The next day.
Osric spent the morning with William, doing light training.
The rest of the day he spent reading combat strategy books that he recently bought, since there wasn't much to do while resting the past few days.
And once night came, he left for the underground arena.
When he arrived, he told the guards his name and that he would enter as a fighter. Due to that he didn't need to pay the entry fee.
Osric entered behind other people who started showing up as well.
The place was still only half full, as it was still only the start of the fights tonight.
'I'll have to wait a little.'
Although any fighter could fight whenever they wanted as long as they volunteered and were picked, there was an unofficial order.
The first category was for newcomers and desperate weaklings. That went on for around an hour and maybe a couple dozen fighters in total.
The second category were the more experienced fighters and those with potential to rise higher. Most fighters were in his category, so it varied the most in skill level. These fights usually went on for a couple hours at least.
The third category only had the most experienced and skilled fighters. There were maybe 50 of them in total, but usually less than 10 fought in one night.
The fourth and last category were the best and most dangerous fighters. There were currently only 7 of them in total fighting regularly in this underground arena. So they either fought each other or someone from the third category trying to move up.
Osric had already made his decision.
'I'll fight twice in the second category in a row before stopping and then stepping into the third category.'
He watched the first category for another half hour before the second category fighters started stepping up.
'I think it's weird that they don't just make the categories official, but I guess they want to make it more interesting by giving fighters the freedom to fight anyone.'
'And this place is still much safer than those arenas that allow weapons. Plus they're the most popular, so it's also the most guarded.'
Osric didn't find this place so bad compared to what he heard from most underground arenas in Ashbrook.
He was then pulled out of his thoughts.
The referee stood in the middle of the ring and shouted.
"Neither of the two fighters can continue. Who wants to step up first?"
Osric stood up quickly and jumped into the ring, but so did another guy at the same time.
This was the reason he decided to sit close to the ring.
There was no guarantee he would be picked if someone else had to pick first.
As there were already two fighters inside, the referee asked.
"Do you guys wish to fight each other or does one want to step out?"
"I'm fine." The tall man said with a grin.
"Same here." Osric said as he nodded.
'I haven't seen him before, but I'm not worried about second category fighters.'
His opponent had long limbs but very little muscle.
The referee stepped out of the ring.
There was no official rule for the start, but he still always spoke it.
"Start!"
The long limbed man didn't waste time and immediately sprung into action.
His right leg came flying towards Osric's side fast, but he easily blocked it.
Despite the lack of muscle, that kick would normally still hurt most fighters, but the tall man was surprised to see Osric unfazed.
'With my high endurance, this much is nothing.'
Osric started moving.
His opponent threw a large swing of his fist.
Osric dodged and closed in.
He wasn't used to someone being so much taller, as he himself was pretty tall, but he saw it as an advantage here.
His opponent couldn't react in time, as Osric punched him with a clean hook to the liver.
"Puh!"
That one punch was enough for him to drop on his knees and gasp for air.
'What the hell is that power?'
He looked up at Osric with a terrified expression.
Osric brought his fist down and knocked him out cold.
"Woahhh!"
"That was crazy!"
"He made it look so easy."
"I think the referee called him Osric before."
"Wait. Didn't he fight here before a few times?"
"Yeah, he was a newbie without losses and then just disappeared."
"I heard he became an adventurer and is apparently doing very well."
"Then why is he back?"
"How should I know?"
Osric sighed.
'I knew that rumours about me were going around.'
'That's why I decided to just make a show this time to show potential recruits my strength. No point in hiding anymore.'
'I doubt that I'll gain attention from people in the castle.'
Osric was unaware that they already had.
"Do you want to stay in the ring?" The referee asked.
"Yes."
"Alright. Who wants to step up and face Osric?!"
The man shouted and asked, while handing over a money pouch to Osric.
'45 copper for one fight.'
'This used to be a lot to me.'
Of course Osric didn't mind getting paid, but that wasn't what he was here for.
Only two men raised their hands.
Many others were too unsure.
Osric was a newcomer to many, but at the same time somewhat of a big shot.
He was now dangerous enough for people to hesitate.