Sion got punched out of the building, he crashed into main square. Not a moment passed by when Rhao jumped on Sion's stomach with his knee. Sion's reserves of energy and speed were definitely inferior to Rhao's.
" Are you done already? Your surprise attack didn't really work did it? Two of us are Erttems after all! " he said in his childish tone of voice.
Noirre and Zhao were still inside the house.
" Like... I give a shit about your Cla- "
Rhao stabbed Sion through the chest with his bare hand; " How dare you talk like that to me!? " he was angered. Sion spit blood and his eyes rolled back.
" Did I kill you already? You're that weak? " he pulled out his hand out of Sion's chest and blood leaked out of the hole.
" You pathetic low Class scu-! "
A face was grabbed by Sion in an instant. After red and black aura consumed his body for a second, all wounds disappeared. Sion pushed himself of the ground and slammed Rhao against the floor. Ground rumbled and the entire square cracked. Sion's own aura now dominated the entire square.
" Egh-! " Rhao spit out blood.
Sion proceeded to kick him in the face across the square. It didn't take long for man to jump back up. They exchanged looks.
" You got some fierce abilities, I'll give you that.. equaling out our energies and resurrection.. both are incredibly rare. But it doesn't matter, I am a Ert- "
" If you repeat that line one more time I'll kill you on the spot. " Sion said with annoyed expression.
" You're implying that you are capable of killing me? Hilarious. " Rhao started walking forward.
He continued talking; " There are many 2nd Classes in this world, most work for the government. Me and Zhao are both powerful enough to defeat ANY low 2nd Class. You and that monster are both low 2nd Class, aren't you? Or did he mention he is a high 3rd Class? I don't remember.. Either way, you have no chance of winning against me. Even though you can equal out energies, there are many aspects of combat you don't equal out. Physical speed and strength for example, even though having more energy increases those aspects, both of them can be increased by training of one's body. There's experience, intelligence, equipment and many more you simply don't posses. Simply having more energy and god-blessed abilities don't guarantee you'll win a fight. " he explained almost too friendly.
" Us strong are destined to rule over the weak, why can't you just accept that? " Rhao said.
Sion wiped off some blood he had under his nose; " You strong might be destined to rule over us.. but we are have a goal to fulfill as well.. "
Rhao looked surprised by the answer; " And what would that be? "
Sion's eyes lighted green; " It's to fight for ourselves.. and to do whatever we can to break that hellish destiny of yours. " he raised his hands forward, ready for another round.
" You are a fool.. " Rhao prepared himself as well.
It was silent. At any moment one of them might attack and inflict a fatal wound. Sion was calming his breathing, forcing the panic to disappear. It was time to move, he must move first and finish this quickly.
The purpose of this mission is to force Golden Emperor to make a move and reveal his location. They couldn't waste much time, this village must be liberated.
Sion was about to dash forward but...
[ BOOOOOOOOOM-! ]
Entire center building exploded. Massive fire swallowed the house and everything around it. Sion and Rhao flew through the air.
Smoke was rising for hundreds of meters. It was truly a terrifying explosion and sight to be seen.
" Zhao! "
" Noirre! "
They yelled and ran towards the building. A second smaller explosion suddenly sent a wave through the village again. Whatever causes the explosion it possessed strong aura, Rhao could feel that. Sion could too. No doubt about it they both knew it was one of the two men that fought inside.
[ MEANWHILE, GREYRE ]
Yet again, Lori was sitting and drinking tea. He was reading a book.
' Dragons of the North
Written by C. Popinttam
All about dragons on North. Their history, present and future. Locations and abilities included! '
He was reading it while slowly sipping some tea every now and then. Occasionally he would nod his head as if he was just now learning some things. In the living room though, Nemma was sitting. She was reading a much smaller material. It was list of members of Sons of Freedom, current an present.
" We weren't thought about plenty of these people and events that happened. "
Lori giggled; " Well of course, we are regarded as a group of outlaws and law breakers by the government, some of us were considered not worth mentioning while others were top secret information. "
" After reading through your current members, I'm impressed by their powers. You could all be classified as 2nd Class, why aren't you? Even amongst yourselves you act as if you're a 3rd Class.. I don't get it. "
" We can't just go to the capital and ask for our Classes to be reconsidered. Also, no one wants a higher Class, that just beings more attention. "
" That's true. " she said silently.
