At that moment, Scarface’s stare hardened as he took one final look at Jason. His voice was calm but carried a chilling promise.“When that time comes,” Scarface said, his words low but heavy enough to echo through the tense silence, “I want to see how you plan to talk your way out of it. I want to see how you convince Death itself not to take you first.”The crowd stiffened, hanging on every syllable.“But for now…” Scarface tilted his head slightly, his scar catching the dim light, “…enjoy yourself. Run your mouth while you still can. This is your privilege because the competition hasn’t started yet. Because you haven’t stepped into the ring with me.”His boots clicked against the floor as he turned away. “When you do… pray.”Scarface began walking off, every step exuding a quiet dominance that silenced the room even further. Nobody dared move until he was gone.The FireClan fighter, still fuming from earlier, lingered only long enough to glare at Jason with pure venom. His lip curl

The crowd erupted, some cheering, most laughing.“Those are the guys who talked back to Scarface!” someone shouted from the stands.“Dead men walking!” another jeered, earning loud laughter from a group nearby.Jason and Derek walked toward the ring, the laughter following them like a trail. Derek kept his head low, fists clenched tight. Jason, by contrast, walked with the same measured calm he’d had since the start no flinch, no fear, almost daring anyone to keep laughing.When they stepped into the ring, the atmosphere shifted slightly. Whispers started rippling through the crowd not because they respected them, but because everyone wanted to see just how badly they’d get crushed.The Jade Serpents entered opposite them, three fighters clad in green leather armor with serpent emblems stitched into their chests. They didn’t look particularly intimidating compared to Fire Clan or Red Clan, but they moved with the quiet confidence of people who had done this before.The Fire Clan, sea

At that moment, Jason slowly turned to face Derek, his expression unshaken, his eyes sharp and cold as steel. The noise of the arena around them faded for a moment Derek could barely hear the murmurs of other fighters preparing for their own rounds. Jason’s voice came low, but every word cut through Derek’s ears with clarity.“Derek,” Jason said, stepping closer until there was no gap between them, “don’t you ever speak about quitting around me again. Do you understand? I don’t care how strong they are, I don’t care what clan they come from, and I don’t care if everyone here thinks we’re walking into death itself. I am not here to bow my head. I am not here to run. I am not here to play safe.” His jaw tightened, his fist clenching slightly. “If you want to give up halfway, then do it alone. But if you’re beside me, you fight to the end.”Derek swallowed hard, his chest rising and falling as he took in Jason’s words. He had never seen Jason like this not this calm, not this sure, yet s

At that moment, Derek stood silently beside Jason at the edge of the arena, his thoughts a storm of panic, guilt, and growing dread. He clenched his fists tightly, trying to calm the tremble that had taken over his hands. His plan was simple but it felt like betrayal.He wasn’t going to quit now, not immediately. That would be too obvious, too shameful. He would at least allow the match to begin. Maybe, just maybe, something would shift. But deep inside, he had already decided. The moment things turned sour, he would throw in the white towel. The moment the Snake Clan made their move, he would surrender on their behalf. Once he did that, the match would be over. Jason would be disqualified. The rules were clear if one person from a two-man team forfeited, the match ended for both. It wasn’t honorable, but to Derek, it was survival.He had already begun searching for the white towel. His eyes darted from the referee’s table to the corners of the arena, making sure he could act fast.Ja

Jason didn’t even flinch at Derek’s question. His expression remained calm, his eyes straight ahead as though Derek’s words had been carried away by the wind.“I told you I’d handle it,” Jason said flatly, his voice steady, without a hint of strain. “That’s exactly what I’m doing handling the situation. So why are you acting like you didn’t hear me the first time?”There was no edge of arrogance in his tone, no boastful smirk just simple, unshakable certainty. Then, as if the matter was already closed, he added, “The second stage is over. Go prepare yourself and wait for the next round.”Derek’s mouth opened slightly, but no words came out. His thoughts were tangled, tripping over one another. He had witnessed something impossible and Jason was talking about it as if it were just another day’s work. Still stunned, he followed Jason out of the arena, his steps slightly offbeat, as though he hadn’t fully returned to reality yet.The crowd slowly began to regain their voices behind them,