The Extra is a Genius!?
Chapter 233 - 234: The Blood Pit
CHAPTER 233: CHAPTER 234: THE BLOOD PIT
The arena was a hollow ring of stone and heat, lit by torches and lined with velvet-draped balconies. Blood stained the sand in several places—some of it still fresh from the last fight.
As Noel stepped into view, descending the narrow stairs in his dark green uniform and his green mask, the murmurs began.
"Is that the next one? Isn’t he very skinny??"
"He doesn’t look like someone who knows how to fight, he seems softer than the last one."
"Anonymous? Who does he think he is, a superstar? Show your face so you can see it, cheap kid."
Dozens of masked guests leaned forward, drinks in hand, whispering behind fans or gesturing toward the pit. Above them, the mana-lamps dimmed slightly—focusing attention on the two figures below.
Bone Crusher was already waiting.
The dwarf stood motionless near the center of the arena, arms crossed, body massive and still slick with dried blood from his previous opponent. His knuckles were bruised, his forehead crusted red, and his bare chest rose and fell with slow, steady breaths.
The elven announcer stepped into a podium on the far side of the arena. Her voice echoed cleanly through the chamber.
"Tonight, by special request—an unregistered contender steps into the pit. Name: Anonymous."
The crowd stirred again, hungry for blood.
"And once again, his opponent: the undefeated, the crowd’s favorite... Bone Crusher."
A roar erupted from the balconies.
Bone Crusher raised one fist, slow and deliberate. A few gold coins rained down from above.
Noel said nothing.
When the bell rang, he didn’t charge—he ran. Full speed around the perimeter of the arena, boots sliding slightly over the sand.
Gasps and laughter filled the room.
"Is he running away?"
"What is this?"
Bone Crusher turned, surprised, then growled and charged straight at him, like a raging bull.
Noel veered aside at the last moment.
Crash.
The giant dwarf slammed into the curved stone wall with a thunderous impact. Bits of dust rained down from the ceiling.
The crowd howled with excitement.
Noel kept running.
’He is big, muscular, very strong but he has no brain, he is a headless chicken.’
Bone Crusher roared again, shaking off the hit, and turned to pursue.
’He reminds me of Garron... Except Garron knows when to think.’
Bone Crusher thundered forward again, massive boots stomping across the sand as he chased Noel in a wide arc. His breath was already heavy—each exhale loud enough to hear even from the balconies.
Noel stayed light on his feet, ducking low under a swinging arm the size of a battering ram. The crowd roared as Bone Crusher’s fist tore through the air and missed by inches.
Another charge. Another dodge.
And then, impact.
Bone Crusher slammed into the stone wall for a second time, dust and chips exploding outward. This time, a small trickle of blood ran down his forehead.
He didn’t seem to notice.
Up above, spectators leaned in, murmurs rising again.
"He’s toying with him."
"No, he’s baiting him... look at the angle of his runs."
Noel circled back into view, breathing steady. His boots barely left tracks in the sand.
’His range is brutal, but only in front. Every charge costs him more than me.’
Bone Crusher turned, snarling. His teeth were stained red.
He lunged again, fists flying.
Noel slid under the first swing, but the second clipped him on the shoulder—hard enough to send him tumbling backward through the sand.
A wave of cheers erupted.
"Finally got him!"
"Crush him!"
Bone Crusher didn’t wait. He charged with a roar, raising both hands to slam down with full weight.
Noel rolled aside at the last possible second, sand blasting up as the ground cratered beneath the giant’s blow.
Still on the ground, Noel snapped a kick upward—right into Bone Crusher’s ankle.
The giant’s balance faltered. He stumbled forward, just enough to fall to one knee for the first time.
Gasps echoed above.
Noel pulled himself to his feet, chest rising and falling, a faint smear of blood across his ribs.
The crowd had gone from amused... to focused.
Noel exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulder as he stood. The strike had left a dull throb beneath his collarbone, but nothing serious.
Bone Crusher was on one knee, snarling through bloodied teeth, trying to shake the pain out of his leg. His forehead now dripped crimson freely—thick, slow trails running down the side of his face.
’He’s slower now. Breathing harder. Bleeding more.’
The massive dwarf pushed himself back to his feet with a grunt, fists raised. He charged again, less coordinated, swinging wildly.
Noel didn’t back away this time.
He stepped forward.
Two quick punches—one to the ribs, the other just beneath the jaw. Then he ducked and drove his elbow into the back of Bone Crusher’s knee.
The giant stumbled.
Noel spun to the side and landed another sharp strike to the temple. Bone Crusher howled and tried to grab him, but Noel slipped just out of reach.
The crowd was no longer cheering—they were watching.
Each move now had weight. Strategy. Rhythm.
’His form’s collapsing. Every miss costs him. He can’t reset quickly enough.’
Bone Crusher, furious, swung again—one final, desperate haymaker meant to crush bone.
Noel stepped inside the arc.
His shoulder collided with the dwarf’s torso—just enough to spin around him and leap onto his back in one fluid motion.
The entire crowd gasped as Noel wrapped his arm around the giant’s throat, locking in a tight rear choke. His legs clamped down around Bone Crusher’s torso like iron bars.
The dwarf roared and staggered backward, trying to throw him off, but Noel held firm.
He adjusted the pressure and leaned in, whispering low into his ear:
"This is what a real fight feels like."
Bone Crusher fell to one knee again.
The crowd rose to their feet.
Noel’s grip only tightened.
Bone Crusher thrashed wildly, trying to throw Noel off—but the strength was leaving his arms, the blood loss finally catching up. His hands clawed at Noel’s arm, but the choke was locked in tight, cutting off air and flow. His massive frame trembled.
Noel’s breath was steady now, calm even as his body strained.
He leaned in just slightly, voice low but clear:
"This is for the kid you crushed before me."
A second later, Bone Crusher’s arms went slack.
His body collapsed forward with a heavy thud, dragging Noel down with him into the dust and blood.
Noel loosened the hold and stood slowly. His green uniform was stained at the chest and knees, his hair damp with sweat, but he didn’t stumble. He didn’t smile.
Up above, the crowd was silent.
Then, a single clap.
Then another.
And then the arena erupted—a thunder of cheers, whistles, coins tossed into the pit. The gamblers who had bet against Bone Crusher screamed in disbelief. The ones who backed the underdog laughed in triumph.
From the announcer’s platform, the elven woman raised her hand, voice once again projected across the chamber:
"Victory... goes to Anonymous!"
Noel raised a hand slightly in acknowledgment, but his eyes weren’t on the crowd.
He was looking at the private balcony—where Torwan watched him, arms folded, lips curled into the faintest of smiles.
’I proved myself. Now give me the key to your world.’