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.

to their lucky charm. They considered

won again!" Ruby

with that guy is like finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow!" Miles grinned

we've made enough for now. It's time to stop betting," Crystal chimed in unexpectedly. She had a feeling

Crystal. We're just getting started here. With our lucky charm on our side, we just ride the wave and rake in the winnings!" Miles

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

too greedy. In games like these, regret usually sets in when

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

With all these celestial stones laid out before us, turning

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

quits once I've bagged 300 celestial stones. I

If you insist, I won't stand in your way. Joy or regret,

Ruby and Miles were completely hooked after winning their bets. Trying to dissuade them now felt like a

her. She wondered if this was their lucky

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

the fourth round

away with a haul of

that drew a crowd around the betting table. Spectators were eager to participate

many winners parading

couldn't help but smile at the growing crowd of gamblers. Even though the second crate of celestial stones

confident that soon she

the fifth round approached, the venue buzzed with renewed

the gamblers at the betting

to the man in gray. His

of his choice, they would follow without hesitation, even