Someone Familiar in the Dueling Competition

The Dueling Competition was the most significant and attentively watched event in Chadron. It was hosted by the most powerful and formidable organization on the continent- the God Armed, who also supervise and control the proceedings. The majority of people arrived at the event two days before its start, and the lodging places in the vicinity were fully occupied half a month in advance. Would such a large-scale, bloody, and violent slaughter event be secretly held? On the contrary, the Dueling Competition had become part of the local culture, taking place in a bustling area in the northwest of Chadron. The west of the venue was a prosperous city area. On the other side, there was an endless desert. From time to time, people wandered past the site that hadn't yet opened. The Dueling Competition lasted for a whole ten days. Those who couldn't get accommodation brought tents and skillfully set up camp in the desert. This was no exception for Valentina and her group. "Little Luke, want to explore with me?" "What's there to see in this damn place? Nothing but sand. And as I said, stop calling me that!" Luke crawled out from his tent and said to Valentina with frustration. "There are too many people here, so we better keep a low profile. In a few hours, the Dueling Competition will start." Bruno came over. Hearing Bruno's words, everyone looked around. By this time, thousands of tents of all sizes had been set up in this area. Anyone who didn't know better might have mistaken them for a sizable tribe. Everywhere one looked, there were people of all types and colors. The similarity between them? Not one was benign. Pairs of eyes full of killing intent wandered over them. Even worse, some people stood near their tent, polishing their daggers while casting challenging and mocking gazes at them. That look was like like viewing prey they had caught. Clearly, following the events in the past few days, the once-fallen Blackwater Mercenary Group had once again attracted attention from various forces. This was anything but good news for Bruno and his group. In the past, the Blackwater made it to the top with the least number of people and the utmost disadvantage, which naturally incited envy and animosity. Furthermore, their leader's ostentatious behavior had courted quite a few powerful enemies. Now, their rise to prominence would inevitably make them a prime target, subjected to relentless suppression. Bruno and his group, apparently, were incapable of resisting. Valentina disdainfully remarked, "If you aren't afraid of dying, feel free to risk your lives." "You'd better watch your mouth," Luke responded disdainfully before heading into his tent. A few moments later, he emerged with a blanket. Valentina caught the blanket that he tossed to her. With a look of haughty disdain and scorn on his face, Luke warned, "The desert sees significant temperature variation between day and night. Don't freeze to death, girl!" Valentina retorted, "Wasn't your former leader also a girl?" Luke's expression changed instantaneously. "Don't you dare compare yourself to her! You're not even close." Valentina thought to herself that she could only earn their acknowledgment if she once again went victorious in all thirty-three fights in the upcoming Dueling Competition. Otherwise, she could never usurp the place held by Unknown in their hearts nor gain their utter allegiance like Unknown did. Only by making a name at the Dueling Competition could she ward off those eyeing the Blackwater covetously. Valentina looked at the cup in her hand and couldn't help but mumble under her breath. She had to conquer her old subordinates who no longer recognized her by defeating herself from the past. What a ludicrous turn of events! Before six o'clock, it had already turned dark. More and more people gathered at the arena, practically everyone from the northwest part of the country. Bands of mercenaries, all wearing uniforms with identical insignia, could be seen from a distance. One could spot solitary stragglers or bounty hunters among the crowd. There was no scarcity of underworld organizations traveling from far-off lands to join the excitement or with hidden agendas of their own... Upon their arrival, Valentina and her companions immediately attracted attention. Many recognized Bruno. After sweeping their eyes over Bruno and his companions, they swiftly moved their focus onto Valentina who seemed starkly out of place. A woman's presence was a sight to behold, let alone an eighteen to nineteen-year-old harmless young lady with tender skin. Valentina's appearance, whether in contrast to this harsh and shadowy environment or in contrast to these dangerous, tall, broad men oozing with murderous tendencies, was conspicuously jarring. It was impossible to ignore her. Although the former leader of the Blackwater, Unknown, was also innocent-looking like this young lady, they never treated Unknown as a woman. Anyone who had witnessed the competitive fights or heard of Unknown's deeds knew the extent of her terror. Now, Valentina was in the middle of Bruno's group. This scene involuntarily reminded them of the former Blackwater leader and her mercenaries. Wherever Bruno and his companions went, their gaze faithfully trailed them. They knew Unknown, so they hardly dared to underestimate Valentina. "That's indeed not Unknown." "The Blackwater truly depends on women." "What does this woman have to do with Unknown?" "Was it her who made the Hurricane flee in terror?" "Don't act recklessly yet. She seems not simple at all. What if she's as horrible as Unknown? We can't afford it." "Last year, not one of them from Blackwater attended the Dueling Competition, and this year they have suddenly mustered the courage. Are they planning to have that woman participate?" "The Hurricane was at a severe disadvantage against them a few days ago. I heard the Hurricane planning to strike tonight." "In that case, let's just sit back and enjoy the show." The Duel Arena was designed to mimic the ancient Colosseum from the 72-80 AD period, with a circular appearance from the exterior and an ellipse when viewed from above. Covering approximately 15,000 square meters, this magnificent structure could accommodate nearly sixty thousand people, making it a major attraction in Chadron. Bruno and the others arrived later. Aiming not to stand out, they selected an undistinguished spot high up to overlook the dueling ground in the middle, where two fighters were already warming up. After missing last year's Dueling Competition, Luke seemed enthusiastic. "Shall we place a bet? I want to bet on that tall guy winning." These past few days, with Valentina's help, they finally have a little money on hand after more than a year of constant losses. Recently, Luke's meals improved. "Save it. Wait until the final day to bet on me winning. Borrow as much as you can by then, and mortgage whatever you can mortgage, regardless put it all down." Valentina placed her hands on the railing, eyes fixed on the arena below. Luke opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but thinking about Valentina's strength, he swallowed his words and finally grumbled, "The challengers on the final day aren't easy to tackle." Bruno also turned to look at Valentina. He didn't know Valentina's full strength. The ones who tried to rob them over the last few days were just average mercenaries who won by their large numbers. Valentina was exceedingly patient, suited for endurance battles, but not necessarily for one-on-one blitz duels. With the level of strength Valentina had displayed so far, she could easily fight three or four rounds, but his intuition told him that Valentina wouldn't just fight three or four rounds. Valentina casually replied, "But wouldn't that make the odds even higher?" The first match was about to start. Valentina was bored and casually raised her head. Suddenly, she saw a familiar face standing directly across the upper tier. The man, dressed in a suit, had a cold countenance. His hands shoved into his trouser pockets, and he stood tall and straight, painting a stark contrast to the ragtag fighters scrambling around in the gunfire around him.