The Ashen Dominion
Chapter 72 - Hardwork [2]

Chapter 72: 72 - Hardwork [2]

"..."

Jhamillah stood still, looking at Lyla’s dead body on the ground. She was speechless.

She had won... but she couldn’t bring herself to be happy.

’I killed her.’

That’s just what’s in her head, repeating. She felt a bit sick inside, but knowing that it’s either her or Lyla—

"..."

Jhamillah didn’t apologize, nor did she even try to.

And just after a few moments later—

"WE HAVE A WINNER THAT FAST!"

The announcer’s voice boomed across the arena.

"JHAMILLAH USED HER WEAPON ADVANTAGE WELL AND WON THE MATCH!!!"

He exclaimed loudly. And after him—

"That was okay, I guess..."

"BORING!!!"

"SHUT UP, YOU JUST LOST THE BET!"

The crowd started shouting stuff. Their reactions were mixed, but most of them weren’t really that good.

"THAT LYLA GIRL SUCKS! SHE DIED AFTER JUST ONE STRIKE!"

One of them even exclaimed. The one who shouted this would’ve met the same fate with just one strike—they just liked talking shit.

Anyway...

"..."

Jhamillah ignored all of them. She knew nobles and rich people were mostly scum, so she didn’t pay attention to their words.

And silently—

Tap– tap– tap—

She started heading back to the waiting room where the others were waiting.

’I just wish they would all just shut up...’

Jhamillah thought on her way.

...

...

*****

Jhamillah got back to the waiting room not long after.

And as she pushed open the door and stepped inside—the others immediately turned to her.

"Welcome back."

Rose spoke first, her tone gentle, her eyes scanning Jhamillah carefully.

"You did well out there."

Kaiser added, a small smile on his face.

"Congrats."

Viktor said, a glint of pride in his eyes.

"You won, Jham!"

Then Jenna exclaimed, clearly trying to lift the mood.

"Congrats!"

She followed.

"..."

Jhamillah blinked, surprised by the warm welcome.

A smile formed on her lips.

"Thanks..."

Then she replied to everyone softly.

And as she moved farther into the room— Rose approached her without hesitation, placing a hand lightly on her shoulder.

"Are you feeling alright?"

Rose asked, her voice low, worried.

Jhamillah gave a small, reassuring shake of her head.

"Yeah. I’m fine... I wasn’t hit, not even once."

She stated.

Rose visibly relaxed after hearing that, her shoulders easing.

"That’s good."

Jenna let out a relieved breath too.

"You looked calm the whole time. Honestly, I’m kind of nervous..."

She muttered.

Viktor and Kaiser just remained where they were, not showing much reaction—but that was just how they were. From the moment Jhamillah walked in, they could tell she wasn’t injured. And that was enough for them.

Then, just as the mood was beginning to settle again—

"LET’S NOT WAIT AND HEAD STRAIGHT TO THE NEXT MATCH!"

The announcer’s booming voice rang out again.

"YEAAAAHHH!!!"

"MORE!"

"CALL THE NEXT FIGHTERS!!!"

The crowd erupted in excitement, growing rowdier with each passing second.

"LET’S WELCOME TWO MORE DEBUTANTES—JENNA VERSUS IVY FROM THE COPPER RANK!!!"

The announcer called, and just like that...

It was Jenna’s turn to step forward.

"Huh?"

After hearing her name being called, Jenna turned to the open metal door—still open from when Jhamillah had walked through it moments ago.

From where she stood, she could see a glimpse of the arena beyond—the glaring sunlight, the shifting sand, and the faint outlines of nobles seated high above.

She turned around to face everyone in the room.

All of them looked back at her—Rose, Jhamillah, Viktor, and Kaiser. None of them said anything at first, but their eyes were steady, supportive.

"Good luck."

Rose said gently, offering a small nod.

"Do your best, I know you can do it."

Jhamillah added with a faint smile.

"Keep calm and focus."

Viktor said in his usual carefree tone.

"Don’t worry, you’ll be fine."

Then Kaiser muttered, arms crossed. He’s trying to focus too.

After hearing them say those words, Jenna smiled.

She took a deep breath, and the tension in her shoulders eased a little.

"Fuuuuu..."

She nodded, letting the air fill her lungs before slowly exhaling to calm her nerves.

Then, without another word, she turned to her gear—grabbed her bow, secured it over her shoulder, and strapped the quiver of arrows firmly on her back. She double-checked the small dagger on her left waist, ensuring the sheath was snug but accessible.

And with that—

"I’m going now."

She said that, her voice steady but quiet.

Her heart was pounding, but she didn’t let it show.

