Steven, alongside the group of six fellow prisoners stood firm with their weapons in hand. As they watched the heinous figure of the incredible beast tower high above them. The monster roared continuously, stretching out its elongated neck and snapping its jagged teeth together as though trying to intimidate them into submission.

The crowd in response to this simply was to break into more cheering. Many spectators rising to their feet, clapping and shouting in delight at the splendid entertainment that was about to blossom before their eyes.

Steven swallowed hard.

This was a Shadow Eater and not just any kind. It was one bearing the rank of Dreadling; a monster that could prove overwhelming even for trained Marked, let alone a group of skinny, malnourished inmates barely standing on their feet.

Steven stiffened at this fact, his eyes darting around the group beside him. There were a few of the inmates visibly terrified, taking hesitant involuntary steps backward, as their grips on their weapons loosened in terror. Others, however, remained steady, their stances low and firm, as though bracing themselves for the beast’s inevitable first attack.

He didn’t blame any of them.

The strongest rank of Shadow Eater that a mere Marked could barely handle alone, was a Spawn. To face a Dreadling, which stood an entire rank above that, was near suicide. Beyond rank alone, a Dreadling’s physical prowess, speed, and raw brutality far surpassed that of a Spawn.

And looking around Steven was unsure if there was any other marked aside from him. This caused his face to tense up even further. As he summoned the system once again.

{Name: Steven... No surname}

{Race: Marked}

{System: Limitless Undead system}

{Talent: Gain x5 upgrade from every undead slain. Copy skills from the Dead and make it yours.}

{Physique: 5/20}

{Mana: 10/10}

{Skills copied: None}

Sponsored:

*Dimension shop

*Astral chat

Hopefully, his physique point being at 5 would mean he was stronger than he looked. Steven hoped.

As he continued to stand tense, his eyes never once leaving the Dreadling that paced slowly around the stadium snarling and growling as though deliberately riling up the crowd. A voice suddenly called out from behind him.

"You are a Marked too, right?"

Steven turned slowly, surprise clearly written on his face. Hearing those words here, in the middle of the arena, was the last thing he had expected.

Before him was a man his age, clad in much suitable armour than the one he wore, having a long sword strapped to his waist, blonde hair and a beautiful face that appeared unaffected by the current conditions that had affected Steven in the colloseum.

Steven did not reply the man at first narrowing his eyes and sizing him up.

"Are you?" the man asked again, confusion laced in his voice.

"I am," Steven blankly replied.

At that, the man’s lips curled upward in appreciation. "Wow. It was hard to tell. You look just like the slaves from the Colosseum depths. If not for the realm’s default system, I wouldn’t have known."

Steven frowned, how comforting. While he appeared in this world hanged in the air and in the body of a frail scrawny man that looked almost dead, this other marked was a dashing young and handsome man. What sour luck. ’Damn you foolish Realm!’

"So what’s your deal?" Steven asked, his gaze shifting back to the prowling Shadow Eater. Strangely enough, the beast had chosen to continue entertaining the crowd rather than attacking, which only deepened his unease.

As though reading his thoughts, the man answered, "The eater is controlled by Mr. Fat over there." He tilted his head toward the Sea Deity lounging upon its throne, waving its hands theatrically like a ringmaster at a circus.

"And the fight usually doesn’t start until a bell sounds," the man continued. "So we’ve got limited time for a quick chat."

Steven barely acknowledged him, his attention still glued to the monster.

Seeing this, the blonde Marked pressed on. "We both know that’s a Dreadling. Alone, we won’t last against it." He then gestured to his side, where two girls stood a few meters away. "They’re Marked too. I’ve teamed up with them. Together, we can win this."

Steven turned to study them One of the girls holding a long metal staff, a dark cloak resting against her back, with a dagger secured at her waist. She carried herself calmly, eyes sharp and clearly the mage type. The other had a pair of katanas strapped across her back and wore light armor similar to Steven’s, though hers was more reinforced; just enough to better protect her vital areas.

’More Marked,’ he thought.

Originally, he had believed he was the only one trapped in the Colosseum. Though also knew that Marked were usually met themselves in the same trials. Still their situation of this party and Steven differed, the blonde fatso as his companions were only struggling to appeal for a sponsor to take interest in them. While Steven fought to amuse a single sponsor.

Still this advantage was something he could not pass up on. Alone he was useless, especially as his abilities could not be used unless he killed someone or something. Right now he was no different from the other Slaves in the Colosseum, just a bag of flesh to tear apart.

Steven took his time to think and after careful consideration nodded in acceptance. ’Just for now, I’ll play along.’

With that Steven and the blonde man went to join the group of other Marked, but as they reached the two girls, a loud ringing noise shook the entire arena deep and mettalic.

A loud sound that could only mean one thing...

Prowl! Prowl!

A thunderous roar erupted from the Shadow Eater’s maw, far louder than before. Its eyes locked onto the group of humans, overflowing with immeasurable bloodlust. Then Without hesitation, the beast lunged forward, claws digging into the ground as it charged with ravenous intent.

The battle... Had begun.