"Hey! It's dinner time, come down here or go hungry until morning!!!"

Teacher, this is an inn not a dormitory. You want to call down the whole building for dinner?

"Brill, we will go on ahead. We will leave bell to you."
"I know, I know."

As the friend, I have to be the one to do this.

"Oi!! Wake up!! It's dinner time!"
"...I....minute......wait"

He is in too deep of a relaxed sleep. It would take a lot of back and forth to wake him up. It looks like I have no choice.

*Grab* *Drag* *Bonk* *Bonk*...... *Bang*

"It hurts!!! Eh? What? How?"
"Good evening! It's time for dinner so I woke you up. You don't need to thank me, it is my duty as your friend!"
"I don't need such a friend who drags a friend down the stairs!!! Ah, I think it's swollen. It feels like a bump."
"Don't exaggerate. Then heal it with [Holy Armour] or just leave it until tomorrow morning. It should have healed up by then."

It is a bit forceful but a very effective way to wake someone up. Also, other than a few bruises, it is safe for anyone in the dwarf continent. We are hardheaded folks after all.

"That was fast? I thought it would have taken a while before you woke him up?"
"There is a secret trick to wake people up, want me to wake you up tomorrow, larry?"
"Yeah, larry, have brill wake you up too. I am sure you will see the difference."
"I don't really have a problem waking up though. Anyway, how about that tale of yours bell? We need that meal entertainment?
"Tale? Entertainment? Oh! You want to hear the tale of me haggling all over the the place?"
"No! The one brill told us about, the one where victor fought at the arena! You went to watch, right?"

It's only the first day and you haggled all over the place? I though you were only checking the prices? You couldn't have been 'sales talked' into buying something.

"Oooh!! That one! There I was, seeking excellent deal on the island. The merchants shiver at the very sight of me, fearing of the potential loses they would suffer in making a deal with me. They were right! I swept the island of what I need and left crying merchants on my wake!"
"Get on with it, we want to hear the story about victor."
"Tsk, fine, fine. I was circling the island with the hermit cab I hired, and since I was getting hungry, I left to find food."
"Hermit cab? What's that? Why didn't you ask the driver to guide you to a place with food?"
"It's this shelled creature that you hire at a transport company. There is no driver, so you have to direct it where you want to go. I didn't hire a guide since that is what tourists' do! I am not a tourist! I am an entrepreneur! Anyway, I left the hermit cab and let it go back to the hiring company. As I was wandering around, I found the arena so I thought to check up on victor. Also, there should be food sellers there."

The fact that you didn't know the food stalls are in the inner core shows that you only wandered on the two walls. This just reinforces my idea of you getting overpriced, not to mention how you think arena food is good. Those are overpriced low quality food!!

"It was 50 copper coins for entry so after I paid, I want straight to their food section and went to search the arena for victor:

---------------------------------------------3rd person POV-------------------------------------------------------

A grand roman Colosseum stood in front of him. However, compared to the well known site in modern earth, this one has glass windows all over the place and lanterns that shine and glitter through the halls.

The stone seems to have been well cared and maintained. A beautiful work of architecture that shows the careful planning of the architect.

"Place your bets here! Place your bets before the match starts! Double returns for the death arena. Gamble it all and win big!!!"
"Hats, clothes, weapon and armour replica! We have everything right down to the perfume of all the top 10 combatants. Get your merchandise here and show your support!"
"Hot dog, popcorn, raisins, burgers! Get your meal and drinks here! Enjoy the battle as you eat!! We follow the hero's recipe for entertainment activities!!"

However, It is spoiled by the site of food stands and fan merchandise callers roaring for customers.

Even with the unbalanced theme right in the front door, the crowd still marvel at anything that has a brand related to the heroes.

"Whoa, this place is really amazing. Everything is selling well. I wonder if we can partner up with them."

As the young dwarf dreams of a big business venture, the eyes of the sharp-eared shopkeepers glinted at his casual remark.

