The spies watching could not believe what they had just witnessed, even though the people Lucen just defeated were thugs. They still outnumbered him, and one even had awakened his aura.
The way Lucen defeated them using unarmed combat with such ease was unexpected, especially from someone who was once known as a sickly disappointment of the Thornehart house.
"That’s the Iron Duke’s son?" One of the spies couldn’t help but blurt out to himself.
’Could the recent rumors about Lucen Thornehart actually hold some truth?’ That thought echoed through the minds of every hidden observer.
Unaware of what the spies were thinking, Lucen and his group were following the leader of the thugs to the underground arena. While they were walking, Lucen was reviewing his own fight.
’Acting Adept... it really is an incredible trait. The ability to borrow the skills of a character I knew inside and out it’s truly absurdly powerful. I’m honestly surprised it’s only rated Rare instead of Epic. Then again... The drawbacks probably hold it back.’
He remembered the feeling, how slipping into that persona felt too natural. For a moment, it wasn’t just mimicry. It was similar to possession. The more he embraced the role, the more it nibbled at the edges of who he really was. It felt like his own personality was being overwritten.
’If I made a mistake, would my own personality be replaced?... There’s also the fact that, unlike when I try doing things myself, I gained increased proficiency with the chance of it becoming a skill. But when using the skill of a character using Acting Adept, my own proficiency doesn’t increase.’
Lucen opened and closed his fist.
’There’s also the fact that even if I act out someone perfectly, and am able to use some of their skills, my stats are the same. Most likely, I won’t be able to perform techniques that my body can’t do, like flight or energy beams. Aside from those, I’m not sure if there are other drawbacks. Still, overall it is a great trait.’
While Lucen was deep in thought, Sir Thalos laughed heartily beside him.
"Hahaha! Who knew that the young master had such skill in unarmed combat? Still, none of that would have been possible without the necessary body to move in such a way."
"Didn’t think you’d be a brawler too, little leader!?" Harlik joined in the conversation.
"You truly are something else, little leader." Mark also praised Lucen.
Seeing his companions praising him so much, Lucen couldn’t help but feel a little awkward. He kept quiet as he did not know what to say.
With a guide, the group was finally able to reach the entrance of the underground arena. It was a rather unremarkable building that made it feel like any other building in the lower district.
Still, Lucen knew that was just a facade. Upon entry, there is a literal hidden underground arena.
As they approached the entrance, the thug leading them stopped in front of a weather-worn wooden structure nestled between two leaning buildings. Cracked stone, boarded windows, a crooked sign, of course, it had no words, since most people here were illiterate, it just had a picture of a skull.
"This is it," the thug mumbled, still nursing a bruised cheek. "The entrance to the arena."
Lucen knew the thug was telling the truth, as this area was a place he had seen on the screen several dozen times since he needed to pass through here for different endings. Lucen tossed a gold coin to the thug, who caught it.
The thug swiftly hid the gold coin and dropped to one knee.
"Thank you for your kindness, my lord!"
The sudden gesture caught the attention of several others who were about to enter the building, and they sneered. Lucen and the others felt a little embarrassed gathering attention .
"Enough, stand up already."
The thug did as he was told.
"If you need anything else, my lord, just find me. The name’s Jay, I know the lower districts like the back of my hand."
"Sure, sure, if I need something more, I’ll come looking for you. For now, you can go."
"Alright, my lord, but if you need my services, I usually am around the area we met a while ago." Jay did an awkward salute and left. Now that Jay was gone, he could finally look around.
No one was paying them anymore attention as they entered the premises. Lucen noticed several people wearing masks glancing over at them.
’Those guys are probably nobles, or some rich merchants. They are trying to guess who I am. Unfortunately, despite my current fame, only a few people had seen me before. Even those who saw me in the past would get confused and wonder who I am since I changed so much.’
A wicked grin appeared on Lucen’s face. ’No matter, I will make sure they remember me after this.’
Lucen and his group were about to enter, but were stopped by what seemed to be the bouncer of the establishment. The person beside the bouncer, holding what seemed to be a list of names, spoke.
