Chapter 19: With a Face That Pretty, One Punch Could Make Him Cry for a Long Time

Every era had its own defining theme. In the age of riddles, before the deities cast their radiance upon the world, that theme was violence, plunder, and destruction. All living things fought for resources, gambling their lives just to survive and reproduce.

Iger believed that in the current age, the theme had shifted to domination. Domination of individuals, of organizations, of culture, and even of thought itself...

Large-scale wars were now almost impossible. No nation expanded its borders anymore. Instead, everyone competed over the limited resources already in existence. Social classes had solidified, systems had become absolute, and a more advanced form of exploitation had replaced open plunder. Every action had to follow rules established a thousand years ago.

Crude brutality no longer suited the times. Only the romantic domination of the mind allowed one to navigate this world freely. When it came to domination, Mind Manipulation sorcerers were undoubtedly the best choice.[1]

Iger was only a Two‑Winged Mind Manipulation sorcerer, but in a blood‑soaked world where one's social class was fixed at birth, and most would never even come in contact with the Virtual World, he was already a beast at the top of the food chain.

The Blood Saints and Moonshadow Clans monopolized the most dangerous and advanced knowledge. Ordinary sorcerers had never even heard of mind manipulation, much less learned how to defend against it.

Even the knowledge Iger possessed had come from the awakening of the Veela bloodline within him. Through resonance with the Virtual World, he had discovered two key spirits, Resonance and Fulfillment, and thus embarked on the true path of a Mind Manipulation sorcerer.

Having once worked as a contract sorcerer in the insurance industry, he also possessed the basic spirit Contract. By combining it with the two spirits he had uncovered through the Virtual World, he created a Miracle tailored for intelligent beings, the Follow‑Through.

Once someone made an agreement with Iger, it didn't matter if it was a joke or a lie. He could use Resonance to establish a link, use Contract to bind the promise, and rely on Fulfillment to force the person to carry out what they had said.

In a civilized society, the Follow‑Through Miracle was practically unstoppable. Had fate not placed an inevitable obstacle in his path and thrown him into a prison surrounded by lake water, he would be relaxing in a sunny beachside villa, drinking wine instead.

Nevertheless, as long as a place had rules, Iger could take control, and the prison was no exception.

Spirits embodied knowledge. Even when sealed or banned, Iger could still find other ways to use them and achieve the same results. A spirit was like a fire for cooking meat. If the flame went out, one could simply drill a hole in the wood to spark a new one.

Contract, Resonance, and Fulfillment were all closely tied to the art of speech. With words alone, Iger could circumvent the chip restrictions and stir the spirits into motion.

Through Follow‑Through, he had won his previous forty‑five death matches. He forced his opponents into agreements, and even when they lost, they continued to accept a second, third, and fourth rematches, until Iger drained their entire pool of Contribution Points.

He wants to punch my left cheek.

Iger slipped past Ashe's fist and sneered, "So weak. So weak. You're far too weak. Your punch still smells of baby milk. Did you really think you could hit me?"

He's going to kick my left calf next. He wants to grab me. He'll throw a right hook.

Ashe's aggressive thoughts poured continuously into Iger's mind. Iger watched him struggle like a cornered beast and smiled with pity and contempt. Once the chains were fixed, livestock would never again be able to harm its master.

This wasn't a Miracle[2], but a small trick Iger had developed in prison. By maintaining a link through Contract and manipulating speech, he kept Resonance active between himself and his opponent, allowing him to sense their attack intentions.

If he ever escaped Shattered Lake Prison, he might even refine this into a new Miracle similar in nature to "Forestalling the Enemy." Even in its unfinished state, it had already earned him forty‑five victories. And it would not be long before that number grew to fifty‑five.

In Iger's eyes, Ashe Heath was already a lamb sprinkled with cumin, waiting to be roasted. This match was only the beginning. After this, he would defeat Ashe ten more times and take all fifty of his Contribution Points.

That was the true purpose of Death Matches—to eliminate the weak and identify livestock.

Livestock. Crawl at my feet and let me trample you! He's going to throw a straight punch at my chest.

Iger laughed as he dodged and countered, "Keep it, you almost...

hmm?

"

Just as Ashe missed his strike, he slipped under Iger's counter and stepped in close with his elbow raised.

Iger stepped back instantly. Deep down, he felt startled. It was the first time Ashe had avoided his attack. One instance alone proved nothing, but it was undeniably a bad sign.

I can't play around anymore. I must knock him unconscious right here and now.

With that in mind, Iger shook the blood from his fist and charged forward with a shout, pouring all his attention into reading Ashe’s intent and striking at his vital points with fierce attacks.

The prisoners in the stands laughed and jeered.

"Come on, Beautiful Beast, stop wasting time and finish it!"

