"BOOM—!!!"
A dull drumbeat echoed, one that felt heavy enough to shatter a heart.
The second round of the Struggle of the Trapped Beast—the Gauntlet of Death—had officially begun.
As the host nation, the White Eagle Empire enjoyed a few small privileges. As such, they were moved from the first match slot to the last.
And the match originally scheduled for last, the Great Xia Federation versus Sakura Country, was moved up to be the very first!
It didn't matter, though.
The members of the Great Xia Team were already itching for a fight!
They wouldn't wait a single second longer to take on Sakura Country.
This arrangement was perfect!
...
"Will the first combatant from each team please enter the arena!"
The referee's cold voice announced.
As the teams entered from opposite sides... the translucent Energy Shield at the edge of the Beast Fighting Arena rose once more, sealing shut overhead.
This was not just an arena, but a cage.