"Young man, how about sample of the food. I hear you want to partner up with us! If that is the case then you need to try out all of our meals. How about it, as a potential business partner, I will give you a discount!?!? This is a limited offer of 30% off if you buy now!"
"Looks like our old chef got ahead again. You never let an opportunity slip by. I won't be left behind though. Friend from the dwarf continent, the best way to get to know the betting house is to bet on it yourself. I can't give you discounts but here is a list of information on today's matches, the combatants fighting and information on them. Take your pick and place your bets. Remember that betting will stop once the match start. No returns, no exchanges."
"I may be the youngest here but all of our business are equally thriving. Listen to me potential business partner. The goods and memorabilia from the current famous combatants and the past are all here. As long as they come to the arena then they will take an interest in a particular fighter, and to show support, they will buy from this store of mine. Unlike, the betting house, I can give you a discount, and unlike the food stores, my goods won't spoil, so I will give you one of each and also give you a 30% discount. As a plus, I will show you our material list. If you can provide us a cheaper alternative without compromising the quality then we will welcome you as a business partner right away!"

Dumping lure after lure, they overwhelm the young dwarf's logical reasoning.

"Ooh!! I see, I see, you also recognize my overflowing business talent! Very well, I don't have enough money on me right now but I will come again tomorrow to work out the details."

Like I will let you lead me on the nose because I am a newcomer. thought bell bargain. Even with all the boasting and look of immaturity he has, he is still a child born in a merchant family, he still knows a deal and a con.

"For now, give me a normal meal set. I want to see the arena first so I could report back to the group."
"Of course. However, I am afraid that I won't be able to give you a discount for the normal order. That is only for the bulk purchase. Other than that please enjoy the fights."
"I see, that is too bad. Here is the payment."

Now that the prospect an easy profit was removed, the shopkeepers enthusiasm and benefits quickly dissipated.

"...Looks like the arena business isn't as profitable as I thought. To think that they can't even give a discount for potential business partners. They can't even afford to give a discount for a cheap meal set."

He mutters under his breath as he opens his wallet to get the coins to pay for the meal. Unintentional or nor, this small complaint reaches the ears of the store keepers making them noticeably irritated.

As the food store keeper was about to voice his dissatisfaction, the two other store keepers quickly grabbed one arm each and turned around to talk to him.

"...This guy is completely underestimating us."
"...Don't be misled old food master, it may look like a casual slip of the tongue but I think he is goading us to give him more benefits."
"...Betting house master is right. We can't be let our emotions misguide us just because of a small criticism. However, are you really sure that this might not become a real potential business partner? Can we lose a long time gain just because we are stingy of losing a couple silver coins?"
"...I understand, you two. Just this once, I will concede."

While the trio were discussing their course of action, bell was glancing from time to time if his small action was effective or not.

If there is a possibility to partner up with them, I need to know what extent their purse could stretch. My father told me a simple discount on something cheap would show this result. If they waive off the whole fee then they are good merchants that can invest for a new friendship, if they give a discount then they are stingy merchants that only care about their own profits, and if they don't give a discount at all then they are merchants who already have a steady foundation that doesn't need any outside help. The first one improves a lot because they haven't cut their friends off, the second will only yield if you gave them a way to earn more profit and the third only want subordinates, you won't profit much from them and they will face decline in the next generation. is what he thought as he anticipates the trio's course of action.

"Ah, young man, since this is our first meeting I will give you a discount as a gift. Here you go 10% discount on the meal set and as a bonus, here is the map of the arena. Enjoy the game."
"Thank you, looks like the people of the central island are generous. I will tell my group about this. Look forward to the result."

Hurriedly collecting his food and map, bell quickly left the trio before his look of disdain got noticed by them.

Looking at the given map, which is freely obtained at every major intersection of the hallways, he found the beginners' arena which he would most likely find his friend, victor.

