Chapter 193: Spectacular

Chapter 193: Chapter 193: Spectacular

Seraphina Sinclair’s voice was firm and resolute. "You can declare my failure right now. But to expect me to be toyed with like a monkey, within rules you made up and can change at any time..."

She paused, the scornful smile on her face widening as she spoke, word by word:

"Not. A. Chance."

The moment the words left her mouth, she actually put away her shovel, turned her back on the Chairman and the terrifying monster, and strode toward the sealed iron door she had come from!

She walked without a shred of hesitation, leaving her back completely exposed—as if certain that her opponent wouldn’t, or rather, wouldn’t dare, to attack her from behind.

In that instant, the entire Coliseum was so silent you could hear a pin drop.

Every spectator, including the Chairman on the high platform, was stunned.

They had seen fighters who slaughtered madly, those who knelt and begged for mercy, and those who used all sorts of schemes and tricks. But they had never seen...

Someone so brazen, so unpredictable, that they would just quit on the spot!

This one...

"This human has quite a temper!"

"What temper? In human terms, this is called dignity!"

"She’s special! She’s different from all the other humans! It’s... it’s just so astounding."

"I should have bet on her to win! This is what humans are like! This is the kind of human I wanted to see!"

The murmurs in the stands grew louder, and small pockets of commotion even began to break out.

Some spectators stood up in excitement, their gazes burning as they stared at Seraphina Sinclair’s determined back, as if they were looking at some priceless treasure.

"How could she... How does she dare speak to the Chairman like that?!"

"But she’s right! The Chairman really was... a bit out of line this time."

"What’s the point of the Coliseum’s rules then? If matches can be paused at will, what’s to stop anyone from just walking out in the future?"

"Shut up! Do you want the Chairman to settle the score with you?!"

On the high platform, the Chairman’s expression was as dark as a thundercloud.

Seraphina Sinclair’s words were like a series of loud slaps, not just to its face, but to the very "rules" upon which the entire Coliseum depended for its existence.

The oppressive aura radiating from it made even the spectators in the front rows feel like they were suffocating.

The Chairman watched that unhesitating back, a back that seemed to have already put life and death aside. It watched her unbending spine, and an exceedingly complex emotion churned in its cold chest.

It could indeed force her to stay, even kill her.

But doing so would mean the utter destruction of the Coliseum’s most fundamental "contractual" spirit, and its prestige would suffer a massive blow.

Besides, this human... was too special.

Her potential, her temperament—they all stirred a strong desire within it, a desire to collect and observe her.

This human, and the Species she represented, weren’t they "valued" so highly by "them" precisely because of this untamable spiritual power that could erupt even in the most desperate situations?

Forcing her to stay, or even killing her, would certainly vent its momentary anger, but it would be tantamount to killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

The Coliseum’s credibility would also be tarnished.

But letting her leave... while a blow to its pride, would preserve the public-facing rules of the Coliseum!

In a flash, numerous thoughts raced through its mind.

Just as Seraphina Sinclair’s hand was about to touch the iron door.

"Wait."

The Chairman’s voice rang out again. This time, it held less authority and more of an ineffable complexity.

Seraphina Sinclair stopped in her tracks but did not turn around.

"You... won."

The two words echoed clearly throughout the Coliseum.

Seraphina remained motionless, still not turning back, simply standing there quietly as if awaiting a final verdict.

The Chairman took a deep breath, even though it had no need to breathe.

It scanned the whispering audience, and wherever its gaze fell, the noise instantly vanished.

It had to salvage the situation—at least on the surface.

"The rules of the Coliseum are not to be questioned."

It began to speak slowly, its voice reaching every corner. "The environmental adjustment just now was within the permissible scope of the rules, intended to ensure the... sustainability of the challenge."

The explanation was weak, but it had to be said.

"However," its gaze fell on Seraphina Sinclair’s back, "your performance did indeed exceed expectations. The weak defeating the strong, using the environment to your advantage—this is the very spirit of the Coliseum."

It paused, seeming to make a difficult decision.

"I admit, your strategy and willpower in this challenge are worthy of victory."

A card shimmering with a Dark Gold luster materialized at its fingertips, emitting an alluring glow.

"This is the reward you deserve. I, in my capacity as the administrator of the Coliseum, promise that the result of this challenge is valid. The reward will be issued immediately, with no further... interference."

The card floated lightly toward Seraphina Sinclair, hovering behind her.

Seraphina Sinclair finally turned around slowly.

She didn’t immediately reach for the card. Instead, she first looked at the Chairman. The Chairman met her gaze without flinching.

After a few seconds, Seraphina Sinclair reached out and took the card.

It was cool to the touch, and a panel popped up:

[Congratulations on completing the E-level Black Mist Coliseum on the highest difficulty!]

[Your rewards have been sent to your mobile cabin!]

[Obtained: Skill Book - Basic Meditation Method (C-level) x1]

[Obtained: Black Fog Coin x5000]

[Obtained: Special Building Blueprint - Basic Training Room x1]

[Obtained: Free Attribute Points x5]

[Obtained: Title - Gladiator Nova (Dark Gold)]

A string of reward notifications flashed before Seraphina Sinclair’s eyes. The Skill Book and the special building blueprint, in particular, made her heart stir. ’It seems the Chairman spared no expense to save face,’ she thought.

She impassively committed all the reward information to memory, then raised her head to look at the Chairman on the high platform again.

"I hope you remember your promise the next time I see you."

She left this ambiguous remark, and without any further hesitation, chose the option to leave.

Light flared up once more, enveloping her figure.

In the last moment before she vanished completely, she thought she heard some voices from the audience, and felt the cold, profound gaze from the high platform that had been fixed on her all along.

"Regardless, that was a spectacular duel, wasn’t it?"

"AH!!! It’s over? Shit, I bet on the monster to win! My Black Fog Coins!"

"Huh? My Black Fog Coins!!!"

...

After the familiar feeling of weightlessness passed, Seraphina Sinclair found herself back in her mobile cabin.

The feeling of solid ground beneath her feet finally allowed her taut nerves to relax. A powerful wave of exhaustion washed over her, not just physical, but mental as well.