[Nightmare]

"That's right! You're looking at the thumb that threw a boulder that took General Tyrene's life!

She was immortalized after fighting a mythical battle worthy of a legend's death.

I don't know about you, but even after seeing this thing's head off, I'm still pissed off!

So who wants to cut this damn thing's thumb in half!" Helix roared.

The dark atmosphere was shattered by the bloodlust that oozed from Helix's body.

His pressure cut their minds like a hot blade.

There was something about his appearance that felt off.

It was vibrant in a way they couldn't understand.

It was both natural and unworldly, giving him the aura of a human demi-god.

His voice, appearance, and demeanor set their souls ablaze.

A single battle cry yelled out from the soldier's section.

Another followed it.

Soon the entire area exploded in battle cries, and the rest of the audience started cheering.

"Soldiers!" Helix yelled.

"It's your turn to take up the gauntlet and prove yourself worthy!"

Helix turned his full attention to their section of the crowd.

"Today, anyone with one year of military experience will have the chance to cut this thing with all their might!" He yelled.

"Take out your frustrations! Take out your pain! Take out your proud warrior spirit!"

The military section erupted in battle cries.

"But be warned!" Helix announced.

"This will be nothing short of a humbling experience!"

The crowd calmed down for a moment to listen to his words.

He circled the crowd with a mocking smile.

"This thing's only purpose in life was to give Tyrene the warrior's death she deserved." Helix chuckled.

Bewildered laughter spread through the crowd.

"However! Anything that can kill a legend is a god amongst monsters!" Helix warned with a mysterious smile.

He turned back to the soldiers to address them exclusively.

His gaze was piercing and fierce.

"So today, when you strike this thumb with all your might, scar the experience into your memory!" Helix roared.

"Let it be a constant reminder of the goal that you aim to achieve!

May you realize the full power of your Winter General for the first time!"

Excited cries and applause met his words.

"There's a friendly prize pool for anyone who believes they can cut this thing in half with a single strike!" Helix announced.

"The winner will get a minimum of a thousand gold coins.

They will also receive five gold coins for every failed attempt, so the pool will rise as time goes on.

It will doubtlessly double soon."

Excited whispers started rippling through the soldier's area.

"There are three things you should know.

First, I encourage you to wait to enter the betting pool until you've seen what type of creature was able to kill a legend." Helix chuckled.

"Second, it's a donated item and a fundraiser for the Alzerian Royal Army, and I receive no benefit from it.

On the contrary, I've pledged 1000 gold coins every time it's cut in half.

So the money benefits your military, and it's not wasted.

So please don't accuse me of swindling you later.

Lastly, this thing brought down your legendary general.

If you think you can casually walk up and fill her shoes…."

Helix circled the crowd with a mocking expression.

"You're out of your god damn mind!"

Laughter rang out in the stadium, and competitive faces heated up.

Many wore the [challenge accepted] mindset on their face.

"I can see that warrior pride on your faces!" Helix roared.

"That's good! That mindset drove Winter General Tyrene to become the legend she was!"

Battle cries rang out in the stadium.

"Just remember that you don't need to win money to prove yourself." Helix chuckled while flashing everyone a cheeky smile.

A pause.

A moment of stunned silence.

A laugh.

The colosseum exploded with laughter and cheers.

"Okay! Soldiers! Make your way down to the arena floor and line up at the chalk marks!" Helix announced.

"And do it orderly. You're soldiers, goddamn it!"

Helix laughed, and the soldiers joined him awkwardly.

Many were already pushing their way to the front.

However, their laughter increased when they saw his gentle gaze, and the group was more orderly coming down the stands.

"Vendors will pass out water and snacks as we begin!" Helix announced.

"They're free. You can also buy food and drinks as well.

It's not much, but we hope everyone can enjoy today without worrying about basic needs or hunger.

After all, this is a celebration!"

Cheers exploded in the citizen's stands and the soldier's areas.

The nobles snickered until they saw finer-quality refreshments offered to them.

International guests' eyes widened in surprise when they also saw the extra gifts.

Soon, no one was snickering at Helix's gestures of goodwill.

The soldiers lined up as vendors passed out the food and drinks to everyone.

"Soldiers! Before we get started, I need to point something out." Helix announced.

The soldiers lining up gave Helix their full attention.

