NOVPUBLiu Kang made his way out of the arena. The crowd’s murmurs of disbelief and confusion still echoed, but he never looked back. He had no regrets about walking away from a fight he knew he couldn’t win. In his eyes, wisdom always trumped pride. But not everyone shared his view.
As he neared the exit corridor, a man stepped out from the intersection, blocking his path.
It was Yuusha Mashiro, the White Hero. His silver armor gleamed in the dim light as if it reflected his heroic intention. His white cape billowed behind him, and his sword, still sheathed, glinted at his side. His face was stern, and his blue eyes glowed slightly as he locked onto Liu Kang’s eyes.
"What was that, Liu Kang?" Mashiro demanded, his voice sharp and accusing. "You dishonored yourself, the arena, and everyone here with that disgraceful display. You were supposed to fight for glory. And yet, you turned and walked away. You surrendered without a single blow."
Liu Kang didn’t flinch. His dark, ocean-blue eyes met Mashiro’s without fear or regret. He had anticipated this confrontation when he left the arena, knowing the White Hero would take issue with his choice.
"I withdrew because I don’t fight battles I can’t win, and you already know that." Liu Kang replied with a low and steady voice. "There’s no honor in throwing yourself into a fight where the outcome is already decided. I’m no fool, White Hero. You should know that better than anyone."
Mashiro’s jaw clenched, frustration burning in his eyes. "You speak of wisdom, but what of honor? We’re here to fight for more than just ourselves. By surrendering, you spat on the principles we stand for."
Liu Kang’s expression hardened. He was no stranger to Mashiro’s heroic idealism. This man has always dreamed of being revered as a champion of justice, an embodiment of righteousness, seeking to uphold the values of honor and glory. But those values were often nothing more than illusions, convenient excuses to mask pride and ego.
"Honor?" Liu Kang sneered. His tone was sharp with incredulity. "You think there’s honor in sacrificing yourself for a fight you can’t win? Do you think there’s glory in standing against an opponent who is far beyond your power, just to satisfy the others? That’s not honor, White Hero. That’s arrogance. Foolishness!"
Mashiro’s eyes flashed with anger. "Arrogance? You call it arrogance to fight for what you believe in, to stand your ground even when the odds are against you? That’s the path of a hero, the true warrior. We are blessed with divine skills, and we have to honor them by fighting until the very end!"
Liu Kang shook his head. His gaze was cold and unwavering. "The Gods may have given us power, but they also tell us the wisdom to know when to fight and when to retreat. I didn’t concede because I was afraid. I conceded because I knew that facing the Godly Warrior was a fight I could never win. There’s no shame in acknowledging your limits. The only shame is in pretending you’re invincible when you’re not. You should know that I work in the dark, and it’s an entirely different path to the glory you speak of."
Silence hung between them for a moment, thick with tension. Mashiro’s expression shifted as if he was searching for a response, something to counter Liu Kang’s calm logic. But he couldn’t deny the truth in those words.
He tried to impose his idealism on the one who did the dirty work for their Hero Party, and when he realized it, he felt that he had overdone it a bit.
Finally, Mashiro stepped aside, though still feeling a bit angry. "I just can’t understand you. I hope you will never turn your back during the holy war. The Demon King of Extreme Evil and his army are absolutely strong and wicked. We can’t run away as eradicating them is the only path for us, the heroes."
With one last look of dissatisfaction, Mashiro turned away. "Maybe one day... you’ll understand what it means to fight for something greater than yourself. Even the dark side also has their own honor and glory."
Liu Kang watched Mashiro go as he didn’t need to respond. The White Hero fought for ideals, for glory, for the Gods and people. As for him, he fought for survival.
As Mashiro disappeared into the distance, Liu Kang turned around and continued on his way, leaving the Imperial Arena and the echoes of the crowd behind him.
"How could I run from that? I need the Demon King’s heart for the offering. The Hero Party is meant to be sacrificed, and I won’t let myself fall for such an ending." Liu Kang muttered under his breath and left in the shadows of the city.
---
Once Mashiro returned, Harriet asked with concern as she couldn’t see Liu Kang anywhere. "Hey, what’s with that annoyed expression, leader? Did you fight with Liu Kang again? Where did he go?"
"Yeah, a little. He left for a breather. I just can’t understand him." Mashiro sighed and returned to his seat.
"Well, he also has his own beliefs and principles. He already takes care of our mess and wipes our ass behind the scene. That’s him, and I can understand why he doesn’t want to waste his strength just to suffer under that godlike knight’s might." Richard crossed his arms and nodded as if he understood Liu Kang’s reasoning.