" Truth be said, all of us being low 2nd Class doesn't change anything. Santiago is still the only one with a REAL power of a Class. "
" Really though? After reading through these.. I can't really agree... "
" What do you mean? "
" Well.. Santiago is definitely a 2nd Class, his abilities are insane. You even said that most of his abilities aren't even revealed, right? So this papers don't even contain all about him. But, what I want to say is.. I believe he isn't the only one. "
Lori took off his glasses and smiled; " Oh yeah? "
" Well, sure.. Lucas and Balthazar are strong but, there is another member more powerful than them. After reading HIS papers... how is he not classified as 2nd Class? "
Lori laughed; " Don't get it wrong Nemma.. You mixed it up a little bit.. ALL Sons are absolute beasts that are purposely underclassed. "
[ LIĀN, NOW ]
A pair of black wings attached to bloody, shirtless Noirre appeared as he exited the fire. He was cracking his neck and stretching his arms; " Rhao my man, I think your brother needs you help, go check him up! "
Rhao was shaking; " BROTHER! " he dashed into rumbles of the building and started digging through them, looking for him. Noirre walked past him and approached Sion.
Sion was quiet, shocked; " H-how.. "
" My ability allows me to eat monsters, remember? "
" How is that related to this? You merged with SS Class item, a drop from a monster right? It allows you to eat monsters.. how did you.. "
" Just because you know I'm merged with an SS Class item doesn't mean it's the ONLY SS Class monster I consumed. "
" You're saying? "
" I've consumed an SS Class monster sometime ago. It grants me an ability I like to call
" I-... I dont get it " Sion was still confused. A moment ago his friend died in an explosion and now he's standing in front of him explaining his abilities.
" It works in percentages. If I'm half way dead that means I took 50% damage, if I'm dead I took 100% damage, obviously if I'm unhurt I took 0%. All that damage is equally converted in strengthening all my senses and energy, strength and speed as well. Basically, more damage I receive, more my power increase. "
" I think I get it now.. so that's why you let him trash you around that much? "
" Oh God no.. He was truly powerful. I did let him damage me a little bit, but most of it wasn't act. I would say my 'health' dropped by 80% percent, so my power increased by 80%. As we are talking, my body is regenerating and I'm becoming weaker, we need to take care of them now. "
Sion looked at the rumbles. Rhao and Zhao were exiting. Zhao was bleeding from his severed left arm. They were looking pissed.
" Sion, listen to me. Right now I'm EQUAL to both of them. Not stronger nor weaker. If you use your
Sion nodded.
" Then use your 1st ability and match their physical powers. This will be an all out hand-to-hand combat. " his claws emerged.
" Got it my man! " Sion yelled. Noirre turned and looked at him, he smiled widely and giggled.
Zhao was missing left arm but he looked confident, Rhao was angry.
" Shall we start boys? " Noirre waved his hand at them as a signal to come.
Rhao and Zhao dashed forward.
Noirre blocked a punch from Zhao while Sion barely blocked a knee attack from Rhao. A combo of punches and kicks, followed by dodges and blocks appeared in the fight.
Sion crouched down and swiped his leg on the floor aiming to knock Rhao down, but the man jumprd over the leg and kicked Sion in the face. Sion pushed himself up and tried punching Rhao.
Sion barely grazed his nose which caused it to bleed.
" You low Class scum! " Rhao yelled as he wiped the blood. Rhao took off his cloak and threw it aside. He dashed at Sion at amazing speed and punched him tens of times with immense power in stomach.
Sion started flying away but Noirre caught him and helped him stand on his own; " Pull yourself together! ". Noirre dodged an attack by Zhao and proceeded to fight him.
Sion shook his head and smirked; " How can you do all of this? Having power... having such power like you... you should protect the weak, not use them! ".
Rhao looked mad; " You know nothing! For the reason I DO have this power I'm using the weak! You low Class scum have no purpose in this world, you are a waste of space! Especially you! You posses strong energy, and yet you side with the weak, why!? "
" Because I know what it's like to be weak. You've never ate leftovers of other people or had to clean behind someone, did you? "
Rhao was silent.
" I.. I was used by you high Class humans. So I know something not even you do. "
" What are you talking about? "
" You don't realise... do you? "
Rhao seemed to have dropped his guard, he lowered his hands. He wa genuinely intrigued; " Don't realize what?! "
" You're being used as well.. by the Golden Emperor "
Rhao made a strange expression. He seemed angry, and sad. But he didn't look surprised, not even the least; " What are you... talking about? "
" You and your brother are left here t-.. " he dodged a large boulder that flied past, a result from Noirre's and Zhao's battle.
" You two are left here to watch over this village in middle of nowhere. Despite two of you being so strong. "
" Shut your mouth. Golden Emperor left us with this village because he trusts us! "
" You don't believe it do you? "
" I SAID SHUT UP! You're playing with my mind. I've killed thousands in his name. I deserve to be here! "
" ... " Sion suddenly went silent.
