Ray had been out for so long that it looked like the big event, the entire reason they were here in the first place was upon them. According to Slyvia, they had been invited to stay at the castle with the others a few days ago.

Due to Ray's situation, they had stayed at the Inn, not fully giving the empire a reason as to why. Only that they would come soon.

They were free to do what they wished for the day, and would only need to at least go to the empire's place towards the end of the day for a dinner meal before the tournament tomorrow. It was where rules and such would be explained to everyone there.

It seemed like everyone wasn't too shocked by Ray's appearance, as they were treating him as they usually would. Slyvia was a little distant, but it wasn't because of the original reason. It was now because they were arguing whether she should still be on the team currently.

"I swear,

" Kyle said.

"You two are like a married couple, always having spats like this. And what are we the kids meant to do? How are we meant to choose sides?

" Kyle said, waiting in the room.

They hadn't done much while waiting for Ray to recover, and honestly, Kyle was feeling a little bored. Harry had been practising as he would be attending the event as well. Which meant all Kyle really could do was to try to flirt with a few people.

When checking his system, Ray was surprised to see another king tier beast crystal there. One obtained from the system and not one in his inventory.

'When did I get this?' He thought. The only explanation was the beast he must have killed that was infected by the shadow. However, in the past when Ray defeated a shadow beast, there was no crystal inside, it had already been infected.

This was one of the reasons the humans fought so strongly against the shadow. Since beast crystals had many uses in daily life. It was practically what ran most things.

'Was this shadow infection really different from the ones before, like Slyvia said? Maybe that's why she doesn't seem as infected as the others. Or perhaps it was recently put in, not giving it enough time to corrupt the crystal inside it.'

There were many reasons for this, but either way, Ray was thankful, and he decided to absorb the crystal there and then.

36

/100 King tier points

It wasn't much, but Ray had at least managed to get a bit stronger before the tournament through the crystals. While checking his system, he realized he also had the crystal that he had been given by the arena.

The tournament started tomorrow, so he thought it would be a good time to create some new equipment out of it. Only his gauntlets were at the King tier level, so it would be nice for him to get something new.

"Where are you going?

" Kyle said, seeing Ray stand up to leave.

"Just going to go to a forger to see if they can make something.

"

"Please take me with you,

" Kyle said.

Harry had stayed behind, and Roy was still with them as well. Slyvia had already agreed to pay for the nights at the Inn, besides they had an extra bed anyway, so it wasn't costing them any extra. On top of this, they had given him an ultimatum: To decide to join the Redwings or not when they leave.

Slyvia had given him a convincing tale about how much life would be better for him there than what he had experienced at the empire so far. Still, Roy was a little cautious, as it would mean going with the person who had gotten him in this mess in the first palace.

Leaving the shop, Ray didn't do much research. He knew that he wouldn't find a better blacksmith than one they had at the Redwings. So after just looking at a few shops and seeing which had the best equipment displayed outside, he walked in.

"Ah, a king tier crystal. I haven't worked in one of these for a while.

" The old gentlemen said. His hands were quite worn, and he looked like a good worker.

"The best thing to make out of this would be some boots. It will take me a while, though. You're free to stay here for a few hours, or go around and come back.

" The old man suggested.

"I will stay here,

" Ray replied.

"What, oh, come on!

" Kyle complained.

"I would have stayed with the others if I knew we were going to stay here.

"

After proceeding to pay, the two of them sat at a little table area in the shop. There was only a couple as most people wouldn't choose to wait. While there though, the shop had one of the screens that they had seen all over the empire.

Currently, they were showing the highlights of what had happened in the arena yesterday.

"Roki,

" Ray said as he looked at the screen.

They were showing Roki's match against the Emperor tier beast. It was only the highlights, but Ray could see that Roki had fought the best he had ever fought before. And his opponent was a tough one.

"You really did it.

" Ray thought. Somehow a man with no magic, with a decent amount of Ki but not crazy, had defeated an Emperor tier beast. Something he himself had yet to achieve. If he was to use his magic and fighting abilities, Ray was confident.

But while watching the fight, he couldn't help but think that he would have been in trouble if he was to only use his fists. The beast that Roy thought against had many limbs, or roots, as it was plant-based. Ray would only be able to hold off two at a time, and not being skilful with the sword would have been his downfall.

This man was strong, and the combativeness in Ray was sparked.

"He's good right,

" Kyle said.

"I guess I'm finally going to see you and Harry go up against guys like this, huh?

"

Finally, the Boots were done. Ray grabbed them and put them on there and then. Based on the measurements taken before, they were a perfect fit. These boots around the toes were orange in colour. Then going upward towards the ankle, two small wings like scales could be seen coming off them in a more black. As the boots faded from the orange to black from the toe.

"I hope you use them well.

" The old man said as they left the shop.

Now with everything that was done that was needed to be done, it was late and time for them to head off to the palace.

The two met in front of the others in front of the Inn they were staying at, and Roy was coming along with them. As for Slyvia, she had bought a new eye patch to cover her eye.

"Are you going like that?

" Martha asked. Nothing that Ray hadn't transformed into Nes.

"There is no point hiding anymore, a secret warrior. We were only doing it to gather some information in the first place. I will let them know who they are messing with, and I want them to see the face of the person the empire has chosen to tread on.

" Ray said, clenching his fist.

The others were ready after only a few words from him, and it was time for them to head to the place. The palace was a grand place, mostly built with golden rooftops and round pillars. Around it, a wall that would divide the place even from the main city area.

Here they would not only meet the other contestants, but Ray would also be meeting the Emperor for the first time. The one that had chosen to cause them so much trouble.

Inside the palace, the Emperor was sitting at his large throne chair at the dining table. The other contestants had already arrived. However, there had been a small change. Instead of Bob sitting by Savanna's side, it was a replacement. Another gentleman who looked fairly older wearing silver armour and had a small goatee.

They could see that there were several empty seats in the dining hall, and no one had touched their food yet.

"Who are we waiting for again?

" The young blonde warrior said.

"Don't you remember? There are still people from the Redwing Kingdom to come.

" The old man replied. He was the spear user from before, and his name was Pai.

When Pai had spoken these words, everyone in the room went silent for a little bit, as they remembered the warrior they had met before from the Redwing kingdom. Did it mean he would be coming in the room?

Most of them never wanted to see such a man again.

Roki too was sitting down by the Emperor's side, and he was waiting to see the contender named Nes. He thought someone of that strength had to be here, for one reason only. He didn't know for sure if he was a contender in the all kingdom tournament, but something in his gut was telling him.

"Sir, the guests have finally arrived.

"

"Excellent.

" The Emperor said.

"Bring them in.

"

The doors open, and in the room, they all walked in. Leading in the front was a red-headed looking young man.

However, everyone was surprised, who was this red-headed man, and what had happened to Nes?

*******

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