There exists something called “cockfighting.”
It’s an animal fight where chickens battle each other for spectators’ enjoyment, a practice that has been popular in various cultures since ancient times.
Naturally, it seems that such entertainment exists in this other world as well.
However, there was a significant difference.
The fighting participants weren’t chickens or cows, but rather “monsters.”
This fight happening in the “Monster Arena” involves capturing creatures classified as monsters that have a tendency to attack humans, equipping them with restraining magical tools, and training them through a trainer. It’s been around for quite some time.
At first, it might seem similar to “Capsule Monsters,” but there’s a major distinction.
The monsters were far from cute.
They weren’t the adorable little creatures we’re familiar with; instead, they were terrifying beings like goblins that could crush a human’s skull or gigantic snakes capable of swallowing an adult man whole, fighting for their lives.
Understandably, it was violent and bloody, and since people bet on these fights, it fell under gambling, permitted only in certain places within the empire.
And one of those places happened to be Jiren’s regular spot.
Following Jiren’s lead, we arrived at the sole Monster Arena in the southern region.
We reached the Monster Arena after roughly an hour’s carriage ride.
“This is the best monster arena in the south, Red Moon!”
The place resembled a circus from a past life.
Large tents were erected here and there, with wooden fences confining monsters.
In the center was what appeared to be a small coliseum where the monsters fought.
Jiren skillfully guided us onward, leading us somewhere.
There, we encountered a young dark elf with a striking reggaeton hairstyle who looked like he would excel in battles.
He spotted Jiren and eagerly rushed over.
“No way!! Is that you, our good friend Jiren!!”
“Yeah, Ura, how have you been?”
“Of course, I’ve been splendidly well, surrounded by my beloved babies!!”
Behind him were numerous monsters in various cages, all under training.
“Say hello, kids. This is the person funding your feed.”
At his words, the monsters simultaneously glared at us.
Still in training, they displayed their ferocity, baring their teeth as a warning.
Growl
Hiss Hiss
Squawk! Squawk!
“EEEEK!”
“I-I’m a little scared. Yuren.”
Seeing this, Sora and Julia shrank behind me.
Sylvia appeared unaffected, but the way she tightly held my hand suggested she was a bit frightened, while the Master was quietly feeding a lizard-like monster nearby.
Do those things sense magic too? They were silent around the Master.
“Who are those delicate ladies and the handsome silver-haired gentleman behind you?”
“Oh, they are my sister and folks from Irene School.”
At that moment, the dark elf seemed to notice us, and Jiren called us over.
“Say hello to everyone. This is Ura, who works as a monster trainer here at Red Moon.”
“Nice to meet you, friends of Jiren! I’m Ura, responsible for the cuteness of Red Moon. So nice to meet you!”
With a wink, the reggae-haired dark elf introduced himself.
What a rare sight to witness such a cute performance from a dark elf!
“Everyone wants to see the Monster Arena, so I recommended this place.”
“What!? Is there interest in the Monster Arena?”
To be precise, it was only me who was interested.
Ura approached us with an expression of astonishment at Jiren’s words.
“I sincerely apologize! I almost disregarded the burning passion in your hearts.”
Burning passion, huh…
That wasn’t entirely incorrect.
If the target of that passion were swapped from the Monster Arena to Capsule Monsters, though.
“Do you have a match today?”
“Actually, just one lined up.”
“Could we watch that? I’ll double the payment.”
Jiren immediately prepared to buy the viewing tickets.
Then Ura pushed Jiren’s money away, saying,
“Don’t do that, my friend. The viewing spots will be complimentary as an apology for ignoring you.”
Huh? Free admission?
We had enough money; we didn’t need that!
As I was pondering this, Ura approached not Jiren but us, particularly Sylvia, saying,
“Instead!! I would appreciate it if the ladies would place a bet on my victory.”
I see, it wasn’t just about basic ticket money; he was aiming for bigger stakes,
hence approaching Sylvia,
that reggae dark elf had a keen eye for money.
“This sounds fun. Alright, I’ll bet 100 million gold on your victory.”
Without hesitation, Sylvia boldly placed a hefty bet of 100 million gold on the table.