"Do you have an invitation or a recommendation?"
Lucen stepped forward calmly, his eyes half-lidded, almost bored. He reached into his coat, not fast enough to alarm the bouncer, but deliberately enough to make everyone watch.
He pulled out the emblem of the Thornehart house, a silver shield wrapped in thorns.
"A recommendation from myself," Lucen said, casually handing it over. "I believe that should suffice."
The man looked at the emblem, and his eyebrows raised. The bouncer, sensing the subtle shift, straightened his back.
"...You’re Lucen Thornehart?" the man with the list asked, voice low, as though saying the name too loudly might provoke something.
Lucen smiled faintly. "Is that a problem?"
The man’s eyes scanned him again, clearly noting the youthful face, the expensive custom coat, and the trio of rough but dangerous bodyguards standing behind him.
"...No. No problem at all." He quickly stepped aside. "Please, proceed."
As they descended the stone steps into the building, the air grew colder, thicker. Flickering torchlight painted shadows across the corridor, and the muffled roars of a crowd echoed up from below, cheers, jeers, and screams all blended together.
’I’ve seen this place countless times in-game, but reality truly is different. The smell here is worse than I imagined.’
The underground arena was massive, circular, stone‑walled, and packed with spectators from all walks of life.
Nobles in masks lounged on plush cushions above, while lowlifes and mercenaries crowded the lower tiers. Every eye was focused on the bloodstained pit at the center. A fighter’s corpse was being dragged out.
"Name?" a clerk spoke from a side booth, glancing at Lucen’s group.
"Put me down as Lucen Thornehart," Lucen said coolly. "I’m not here to spectate, I want to join in the fun."
The three bodyguards already had a guess as to why Lucen came here. At first, they thought he was just going to watch, but after seeing him fight unarmed, they understood that this was bound to happen.
The scribe hesitated. "You... Want to join tonight’s list? You do know that the only rule in the arena is no use of weapons, aura, or mana, just pure physical skill, right? Death here is a normal occurrence. Are you sure you want to join?"
The scribe blinked, then shouted to someone deeper inside, "New blood in the bracket! Under the name Lucen Thornehart!"
The crowd began murmuring as the news spread. The name sounded familiar. But from where? It took them a few seconds to realize that was the name of the firstborn son of the Iron Duke.
"Is the son of the Iron Duke really going to participate in the arena?"
"Maybe it’s just someone using his name."
"I heard he was a sickly boy, the disgrace of the house Thornefang."
"No, I heard that wasn’t true and he was actually a hidden prodigy."
"There were rumors of his killing a young dragon."
"Aren’t those rumors fabricated by the allies of the Iron Duke?"
"I might be able to believe he’s not as sickly as rumored, but defeating a young dragon with a motley crew of mercenaries, that’s too much of a joke."
"He might have just defeated a wyvern or something similar and called a dragon."
"No matter, we’ll see what he’s truly capable of in the arena."
The murmuring of the audience could be heard like buzzing bees in Lucen’s ear. He grinned, and as he was about to step into the waiting area, Harlik stopped him.
"You sure about this, little leader?" Harlik asked, his voice low.
"Yeah, this is what I came here for," Lucen replied.
"Heh, as always, I’ll believe in you, little leader," Mark grinned faintly.
"Young master, I won’t stop you from joining in the fun, but know this, once you get into real trouble, I’ll step in to rescue you... If I do that, it would be a disgrace to the Thornefang name, and I would have to tell our father."
"Don’t worry, I don’t plan on losing. So that won’t ever happen."
"Heh, that’s what I expect to hear from you, young master. We’ll be cheering you on in the stands." Sir Thalos’s serious face was replaced with a wide grin.
"Do your best, little leader," Mark’s voice was calm but firm with a smile full of confidence.
"Since you’re going to do this, then I’ll be betting on you," Harlik said.
"Here," Lucen tossed his coin pouch. "Use that and bet everything on me as well."
After saying that, he stepped toward the waiting area. He had a vicious-looking smile on his face as his coat fluttered slightly with each step.
’Time to make sure they won’t forget who I am.’