Hulim distributed the antidotes to everyone.

  "The supply of antidotes is limited. We need to prioritize rescuing those with combat capabilities. How many powerful individuals do each of you know?"

  "I’m an adventurer! I know many strong fellow adventurers!""So am I!""I know a few too......"

  Hulim glanced at the four people who spoke up.

  "In that case, the four of you go to the spectator stands to rescue capable viewers. The rest of us will free the gathered Federation nobles—there are quite a few strong fighters among them."

  "Uh...... Just the four of us? Isn’t our combat power a bit too weak?"

  The four exchanged glances, their eyes drifting subtly toward Boguna and Violet—their meaning clear.

  In a situation like this, the enemy surely had Upper-Rank Powerhouses at Rank B or higher. A group of Rank C fighters, even top-tier ones, would likely be powerless.

  "That’s a valid concern......"

  Hulim turned to the remaining three.

  "Who is willing to join their team?"

  Boguna stepped forward first.

  "As a representative of the Golden Lion Royal Clan, I must prioritize rescuing the nobles."

  Luigi said nothing.

  Violet hesitated for a moment.

  "W-Well...... I don’t know many people, but I’m technically an adventurer too. I can go with them......"

  Seeing that Violet, a Magic Swordswoman, was willing to join them, the four breathed a sigh of relief.

  "Now that we’ve divided the teams, there’s no time to waste. Let’s move quickly.""Right!""Alright......"

  Squeak~!

  The VIP box door was gently opened.

  One person crept outside to scout, then turned back to the room and whispered:

  "Clear!"

  The eight of them quickly exited the box.

  "The white mist is almost gone. Everyone must be extra careful.""You too—stay safe!"

  After this brief exchange, the eight split into a five-person team and a three-person team, heading in two different directions......

  ......

  Meanwhile, in a staff-only room somewhere in the Grand Arena,

  a water sphere hovered in mid-air.

  "Ms. Lore, we owe you a great debt. If you hadn’t reacted so quickly, we would have suffered the same fate."

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  Inside the water sphere stood three figures: George Glevin, the tournament host and final judge; and the two guest commentators, Lore Kling and Rad Vail.

  "I never expected Ms. Lore’s magic to be so exquisite. This white mist seeps through almost everything, yet your magical defense held it back."

  Following George, Rad also expressed his admiration for Lore.

  Her magic was truly masterful.

  The white mist could easily penetrate ordinary magical defenses. For most mages, even casting defensive spells would be futile.

  But Lore had split her single water barrier into countless thinner layers, overlapping them with the air to form a multi-layered hybrid defense.

  Even with the mist’s unusual corrosive power, it fizzled out halfway through the barrier.

  The three inside were spared from its effects.

  "The mist is lifting......"

  Lore was the first to notice the change.

  George and Rad soon followed.

  "......"

  Inside the water sphere, the three exchanged glances.

  The fading mist was both good and bad news.

  The good: they would soon be able to move freely. The bad: the enemy would likely arrive soon.

  Sure enough, not long after the mist had thinned significantly, heavy footsteps echoed nearby.

  "We haven’t searched here yet!""Check inside!"

  Bang——!

  The room door was kicked open.

  A group of armed men burst in.

  "What the hell—?! "

  The water sphere inside the room startled them.

  But they quickly recovered, their eyes glinting with malice.

  "Survivors! Finish them off!"

  With that, they raised their weapons and charged.

  "Hmph!"

  Lore let out a cold snort.

  George and Rad couldn’t fight in this situation—she would have to handle it alone.

  Fortunately, these were just small fries, not strong enough to force her to go all out.

  Boom! Boom! Boom......

  A hailstorm of tiny, high-speed water arrows filled the entire room, riddling it like a sieve in an instant.

  The armed men suffered heavy casualties in the attack.

  Only a few at the back survived by using the others as human shields.

  "Damn it! An Upper-Rank Powerhouse! Send the signal—!!!"

  Boom! Boom! Boom......

  Another volley of arrows.

  Silence fell over the room once more.

  "......"

  George and Rad exchanged silent glances, both seeing shock in each other’s eyes.

  This Lore......

  The strength she’d shown in the exhibition match was nowhere near her full power......

  Splash~!

  At that moment, streams of water lifted several objects from the ground and brought them to Lore.

  "?? Ms. Lore, what are you doing?"

  "Looking for the antidote."

  Lore replied calmly.

  "Of course!" George’s eyes lit up. "These men could move freely in the mist—they must have something like an antidote!"

  "Found it. This should be it!"

  After a moment, Lore held up an object that resembled the antidote.

  "Are you sure about this?"

  George and Rad looked hesitant at the item in her hand.

  "Well...... I’m not certain, but most of them were carrying this. So it’s likely the antidote......"

  With that, Lore slowly extended her right hand holding the antidote.

  "So...... who goes first?"

  "......""......"

  The three fell silent, staring at each other.

  Tap! Tap! Tap......

  Just then, more footsteps echoed outside.

  All three paled.

  "No time to argue—we’ll all take it together!"

  Making a quick decision, they swallowed the suspected antidote.

  Splash!

  Lore then dispelled the water barrier. The three stood back on the ground, exposed to the lingering mist.

  One second, two seconds, three seconds......

  They waited quietly.

  "No effect?"

  Joy surged in their hearts.

  It was indeed the antidote.

  "Now......"

  All three turned toward the sound of footsteps.

  "We found it! The signal came from here!"

  A large group of armed men rushed in.

  "Three more survivors here——!"

  "Hmph! I wondered who could resist the poison mist from a High-Rank Monster. It’s you three!"

  Compared to the previous group, these armed men were far stronger—several of them exuded powerful auras.

  "Gentlemen...... It looks like a tough fight is inevitable."

  Lore gripped her wand tightly.

  "No choice—let’s fight!"

  George drew his sword as well.

  Thud!

  Rad slammed his heavy shield into the ground in front of them, stepping forward to take the lead.

  "I’ll be your vanguard."

  Seeing their resolve, the armed men flew into a rage.

  "Still trying to resist? You’re overestimating your abilities! Attack! Kill them——!"

  Boom——!

  In an instant, the entire room was reduced to rubble in the clash. The destruction spread rapidly throughout the Grand Arena.

  ......