"We finally got a newcomer! Don't break him so fast!"

"Beautiful Beast, since you've got so many Contribution Points, let me enjoy myself once too!"

"Beautiful Beast! Use a knife next time. I want a taste of that firm thigh meat! Ronna, don't fight me for it!"

Ronna had been drawing circles on his boyfriend's chest. At that moment, he suddenly spoke. "Even if I don't fight you for it, you won't be tasting anything."

"

Huh?

"

𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

The audience froze. When they looked again, many of them changed their expressions. "That kid... Is this what followers of the Four Pillars Deities are like?"

Ashe's movements were still sloppy, but his defense had visibly improved. Previously, Iger had landed every punch. Now, he would need to count himself lucky if even one in four connected, and even then, Ashe might block it.

It wasn't that Ashe's physical strength had increased drastically. In fact, exhaustion and pain had actually slowed him down. The main problem lay in that his movements had grown cleaner, sharper, and more decisive, as if he had perfectly adapted to Iger's rhythm. When Iger lifted a hand, Ashe already knew how to respond.

Iger wasn't actually considered strong within the Death Match Club. He didn't even qualify for the second tier. His advantage lay in preying on the weak, exploiting prison rules, and draining every drop of Contribution Points from his victims. Even so, everyone had to admit his eye for targets was sharp. His forty-five consecutive victories were proof.

When Ashe and Iger stepped into the arena, everyone expected Ashe to lose all his Contribution Points and become a long-term guest of the Blood Moon Tribunal. He had shown no skill, and he appeared soft and fragile, almost like a sheltered young scholar. Some even wondered if the so-called Four Pillars Cult was nothing more than a dating club for rich women.

After only a few minutes, Ashe had transformed completely. The greenhouse flower that hadn't known how to guard had become a steady, experienced predator. He was even starting to gain the upper hand.

One spectator laughed. "Tiger Gramps, he's just like you. I didn't expect Iger to be fooled."

"No," said Tiger, usually putting on a timid act but now uncharacteristically serious, "he's not pretending. Moments ago, he really was harmless."

Straightening on his boyfriend's lap, Ronna added, "The body doesn't lie. Before this, he had never faced real combat. I brought him in myself, and I can tell from one look that he has lived a life of comfort. His reactions aren't like anyone trained in battle. Judging from his opening stance, this might be one of the few close-quarters fights he's had in years."

"No way... that means..."

"Exactly," Ronna sighed. "The wrong man, in the wrong place, awakened the wrong talent. What a pity..."

Smack!

For the first time since the battle began, Iger was forced to block Ashe's punch with both hands. Compared to the audience, he felt Ashe's progress even more sharply. The silent lamb waiting to be slaughtered had become a loud one, struggling for survival.

Iger sneered. "This is softer than a baby's. You must be exhausted. What an adorable punch."

Ashe remained silent. He continued to pace and face off against Iger, probing for an opening.

"I admit I underestimated you. Your learning speed exceeds my expectations. Is this a blessing from the Four Pillars Deities? Or a talent you just awakened? You have the qualifications to escape being livestock, but your body is too weak. I only need to drag on the battle, and you will collapse from fatigue.

"That one Contribution Point you wagered? Consider it the ransom for evolving from livestock to a human. You should rejoice, Ashe Heath. You are the only livestock that has broken free from my chain. But that is all. When this match ends, I will cut all ties and never accept another challenge. The prison rules won't let you retaliate anyway.

"To understand the rules, exploit the rules, and dominate the rules, that is true strength. Your talent may stop you from being livestock, but at best, you will only become a... beast.

"When you are crushed by despair and dragged into the Blood Moon Tribunal, I'll be sitting somewhere safe, sipping red wine and admiring your humiliation. That is the difference between you and me. That is the distance between the dominated and the dominator!"

Suddenly, Ashe said, "Don't cover your face."

Iger snorted.

Only an idiot would listen.

"You look good. I want to see your face a bit longer."

Both Ashe's words and his inner thoughts reached Iger at the same time. No one had ever complimented him in the arena. He froze, and out of habit and a need to show off, he subconsciously lowered his hands.

Smack!

A fully charged punch slammed into his face, and Iger instantly fell unconscious.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

[The Winner has been decided! Ashe Heath!]

1. This paragraph might be a bit confusing, so here's a brief explanation. Every era has its defining theme. In the distant past, survival depended on violence and plunder. Today, power comes from control over people, organizations, culture, and even thought. Large-scale wars are rare, and society is governed by rigid rules, making crude force ineffective. Only those who can dominate minds, like Mind Manipulation sorcerers, can truly act freely in this world. ☜

2. Reminder: A Miracle is formed from using multiple spirits together. ☜