" Golden Emperor is a reason I live. He's a supreme being I must follow and kill for. "
Dust was filling the area, fire and rocks were flying everywhere.
" I must kill for him. And so I will kill you! It doesn't matter how strong you are, I am an Ertte- "
[ Runes voice: Do it. ]
[ WOOSH, SLICE ]
In Rhao's point of view, Sion was gone. He couldn't see him, he just disappeared. A constant feeling of pain and emptiness spread through his body. He lowered his head.
Sion was standing leaned in front of him, he pierced his chest with his dagger.
Rhao froze for a moment, and spit out blood. He tried to understand what just happened, a man he deemed as weak and scum just moved faster than he could see.
" B-but.. how? *cough*... you... I'm faster.. reaction.. speed.. " he was mumbling.
Sion pressed the dagger deeper; " Apparently, my powers increase when I need it the most. "
" W-what? " he groaned in pain.
" I finally understand. Rune, my SS Class item is Energy Rune. Scaling with my energy my powers increase. I'm finally grasping the concepts of it. Listening to people like you, selfish, egoistic bastards.. It makes my energy rile up quickly, and it seems it's easier to learn and control it when under stress. "
Rhao wasn't even hearing Sion's words. Young man was stunned by such a few from his opponent.
" Now Rhao, you will die. Because you are strong. " he pulled out his dagger. Rhao fell on his knees; " N-no... ".
Sion's expression was cold, much colder than anything Rhao saw before. Rhao was feeling deep pain, but all the pain was meaningless at this moment. He couldn't move out of sudden revelation of such power.. was it fear?
....
" Hey! I'm finally her-! " a man yelled from behind. It was familiar voice to Sion. He swiftly turned his head to look back. It was none other than Marin.
" I didn't mean to bother ya' know, I should probably go away "
~What the hell is he doing here? And at this moment, didn't he see all the flame and smoke, not to mention people running from this village. He did mention he is heades here as well though. Damn it!
Marin made few steps back.
For a fraction of a second, Sion dropped his guard. Rhao noticed a shift in his aura and used the chance. He didn't decide to attack Sion, no, he decided to lower his moral and damage him mentally.
Despite Sion jumping after him and desperately trying to grab him, it was too late. He dropped his guard and if caused Rhao to gain advantage. Rhao grabbed Marin and raised him into the air.
Sion didn't know wether he should attack Rhao again or not. If he's reckless Rhao will execute Marin on the spot.
" Stop Rhao, you're fighting me not him! Leave him alone! "
Rhao's wound was slowly closing, he has enough time to heal now; " Oh yeah? "
Marin was constantly trying to fight back and push Rhao away, but it had absolutely no effect; " Please! "
Sion looked at Marin's panicked face and clenched his hands. He will just move super fast again and strike Rhao. Or so he thought.
While his thoughts weren't even completely formed yet, with a swift movement Rhao pierced Marin through his chest, just like Sion did Rhao recently.
Old man seemed so lost in pain he didn't even know what was happening; " M-mercy... "
Rhao looked at him and smiled. His next words hit Sion's mind deeply. Rhao smiled and said; " What's that? ". He then pulled his hand out and watched the old man fall down.
Gone.
A man Sion met a day ago... Just gone. Poof, his soul, vanished, sent to Hell. And why?
Sion fell on his knees. Did he really feel that strong of a connection to a man he barely knew. Both yes and no. This was just a proof of government's approach towards lower Class humans.
Sion clenched his fists. He was watching old man Marin's body go cold just ten meters away from him.
Rhao shook his hand to remove blood; " Yuck.. scum's blood on my hand. " he turned to look at Sion. Sion was silent, he was kneeling and facing the floor.
" Now that you witnessed this old farts death, you just want to give up, right? I don't blame you. " he talked with a happy voice.
" Everyone would give up wh- "
" Shut up. "
...
Rhao looked at him. He could still talk back?
" What? "
" I told you to shut up. Government scum. "
Rhao took a step forward at him; " Government scum? Government owns the world, your words are pathe- "
Since Sion's words couldn't shut him up, his aura did. It engulfed the entirety of Liān in an instant.
[ Runes voice: Finnaly... ]
Sion looked up. His eyes were watery. Tears ran down his face, but a wide smile was there as well. Sion looked like a mad person.
" I told you.. to shut up. " he said while almost laughing. Rhao's eyes were widened, he couldn't talk.
" You all.. so all of you government scums are the same. Eight Heavenly Empires, Government... world. I'll fucking exterminate you all. "
Rhao was breathing heavily, this aura was almost crushing his entire being.