"Milianna challenge failed! Score: 0 points!"
The Pumpkin Man, looking at the screen above the arena showing Milianna being defeated by the magical creatures inside the Pandemonium, immediately announced.
Originally, Milianna had chosen to challenge 50 magical creatures.
But after entering the Pandemonium, facing the siege of 50 creatures, Milianna could only run away.
Although Milianna also wanted to kill as many monsters as possible before being taken down, the monsters each had extremely high defense.
Even the lowest D-grade monsters couldn't be killed by her in a short time.
In the end, Milianna was swatted against a wall by one of the monsters and passed out directly.
"As expected, you can't choose too many!"
"These magical creatures are just too strong!"
Seeing that Milianna hadn't killed a single monster, the spectators in the surrounding stands all buzzed with discussion.
The contestants on the arena, like Cana, also secretly analyzed the situation.
They had seen Milianna's battle with the monsters very clearly through the screen.
Now, they had a clearer understanding of the monsters' strength.
Originally, Cana and the others had the same idea as Milianna, wanting to challenge as many monsters as possible.
But after witnessing Milianna's miserable defeat, they abandoned this notion in their hearts.
"Number 2, please choose the number of monsters you wish to challenge!"
After Milianna was teleported out, the Pumpkin Man walked up to Rufus and asked.
"For now, I'll challenge 30."
Rufus glanced at Cana, Natsu, and the others, then said to the Pumpkin Man.
30 monsters meant a 30% probability of encountering an S-grade monster.
Any more, and the probability of encountering an S-grade would increase accordingly.
Rufus's thought was to kill as many monsters as possible while avoiding encountering the S-grade monster.
30 monsters, not too many, not too few.
After Rufus entered the Pandemonium, 30 monsters of various forms quickly appeared before him.
Those monsters didn't hesitate and immediately launched an attack on Rufus.
Facing the siege of those monsters, Rufus didn't panic.
He only activated his magic after the monsters pounced on him.
"Burning Earth Creation~!"
Rufus waved his hand, and a sky-full of flames rose around him.
Most of the monsters that pounced were instantly turned to ashes and vanished.
However, a portion of the stronger monsters survived.
"So strong!"
"He actually killed so many monsters in an instant!"
"As expected of one of Sabertooth's Top Five strongest mages!"
The spectators in the surrounding stands, seeing Rufus wipe out a large number of monsters in an instant, were all amazed.
However, mages like Kenichi, Erza, and the others knew that the monsters Rufus killed were only those below B-grade.
The B-grade and above, stronger monsters were all still alive.
The real battle was just beginning.
After several minutes of fierce battle, Rufus finally killed all 30 monsters that had appeared in the hall.
However, when Rufus emerged from the Pandemonium, he was already covered in wounds.
After all, the strength of those B-grade and above monsters was already very formidable.
"Rufus successfully challenged 30 monsters! Gains 30 points!"
As soon as the Pumpkin Man said this, the spectators in the stadium instantly cheered.
"As expected of Rufus, successfully challenging 30 monsters alone!"
The red Exceed on Sabertooth's side said proudly.
"Natsu-san is number 3. It's Natsu-san's turn next. Perfect chance to see his strength!"
The usually listless Sting looked at Natsu on the arena, a slightly interested expression also appearing on his face.
While Sting was talking, Natsu on the arena was rotating his arms, saying impatiently: "Finally my turn?"
Seeing Natsu looking ready to go all out, a sweatdrop appeared on the back of the Pumpkin Man's head. He then asked Natsu: "How many monsters do you plan to challenge?"
"The rest! All of them!"
Natsu slammed his fist into his palm, grinning excitedly.
'Huh?!'
Hearing Natsu's words, the Pumpkin Man and the audience were all shocked.
However, those who knew Natsu's personality, like Kenichi, Erza, Gray, Gildarts, and the others, showed expressions that said they had expected this.
"You just said... all the rest?"
The Pumpkin Man confirmed with Natsu again.
"That's right!"
After getting Natsu's confirmation, the spectators in the stadium were in an uproar.
"Hey hey, for real?"
"Challenging 70 alone?"
"Rufus, one of Sabertooth's Top Five, was barely managing with 30, and this guy wants to challenge the remaining 70?"
"There's an S-grade monster in there! Does he even understand the situation?"
If Natsu had chosen 70 before Milianna and Rufus's attempts, the audience's reaction might not have been so strong.
But after Milianna and Rufus's scouting, the audience fully understood just how strong those monsters were.
Now, Natsu was saying he wanted to challenge 70 monsters, including the S-grade monster.
In the eyes of those spectators, Natsu's outcome would likely be the same as Milianna's: instant failure.
"Kenichi-nii!"
Wendy, looking at Natsu on the arena, said to Kenichi somewhat nervously.
"Don't worry. With Natsu's current strength, 70 monsters are not a problem."
Hearing Wendy's words, Kenichi said.
While Wendy and Natsu were talking, Natsu on the arena had already been teleported into the Pandemonium.
Same as Rufus, not long after Natsu entered the Pandemonium, magical creatures of various forms began appearing out of thin air before him.
Before those monsters could even launch an attack on Natsu, Natsu took the initiative and charged at them.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
"Fire Dragon's Claw!"
"Fire Dragon's Sword Horn!"
Without another word, Natsu went straight in with the Fire Dragon triple combo.
Accompanied by a series of violent impact sounds, the monsters hit by Natsu were all sent flying.
"Fire Dragon's Roar!"
Immediately after, Natsu took a deep breath.
The next second, a huge pillar of flame instantly engulfed the group of monsters before him.
Boom-
At that moment, a terrifyingly loud explosion resounded through the hall.
At the same time, the screen displaying the arena's feed was covered by smoke and dust.