Chapter 63: Duel Begins
The time for the duel had finally come. Lucas had personally invited every single member of the Lee Family just to watch Terrence suffer—officially and publicly.
Although Terrence didn’t take the duel that seriously, he knew it was about time to act. He had to move things to their proper places according to the plan.
Without much preparation, he simply reviewed the standard rules of the duel displayed before him.
"One, participants are only allowed to use their beasts. No Skill Shares are allowed inside the arena."
"Two, no one is allowed to escape the virtual battlefield until one surrenders, loses consciousness, or the official time allocation ends."
"Three, participants are strictly forbidden from bringing any amplifying items, elixirs, or any item used to gain an artificial advantage."
"Fourth and final, only the strongest beast tamer wins. The loser must pay the entire rental fee for the arena."
Terrence scoffed softly after reading the holographic display inside his preparation room. Each of the duelists had their own private space allocated for final preparations.
Siphoning the purified air provided inside the room, Terrence looked around the decently lit, spacious area filled with plenty of comfortable couches and entertainment setups. On one side stood a mini-arcade flashing different vibrant colors and playful visuals. On the other side was a sleek mini-bar with a robotic AI bartender standing patiently behind the counter.
Terrence stood up from his soft bed and strode straight toward the mini-bar.
"One Harsh Aroma," Terrence requested, staring directly at the metallic face of the robot.
"One Harsh Aroma... coming right up."
The robot moved around the counter with its small wheeled legs. It stood at average human height, its mechanical movements creating distinct gear scrapes with every motion.
"Harsh Aroma, ready."
Terrence grabbed the shot glass and gulped down the liquid in one swift go. The green liquid carried a harsh scent of alcohol that instantly heated his throat, followed by a deeply bitter aftertaste.
"What the hell!"
He almost spit it out on the spot. It was his very first time drinking an alcoholic beverage.
"Why would anyone drink this stuff willingly? This tastes like absolute shit."
Grimacing in total disgust, Terrence had only ordered the specific drink because his father used to drink it constantly after his mother died in a tragic accident. Ever since then, Terrence had always wondered how that bitter liquid helped his father get back on his feet.
"Seems like he just wanted to remind himself that life is really bitter."
Making near-vomiting gags, he walked out of his preparation room, shaking his head every few seconds. He deeply regretted taking that single drink. It wasn’t sweet at all like he had naively expected.
"Mister Terrence, the virtual battlefield is fully prepared," an attendant greeted him with a polite bow, wearing a formal tuxedo and looking at least manager-level.
Terrence’s sharp eyes inspected the man from head to foot before giving a simple nod.
"Good."
"Shall we discuss the payment conditions while I guide you toward your designated entrance?" the attendant asked in an innocent tone, but the words made Terrence raise a sharp brow.
’Seriously... zero respect at all. They already assumed that I am going to be the loser here. Well, it’s not like I don’t have the money, but hell no am I losing this.’
Clenching his fist tightly, Terrence didn’t reply immediately. He simply stared down the attendant with a cold glare, causing the man to realize his mistake as his eyes widened in sudden panic.
The attendant quickly lowered his head even further. "I sincerely apologize for my improper words, Mister Terrence. Please forgive me."
Terrence scoffed dismissively. "Forget it."
A moment later, the arena entrance stood directly before him. Positioned at the side of the heavy door was a large television screen displaying the internal state of the battlefield. It was split into two sections: one showing the live visuals from inside, while the other displayed a detailed tactical map.
The advanced arena possessed the capability to generate massive visual battlefields. It could physically materialize terrain to replicate environmental biomes found in dungeon rifts by using a specialized material that easily altered its density and color pigments on command, even while lacking the true organic traits of what it replicated.
"A replicated jungle biome... a swamp, a central clearing, a ruined modern settlement, and an old bricked castle."
Terrence thoroughly inspected the map displayed on the monitor before stepping through the threshold. The moment he crossed the door, he felt a sudden disorienting sensation—like being pulled rapidly inside, similar to the weightless falling feeling of entering dungeon rifts.
It lasted for only about five seconds before he was standing firmly inside the materialized battlefield.
He didn’t feel the authentic, chilly humidity of a real jungle biome, but the venue had done its absolute best to replicate the physical sensation. Noting every impressive similarity to the environment it replicated, Terrence gave subtle nods of approval.
Suddenly, the loud, piercing ring of an alarm echoed violently across the massive battlefield, forcing him to cover his ears for a few seconds.
"The public duel officially begins! Surrenders are permitted at any time. Good luck to both duelists!" a loud mechanical voice announced overhead before the system went quiet.
Just as the announcement faded into the ambient noise of the fake jungle, a sudden, explosive surge of raw energy erupted from the far side of the battlefield, rushing rapidly straight toward Terrence’s exact location.
It was Lucas, riding aggressively atop his massive Golden-Striped Black Tiger.
"Terrence! You are mine now!"
Lucas’s roar was filled with rage, but as Terrence met his gaze, he could only see the little brother he used to know.
Although they were the exact same age—separated by barely a year—Lucas had once looked up to him. But with how things had turned out, those memories belonged strictly to the past—a reality that could never be restored.
Terrence let out a heavy sigh and planted his feet.
The Golden-Striped Black Tiger lunged toward him, its razor-sharp golden claws tearing through the air. At the absolute last second, Terrence summoned his Shadow Hound to intercept the strike head-on.
The collision was a dead draw. Despite how small Terrence’s beast was compared to the tiger, the force behind the clash forced Lucas’s tamed monster to stagger back.
"You really do have a tame beast...