I Died and Became a Noble's Heir

Chapter 399: Enter the Colosseum

The portal deposited them outside the Colosseum’s main entrance, where obsidian walls rose like frozen pillars against the blood-red sky of Floor 2.

The structure was even more imposing from the ground. Especially for humans. A monument to violence that had witnessed countless deaths across millennia.

Jack turned to his group, his red eyes scanning each member. ”Before we enter, everyone needs to be covered. This place is filled with demons and various creatures. I don’t want anyone recognizing who you are.”

He pulled black hooded robes from his system storage, distributing them to Loryn, Father Caelen, Rhys, and Pho. The fabric was thick and heavy.

”Young master,” Father Caelen said as he donned the robe, ”is this truly necessary? Surely your authority as Soul Warden...”

”My authority means nothing here,” Jack interrupted. ”This is neutral ground. A place where power is the only currency that matters. We stay anonymous until I’m ready to reveal myself.”

Pho pulled his hood low over his blank white eyes, the fabric casting his pale face into shadow. ”The Colosseum operates on spectacle and surprise. Revealing ourselves too early ruins the impact.”

Loryn adjusted his robe with his shadow-wrapped hands, purple eyes gleaming from beneath the hood. ”And what role shall we play, young master?”

”Observers,” Jack replied. ”Nothing more. Watch, learn, and don’t interfere.”

Rhys shifted nervously, his winter-ice eyes darting between the massive entrance gates and Jack’s calm expression. ”And me?”

”Sylph goes back inside you,” Jack said. ”Can’t have a mythical spirit floating around drawing attention.”

The tiny spirit made an indignant sound from where she hovered near Rhys’s shoulder. ”Inside? You want me to hide like some frightened mouse?”

”I want you alive and unnoticed,” Jack corrected, his tone brooking no argument. ”This place is full of beings that would love to capture or kill something as rare as you. Unless you want to find out how creative demons can get with torture, I suggest you cooperate.”

Sylph’s black-and-green eyes narrowed, but she couldn’t argue with the logic. With a huff of annoyance, she dissolved into motes of light that flowed into Rhys’s chest. The elf prince gasped slightly as her presence settled inside him, a warm weight against his soul.

”Strange,” Rhys muttered, pressing one hand to his chest. ”I can feel her irritation.”

”Good,” Jack said. ”Means the bond is working properly.” He turned his attention to his own equipment, dismissing his casual attire in favor of the Infernal Set.

The chest piece materialized first, crimson-black demon bone settling against his torso with a weight that felt almost alive. The skull embedded in the breastplate gleamed with malevolent intelligence, its eye sockets flaring briefly with red light as the Nightmare-class core inside pulsed.

The gauntlets followed, sliding onto his hands and forearms with satisfying clicks. The clawed fingers flexed naturally; each movement felt deadly. Jack could feel the demon bone responding to his touch.

It was different than before. Now that he was becoming more and more demon-like. It felt like the armor was trying to communicate with him.

The leg guards attached next, overlapping plates that protected without restricting. The small spikes jutting from the knees.

Finally, the helmet. Jack pulled it on, feeling the demon bone conform to his skull. The T-shaped visor limited his peripheral vision slightly, but the intimidation factor was worth it.

The two small horns curving back from the temples completed the transformation.

He looked like something that had crawled out of the most bottomless pits of Tartarus.

”Young master,” Father Caelen breathed, his voice carrying genuine awe despite years of maintaining serene composure. ”You look... formidable.”

”Terrifying,” Rhys corrected, taking an involuntary step backward. ”You look absolutely terrifying.”

”Good,” Jack said, his voice slightly muffled by the helmet. He reached into his system storage and pulled out the Infernal Spear, the weapon materializing in his hands.

The spear was beautiful in the way only weapons of war could be beautiful. The demon bone shaft was dark and smooth, reinforced to withstand tremendous force. The leaf-shaped spearhead gleamed, its edges so sharp that they seemed to cut light itself, runes pulsing along the blade with a faint red luminescence.

[Equipment Active: Infernal Set (4/4)]

[Fire Resistance: +50%]

[Set Bonus: Blood Feast - Active]

[Weapon: Infernal Spear]

[Demon’s Rage: 0/10 stacks]

Corvin manifested on his shoulder, the great raven’s violet eyes gleaming with approval. Through their bond, Jack could feel the bird’s satisfaction at his master’s appearance.

They now looked like a matched pair.

”Let’s go,” Jack said, leading the way toward the Colosseum entrance.

The gates were massive, carved from obsidian. Guards flanked the entrance, hulking demons with skin like cracked stone and eyes that burned with molten lava.

They watched Jack’s group approach, their expressions a mix of curiosity and wariness.

One of the guards stepped forward, his voice like grinding boulders. ”State your business.”

”Spectators,” Jack replied, his voice carrying authority despite being hidden behind the helmet. ”We’re here to watch the fights.”

The guard’s burning eyes swept over the group, lingering on Jack’s armor. ”New to the Colosseum?”

”First visit,” Jack confirmed.

”Registration is through the main hall. Spectator passes are fifty death tokens per person.” The guard gestured toward the interior. ”Follow the corridor to the central atrium. Can’t miss it.”

Jack paid the entrance fee without hesitation, watching 250 tokens vanish from his balance.

The guard stepped aside, allowing them passage into the Colosseum.

The corridor beyond was lined with torches that burned with green flame, casting everything in sickly illumination.

The walls were decorated with weapons from countless battles. Swords, axes, and spears, all mounted like trophies.

Some were clearly ancient, their metal corroded by centuries. Others looked fresh, still stained with blood.

”This place has history,” Loryn observed quietly, his purple eyes tracking the weapon displays. ”Centuries of violence condensed into architecture.”

”Millennia,” Pho corrected, his blank white eyes visible beneath his hood. ”The Colosseum existed before Tartarus Spire. It was incorporated into the tower’s structure when the floors were established.”

They emerged into the central atrium, and Rhys had to pause at the scale.

The space was enormous, easily a hundred meters across, with a domed ceiling so high it disappeared into darkness above.

Thousands of beings milled about, with most of them being demons.

The noise was overwhelming. Conversations in dozens of languages happened everywhere. The crowd’s energy was palpable, anticipation building like pressure before a storm.

”Where should we sit?” Rhys asked, his voice barely audible over the din.

Jack scanned the seating arrangements visible through archways leading to the arena. The Colosseum was organized in tiers, each section offering different views and presumably different levels of prestige.

”Near the announcer’s booth,” Jack decided. ”I want a clear view of whoever’s running this show.”

They made their way through the crowd, Jack’s armor drawing stares wherever they passed. Demons gave them a wide berth, their expressions ranging from curious to hostile.

A few brave souls started to approach before thinking better of it, something about Jack’s presence warning them off.

”There, I found the piece of shit.’ Jack muttered under his breath.

’Slyph, any idea who he is talking about?’

’Yes, Rhys, that monster up. Can’t you sense his power?’

’Barely, it doesn’t feel powerful.’