"..." Mashiro remained silent and watched the competition silently.
The promising warriors got recruited by the empire as they required more manpower to strengthen the hero expedition team. As for the holy war, the hero expedition team would face the Demon King of Extreme Evil and the massive demon army as they had to put an end to the terror experienced by humanity once and for all.
Under such circumstances, the talented experts, the geniuses, and the prodigies would try their best to hide their true talents so they wouldn’t get selected for this super dangerous mission.
At least, that was what happened until yesterday. The true talents just watched the Martial Arts Competition as spectators, but the Elysion Church’s beautiful priestess involved herself yesterday. She managed to attract many true talents to join the hero expedition team. The elders from various sects and organizations were frustrated because of it, but they could do nothing about it.
Regardless, the current hero generation was entirely different because the Council of Gods summoned the heroes from the world of heroes with many cheat-like powers, and that is what people know.
After the 13th match concluded, only fourteen participants remained. However, the Elysion Church still had five representatives!
Although it was still afternoon and the audience was still very excited, the last seven matches had to be postponed for tomorrow. The arena’s fields had been destroyed several times and the barrier had to be repaired and reinforced. The staff was also exhausted, and therefore, it couldn’t be helped.
Before the event for today was concluded, the remaining participants were shuffled once again using the magic paper lottery method.
It was the round of 14, and all participants would face an opponent, without a free pass. The last free pass would occur once again in the quarter-finals, and this time, the most awaited lucky participant from the Elysion Church finally got her opponent. Unfortunately, Gabriella could only sigh because her first opponent in this competition was Remiel.
"Sister... I’ll concede defeat, okay?" Remiel put her fingers together with a pitiful expression. She put her wolf ears and tail low, showing a submission.
"No, don’t you dare. Accompany me for a warm-up." Gabriella pinched Remiel’s cheek.
"O-owiie, okay..." Remiel obediently agreed. She only hoped her first sister would be gentle.
"Sigh... I don’t know what to say." Azrael took a deep breath as he looked at his number. He got placed to face Michael, and he felt the random magic paper draw was rigged.
The Elysion Church had four out of five participants facing each other, and it was most likely not a coincidence.
"..." Mashiro felt a little disappointed, but he knew the best opponent would wait for the last.
He wished to cross blade with the Elysion Church’s representatives, especially Gabriel, the Angel of Revelation who registered herself as the Elven Valkyrie. Unfortunately, it was like the Gods had other plans for him. His next opponent was a young master from the Long Clan.
Of all the remaining participants, there were only two people who were backed by their own families, the prominent clans that could rival a full-fledged sect and organization. It was the Long Clan and the Gu Clan. The two talents from these clans were definitely not to be underestimated.
"I look forward to our match tomorrow, White Hero." Long Ya, the young master of Long Clan, greeted the White Hero with an amiable smile.
"Likewise, Noble Dragon." Mashiro returned the greeting with a chivalrous attitude, stating the other party’s title eloquently.
"Keke, you better not be careless and lose or it will be very regretful since you are the leading hero." Long Ya patted the White Hero’s shoulder and left the arena.
All participants received their placement for tomorrow’s match, and it was time to leave. The audience also gradually left the Imperial Arena.
"You will be fighting the Starlight Vanguard of the Heavenly Manor tomorrow. How confident are you, Sebas." Michael patted the Elysion Church’s holy knight next to him.
"I can’t say for sure, but Jensen, the Starlight Vanguard, cannot be underestimated." Sebas replied firmly, aware that his chance of victory was uncertain.
All who participated in this Martial Arts Competition were the young geniuses and prodigies below thirty in the entire Human Realm of this world. So, the ones who managed to advance to this round were all the best of the best in the younger generation.
"Just do your best, but don’t go all-out, as we’re only here to gauge their potential and skills." Michael spoke in a whisper-like voice and Sebas nodded in reply.
After that, they regrouped with Miko and the entire Elysion Church’s group left the Imperial Arena with a swift teleportation.
"!!!" Mashiro was flabbergasted. The teleportation technique was super rare, and he had just witnessed the shrine priestess cast it effortlessly despite her 0th Rank power! He knew it. She hid her true power so deeply!
"Why do you look like you just saw a ghost?" Richard asked curiously. He looked at the Elysion Chruch’s quarter questioningly, but nobody was there.
"It’s nothing. Let’s go to the palace as we can’t let the Emperor keep waiting." Mashiro sighed and left with his Hero Party. The Emperor especially called them, and they went to the palace right away.