Ura’s expression change was as if he had just realized Luffy’s punches weren’t functioning against Enel from One Piece.
“WOW!!! Jiren!!!! This lady is incredibly generous!!!”
“Just ensure an excellent match for us. Got it?”
“Of course, my queen, please enjoy the match and savor the victory I deliver.”
With that, we headed towards the arena to watch the Monster Arena match.
*
“I said it like that, but… I’m a little scared, Yuren.”
Sitting in her seat, Sylvia spoke honestly.
Though she tried to act tough, she and others would likely find this Monster Arena quite gruesome.
Jiren had mentioned previously about seeing monster guts spill out during a fight.
To prepare for such moments, I brought out a magical tool.
“I knew this would happen, so I brought this.”
I took out a pair of white glasses resembling goggles from my pocket.
“What’s this…?”
“Oh!? Yuren! This can’t be!?”
As expected, Sora was the first to react about the magical tool.
“You seem to know, Sora.”
“Yes, Professor Howard was involved in developing magical tools, so I heard a bit about it.”
I distributed the magical tools to Julia, Sora, and Sylvia.
“Simply put, wearing these will sanitize what you see and hear.”
“Sanitize?”
These magical tools, known as “Perception Purifying Glasses,” essentially filtered out the unpleasant and grotesque sights and sounds.
In other words…
“In a nutshell, everything appears cute.”
“Where…”
Hearing my words, Julia, though skeptical, tried on the glasses.
Her reaction was immediate.
“Oh! Yuren! This is truly amazing!! That monster looks like an adorable little snake now!!”
“Exactly! I brought enough for everyone, so just ask if you need them.”
Thus, everyone who wasn’t immune to grotesque scenarios wore the Perception Purifying Glasses, getting ready to enjoy the Monster Arena.
Sylvia held my hand and said,
“Thank you, Yuren.”
“No problem, it’s nothing between us.”
Seeing that, Sora and Julia nestled up to me as the Monster Arena match was about to begin.
*
The Monster Arena was buzzing with excitement.
Though not enormous, the crowd was immensely thrilled as they anticipated the match.
A muscular, mohawk-haired man who looked like an MC appeared and began to hype up the atmosphere.
“Ladies and gentlemen!!! Thank you for coming to Red Moon once again!”
He faced the crowd and proclaimed.
“Do you crave blood!!!”
[ “YES!!!!” ]
“Do you crave excitement!!!?”
[ “YES!!!!!!!” ]
“And for you, two warriors have descended here today!”
The mohawk MC pointed to the left door.
Out walked a human man alongside a blue-eyed wolf monster adorned with horns.
“There’s nothing this horn can’t penetrate in this world!!! Enter the Unicorn Wolf, Blue Eyes, and his partner, Simon!!!!”
He then pointed to the right door.
Out swaggered Ura, the reggae-haired dark elf, along with a goblin wielding a club.
“Return from the depths of hell, the green demon!!! Goblin Green Demon and his partner, Ura!!!!!!!”
As both monsters and their trainers faced each other in the arena,
the MC addressed everyone, shouting,
“Let the battle for their lives begin. Monster fight ready… GO!!!!”
*
And just as the fight was about to unfold with blood and gore spilling everywhere,
through the “Perception Purifying Glasses,” a peaceful scene emerged.
Instead of the muscular man, a slender, blonde kindergarten teacher appeared, addressing the audience.
[ “Thank you, kids, for coming to Red Moon today♩” ]
[ “Do you want to see something fun?” ]
[ “For you, two friends have arrived here.” ]
As her soft voice echoed, a cute blue puppy walked in, accompanied by a little child.
[ “Ah! Here comes Blue! He’s a friend boasting a big horn.” ]
Following that, a cute green goblin brandishing a bone happily trotted in alongside another little dark elf companion.
[ “Wow! Here comes Green! Look, Green is waving!” ]
As these adorable monster friends stood in the center of the arena with their little partners, the referee cutely announced,
[ “Now, shall we all chant together? Match… Start ♬” ]
Thus, as the adorable creatures seemed to joyfully engage in wrestling, another Monster Arena match began under their glasses.
