An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

"You... You used poison?" Number 24 clenched his teeth. His face burned with fury and disbelief.

He tried to push himself up, but he felt weak. Even wiggling his fingers felt like a Herculean task.

"In the battle ring, fair play reigns supreme," Number 95 said calmly. "Even resorting to tactics like poison or hidden weapons is deemed acceptable within the rules."

He added, "Moreover, I wasn't out for blood. I just want to incapacitate you momentarily. If my aim had been lethal, you'd be dead already."

"Why you—" Number 24 was left speechless. Although he was reluctant to admit defeat, he begrudgingly accepted it.

The rules didn't forbid the use of poison, and his opponent's frontal assault couldn't be deemed an ambush.

His failure to defend himself boiled down to his own lack of strength.

"This round winner is contestant number 95!" With Number 24 incapacitated, the referee swiftly announced the match's outcome.

Soon, the venue erupted in applause.

"Haha... We did it again! Another win in the bag!"

"One move, and it's game over. Contestant number 95 is awesome!"

"When it comes to being impressive, it's gotta be our lucky charm! He calls the shots, and bam, there's our winner. Truly amazing!"

Cheers and excitement filled the air at the betting table as everyone reveled in the moment.

Those who had placed their bets on contestant number 95 were celebrating. Initially, they doubted the man in gray. But now, they held him in absolute trust and admiration.

their lucky charm. They considered

We won again!" Ruby

is like finding a pot

stop betting," Crystal chimed in unexpectedly. She had a feeling that pushing their

we just ride the wave

on. Opportunities to earn celestial stones like this are once in a blue moon. We can't afford to let this

greedy. In games like these, regret usually

had already amassed a substantial stash of celestial stones. It would be enough for them to make a breakthrough from

say fortune favors the bold. With all these celestial

so much. Today's our lucky day. We will hit

it quits once I've bagged 300 celestial stones. I

way. Joy or regret, it's

after winning their bets. Trying to dissuade them now felt like a

She wondered if this was their

reasoned that stopping them from betting would cut off their potential earnings. Hence, she stopped persuading

minutes later, the fourth round

bets walked away with a haul of

a surge of interest that drew a crowd around the betting table. Spectators were eager to participate in the thrill and to

With many winners parading their success, these newcomers were eager

smile at the growing crowd of gamblers. Even though the second

confident that soon she would reclaim all the

the fifth round approached, the venue buzzed with

addition, the gamblers at the betting table

the man in gray. His three consecutive wins had elevated him to near-legendary status among

choice, they would follow without hesitation, even if it seemed like a risky