Not long from navigating the endless hallway full of sparkling lanterns, bell found his adventurous friend in the middle of a small arena battling against a tiger man.

"Hahaha, The world is really bigger than I thought. Give me all you got, tiger!"
"The fighters from the dwarf continent are as tough as the rumours say. This is going to be troublesome!"

As they enjoy the fervour of the battle, the audience are getting swept up of their zeal shouting here and there as the battle heats up.

"Ooh, Looks like victor is enjoying it. Is this still his first fight here? The waiting time must be long. That just proves how many people like to sign up, and while the audience isn't full, there at least occupy 3/4 of the seating, even though this is the beginner section. The arena business might be a good one, I just need to figure out how to make sure those cheapskates won't give me a bad deal."

While bell was appraising the business potential of the arena, the battle at the stage is reaching it's climax.

"Raaa!!!"
"Hmmp!!"

The tiger beastman sent scratch after scratch to victor and he keeps tanking it without flinching while sending punch after punch at his opponents. This has been happening since the start of the match.

One would think the dwarf fighter would have bled to death by now but a greenish white glow clad his body as it slowly mends his wounds. The level of victor's [Holy Armour] isn't that high but the claw attack of the enemy could only scratch him. It isn't enough to give him a deep wound, making his level of proficiency enough to recklessly charge at the enemy while ignoring his ongoing barrage.

"Haaah, haaah, haaah. *thud*"

Over time, the tiger beastman couldn't keep up with his opponents resilience and fainted from the accumulated damage his body receive, unlike victor who slowly mends his wound as the battle progresses.

"Waaaaaaaaggrrrgggghhhh!!!!"

"Ooooooooohhhhhh!!!!"

As the victor shouts out his victory, the whole audience explodes with exclamation for the non-stop back and forth hitting match they have seen.

"Bring in the next fighter!!"

Carried away by battle lust, he shouted for the next opponent without taking into consideration his current condition.

"He get's reckless by the minute. He still fights with a cool head on the battlefield but he let's loose every time in a spar. His safety should be guaranteed since this is the life arena, so it should be alright."

The main noticeable difference between the life and death arena is their layout. The whole arena, even though half is outside the city wall, is under central island rules. Therefore, other than the fighting stages of the death arena, you can't kill, steal, and other things established by the hero.

However, as the fighting progresses, the fighters may get carried away or they could match with someone who they bear a grudge with. To make sure the life arena doesn't lead to deaths, they set up a formation using five towers around each life arena. It not only stops different magical attacks from killing anyone, it also erects a barrier that protects and heals the fighter who is on the verge of death.

The mana needed to maintain this is the biggest expense of the arena but the safety of the life arena is needed because it is the most stable income generator of the place.

"Haaah, haaah, haaah"

*Portcullis Opens*

As the victorious dwarf catches his breath, the heavy metal grated gate lifts up to reveal the next fighter.

Unlike the tiger beastman that look mostly human, except the forearms and legs being covered in thick tiger fur and the sharp claws, his next opponent has a form far from a usual human. His next opponent is a centauress with an upper body of a a female with a horse body from the waist below.

She holds a mace on her right and a buckler on the left while wearing a full set of leather armour with a brigandine for a breastplate and patches of iron armour for the horse part of the body.

"My name is Cynthia Palmwood, a knight from the beast continent. Let me hear the name of my opponent!"

The centauress gallantly announces her name as she present her arms in preparation for combat.

"I am Victor Smash, a graduate from the blacksmith course of the mithril academy. Let us have a wonderful battle!"

As he announces his name in kind, they both take a deep breath as it marks the signal of their clash.

The centauress started to charge making full use of her strong four legs, as the dwarf lowers his stance, while picking up his hammer that was disarmed from him in the last match.

As the centauress charge with the buckler at the front, when she is almost at the striking range of the dwarf, he starts to wind up the hammer. However, before he could release the hit, the centauress suddenly sped up and punched his face with the buckler sending him tumbling back.

