Chapter 1053: Battle II
This event attracted warriors from other legions as well. They remained in their seats, looking down at the platform below.
Cicero sat at the top, with three individuals beside him.
The first was an old woman with long greenish hair. Her face was full of wrinkles, and she wore a white robe. She was Frena, a Division Commander of Athena"s Champion.
The second was a middle-aged man in dark armor. He had red hair, blue eyes, and greenish scales on his skin, indicating that he was a demi. His name was Adein, a War General of Ares" Warriors.
The last one resembled a ten-year-old boy with black hair, black eyes, and a horn protruding from the center of his forehead. His name was Casme, also a War General of Ares" Warriors.
A War General was equivalent to a Division Commander in Athena"s Champion.
All four of them were demiG.o.ds.
"Cicero, isn"t this too early? If I"m not mistaken, he just gained the t.i.tle of Hero Candidate, right?" Casme asked.
"Yeah, but that monster looked confident. Also, the rumors about him aren"t just
exaggerations," Cicero replied calmly.
"The strongest Fourth Stage monster, huh? It seems that another Monster Lord will appear in our Olympus soon," Adein said, resting his chin on his palm.
"I"m a Division Commander of Athena"s Champion, yet this is my first time seeing him. It"s been a while since I"ve returned here," Frena said with a smile.
Casme glanced at Frena and asked, "You"ve been to the Ruin Battlefield, right? What"s the current situation there?"
Cicero and Adein also turned their attention to Frena, eager to hear about the state of the Ruin Battlefield.
"It"s getting peaceful there. Because of the threat of Gluttony, the battles in the Ruin Battlefield have decreased. The Holy Lands are gradually retreating to their bases, not daring to engage in another battle," Frena explained.
"The threat of Gluttony isn"t minor. Our G.o.d even sent two War Generals to search for signs of high-level experts from the Gluttony Army, but those with great strength are really well hidden," Casme said.
For now, the Holy Lands were monitoring the battlefield while staying vigilant of their surroundings, wary of where the high-level experts of the Gluttony Army might be hiding. Fortunately, the Angels were taking the initiative to fight on the frontlines, allowing the other Holy Lands to keep watch.
"Gluttony... I"ve seen him before. He was just a kid back then, without any strength. He was part of some demiG.o.d forces involved in the war between Angels and the Fallen," Adein said.
While they were talking, the spectators erupted into loud cheers as the announcer stepped onto the stage.
Wooo!!!
They rose to their feet, pumping their fists in the air.
"I"m your announcer, Dezmo, from the Song of Hermes," a man enthusiastically introduced himself to the crowd. "I won"t keep you waiting any longer. Let"s introduce the one who took the trial."
Everyone went quiet, focusing their attention on the stage.
"Introducing the man who took the rite. He"s been called the Only One, the one who stood at the top."
A man dressed in dark attire slowly walked out of the pa.s.sage. The entire stadium fell into silence as he stepped forward.
"Who could"ve seen this coming! His rise has become legendary everywhere! He"s only just become a Hero Candidate, yet he"s already taking the rite! He"s a monster among monsters!" His footsteps echoed with each step as his long hair fluttered in the wind.
"They say he"s the strongest Fourth Stage, and no one has refuted it! He steps onto the battlefield with strength and wisdom!"
He stepped onto the platform and paused, looking around as he combed his hair with his fingers.
"It all began when he was tasked with going to the Hall Plains. He effortlessly took control of a city and tamed the fierce Lernaean Hydra. He swiftly ended the great turmoil in the Hall Plains that disturbed the G.o.ds. He went to the frontlines and proved his strength to the warriors by taking over one of the three countries that later became a battleground. He"s the one and only Blood Lightning Monster! The undisputed one!"
Souta placed his hand on the handle of the vajra sword while glancing at the spectators. He flinched as a slight pain surged in his eyes. In the next second, his vision changed.
"This...? It seems that the effect of [Galaxy Eyes] has completely returned." he thought to himself.
Among the spectators, he spotted many familiar faces-Grain Leader Carmel, Manduk, and some of the warriors he had encountered before.
"So that"s the legendary Blood Lightning Monster..."
