Initiative

"Another day, another life," Mika whispered softly, the words escaping his lips as he reluctantly opened his eyes.

The morning greeted him with an unexpected embrace from the succubus, her arms wrapped around him tightly, filling him with a mix of comfort and anticipation.

As he gazed into her eyes, a rush of memories flooded his mind, taking him back to their very first encounter.

Her words echoed in his ears, reminding him of the daunting task that lay ahead.

"You must join the ranks of the so-called 'Player' and wage a battle against the demon lord," she had proclaimed with an air of familiarity.

A sigh escaped Mika's lips as he pondered the predictability of it all.

"What a cliché way to fight a cliché demon lord," he mused, a tinge of disappointment in his voice.

"And to make matters worse, my companion is just as cliché," he added with a hint of frustration.

"What if I simply refuse to embark on this quest?" he wondered aloud, the thought of defying expectations tempting him.

"What if I choose to stay here, away from the chaos and obligations?" he contemplated, a touch of rebellion coloring his voice.

A glimmer of doubt flickered within him as he considered the existence of other Players.

"Perhaps there are others who can take my place," he pondered, his tone tinged with uncertainty.

However, deep down, he knew that opting for such a path would render him a mundane Player, devoid of excitement and purpose.

Mika's mind drifted into introspection, weighing the pros and cons of following the stranger's advice.

"In the end," he thought, "I will simply do as I'm told, akin to a mere pawn in this unfamiliar world."

"A marionette, controlled by a master with strings."

The path was clear: to journey to Yggdrasil, face the corrupted creatures and minions, vanquish the demon lord, find love, build a family, and eventually find solace in eternal rest.

The sound of his voice brought him back to the present moment.

"Perhaps I should explore the fight club Airi mentioned," Mika said, his tone laced with curiosity.

The words hung in the air, awaiting a response.

Airi stirred, her eyes opening to meet his gaze. Still holding him in her warm embrace, she asked, "What were you saying about the fight club, dar-ling?"

"Let's head to the fight club, increase our adventurer rank, and await the next duel," Mika suggested, his voice brimming with excitement and anticipation.

"Sure," Airi replied, her smile reflecting the shared enthusiasm.

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Wyvernwing 7th, Bellatorum, FieryFightClub, 8:01 AM.

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Entering the vibrant atmosphere of the room, Mika and Airi absorbed the energy pulsating through the air.

The sights and sounds captivated them, setting the stage for a memorable experience.

"Here's the deal," the owner explained, his words laced with a mix of authority and intrigue.

"It's simple: one-on-one duels, disregarding ranks. Tap your cards together, and let the battle commence. Remember, killing is strictly forbidden within these walls. Just a single gold coin grants you entry and the freedom to fight as you please."

As the owner spoke, Mika placed two gold coins onto the table, eager to partake in the adrenaline-fueled spectacle.

The guard swiftly opened the gate, revealing a world of possibilities and challenges ahead.

"Yo, yo, yo! On the west side, we have a legend in the making, the three-time consecutive winner, Boro Deburu!" announced the energetic caster, setting the crowd into a frenzy of cheers and applause.

"Any challengers step up to the plate?" the caster's voice echoed throughout the venue, causing a murmur of anticipation to ripple through the spectators.

Mika's hand shot up in the air, determination etched across his face, defying any doubts that may linger.

The caster's attention turned to him, curiosity lacing the words that followed.

"Oh, man in the black cloak, do you dare to challenge this towering behemoth?" the caster questioned, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and intrigue.

Mika responded with a resolute nod, his silence adding to the air of mystery surrounding him.

The caster couldn't help but comment, a playful tone in his voice, "Ah, he's attempting to maintain an air of enigma."

With purpose in his steps, Mika made his way toward the awaiting arena, each footfall resonating with quiet determination.

"Child," Boro taunted, his voice dripping with arrogance, "use your best weapon. I can handle you with my bare hands alone." His words held a hint of superiority, daring Mika to rise to the challenge.

"Tag your card, and the duel may commence at any time," the caster announced, providing the signal for the clash to begin.

Mika took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead.

Boro extended his card to Mika, an invitation cloaked in nonchalance.

"Here, surprise me with your cunning tricks. Tag me whenever you wish," he taunted, his confidence unyielding.

As the crowd chuckled in response, the caster couldn't resist adding his commentary.

"With a height surpassing that of a spear and a weight difference greater than that of a cow, will the man in the black cloak conquer this challenge? Or will he foolishly bring harm upon himself?"

The laughter of the spectators reverberated through the arena, adding an element of amusement to the atmosphere.

'He appears human, standing at 2.3 meters tall and weighing 130 kilograms,' he silently observed.

'But there's something peculiar about his hands, resembling a hybrid of human and leopard, and his visible fangs hint at a unique lineage.' The thoughts swirled within Mika's mind, a mix of curiosity and strategic analysis.

Mika squatted, his movements deliberate and calculated.

Boro couldn't resist throwing a jibe, his words laced with mockery, eliciting laughter from the crowd.

The sound echoed through the arena, a chorus of amusement at Mika's expense.

In the midst of it all, a gentle whisper reached Mika's ears.

Airi's voice, filled with concern and support, carried to him from the spectator seat, a reminder of her unwavering presence.

Summoning his focus, Mika swiftly threw his card, the smooth motion connecting with Boro's card and striking his eyes with precision.

From the perspective of the spectators, it was a clean and diagonal throw, executed flawlessly.

"And the battle begins!" declared the caster, his voice ringing out with anticipation, igniting the spirit of competition within the arena.

Caught off guard by the unexpected attack, Boro instinctively shielded his eyes with his hands, momentarily disoriented.

Sensing an opportunity, Mika swiftly redirected his attention, kicking Boro's vulnerable ankle and knee.

Boro's towering figure crumbled, descending to the ground.

"AND THE GIANT FALLLLL!" exclaimed the caster, his voice carrying a mix of surprise and excitement.

A hush fell upon the crowd, their cheers replaced by a stunned silence.

The sudden turn of events left them bewildered, unsure of how to react to the small hooded figure's unexpected triumph.

"Why is the crowd not cheering for the small hooded man?" the caster questioned, his voice tinged with confusion, mirroring the sentiment of the spectators.

Meanwhile, Mika attempted to make his way toward the exit, his thoughts whispering to him, reflecting a mix of satisfaction and realization.

'Good grief, that was so easy,' he muttered to himself.

However, Boro's voice cut through his momentary respite, reminding Mika that the battle was far from over.

"Oi, kiddo, the battle isn't over until I surrender or the caster declares it so," Boro declared, his words firm and resolute.

'Right... it can't be this easy. This isn't WWE.'

Mika's inner monologue continued.

"And he stands back up!" proclaimed the caster, his voice emphasizing the resilience of the fallen giant, reigniting the anticipation and suspense within the arena.

Boro cracked his neck and flexed his fingers, exuding an air of confidence as he advanced toward Mika.

The crowd and the caster watched intently, anticipating the outcome, but what Mika did next left them astounded.

"What? Is he tired?" the caster exclaimed, his voice laced with disbelief.

"He's just lying there, seemingly vulnerable!"

The crowd erupted into laughter and murmurs, puzzled by Mika's unexpected action.

Amidst the amusement and mocking taunts, a single voice pierced through the noise.

"Give the fuck up, kiddo!" shouted one of the spectators, their words dripping with a hint of arrogance.

Mika sighed.

'They don't know this is a technique that even a heavyweight champion boxer struggled with,' he muttered.