"Yeeeeaaaahhhh!!!"
"Beat him up!! Beat him up!!"

As the first blow landed, the audience went up in cheers, even though they were routing for the dwarf on the match before. It just shows how in the beginner section of the arena, there are no true fans, just a group of people who want to enjoy the ongoing battle.

"Ah!! That one surely hurt, I could barely see it but I think it hit him in the forehead."
"So he barely dodge mid-swing and take the impact on his forehead? I guess it's better than the eyes or nose."

As the dwarf was tumbling, he somersaulted to steady himself and started to charge back to the centauress. Thinking that he won't be able to overpower her in a head-on clash, he circle around the back to attack.

"You think I will let you! This isn't the first time someone tried that! Haaah!"

As victor was approaching, he was met with a hoof on the chest that sent him flying again.

After steadying himself again, he resolved himself to a frontal clash.

"Haah!!"

For the first time in the fight, the dwarf connected a hit. He smashed down his hammer down on the buckler almost making the centauress buckle under the pressure.

While, she was still trying to overcome the force of the blow, victor let go of the hammer and jump straight under her defence to bring the battle to a grapple match and remove the advantage of her horse body.

First, he grabbed her sword arm and proceeded to disarm it. As he was doing it, she was over the initial blow of the hammer. She proceeded to wrestle the dwarf off her.

She could overpower him with the help of her horse body but without it, she can't win in terms of pure upper body strength against a dwarf with an inborn strength.

Once the sword was gone, his next target is the buckler but her grip was strong and won't let go. She kept on landing body blows against him as he tried to grab the buckler but eventually, he pulled it out of her grasp. However, he was thrown off along with the buckler. His close range advantage was lost.

The centauress couldn't pick up her weapons without showing an opening so she proceeded to do a hit and run tactic by consistently ramming the dwarf whenever he tries to reach for the dropped weapons.

It then turned into a dwarf dodging the centauress trying to trample him as she circle around the arena to avoid him trying to climb up and try to grapple her again.

"So hard! However, I won't lose!"
"You are the fastest enemy I ever fought against. Those kicks are powerful too!"

Both parties stopped and stared each other down as they try to catch their breathe. The few hits and misses when they lose their weapons are starting to show their effect. The centauress has bruises all over her horse body while the dwarf has hoof marks all over his body.

Victor's injuries are slowly healing. However, the greenish white glow surrounding him is slowly flickering and losing its shine. His healing speed, compared when he was fighting the tiger beastman, is significantly slower now.

"Knight Cynthia, you and I are both exhausted. Let us settle this with a final clash!"
"Haha, Blacksmith Victor, very well. Let us lay our everything on this final bout!"

Despite both their battered body and exhausted stamina, they charge on towards each other. Preparing the most powerful blow they could muster.

"Arrggghhhhhh!!!"
"Haaaaaah!!!"

*Clip* *Bang*

The moment they are about to clash, the effects of the continuous kicking and ramming of the centauress has finally shown itself. Her legs couldn't take the repeated strain of hitting the dwarf's in-born hardened body. It made her leg buckle momentarily and stopped her for a moment. She couldn't put any sort of power into that leg and that was all it took to decide the outcome.

The dwarf, not letting the opening slip pass him, charged with more speed and punched with all his might that sent her sliding back.

"Ugh! It is my loss."
"haah, haah, I was lucky."

*flop*

The winner was decided and he sunk into a flop on the ground while gasping for air. The defeated was then helped out of the arena by the staff to be healed.

"Woooooooohhhhh!!!!!"
"Victor! Victor! Victor!"

As their exchange of respect was over, the whole audience section lit up with cheers. This might not be a high profile fight but it was enough for these casual arena enthusiast to get excited for.

On one part of the arena, there is a special box seat where the supervisor of this particular arena occupy. He is there lazily eating food as he is slouched on the couch. The supervisor mainly manages the battles to make it proceed smoothly. Probably because his job involves watching the arena all day, he didn't show any particular emotion during the whole fight. After cleaning his hands of his oily arena food, he proceeds to grab the voice amplifying tool.

