire audience.

"What is this cheerleading squad? Is he a pop idol or what?"

"Nah, they're all his lovers. He is fighting to restore their honor like a medieval knight."

"Oh! I didn't know what the reason behind this duel was, but now that I know, I can't help but hope the F-tier wins!" a woman announced while eyeing Kaiden with newfound respect and interest.

"Same! He is much more handsome than David, anyway. When he loses, I'll give him a hundred dollars to help with his debt," a second female announced.

"Man, that dude sure is lucky. His class might be F-tier, but his women are all S-tier..." A lot of men grumbled with a great deal of jealousy evident in their tones. Seeing these three bombshells embrace being members of a harem in broad daylight was a strange sight to observe. It was more or less unheard of in the modern Western world. A man having multiple lovers was one thing, but having them publicly announce their support and love for their man was another one entirely.

"Ready?" the referee asked. After both nodded, he continued, "On my mark. Three, two, one, begin!"