Volume 2 Chapter 9
That was an interesting little experiment.
It’s just like in the manga: the ability to control humans with low magic levels using just my eyes.
《Vampire’s Gaze》
It’s probably the fastest way to hunt for fresh blood. I’m a bit late in figuring out how to use these abilities.
The drawback is also obvious: it takes a bit of time.
It took nearly ten seconds from making eye contact to gaining control. During that time, I had to continuously channel mana into my eyes without losing focus. I’m not sure why I lost control in the end, but I probably injected too much mana, causing him to go berserk. Still, knowing his loyalty wouldn’t waver was an unexpected bonus. In the future, I’m sure I can perfect the technique by adjusting the amount of mana.
I’m used to grand, sweeping gestures, but I’m not very good with the finer details. It looks like I still have a lot to practice.
This wasn’t just a random experiment based on a hunch. When I made eye contact with him, a desire to make him submit began to stir within me. It seems the Demon King’s body truly craves to rule over all and make humanity bow before it.
“Oho!! The battle is so intense! We’re about to find out which four teams will advance!!! All you spectators who placed bets, pay close attention!!” the announcer bellowed, his tone practically begging for more chaos.
“Come on, kill ’em!!”
“I bet 10,000 gold on you, the Cassin Trio!! Damn it, get out there and crush the ones who are still standing!!”
“Stop yelling, old man. Their bodies are already cold.”
“What did you say? Cold? Aaaahhh!! My money! My money!!!”
“Sigh, built like a bull but died like a dog. Tsk, tsk, tsk. How boring.”
“I’m outta here. I’m out.”
“Hey, that ‘Sister Flower’ pair is still alive! The white-haired one and the silver-haired one! What happened to you paying for the pretty girl and the loli’s funeral?”
“I knew I should’ve bet more! I regret this so much!!”
There were more than a few people pounding their chests and stamping their feet. One even started wailing and throwing his stinky shoes before being dragged out of the stands by the guards.
The leader of Bandage Man’s team, Six-Pack Abs, cut down his final opponent and survived. Covered in blood and having lost all his comrades, he bared his yellowed, steel-like teeth, his face a mask of killing intent as he let out a long howl at the sky.
With the sound of a gong, the bloody match finally came to a close.
“The match is over!!! The surviving teams are the ‘Sister Flowers’ team, the ‘Steel Teeth’ team, the ‘Hook Nose’ team, and the ‘Baldy’ team! With team sizes of two, one, three, and five, respectively!!”
Are these nicknames completely random? This is way too lazy!
The cheers of the spectators who had won their bets drowned out everything else. The slaves were nothing more than tools for them to make money. They weren’t celebrating the slaves’ victory, but the flood of gold coins into their own pockets.
Guards flooded into the arena to clear away the scattered corpses.
“Hey, you lot! What are you dawdling for? Drop your weapons now, or we’ll execute you on the spot!”
The guards ordered the slaves around with contempt, striking arrogant poses. Their confidence stemmed not only from their superior numbers but also from their belief that they were stronger than any slave.
If we took down the guards, a gap might appear in the crystal shield, and we could probably escape.
But we had already made it to the finals. There was no need to throw away the hope of regaining our status as ‘people’ for a moment of rashness. The slaves all chose to obediently drop their cold, blood-stained weapons.
A few of the injured slaves from the ‘Baldy’ team limped toward the open cell door, and the rest followed.