"Beginner fighter victor, Beginner fighter victor, Do you want to proceed or step down?"

Unlike his match with the tiger beastman, he didn't express his decision right away so the arena supervisor needed to ascertain it. If he decides to continue then the next fighter would then be sent while he would be escorted out by the staff to be healed if he chose to abstain.

"I will continue!!"

"Raaaaaahhhh!!!"

At the sight of his reckless behaviour, the crowd started a new round of applause while the next opponent enters the stage.

*Portcullis opens*

"Looks like I will have a fantastic debut on the arena. To think my opponent would be an exhausted dwarf. How reckless of you to continue with your current condition. Though I would still win even if you fight me in your best."

As the mocking words were heard, he came to see his next foe. He is a horned demon from the demon continent. Big oryx-like horns decorated his head while tough claws clad his finger tips. He has a dark purple complexion with a slim body that looks like a humans.

Without waiting for a response from the exhausted opponent, the fighter from the demon continent manifested a magic circle and launches a spray of green liquid towards the dwarf.

*Sizzle*

"Argghghghghhhhh!!!"

His skin starts to bubble as the acid sprayed onto him. However, he ignored the pain and rushed straight to the demon opponent thinking it would be a problem to keep taking hits like that from someone who can attack in a distance.

"Yes, yes, they always run to you when you attack with magic. How simple. Hummp!"

As the demon fighter calmly watches the dwarf rushing to him, his horns and legs were covered with an eerie blood coloured glow. He then took a ramming stance as he intercepts the charging foe.

*stab*

The moment the dwarf saw the glow, he tried to stop the charge but it was too late. He only saw the man from the demon continent charge at him at a monstrous speed with those pointed horns heading straight to his chest. The only thing he could do was cross his arms to defend against it. However, the acid softened his skin which made the stab go deeper and deeper until a white glow shrouded both him and his opponent.

"Stop! Winner, William from the demon continent!"

The magic towers around the arena shined in their respective elements as they protected the wounded dwarf from dying. The supervisor, with the same placid face, calmly announced the winner as the staff dislodged victor from the william's horn. They escorted him out of the arena to be treated.

"That almost made my heart popped out. It's a good thing he joined the life arena. I need to see how he is doing."

Bell who was shocked with what happened stood up to see how his friend is doing by visiting him in the arena clinic.

He easily found the clinic with the help of the map. It is a huge room with huge doors to accommodate different sizes of patients from all the continents.

After talking to the staff, he was directed to a bench where victor was unconscious.

"Wasn't he healed?"
"He is healed, his life is no longer in danger. Do you want to rent a room, rent a carriage, or collect him now yourself?"
"How is he healed, he is bruised all over! He even has cuts and wounds from the fight!"
"It is not cheap to hire healing magic specialist and the medicine is equally expensive. The only thing we guarantee at the life arena is their life. We can guarantee that they won't die in the fight or from the wounds they sustain. This is the minimum care we can give them. If you want a full healing then you have to pay for it. Don't worry though, his life is not in any kind of danger. You can drag him back if you want, his damage is stable now."

Bell having nothing to refute those claim that are written at the back of his map as a guideline, took victor and left the arena.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"...is what happened! Can you believe it! They actually charge for full healing at the life arena."
"Rather than that, you actually fooled the shopkeepers for a discount! Take me with you next time, I also want a discount!"
"Very well, come with me larry and we will sample the discounts of this island! How about you brill? There is still room for the discount express!"
"No thanks, I have somewhere to visit tomorrow."

I don't need a discount. I have someone who will pay for everything I buy.

From what I heard, it looks like they have to do that to earn more. I'm not necessarily surprised, since normal modern cinema charge a lot for food to offset the cost.

I'm more surprised that you didn't get scammed by those shopkeepers. I guess you really are a merchant's child.