CHAPTER 117: I’M A HEALER, PLEASE TAKE IT EASY ON ME

"Now you have made your decisions, let the competition begin,’’ Grace announced, grateful there were still people brave enough to go. Even though she didn’t want her children to be among those brave few, she had to let them go.

Dean took control of the competition, and the crowd was asked to write their names on a small animal hide, which was rolled up and placed into a basket.

Eva and the others were the last to write down their names. They watched Dean shuffle the names, careful not to open the hide.

"Come forward and pick a name—whoever you select becomes your opponent. It’s not a fight to the death, don’t kill your opponents," Dean explained the rules to them, so they frowned, hoping they wouldn’t pick a strong opponent or be chosen by the latter.

"Start!’’

But no one moved; no one wanted to be the first, fearing their luck might turn bad and they would pick someone stronger than themselves. Whispers drifted through the crowd as one of the hidden family’s youngsters stepped forward—confident in his strength to win.

The crowd grew silent as the man confidently approached the basket and picked up a rolled-up hide without hesitation. A flicker of nervousness and fear crossed some people’s faces, and they silently prayed, hoping not to be chosen.

"If your names are called, come out and state both your powers!" Dean’s voice echoed through the crowd, and the others who had left the competition watched in excitement — it wasn’t every day that dungeon explorers fought among themselves so openly.

"Wouldn’t we have to fight twice? That’s so unfair," Eva muttered with an unwilling expression as she watched the man roll open the animal hide.

"It’s no big deal, just need to conserve your energy during the first round. At least, the next opponent who calls out your name will either be fooled or cautious when facing you," Alex explained with a harmless smile, appearing like a scholarly young master who would never raise a hand to someone.

Eva pitied her cousin, certain he was about to get his ass kicked in front of everyone. But after watching him fight, she swallowed her words.

"Sierra!" The man’s voice cut through the crowd, and Sierra drew in a sharp breath, her heart lodging in her throat.

But otherworldly, she was a picture of delicate beauty and calmness as Derrick and the other party members looked at her in worry.

Olivia pressed a hand to her mouth, a snort slipping through as she fought to contain her laughter. Sierra’s luck was worse than she’d ever imagined.

Sierra took a deep breath and entered the wide clearing where the man was standing.

"I’m a healer, please take it easy on me," Sierra said with a gentle smile as she looked at the man in front of her.

"I’m Ryan, a power types user." The man introduced himself blandly, disappointed to face such a weak opponent.

The crowd eyed the mismatched pair. Some pitied Sierra, while others secretly wished they’d stepped up first to claim her as their opponent.

"I wish I had gone first."

"Do you think they would continue this competition? It’s unfair to the healer.’’

They might. Didn’t you see that man saying something to Madam Grace? I have a feeling about this match.

The crowd murmured amongst themselves as Sierra’s hand shook with fear. She glanced toward Madam Grace, wishing they would call off the match.

"Madam, should we still let them fight? The girl’s power is an auxiliary type; it would be useful in other ways besides combat." The middle-aged trio and Randall listened to Dean’s words.

"They should fight, even if she’s a healer; she knows basic self-defense. The surface is dangerous enough; she can’t become a liability to the team," Grace stated firmly, and the other thought for a second and nodded in agreement.

"Start!" Dean yelled to begin the match.

Sierra froze, shocked that she was still fighting; that lapse at that moment allowed Ryan to land a hit squarely on her face.

A sickening crunch burst from her nose as if it had been crushed flat. She staggered back from the blow, tumbling across the ground in a humiliating sprawl. And when she blacked out, it wasn’t from the pain—but from the shame of having her image shattered before so many eyes.

The crowd was stunned, not expecting Sierra to be so weak, even to dodge an incoming blow.

Even Selina, who was weak, knew she couldn’t be this pathetic.

"Next!" Dean didn’t spare the unconscious Sierra a glance and called for the next fight.

Derrick was the one who took Sierra away, his face flushing slightly with embarrassment, while Olivia laughed so hard she started to tear up.

"Shut it. Laughing at someone already down is too cruel. Have some sympathy, you heartless woman." Derrick snapped from the side, his eyes burning with disgust and anger.

Olivia waved a hand in mock apology, but the laughter wouldn’t stop. His glare meant nothing—if anything, it reminded her how fortunate she was to have tossed away such a brainless man ages ago.

Ryan was still in shock; he had expected her to dodge and not stand there and take a hit from him.

He shook his head and walked over to his friends to watch the next battle and get ready for his next opponent.

Another person stepped forward, chose a name, and read it aloud, sparking another round of fighting.

The battle itself was lackluster, yet the crowd remained glued to the arena, each holding back their strength for the final clash. Those already defeated staked everything on the next match, hoping to win.

"I’ll be going. Wish me luck, sister." Alex’s voice was soft as he bent to meet Eva’s eyes, silver hair gleaming faintly beneath the crystal lights.

Eva’s gaze lingered on his drop-dead gorgeous face, and she frowned at the thought of it covered in bruises. A grimace tugged at her lips as her heart softened. "If your opponent is strong... umm, just—" The words died in her throat when she met his steady grey eyes. She couldn’t bring herself to say give up—not when it would crush his pride.

Instead, she leaned closer and murmured, "Then remember their faces. After the competition, we’ll throw a sack over their heads and beat them until you’re satisfied."

"He’s not—" Aaron was cut off before he could finish.

"Hmm, I will, thank you, little sister," Alex responded softly with a gentle smile. Eva almost had a nosebleed, her heart pounding as his smile lit up his face, making him look like a silver-haired angel descending into the mortal realm.

’Damn, now I see where my beauty comes from — it runs in our family genes.’

Ethan turned her head away from Alex and fixed her gaze on the fight ahead. Julian and the rest of her cousins could practically smell the green tea rolling off him. Cunning, two-faced bastard! The thought echoed through their minds as they watched Alex stride forward with calculated ease.

Aaron sighed helplessly, wondering how Eva could be fooled so easily. How could Alex, a late dungeon conqueror, be weak? His face must have misled Eva.

The fight was winding down as Alex reached the clearing, and without delay, he grabbed a rolled-up animal hide from the basket.

"Ren,’’ Alex called out, and a tall, muscular man stepped forward. Eva watched nervously, worried for her cousin, hoping his opponent wouldn’t hurt him too badly.

"I’m a firepower user." The man introduced himself.

"Speed user," Alex replied, his expression still calm as usual.

The crowd perked up, remembering that Alex was one of the people who had come out of the warp gate, and they sensed there was more to him than met the eye, while others hoped to see a noble like him embarrass himself.