He panned their faces with a serious expression.

"Below me is a Level 5 reinforcement circle to ensure this thumb doesn't rip out of the ground when a few hundred soldiers slash this thing." Helix chuckled.

Laughter burst forth in the stadium.

"This circle can withstand an earthquake.

With it here, you can go wild with your full strength without fearing backlash from shockwaves.

I know you are all ready to give it everything you have.

Am I right!?" Helix roared.

Battle cries rang out from the soldiers.

"I'm going to activate this circle now." Helix announced.

He put his hands on the ground, and the Level 5 reinforcement glowed with a golden light.

"There's two rules. First, no magic because there are thousands of people around." He said with a serious expression.

"As Master Tyrene would say, don't be an idiot just to show off.

Damn kids, always walking around doing things for petty glory!"

Laughter exploded among the soldiers.

Helix gave everyone a slight smile after he saw their knowing expressions.

"The second rule! Don't make excuses!" He announced with a booming voice.

"Master Tyrene would always say, [Are you going to make excuses to your enemy?

Now shut the hell up and swing that sword]!"

Roaring laughter rippled through the stadium.

The soldiers chuckled with bright smiles.

Everyone who met her in training had heard those words or a close variation.

"Luckily, everyone is on equal footing here!" Helix continued.

"The kingdom has graciously provided master quality swords made from Kalinzium Alloy!

It is the same quality of weapon used by royal guards!

Everyone will use one of these ten swords to cut the Colossus thumb.

That way, no one can blame their gear or others for their gear during their attacks!"

Cheers rang out amongst the soldiers.

Aside from the weapons Tyrene and other prominent figures used, no one had higher-quality swords.

"I'll demonstrate, so no one questions the sword or the magic circle." Helix said with a slight smile.

He picked up one of the swords and casually swung it at the thumb, leaving a visible scratch.

Helix pretended to put effort into the swing as well.

No one was impressed by the display whatsoever.

Many started snickering amongst themselves when they saw the display and couldn't wait to show the [apprentice] what real warriors were like.

However, Helix was chuckling inwardly.

He knew his casual display would cause an uproar soon enough.

If he gashed the thing, it would cause extreme resentment very quickly.

"As you can see, I swung the sword, and it cut the Colossus' thumb." Helix said with a slight smile.

"Grandmaster Tilo Salazar drew this magic circle, and the kingdom provided the swords.

Is everyone convinced that there isn't trickery here?

Because the no excuses policy starts once everyone agrees and picks up one of these swords!"

The soldiers looked at Helix in confusion.

They turned to one another and started shrugging.

Those that were snickering stopped to verify with others whether they missed anything.

"Is that a yes?" Helix asked with a slight smile.

"If so, I'll randomly pass the swords to the first ten participants.

So if you're ready, let me hear a battle cry!"

The soldiers looked at each other in confusion.

Then one battle cry rang out and triggered a wave of battle cries.

"You call [that] a battle cry?" Helix asked mockingly.

"I make my women moan louder than that!"

The soldiers burst into laughter.

He turned to the audience, specifically the nobles.

"That's something that Master Tyrene used to say.

So this is where you laugh." Helix announced with a charming smile.

Genuine laughter sprung forth, and the entire stadium erupted with laughter.

"Much better." Helix chuckled.

"Soldiers! Men! Women! Warriors of Alzeria!" Helix roared.

"You're staring down the monster that killed your legendary general.

Show me your anger!"

"YEAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

"Send a message to the Mad Queen.

Let her feel your bloodlust!"

"YEAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"

"Now, let's hear a battle cry for Grandmaster Winter General Dame Tyrene Masney!"

"YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"Much better! You! Warrior!" Helix called out to a man.

"Will you do the honor of striking the thumb of this Colossus for Alzeria!?"

Helix did not ask the man for his name because he didn't want to embarrass him.

"Yes! I will strike it with Alzerian pride." The man replied with a firm tone.

"Good! Here is your sword, soldier!" Helix responded while throwing the sword at the man.

The man caught the sword and looked at it.

He had never held such a majesty blade, which filled his heart with pride.

"Give it a shot! Remember! When you strike, you're facing down a beast that Tyrene fought and killed alongside her apprentices!" Helix announced.

"Now go forth!"

—

Power stones and grammatical errors = more content. :)