"It"s my first time seeing him."
"I wonder if he"s as strong as the rumors say."
Aside from the warriors of Athena"s Champion, there were also warriors from other G.o.ds" Legions. All of them were curious about the famous strongest Fourth Stage monster.
The announcer, Dezmo, raised his hand with a big smile on his face.
"Now! It"s time to start this rite of battle!!"
The audience erupted into loud cheers.
Ohm!!
A surge of energy enveloped the entire platform, forming a barrier around it.
Souta remained still, knowing this was simply a measure to protect the spectators.
Bang!!
The platform shook violently as hundreds of buildings, mountains, and rivers emerged.
"Condensing s.p.a.ce and time."
A new s.p.a.ce formed within the barrier.
The audience wasn"t shocked by this as they had seen it before, but it was still an amazing sight, especially for ordinary people.
"Now that the stage is ready! The match will start now! There are no allies within the stage! Everyone is an enemy!" the announcer declared.
There was no introduction for Souta"s opponent. There was no need; everyone would find out soon enough. It was also a surprise element for the one taking the rite.
Just be prepared to fight, no matter who stands in the way.
That"s just how it is.
"The first opponent is here!"
The spectators and the announcer weren"t visible inside the barrier, and no voices from
outside could be heard.
The audience rose to their feet as they watched the first opponent emerge from one of the buildings, looking down at the ground.
"It"s going to start..."
In the VIP room, Cicero and the other three observed the scene below.
"It"s not necessarily the first opponent. The rite isn"t a one-on-one battle to begin with,"
Frena commented.
The others were well aware of this, as it wasn"t the first time they had seen a Hero Candidate
proving himself.
Inside the barrier...
Souta raised his head, sensing someone within his perception. As long as they had blood, he could detect them within a specific range.
He leapt onto the top of a building, looking left and right. A smile formed on his face as he focused his attention ahead.
Far away from him stood a man dressed in black pants and a white tunic.
"Come!"
Souta faintly smiled as he opened his arms and looked up at the sky.
[Twilight Zone]!
The sky turned a deep crimson, resembling blood, and his eyes gleamed with power.
He stood atop the building, his clothes and hair fluttering in the strong winds. The shadows beneath his feet spread outward.
Far from Souta, the man watched with a serious expression. He was Welfaz, a member of the Third Grain War Leader of the Second Set Pallas Division.
"You"re not alone," Souta said, glancing left and right. He sensed the presence of others,
feeling the blood coursing through their veins.
That"s right; the other opponents in this battle had arrived. No one said this would be a one- on-one fight, but Souta already knew that from his past experiences.
Three people stood to his left, and four stood to his right. They all watched him intently,
a.s.sessing his movements.
Suddenly, a woman moved. She raised her hand, and a surge of energy erupted from her body.
At the same time, a man crouched down, placing both palms on the floor.
The woman was Zeime, the Second Grain War Leader of the Fourth Set Pallas Division, while
the man was Dopoy, the First Grain War Leader of the Fourth Set Polias Division.
Ohm!!
A magic circle appeared beneath Welfaz"s feet as his energy surged toward the sky, manifesting as a pillar of bluish light.
Welfaz pulled back his hands, and a large amount of energy swirled between his palms. In the next second, he pushed both hands forward, shooting a ma.s.sive blue energy beam.
[Destruction Lightning Ray]!!
Souta raised both hands as the concentrated ray of lightning approached him.
In an instant, the building he stood upon disintegrated, and smoke and dust enveloped the
area.
Swoos.h.!.+
Souta emerged from the smoke, rus.h.i.+ng straight at Welfaz. His body was covered in burn
marks, but they quickly vanished.
His aura rose sharply as ten black spheres materialized behind him. Not only that, but most of
his spells and combat arts that could enhance his abilities were activated.
"Let"s go!" Souta laughed. Spreading his fingers, dozens of strings of webs shot out, slicing through the buildings in his path.
"Come!" Welfaz tightened both fists.
In the next moment, Souta arrived in front of him. He threw a punch, and Welfaz responded in
kind. Their fists collided, causing intense vibrations in the air.
Boom!!