*****

Tap-

Jenna stepped into the arena, her boots crunching lightly against the sand.

The sunlight struck her face, but her eyes were focused, sharp and calm. Across the field, she saw her opponent—another girl around her age, with chestnut hair tied in a messy bun and a plain iron sword gripped tightly in her trembling hands.

That was Ivy.

The moment the crowd realized it was another match between two girls, groans and jeers erupted from the stands.

"Aww, come on—again?!"

"This is just boring filler!"

"Where are the real fights?!"

Laughter followed. Mocking, dismissive, and entirely cruel for the two.

Jenna didn’t let it get to her.

She stayed still, her body relaxed yet alert—like a coiled string ready to snap.

Jenna grew up as a hunter before being sold as a slave, she’s used to staying silent and calm under pressure to catch her preys.

But in the other hand—Ivy was visibly shaken by her surroundings.

"..."

Her sword hand quivered slightly. Her chest rose and fell rapidly. Her eyes darted left and right, clearly overwhelmed by the pressure and the mocking noise around her.

And just like every other time—

"START THE FIGHT!!!"

The announcer, with no regard for anyone’s mental state, shouted with exaggerated cheer!

Just like that, the match began.

Fwip—

Jenna’s hand moved like instinct. She reached over her shoulder, pulled a single arrow from her quiver, and nocked it to her bowstring with practiced ease!

She didn’t think.

She didn’t wait.

Thwip—!

The bowstring snapped back into place as she let go, launching the arrow with deadly precision.

Fwoosh~

The arrow sliced through the air toward Ivy—fast, clean, and aimed for the shoulder!

"...!"

Ivy let out a panicked gasp and flinched backward, her sword rising clumsily in front of her face.

Tink—!

The steel tip of the arrow glanced off the flat of her sword. She’d blocked it—though not out of skill, but pure reflex and luck.

Still, she was rattled.

And Jenna?

She didn’t care as she was already reaching for the next arrow!

"No...!"

Ivy’s eyes widened in shock as she saw Jenna already drawing another arrow. Panic surged through her chest—if she stayed back, she’d be a target. If she moved forward, there was a chance.

"HAAAAAA!!!"

So with a desperate cry—Ivy charged across the arena!

She sprinted toward Jenna. Her sword trembled slightly in her hand, but her eyes locked on the archer with a mix of fear and wild determination!

She had to close the gap. She had to.

Fwiish—

Jenna fired the second arrow.

But Ivy, now alert and expecting it, reacted in time.

Bam-

She veered to the side, barely dodging the projectile as it whooshed past her and buried itself into the sand behind!

’She’s desperate.’

Jenna could tell just from the way Ivy was moving—her form was wild, not calculated. No control over her footwork, just reckless forward motion.

"..."

Jenna remained calm, her breathing steady.

Then without a word, she smoothly reached back again—her third arrow already in hand.

Swish—

Jenna continued shooting, her fingers moving with calm precision.

Twang—

Fwish—

Arrow after arrow sliced through the air!

But Ivy, driven by desperation and adrenaline—managed to dodge some, parry others.

A few grazed her arms and legs, drawing thin lines of blood, but nothing serious. Each successful deflection made her more confident, more aggressive.

"Haa... Haa..."

Her breaths were ragged, but her eyes gleamed.

’I’m almost there! Just a bit more!’

Her footfalls grew louder as the distance closed—ten steps... seven... five...

And then—

Swoosh—

Jenna fired her last arrow!

The space between them was only a few steps now.

"?!!"

Ivy’s eyes widened in panic as the arrow came flying at her face. She jerked her head violently to the side—

Shik—

"Keuk...!"

The arrow scraped the edge of her ear, slicing part of it.

Blood trickled, but she didn’t care. She was in range now, she won!

A sharp grin formed on her lips.

Swish~

She whipped her head forward again, ready to lunge an attack—

"?!!"

Only to find Jenna already in front of her!

Jenna stood just a step away, eyes cold and expressionless, staring directly into Ivy’s.

Swoosh—

Ivy swung her sword in pure panic.

TING!

But with one clean, confident motion, Jenna parried it—using her dagger!

"...!"

Ivy froze in shock. She expected Jenna to fall apart in close range. She thought this would be her win.

Then, as their eyes remained locked—

"I’m more confident in my dagger skill than my bow."

Jenna declared that flatly!

"..."

Ivy’s expression shattered. Her confidence vanished—replaced by fear and despair.

And before she could move, speak, or scream—

PHUCK—

"Keuk..."

Jenna’s dagger pierced her throat with a swift, straight thrust.