“I see.” Lrax Helas exclaimed, minutes after understanding who Tyr and his hunter group exactly were.

Tyr decided to not pay attention to the various looks he and his team were getting from the other Zasean guards.

Most of them were sizing him up as if he wasn’t worthy.

Reana had described him and his group to be a powerful Hunter group who wanted to eradicate the Black Merchant Guild.

So, naturally, all the men were skeptical. Despite this, Tyr kept his composure.

In Zasean mother tongue, Tyr finally spoke his first word to the lrax: “Lrax Helas, I wish you trust me. We can work together with the men you have. I have no problem in helping you if you can help us.”

Helas flared his nostrils and snarled slightly, staring at Tyr with the side of his top lip raised.

Tyr felt a slight hint of killing intent at that moment. He wanted to react but clenched his jaw and remained stoic.

Meanwhile, Reana was translating for Hanzo and the others the conversation that was going on.

Everyone else remained silent.

“Where did you learn to speak Zasean, boy?” Helas’ rough voice exclaimed as he stood.

“I learned it in this very continent,” Tyr replied.

Helas walked toward Tyr until he was uncomfortably close. He then leaned into the young man’s ear and said: “You got jokes ey? Follow me… I’ll test if you have strength as well.”

Tyr felt a horrible amount of killing intent spew from the lrax’s lips.

‘There is no mistaking it… he wants me fucking dead.’ He thought to himself, ‘This was unexpected.’ He didn’t think the man would act so rough.

The lrax stomped out of the marquee through a back exit, and into a small ground that was circular and seemingly trodden for a long time.

Tyr followed him there.

The guards, Reana, Hanzo, and others also followed along.

Soon, guards from all around the base gathered together around the circular arena outlined by a thick rope.

Tyr’s eyes squinted, looking around as he saw guards gather around and form a crowd of hundreds.

“Let’s see what the gentle flesh can do!”

Many began to shout with excitement.

“He’s a warm skin? He looks like a Zasean native to me…”

“His looks don’t determine what’s inside. He’s a warm flesh through and throughout… he will get crushed.”

They continued, some laughing and joking, while others were dead serious.

Hanzo and the others stood back, getting the important bits translated to them by Reana.

“Boy, you lead your group, am I right?” Helas said in a loud tone so that everyone could hear.

Tyr paused, looking around for a moment as he sensed the anticipation in the crowd.

“Yes, I do.” He replied.

Reana translated this to Noa and the others, and their expressions did not change even a bit. They simply nodded on hearing it.

“Then, you shall prove your group’s worth by defeating a Zasean warrior in combat. Have you any qualms? Inquiries?”

Tyr replied without delay: “Yes.”

“State them then!”

“The rules. How far am I allowed to go? To the death?”

As he said this, a resounding *Oooo* sounded from the crowd. Many laughed, making dramatic noises, while others furrowed their brows, angry at the audacity of the boy.

“He thinks he’s tough ey?”

“He will learn what’s tough today…”

“Send me in, I could fold him like a towel.”

Helas scoffed slightly, “The opponent must give up, but you may not kill, nor permanently injure.”

Tyr nodded slightly on hearing this. He was calm, ‘All I have to do is prove to them I am worthy of standing beside their ranks. That should be easy enough…’

He looked down at his right hand before squeezing it into a fist, ‘This could be a good opportunity to test out Ancestral Presence on humans… I’ve only done it with animals so far.’

“So, who will I be fighting?” Tyr loudly said, getting a few annoyed reactions from the crowd.

Helas’ eyes scanned through the crowd like a hawk. Many warriors smiled brightly, itching to get their hands on the boy.

However, his eyes landed on a much larger Zasean warrior who was looking to the side. He seemingly wasn’t interested, nor did he think he was going to get chosen anyway.

“You, Ha.” Helas said, pointing out the big guy.

Ha looked at his lrax with furrowed eyebrows of confusion, “A-are you sure, my lrax? The boy is only a soft flesh…” His deep voice quickly responded.

Helas’ decision seemed to spur some controversy, as the crowd of Zasean warriors was quite amused by his pick.

“Seriously? Our strongest warrior against a damn Southerner?”

“Pahah! It looks like he has done something to piss lrax Helas off.”

“Rest in peace… jeez.”

On the other hand, Hanzo, Malon, and Noa smiled.

“This is going to be satisfying from the looks of it,” Hanzo said in a low tone.

“Mmhm.” Malon nodded.

“You bet.” Noa chuckled.

Reana raised a brow, not convinced, ‘Jeez… are they that delusional?’ She thought, turning to look at Tyr.

She saw his expression, and her eyes widened slightly with surprise.

He was staring at Ha with a large grin on his face, and his eyes glowing with excitement.

“Come, Ha! Let us fight like men!” He said with with a loud, confident tone.

‘Or…’ Reana mused, ‘Is he actually as strong as they think?’ She couldn’t help but think this as she saw his expression.

Ha sighed, “Fine… but don’t expect me to go easy on you. I am no warm skin. I know no mercy… those who wish to fight me, get to fight all of me, not just a teaser.”

The big Zasean native stepped forward as the crowd cheered him on.

He towered over Tyr, clearly over 7’1. feet in size.

He wasn’t ripped, but bulky. Weighing most likely over 500 pounds with ease. Despite this, he had an athletic physique with bulging muscles. His stomach was protruding out slightly, but he still had large abs–showing the thick nature of his muscles.

He was naturally terrifying as an opponent, but Tyr only grinned on seeing him.

‘Maybe I would have had a bit of fear before Tarnish… but after fighting those disgusting freaks for so long, not many things scare me anymore.’ Tyr thought to himself, cracking his neck using his right arm.

“Begin.” Helas calmly said.

“Pray to whatever God you follow now before its too late. You will get hurt…” Ha said, cracking his knuckles.

“I pray to no one, big boy. Bring it on.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep