Chapter 311 - The Competition-5, Fast Battle.
The third round was over.
Two hundred fifty participants were left, and everyone got an hour's break only.
Celesti, Erina, Shish, and Athan had formed a group as they stood together.
Erina had completely recovered, thanks to the additional pills. After recovering, She wanted to return three blood recovery pills and five alignment cure pills back to Shish, but he rejected, saying that she might need them once again.
Erina consumed more blood recovery pills because, in addition to her serious internal injuries, Her arm that was cut off needed more blood recovery pills to regrow it. The blood recovery pills could grow the limbs but needs more of them in quantity for that.
One hour passed soon as the break was over, and a voice echoed in the underground where all participate were resting.
" In the fourth round, Five people will be sent in a ring to fight each other and the last one standing will be the winner. The round will start after a minute. "
The spectators were also informed of this round as they waited with excited and worried faces. After all, Some of their family members were also participating in this competition.
" Sigh, Brother Athan. Let's hope we four don't meet each other in a ring. " Shish sighed as he became worried.
Hearing that, Athan smiled wryly, " Don't jinx us. Anyway, Just do your best from the start and don't overthink things. You are strong, and you can win. That's all you need to believe. "
Celesti nodded in agreement with Athan as she looks at her brother, " Athan is right. Don't overthink things and focus on fighting with your full strength. "
Erina smiled at Shish and also said, " Yep. Good luck, Shish. I'm sure you can win. "
Shish was slightly embarrassed, but then he nodded strongly as he punched his own chest, " Thanks everyone. I am more confident now. "
Only a few seconds were left until one minute passed as all competitors turned silent. Athan and others also turned silent as they waited. They knew that selected participants would get sucked into the soil beneath them before appearing in the rings on the competition ground.
Fifteen people will be selected as there are three rings.
The one minute was up, and fifteen people were sucked into the soil.
Celesti and Erina were startled and speechless because...both Athan and Shish disappeared.
Celesti smiled wryly and shook her head, " Let's hope they are not in the same ring. "
Erina nodded worriedly in agreement.
...
Fortunately, Athan and Shish were not in the same ring.
Athan looked at his opponents while they also glanced at each other warily.
' I only have offensive techniques and I also lost my armor...Hmmm. ' Thought Athan as he decided to go fully offensive from the start.
Everyone on the ring waited for the signal from the middle-aged man floating in the sky as their nerves were stretched.
" FIGHT...ON! "
Right after hearing that, Athan's eyes turned ferocious as a grin formed on his face.
Swinging both of his hands, He released two Skyline blows towards the two nearest of his opponents.
One of them was a pure human guy, while another was a woman of another race as she had four hands and dark yellow skin with weird patterns.
Of course, His Skyline blows were infused with Abyssal darkness, and even though two of them created shields in front of them, it was useless as this time, Athan had actually created a small spear of abyssal darkness in front of the punch projectiles that were his Skyline blows, and they easily broke whatever defense they created and hit them squarely.
The human guy got hit in the shoulder, while the woman with four hands was hit by Skyline blow in her abdomen.
They screamed in pain as their flesh got devoured, and their energy also didn't work against the abyssal darkness.
Just then, They heard a cold but terrifying voice near their ears, " If you don't want to die....Give up. "
They trembled and didn't hesitate before giving up instantly. They couldn't feel the power of abyssal darkness, but the dread they got from it was terrifying. In those short three seconds of suffering, They failed to stop it from devouring their flesh, bones, and organs and felt like they were in hell.
Athan snapped his finger after they voiced their willingness to give up as the small amount of abyssal darkness that was left in them disappeared.
The human guy and four hands women then disappeared after getting absorbed in the soil.
Everything happened too fast as the other two on the ring were dumbfounded.
Both of them were not human and had additional features. Seeing Athan and his expression, they involuntarily trembled before one of them said to the other, " Let's work together and take him out first. "
Both of them released their techniques instantly without wasting any time.
Athan dodged one after releasing Skyline Blow from his right leg, but the second technique that curved hit him squarely on his right shoulder, at the back part.
As usual, he created a thin film of abyssal darkness internally so that he wouldn't get serious injuries but still, his bones were exposed, and flesh was blasted because that technique looked like a dark blue dagger with orange patterns exploded upon contact.
Athan smiled at them and moved his right shoulder as if that injury didn't affect him at all, " Thanks for the sctrach. I was getting an itch for a while now. "
His opponents were speechless but also shocked.
" F..."
Most of the spectators were also looking at this ring and were speechless about how Athan called the would that blasted his flesh and exposed his wounds...A scratch for his itch.
While his opponents were shocked and dumbfounded, Athan created a clawing motion with his left hand and releasing two sumireas slashes while releasing a skyline blow from his right hand.
He swung his injured right hand as if nothing happened.
*Shuaaa...*
*Shuaaa...*
*Swooosh.....BOOM*
Both of them got the taste of abyssal darkness as both of them screamed at the same time.
" I GIVE UP. "
The spectators went wild.
" WWOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAHH..."
Chapter 312 - The Competition-6, Critical Wounds.
Athan was the first one to win, and he was transported to an underground hall where no one was in sight.
He was directly transported here after winning.
It looks like the one who arranged the competition did its best so that competitors wouldn't see each other's ability.
From the start, Competitors were underground, and they would suddenly appear in the ring. Those below can't see what's happing.
Those who win are transported to a different place in the underground, while those who lose are simply kicked out and joins the spectators.
Athan simply waited here as his abyssal darkness slowly recovered. He also devoured some chaos stones to fill up the milky white aura he used to create pills.
After five minutes, someone appeared, but the person wasn't Shish. Athan looked at him but didn't know if this person was in the same ring as Shish as he didn't pay attention when he was up there.
This competitor had bat-like wings with glittering khaki skin. He had a flat nose and long ears. His skin color was navy blue with brown stripes. His height approx 5.6ft, and he approached Athan with a smile, " You finished your match so fast! very impressive. "
" Thanks. "
Athan said with a plain face as he glanced at him.
" Hahaha. By the way, I am Cheribo Hufnel. " Cheribo laughed and introduced himself as he stretched his hand out towards Athan for a handshake.
Athan nodded and also stretched his right hand out for a handshake.
But of course, It wasn't a simple handshake. Cheribo had a smile on his face as he put force into his hand to squeeze Athan's hand to test his strength.
*Crack....*
" Shit...Hey, Why didn't you resist? what the fuck...."
Athan's expression didn't change as he simply took back his mangled right hand after Cheribo let it go.
Cheribo was speechless, ' What's wrong with this guy? I was just trying to test his body strength but he....'
" Conflicts outside of the competition rounds are not allowed or you both will be disqualified. "
A voice echoed in the underground hall as Cheribo started sweating, " It won't happen again, sir. "
He then looked at Athan and sighed.
Athan's mangled right hand was slowly healing due to his body's healing factor activating.
It was not like he didn't want to resist. But this Cheribo's body strength was simply more powerful than his current body strength. From his estimation, Cheribo's body strength was likely at the peak of the Red realm.
So the speechless one was Athan, ' He must have felt that I should be very strong both body strength and order base wise since I finished early. '
After all, There were no weaklings left among the two hundred fifty competitors, and since Athan defeated four opponents quickly, Cheribo assumed that he was likely a contender for the top ten or even top 3. That's why he approached Athan in a friendly manner and just wanted to test his strength.
After a while, Another person appeared in the underground hall. Seeing him, Athan smiled wryly.
' It looks like Shish failed. '
Normally, Shish should at least be able to get into the top 50 with his overall strength and can even contend for the top 30. But failing here means that he met a tough one in the ring among his opponents.
Athan looked at the new face, who didn't mask his heavy but also sharp aura at all. This person had a single thick charcoal horn on his forehead with light yellow patterns. His body was 7ft tall and had explosive muscles on his big arms and legs. There was also an alligator-like tail behind him with charcoal-colored scales.
His body was covered with different kinds of blood.
Athan narrowed his eyes as he felt the aura of Shish from the red blood stained on this buffy guy.
Cheribo gulped as if he knew who this person was and transmitted his voice into Athan's ears, " That big guy is known as Gemdamo. He is a newly picked pupil of Demon Xubaji and has a special body physique. He is at peak ninth stage of the Tier-1 order base and also at peak Red realm body strength. He...likes to toy with people who are weaker than him. Also, He is considered to be a contender for the top 3. Be careful when you meet him in the ring later. "
Athan frowned hearing that as he had a bad feeling for Shish's situation. Nonetheless, He is not supposed to do anything here. After nodding at Cheribo, He simply closed his eyes in meditation.
Outside, Roselin and Drizzly had worried faces as they were descending the stadium's floors and going towards the place arranged for those who lost and were recovering from their injuries.
They arrived there and saw Shish suppressing his screams as he ate the blood recovery pills and alignment cure pills.
His condition appeared critical, with his right leg entirely gone and many wounds on his body.
His eyes were already filled with tears due to pain, and when he saw Roselin, his eyes burst out as he spoke while trembling, " Si-Sister, I...I tried my best. "
Roselin's eyes were also moist as she nodded with a sad smile while biting her lips, " Yep. You did your best. Now take some rest. "
She stretched her hand forward before touching the forehead of Shish with her index finger. Right after that, Shish lost consciousness and fainted.
After that, She took out a pill that was glittering with crimson color with green pattern and put it inside Shish's mouth as it dissolved.
One could tell just from the pill's appearance that it was a very high-class and expensive pill.
" That bastard is really ruthless. He was totally aiming for the kill. "
Drizzly said as she remembered the fight in the ring.
A dangerous gleam passed through Roselin's eyes, but it was mixed with helplessness as she said while gritting her teeth, " All people of Demon Xubaji are ruthless. I really wish someone would kill him or just drive him away from this region. "
Drizzly shook her head wryly as she knew that it was a difficult matter. Demon Xubaji was one of the top powerhouses in this region, and very few could match up to him and give him a fight. Other powerhouses on the same level as him wouldn't fight seriously unless a serious matter was involved, but Xubaji had never stirred those powerful people. His people would only bully the weak.
Chapter 313 - The Competition-7
" The fourth round is over. The next round will start after two hours break. "
...
In the underground hall, The top 50 competitors were resting. Some were recovering from their injuries, while some meditating.
Celesti's match was the last one, so she just arrived, and she also suffered a certain amount of injuries but not as serious as Shish's injuries.
Athan didn't tell Erina or Celesti about his guess on Shish. That big guy also had cleaned himself, so there wasn't even a chance that they would sense Shish's aura from the blood.
When Celesti arrived, She noticed Athan and Erina, but after looking around and not finding Shish, She sighed. Actually, She knew Shish failed after not seeing him standing near Athan and Erina, but she couldn't help but glance around.
After talking for a bit with Athan and Erina, Celesti ate two blood recovery pills and two alignment cure pills before closing her eyes.
Athan and Erina also returned to their meditation self as they closed their eyes.
Of course, Athan wasn't wasting time by simply closing his eyes as whenever he had time, he would fill up his essence core of lightning dust order ken and try to comprehend the four stances of destruction at the same time.
Filling up the essence core didn't require that much effort, so he tried to make it an automatic process of his subconsciousness while mainly focusing on comprehending the four stances of destruction.
But results were nowhere near completion for these two things. He felt like he was sixty percent done with essence core while he couldn't even see how to get started to practice four stances of destruction.
Well, It was expected because it's only been several hours since he started to comprehend the four stances of destruction. Its set of order force was the most complicated he had seen so far, and he felt that it would take a long time for him to finally comprehend and grasp its first level.
...
The two-hour break was almost over as a voice echoed in the underground hall that explained to them about the fifth round.
" The fifth round is a bit different. In this round, no one will fight against anyone. After two minutes, Everyone will be transported on the competition ground but the scenery you will see at that time will be different. You will be directly put under a deep illusion, and the first thirty people who can break free from the illusion will proceed to the next round, while the remaining twenty will get the reward of top fifty and join the spectators to watch the competition. "
Everyone nodded and waited.
The spectators were also informed about the fifth round's details as they waited.
Unfortunately for them, This round will be a bit dull because they won't be able to see what these competitors would experience in the illusion.
The two minutes soon passed as all fifty competitors were absorbed in the soil. This time, Athan felt a powerful force that was similar to soul power enveloping him before he appeared in a hellish place where giant creatures were running amok and eating people left and right.
All fifty competitors appeared on the competition ground with their eyes closed.
Most of them were in a standing position while experiencing the illusion, but some of them fell to the ground. Though falling to the ground didn't wake them up from their illusion.
...
Athan's eyes were indifferent as he looked at the loose hell in front of him. He knew it was an illusion, and he needed to find the way out.
But after a few seconds, He was slightly stunned as this was really a powerful illusion.
' I can't sense my body or even my void region. It seems that my soul sense and whole consciousness itself are trapped into this illusion. '
A frown appeared on his face thinking about it. This illusion was actually more powerful as it could also seal the main memory and grant them temporary different memory of the resident of this hellish place. But that power was one that affected the soul, and Athan's soul readily resisted that, so his memory was still intact.
He started walking forward to roam this place. The giants were ten meters tall with bronze skin.
They were currently destroying a town filled with various types of people that included humans and eating them.
Athan was also in the town, and while walking, one the giant suddenly stretched his hand towards him to grab him.
Athan didn't have any kind of powers, so he was unable to resist and got caught.
" Jejejejeje. Delicious human. "
*Thud...*
" Hey give that human. There are very low amount of humans here and they are the most tasty. "
Another giant suddenly punched the shoulder of the giant that caught Athan and said.
Just like that, Two giants started fighting, but Athan was squeezed tight by the giant that caught him and was unable to break free.
' Stupid farce. '
Thinking of this, Athan closed his eyes and tried to make a connection with his soul.
...
On the competition ground, Athan was standing still with his eyes closed.
A light pink force with a golden hue in it had invaded his void region. It looked like a bright cloud, and Athan's soul sense was trapped inside it. There was also a string extended from this cloud that was connected to his soul.
This string prevented Athan's subconsciousness that was inside the illusion to make a connection with his soul and main consciousness that were trapped in the cloud.
But suddenly, His soul pulsed with a black and white glow as Athan used his Abyssal void of darkness. His 3% comprehension of this power just slightly activated his soul that released a wave of soul energy from it, and destroyed the string and cloud both.
Right at the moment, Athan broke free from the illusion but didn't open his eyes. He didn't want to wake up this early, so he just kept his eyes closed.
But he didn't know that someone already knew that he broke free from the illusion.
In the underground palace, There was a middle-aged woman. She was completely human.
After Athan broke free from the illusion, she chuckled with a curious face, " Interesting. The plan was to lower the power of this chaotic illusion formation so that competitors would slowly be able to use the power of their soul to break free but that little guy somehow broke free already. "
At this time, Another voice arrived. This voice was the one that always echoed in the underground to let the competitors know about the information of the rounds.
" Madam Gishi. What happened? "
" Nothing. Just found an interesting competitor among this batch. He seems to have a rare soul physique and its powerful enough to even resist this formation at its 50% power. "
Chapter 314 - Sixth Round-1
After Athan broke free from the illusion, He stayed silent and started meditation.
He unfurled the scroll of four stances of destruction inside his void region and started comprehending it while also infusing chaos force inside the essence core of lightning dust to progress in it.
He still had to fill up the forty percent of his essence core before he saturates it. After that, he will have to comprehend the fourth level of lightning dust to breakthrough.
...
Two hours passed, and none of the competitors broke free from the illusion yet.
.
.
After another two hours, Someone finally broke free from the illusion. The one who broke free from the illusion was a girl. She had long white reindeer-like horns with grey patterns. She had long peach-colored hair and smooth white skin. Unlike other participants, She looked flawless without any kind of injuries on her. Her dress was woven with multiple thin cloths with beautiful patterns.
Her face was beautiful, with long white eyelashes with the same color as her horns. Her body was shapely and thin. She exuded a calm and peaceful aura around her, but her eyes were currently red, and her face showed exhaustion.
After taking a few deep breaths, She sat down in meditation.
.
.
After another hour, Two more people broke free from the illusion one by one.
After this, The chain started as competitors started to wake up after every few minutes.
Athan also opened his eyes to show that he broke free in the middle and finally sat down crossed-legged.
When the thirty competitors broke free, the chaotic illusion formation was stopped by Madam Gishi, and the remaining twenty competitors woke up from the illusion.
The middle-aged man who oversaw the competition on the ground arrived and spoke in a loud voice after separating the twenty competitors whose journey ended in the top 50.
" The twenty of you will receive ten thousand low-grade chaos stones each and two order methods of your choices. You can pick any order methods of 5-star and below from the library we have prepared. "
Hearing this, The spectators cheered, and the twenty competitors were also happy. Of course, not all were happy, as some of them were frustrated that they couldn't go beyond the top 50.
The middle-aged man then waved his right hand as the twenty competitors were absorbed in the ground as the prepared library was also there.
" Now, the thirty of you. Before proceeding to the next round, Let me inform you of something important. After this competition is over, The thirty of you will travel to Hongara Region for the Penta Region Tournament. If you don't want to go there, then you can quit right now and get the reward of the top 30 before joining the spectators. "
One of the competitors raised his hand and asked with a doubt, " What will happen if someone in top 10 or top 3 decided to not participate in the Penta Region Tournament? "
The middle-aged man glanced at the participant before nodding his head with a faint smile, " If they rejected their entry in the Penta Region Tournament after coming in the top 10 or top 3, then their rewards will be reduced by 90%. So, If you are not planning to participate in the tournament, its better to quit now and get the full reward of top 30. "
After saying this, The man swept his eyes across all of the participants.
Some of the participants frowned.
Athan was also surprised, but upon thinking about it, This arrangement made sense.
There should be some kind of benefits in the Penta region tournament. The rewards they get in the top 10, and further should help them get stronger so they can perform better in the Penta region tournament.
But suppose some competitors here don't plan to participate in the tournament. In that case, the rewards of the top 10 and further can be considered wasted in the eyes of those who arranged this whole thing.
After reaching this conclusion, Athan felt that the rewards of the top ten and further should be way better than the top 30 rewards.
' If that's really the case, then there should be a bigger purpose behind this whole penta region tournament. '
Athan glanced at others while thinking about it and saw that none of the competitors were ready to quit here.
The middle-man once again asked if anyone wants to quit now. After getting no repose as none of the competitors wanted to quit, He smiled and nodded, " Good. Now let's start the sixth round. "
After saying that, The middle-aged man waved his right hand as changes started to happen on the competition ground.
A big square platform with robust white tiles appeared from the ground.
Along with that, Thirty pillars appeared around the giant square platform. Each pillar had a number written over its body that was visible to everyone.
After doing this, The middle-aged man arranged his tie and smiled, " We have recorded the timing of all those who broke free from the illusion. According to that, We have created temporary ranks, and now, I will call out the names from rank 1 to rank 30. "
The middle-aged man then took out a scroll and unfurled it before speaking, " Rank one stands on the rank one pillar and rank two stands on the rank two pillar, and just like that, stand on the pillar as I call out names, got it? "
The competitors nodded as the middle-aged man called out the first name.
" Rank.1 Athan Void. "
Everyone was surprised to hear the unfamiliar name as people knew the names of famous contenders in this competition, and Athan Void was not one of them.
The spectators started to talk about it.
" Who is this Athan Void? "
" I don't know. But there were only two people who performed very well and are unnamed. "
Athan himself was startled to hear his name. He thought that since he opened his eyes halfway, He would be ranked in the middle but didn't expect that he would be discovered, ' Looks like the one who put us in the illusion can find out the person who break free from the illusion along with the timing of when the person broke free. '
He didn't waste time and started walking towards the rank one pillar before jumping on it.
The middle-aged man nodded with a smile before he called out the second name.
" Sen Theorus. "
Hearing the name, The spectators went wild as if this Sen Theorus was very famous.
The beautiful girl with white reindeer-like horns calmly took a step forward, but with that step, she actually started to float as her dress fluttered with her peach-colored hair before she stood on the rank two-pillar.
After standing there, She looked at Athan with a curious expression and thought, ' Athan Void? Never heard of such a name. '
Athan felt the gaze on him and looked at her.
Previously, Her eyes were slightly red after breaking free from the illusion, but now they were back to normal. Her eyes looked like a starry space with a vertical blue iris. They seemed highly captivating and beautiful.
Seeing Athan looking at her too, Sen nodded with a smile. Her smile was filled with natural confidence.
Athan also nodded plainly in response before turning away his face and closing his eyes to meditate.
The middle-aged man continued to call out the subsequent names of the competitors.
Chapter 315 - Athan Vs Sen
" This round is very simple. Competitors will challenge each other. But there are specific rules, A competitors rank will determine his range of challenges, rank thirty competitor can't directly challenge rank one competitor. "
" The range of challenge is ten ranks. A rank thirty participant can challenge anyone from rank twenty to rank twenty-nine. But before we move to this phase, There will be additional battles to re-determine the rankings. "
" In this phase, Everyone will fight each of the competitors at least one time. We have already created a format for this, so the first battle will start right now. Rank 1 vs Rank 2, Stand in the battle platform and get ready for the battle. "
Athan and Sen jumped from the pillars before landing on the battle platform. After landing, Sen first took out a thing.
Athan was slightly surprised because It looked like a musical instrument, Zither. But taking it out in the battle means that it should be her weapon.
Seeing that the first match was between them, The spectators cheered.
" Who will win? "
" Idiot! Of course, Sen will win. "
" Who knows? That Athan is also a dark horse and is displaying some strange powers, most likely due to his unique physique. "
...
The middle-aged man then spoke his usual dialogue to start the match.
" FIGHT....ON! "
Sen made the first move with a severe expression as if she was not holding back anything.
*Ting...Titing...Taang...*
From the zither, Three colorful birds materialized before shooting towards Athan.
The birds were slender, beautiful, and, most of all, gave off a powerful and sharp aura.
Athan's face was also serious because he knew that there was no way to dodge these attacks as he felt that they were just like his Skyline blows.
He had already prepared his abyssal darkness for the defense, so instead of focusing on defense, he swung both of his hands and released Skyline's blows towards Sen.
Naturally, His Skyline blows were infused with abyssal darkness too.
Right after that, The birds reached him before one of them shined for a brief moment as it exploded into a blinding flashlight while another turned into many small whirlwind blades that started cutting Athan's body.
The last bird hit him like a truck on his chest and exploded.
The middle-aged man floating in the sky nodded as he was impressed by Sen's attack.
" It looks like she had already inherited the core power of Lady Zither and progressing stabely in it. "
Even he appeared a bit envious because someone who receives inheritance doesn't need to worry about going through practicing several order methods. They are given a perfect set of order forces, training methods, and techniques until they reached the limit stage of the inheritance they received.
All they needed to do was to constantly comprehend and train like crazy to understand the power and order of the inheritance to make progress and get stronger.
' What a lucky lass. ' The middle-aged man smiled wryly before turning to look at Athan.
" Cough...." Athan stood up as his whole body was practically covered in blood due to the second bird's attack.
Athan slightly frowned because he underestimated the power of the last bird, ' I should have used more abyssal darkness for defense. Most of it was consumed by the second bird and the last bird's exploding power caused a tremor through my body before damaging my internals explosively. '
He saw that Sen didn't suffer any injuries as his Skyline blows seemed to have been nullified somehow.
Sen was also surprised that her first batch of attacks failed to take down the opponent as she had never failed to take down her previous opponent with just one attack.
She smiled seeing this, but the response she got was two more Skyline blows from Athan, who wanted to see how Sen nullified his abyssal darkness.
However, Athan had already guessed how she nullified his abyssal darkness as it was rather a simple matter of quality vs. quantity.
Indeed, Seeing the Skyline blows coming at her, Sen simply put her fingers on the zither. She didn't play her zither but simply put her hands on it.
Right then, a river materialized and started to flow around her. The river's color was azure blue with a rainbow hue in it.
The skyline blows hit this defensive river before they diffused but his abyssal darkness also started to break the defensive river.
But as expected by him, Although his abyssal darkness started to devour the river, The river was continuously supplied with more power to fight off the abyssal darkness. Just like that, his abyssal darkness got washed off due to low quantity even though it was a higher quality power.
Athan fell into thought, ' To defeat her, I will have to consume a lot of my abyssal darkness, both to defend and attack. And in this round, it seems like we will have to fight without much rest. Hmmm..'
He looked at Sen, who simply smiled at him.
Seeing this, Athan also faintly smiled.
But he had already decided what to do.
" I give up. "
Hearing this, Everyone was surprised. The middle-aged man was startled because he at least thought that Athan would give a good fight to Sen despite him knowing that Sen would come out victorious in the end.
" Are you sure? "
Athan looked at the middle-aged man and asked, " There are still ways that i can regain the top right? "
The middle-aged man nodded, " Indeed. Even rank thirty can become top rank as long as he posses the power. "
" Then I'll give up this match. "
Another reason was that his movement would get affected due to his injuries. He couldn't be any more careless about the pain, but his movement will be hindered since he was injured.
Sen grinned at Athan before saying, " If you think you can beat me after thinking about some strategy later, then you are mistaken. Anyway, Good luck for it. "
Both of them went back to the pillars but now rank one pillar belonged to Sen and rank two-pillar belonged to Athan.
Chapter 316 - Finale-1
The matches to re-determine the rankings went on for one and a half-day.
Athan's current ranking was fourteen. He gave up most of the matches and just secured his foothold at rank 14 pillars.
Celesti's rank was surprisingly twenty, and Erina's rank was nineteen.
Of course, Athan's aim was rank one, but he already thought of what to do to get rank one without running out of his abyssal darkness.
In this one and a half-day, Everyone got a chance to fight with each competitor. Well, not everyone fought each battle because they were aware of who they can beat and who they can't after observing many fights. So, when they were matched with someone stronger than them, they readily gave up to save their strength for the next battle.
" Now, We will be moving to the second phase. "
The middle-aged man said before looking at the competitors from rank 20 to rank 30.
" Rank twenty to rank thirty, Do any of you have any dissatisfaction regarding your rank? If so, then you can challenge people that are ten ranks above you. You all have two challenge chances. The thing to note is that you won't get to use your second challenge if you failed in your first challenge. "
Hearing that, the competitors from rank 20 to rank 30 started to contemplate. One of them raised his hand and asked, " The rewards for those in the top 30 are the same, right? Regardless of their rankings in them? "
Hearing this question, All other competitors picked their ears as this was an important question. The rewards in the top 50 were the same, so it might be possible that the rewards in the top thirty were also the same for all competitors from rank eleventh to rank thirty.
The middle-aged man smiled, hearing the question, and nodded, " Good question. I was about to elaborate on it after one of you raised a challenge. "
After that, the middle-aged man told them about the rewards, " They are the same but not the same at the same time. One of the rewards is about staying in Swathi Wind Pool. In this reward, If you have a higher rank in the top thirty, then you can stay a bit longer in the pool. Rank eleventh can stay for ten minutes, and the subsequent rankers will stay in the pool for five seconds less. "
" Five seconds? are you kidding me? What difference does it make? Tsk. "
" Uh...This doesn't really make much of a difference to the ranks in top thirty. "
The competitors ranked from eleventh to thirty started to talk about it, and some even complained in a low voice.
" Cough..."
The middle-aged man caught the attention of all competitors with an echoing cough before he spoke with a smile, " So? From rank twenty-one to rank thirty, Do any of you want to challenge someone of higher rank? "
The competitors who were in rank twenty-one to rank thirty had low morale to fight after hearing that there wasn't much difference in the reward in the top 30. Surely, they knew that the rewards of the top ten were higher, but they also knew that they weren't capable of defeating those competitors after observing and fighting many matches.
So, none of the competitors who ranged from rank twenty one to rank thirty challenged anyone.
The middle-aged man nodded before he asked the competitors, who ranged from rank 11 to rank 20.
" Competitors from rank eleven to rank twenty, Do any of you want to challenge someone of higher rank? "
From rank 11 to rank 20, There was two-division of clear strength. All those who were rank 15 and up were clearly stronger than competitors of rank 16 and lower. So, None of the competitors from rank 15 to rank 20 were interested in challenging the people of higher ranks.
Celesti and Erina were surprised by Athan's performance despite his low order base. Especially Celesti was dumbfounded when Athan made someone who was stronger than her scream surrender.
" I want to challenge rank ninth. "
Everyone's attention turned towards the person standing on the twelfth rank pillar. He was a tall man with one eye on his face and one tail behind his back. His eight was 7 ft. But he was very slim. His body and skin were a wooden structure with dark brown color.
Both rank 12 and rank 9 jumped on the square battle platform.
" FIGHT...ON! "
With this signal of the middle-aged man, The two started fighting.
Rank 9 competitor had a rough and stony body with 5ft height and looked fat.
Athan observed the fight as the first one to attack was rank 9. He saw the stony guy conjuring several fast-spinning grey blades before shooting them towards the rank 12 tree man.
The tree man had a calm face as his body shined in a dark green hue as he stretched both of his hands forward.
*Shooooooooo...*
A green gas conjured before turning into a cloud. The grey blades hit the cloud and...disappeared.
Seeing this, Stony man roared before he charged towards the tree man with both of his hands transforming into long stony spikes that were metallic black in color.
But the tree man was still calm as he simply waved his right hand while putting his left hand inside the dark green cloud.
*Siiiii...*
The cloud suddenly became bigger and started seething before releasing dark green water drops towards the incoming stony man.
The stony man used his hands as a shield as he was confident that his black crystal hands could block this attack.
But when the attack finally hit him, He realized that the tree man had always hidden his strength in the previous battle.
*Chriiiiii.....*
" Aaaaargh.....Y-yu hid your strength. "
The stony man's hands started to rot as he spoke while enduring the pain.
The tree man didn't reply, but Athan noticed that he appeared slightly exhausted. Nonetheless, The tree man waved his hand again, and this time, the whole cloud shot towards the stony man.
The stony man gritted his teeth before he consumed all of his order force on defense and turned his entire body into black stone before the cloud hit him as there was no way he could avoid this nimble cloud controlled by the tree man.
He felt that he should be able to block it and also ram into the tree man since he put all of his power into making his body stronger.
Seeing this, The tree man frowned and thought, ' This guy....couldn't he tell the difference in our power and how my power counter him? Why is he courting death? '
The middle-aged man floating in the sky was also speechless at the delusional confidence of this rank nine stony man. But, he didn't intend to stop the fight. It was simply the fault of the stony man since he couldn't make the correct judgment.
The stony man met the big cloud head-on before finally realizing his tragic end.
" Arrrrghhhhhh....I-I GIVE UP.! "
Hearing this, The tree man hurriedly dispersed his power as it was against the rules to continue attacking once the opponent surrendered.
The stony man simply fainted after shouting as he lost his consciousness while getting severely injured.
The middle-aged man sighed and waved his hand as the stony man got absorbed in the ground to get the treatment. The stony man will get treatment from the organizer of this competition since he was in the top 30 and will participate in the Penta region tournament.
The tree man became the winner and jumped onto the rank nine pillar.
" Anyone, who wants to challenge higher ranks? Though you can only challenge the ninth rank competitor after thirty minutes. "
Since tree man fought a battle just now, he gets a thirty-minute break.
Chapter 317 - Finale-2, Athan Vs Gemdamo, Despair
After that, three more people issued challenges to the people in the top ten but failed. These three were rank 10th, 11th, and 13th.
The 13th rank competitor challenged tree man after thirty-minute but lost.
Finally, Athan raised his hand.
' Since I have to challenge someone in the top ten, then I might as well challenge this guy who had Shish's blood on him. '
Thinking of this, Athan challenged 4th rank competitor.
This 4th rank competitor was none other than Gemdamo. The pupil of Demon Xubaji, The one who almost killed Shish.
Gemdamo grinned at Athan. He also remembers Athan as they were in the first batch winners in the 4th round.
After jumping onto the square battle platform, He sneered at Athan, " Be careful not to die cause I don't know how to hold back. "
The middle-aged man floating in the sky frowned hearing that, but that's all. He had no intention of meddling.
Athan also slightly frowned because he felt killing intent from Gemdamo.
But after frowning a bit, Athan face changed into a smile as he nodded towards Gemdamo.
" The first thing that comes out of your mouth is fart, I see. As expected from an ugly...cough, never mind. "
" You...."
Hearing what Athan said, Gemdamo's face froze for a second before he started laughing, " Hahaha. Show me your skill in the battle of fists and not words. "
" Ehh...My bad. I am really sorry. " Athan made an apologetic face and even bowed, " I should've known that your pea-sized brain is not capable of coming up with proper words. "
"pff..."
" Hahahaha. "
The other competitors started laughing, and Gemdamo's face turned dark as he really had a short temper.
He had a unique body physique and had been spoiled by Demon Xubaji since he became his pupil with his every wish fulfilled. So, this was his first time getting insulted in front of thousands of people like this.
The middle-aged man also smiled but then, he coughed and gave the signal to start the fight.
" FIGHT...ON! "
Gemdamo was waiting for this signal as he couldn't wait to slaughter Athan.
His body shined in black and bright red glow as strange vein-like patterns surfaced on his body that gave off explosive powers. Without wasting a second, He dashed towards Athan.
Athan's eyes gleamed as a cold grin surfaced on his face, ' Coming head-on? Hehe. He really has a pea-sized brain. '
Since this Gemdamo showed intention to kill him, Athan couldn't control his bloodthirst too.
He wanted to show despair to this Gemdamo.
But he took no action against this charge of Gemdamo.
He just stood there, with his light grey hair fluttering, his both eyes that had black and white irises gleaming with cold light-filled with excitement, and his flawless face that showed a provocative grin towards the coming Gemdamo.
*Crash.....Khaaaaaaaad...*
Gemdamo crashed into Athan, who got pushed back several meters while leaving trails of blood behind.
But he was not downed. He held the ground beneath his feet as he stopped himself.
His skin was cracked along with some bones but nothing serious because he had used forty percent of his abyssal darkness to coat his internal body.
Whatever damage he received from Gemdamo wasn't severe as all of it was superficial injuries. The cracks on his bones were only little, and they healed due to his healing factor.
" Hehehe...was this your full power? So weak. "
Gemdamo was shocked because even though it wasn't his full power, It could severely injure anyone who hadn't put on defense like Athan.
He looked at Athan's provocative grin and fumed as he used his power of unique physique along with his other powers without holding back.
His body got bigger, and he started to transform. Dark bone spikes with red patterns on them appeared from several parts of his body like shouldered, elbow, knees, and palms. Two bone spikes also appeared from behind his back, and a bone skull superimposed over his face.
After this transformation, Gemdamo pointed at Athan as his changed voice that sounded deep and vibrated rang out, " if you want to keep your life, then you should surrender now. Of course, I don't think you are that cowardly. Hehehe, right? "
Athan grinned after hearing that, " It looks like your pea-sized brain became a nut-sized brain after transformation. You managed to put together a few words to form a provocative third-rate sentence. Good job. "
" DIE!!!!...."
Gemdamo dashed towards Athan with even faster speed, and in just two blinks of an eye, he appeared in front of Athan before pushing both of his glowing bone spikes of his palm into Athan's chest.
*Chreeeeeeee....*
Athan grabbed both bone spikes before they could hit his chest as he got continuously pushed back by Gemdamo.
But he felt strange power from the bone spikes that started to corrode his hands into black liquid, but only its outer layer was eroded as the insides of his hands were protected by abyssal darkness.
Gemdamo was shocked once again, and this time way more than previously.
Athan looked into the shocked eyes of Gemdamo before he let out faint laughter.
" hehe.."
He released his right hand from holding a bone spike before making a precise and clear slash towards the shocked Gemdamo.
This slash was small, thin, and fast as it went towards the neck of Gemdamo.
Gemdamo wasn't able to do anything at this close range as they were less than half a meter close. He also didn't think that Athan would release the hold from one of his bone spikes.
The slash hit him as he felt hellish pain and his flesh and bone started to get devoured.
No voice came out from his throat as Athan also controlled the abyssal darkness to keep Gemdamo's head intact.
Gemodamo retracted the bone spike from his left hand before putting it over his neck.
" Arrrr....arrrr...."
Gemdamo started to feel scared because no matter what power he used, he couldn't remove the black aura from his beck.
Athan then released abyssal darkness from his left hand, which grabbed the right hand's bone spike of Gemdamo.
*Crack...*
He directly broke Gemdamo's left hand before kicking with his right foot towards Gemdamo's legs.
*Thud....*
" Nut-sized brain. Why don't you surrender? "
Athan placed his foot over Gemdamo's chest before saying.
Roselin and Drizzly were slightly excited. Especially Roselin, who kept muttering, " Kill him, Athan. "
" Arrr...arr..."
Athan made a slashing motion towards his legs and released Sumireas Slash, But this Sumireas Slash was more black than shining yellow with brown sparks.
Sumireas slash's true form was a cross slash, and thus, both legs of Gemdamo were severed along with his middle part.
Gemdamo had despair in his eyes, along with blood and tears mixed in them as he desperately turned his head towards the middle-aged man floating in the sky.
The middle-aged man noticed this, but Athan was faster as he simply released a skyline blow toward the chest of Gemdamo.
This skyline blow looked different as it had a black flaming aura coating over it.
It hit the chest of Gemdamo before going inside it.
At this time, The middle-aged man descended on the platform while saying, " Stop!. "
Athan simply stepped back, but he was still controlling the abyssal darkness inside Gemdamo's body.
At first, he decided just to turn the whole body of Gemdamo into nothingness, but since it would be too much for everyone here, He spread his abyssal darkness inside the body of Gemdamo.
When the middle-aged man bent down and was going to check Gemdamo's condition, He saw the eyes of Gemdamo turning black before simply disappearing. Seeing it, He knew that Gemdamo died.
But when he checked the internal body of Gemdamo, he was shocked and looked at Athan with a peculiar and shocked gaze.
Chapter 318 - Finale-3
The middle-aged man felt that some trouble might arise due to Gemdamo's death.
Athan felt the peculiar gaze of the middle-aged man and felt that something was wrong.
" After the competition is over, Don't leave this place and stay in the underground. "
Athan suddenly heard these words inside his ears and raised his eyebrows towards the middle-aged man.
" Why? "
Hearing this, The middle-aged man wryly smiled while shaking his head, " It looks like you don't know Gemdamo's background. Anyway, It's better that you stay here because you will most likely die if you go outside. The organizer of this competition can give you protection, but only if you stay here and do not return to your region or Gelamix town after receiving your rewards. "
After saying this, The middle-aged waved his hand to bring the body of Gemdamo away from the platform it was absorbed inside the ground.
Athan jumped onto the 4th rank pillar before the middle-aged man asked the competitors from rank 11 to rank 20 if they wanted to challenge higher rankers.
But none of them wanted to challenge anymore as the top thirty were decided.
" Since none of you want to challenge higher rankers, then you can go ahead and get the rewards of top 30. "
After saying this, The middle-aged man waved his right hand, and the competitors who were standing on pillars from rank 11 to rank 30 were absorbed inside the pillar and disappeared.
After doing this, He looked at the remaining ten competitors and smiled, " Now your turn, rank four to rank ten. Do any of you want to challenge anyone? But before any of you raise the challenge, Let me tell you that the rewards of rank four to rank ten are absolutely the same without even a minor difference, so you can only challenge someone in the top three. "
Athan hoped that someone would challenge someone in the top three so that he can get more time to recover the abyssal darkness that he spent while fighting Gemdamo.
The maximum break time one can get after challenging, and fighting is thirty-minute, but he needs one hour to recover the abyssal darkness he spent. If he challenged Sen, who is rank one right now, he wouldn't have enough abyssal darkness to defeat her.
' Actually, I should be able to defeat her if I use my remaining abyssal darkness in one straight attack, but...' Athan shook his head as he felt that this was not feasible because his current reserve of abyssal darkness was not enough to protect him and defeat Sen at the same time.
Also, He was not sure about other trump cards Sen because from the reaction of the audience, and other participates, It was clear as day that she was considered to be a champion in this competition from the start.
The only one who fought her in this final round was him. All others who were later matched with her simply surrendered and gave up the match.
Athan swept his glance at other competitors to see if anyone was thinking about challenging.
He still had thirty-minute break time, so he can recover enough of his abyssal darkness to defeat Sen even if no one from rank 4 to rank 10 challenged the top 3. It's just...he would have to finish the match in a speed and straightforward manner at that time. In case of attacks from Sen, He won't be able to use abyssal darkness to defend himself since he would put most of his abyssal darkness on offense.
At this time, The middle-aged man spoke, " One minute left. If none of you want to challenge the top three, your top ten rankings will become final. "
Athan frowned as he glanced at others in the top ten. Some showed hesitation, but none of them came forward to challenge.
" Five, Four, Three, Two,..."
Before the middle-aged man count one, Athan spoke.
" I want to challenge rank 1, Sen Theorus. "
Hearing this, The spectators and other competitors made uproar because Athan had already given up a match against Sen after getting a beating from her.
None of them thought that Athan would challenge Sen. It would be more reasonable if he challenged rank two or rank three to get the top three rewards.
The middle-aged looked at Athan and couldn't help but feel uneasy when he looked at Athan.
But he composed himself and asked, " Do you want to challenge her right now or after your recovery time is over? There are still twenty-four minutes until your recovery time is finished. "
Athan nodded and replied, " After my recovery time is finished. "
" Alright. "
Saying this, The middle-aged man swept his glance at others in the top ten, " Now except Athan, You won't have the chance to challenge anyone in the top three. Your ranking is finalized. "
The competitors from rank five to rank ten nodded as they accepted their results.
...
It didn't take long for the twenty-four minutes to be over.
" Get on the battle platform. "
The middle-aged man spoke on time while glancing at Athan.
Athan and Sen jumped onto the battle platform. Sen faintly smiled at Athan before saying, " The results won't change. "
Athan grinned at her with his eyes narrowing slightly, " The results will definitely change. When that happens, You have to stay strong and not cry over it. "
Sen was speechless hearing that but then nodded with a laugh, " Alright. I am looking forward to that. "
Suddenly, Athan heard the voice of a middle-aged man inside his ears, " Ummm...Don't kill her. She has a backing more powerful than Gemodamo's and has a connection to the organizer of this competition. "
Hearing this, Athan was slightly stunned and looked at the middle-aged man who was nodded towards Athan. The middle-aged man still had a slight confusion in his eyes because he himself was surprised that he told something like this to Athan.
But after seeing the death of Gemdamo, He felt something strange about Athan and couldn't help but worry for Sen. Even though he felt that Sen was stronger than Athan in every way possible logically, He just couldn't shake his uneasy feelings when thinking about Athan's means when he killed Gemdamo.
Chapter 319 - Finale-4, Dread.
Athan didn't look at the middle-aged man for more than two seconds after hearing what he said and returned his attention to Sen before asking her a question.
" Are you used to feeling pain? If so, How much? "
Sen revealed a confused expression, " What do you mean by that? "
Athan wryly smiled before he cracked his right hand's finger, " Nothing. It's just...You might feel intense pain during the fight. I suggest you instantly give up at that moment. "
Hearing that, Sen narrowed her eyes, but before she could say anything more, The middle-aged man coughed to grab their attention.
" No more talks. "
" FIGHT...ON! "
Sen put her hands on the zither's string instantly before releasing the same kind of attack that she used on Athan when they fought previously.
On the other hand, Athan released two skyline blows from his legs to propel himself upward at a fast speed before once again releasing two skyline blows to push himself towards Sen.
The three birds instantly adjusted their direction as they still shot towards Athan.
In just one and a half-second, Athan, who was shooting forward towards Sen, came into contact with the three birds.
*creeeee....*
*Shwaa...Booom..*
Athan had eighty percent of his abyssal darkness, and he used twenty percent to protect his vital body parts.
But Sen was wary of Athan from the start after seeing his fight against Gemdamo, So this time, She used her full power.
Her zither shined in light gold brilliance with blue sparks, and her body also gave a similar color glow as she gathered order force towards her zither before using both of her hands two play the zither.
*tatang tatang, tiiing tiing, traaaaaaaang...*
Athan's body was not visible because he was surrounded by deadly, chaotic power after getting blasted by the three bird's powers.
On top of it, This new attack of Sen was terrifying as two majestic giant birds materialized. Both of them were two meters long, and each had four wings with light gold and blue color patterns and brilliance.
Both of them shot towards Athan.
But suddenly, a giant cross slash was released from Athan.
Athan was mid-air when Sen's first attack hit him, but he didn't fall down due to that attack itself.
His current situation was terrible because he was severely injured in all of his body except his vital parts, such as his heart, neck, and head.
But in the midst of that, He first released a giant Sumireas slash consisting of a full twenty percent of abyssal darkness along with half of his order force with the characteristic of lightning dust.
This slash dispersed the remaining power of Sen's first attack before turning into a cross slash and clashing against the two majestic birds.
But after a second later, The cross slash, which had twenty percent of his abyssal darkness, devoured the two majestic birds while also becoming a lot smaller and weaker.
Sen's face slightly changed seeing this, but she still had her composure as she used her river-flowing protection.
This was her most powerful defense that she could maintain as long as she doesn't run out of order force and wouldn't get the slightest bit weaker.
The dark cross slash hit the river-flow protection and started to get shaved away by it.
Sen looked at Athan amidst this and was shocked because his situation was horrible.
There were holes in his body with blood, flesh, and bones coming out. His limbs were also mangled, which made her confused.
' Why did he receive this much damage this time? Previously, he wasn't injured this much by the same attack. '
Just while she was thinking this, She saw Athan actually forming a blood smile towards her with his eyes gleaming ferociously. She saw Athan moving his lips to say something.
He swung his mangled right hand while falling down from the air and released an even bigger sumireas slash.
Athan had poured his everything in this slash, the whole forty percent of his abyssal darkness.
He knows that this will result in Sen's death, Given that no one interfered. But he had a plan even if no one interferes since he can control his abyssal darkness.
' Though, I believe will most likely give up when the time comes. After all, That strange pain of getting devoured by this abyssal darkness is very strange and terrifying. '
Seeing this attack shooting towards Sen, The middle-aged man's heart reached his throat, but he didn't move. He is not allowed to interfere in the battle...unless one of them surrenders.
The cross slash that looked like it was set ablaze by an ethereal black flame hit the river-flow protection of Sen.
At that moment, Sen felt that terrifyingness. She could feel her order force rapidly draining along with her power.
' No...I can hold on. I CAN. '
Sen gritted her teeth as she used all of her energy to defend against the black cross slash, but it was of no use.
Forty percent of abyssal darkness was too much for her as her river-flow protection was breached.
But the slash didn't move forward in the same pattern, and instead, It slowed down before turning into a wide coat that covered Sen.
Actually, The cross slash that consisted of lightning dust moved forward, but Athan removed the abyssal darkness that was on it before turning into a vast flowing black aura that enveloped Sen.
The lightning dust sumireas slash didn't damage that much as even her soft armor only had a scratch after getting hit by it.
But the black aura that enveloped her rapidly ate away her armor along with her skin as she loudly screamed.
*Shriek....*
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...."
Athan also fell to the ground with a thud at this time, but with the support of his mangled hands, he sat down before saying to Sen in a deadly calm voice, " Give up...if you don't want to die. "
The spectators and other competitors were frightened hearing the voice.
Nobody would say that this voice came from someone seriously injured like Athan.
He was absolutely wasted at this time. The only thing one could do in that situation was to breathe. But Athan...He just sat there, with his horrible condition, and spoke in a calm way as if nothing happened to him.
Sen was screaming, but the word give up was not uttered from her mouth.
Athan's eyes turned cold as he controlled his abyssal darkness to go one layer deep inside Sen.
He was controlling it and only allowed in on her body's surface because of the middle-aged man's warning.
But if she didn't want to give up, then he would have to let her feel more pain.
Indeed, Not even a second after letting the abyssal darkness enter inside her, a screeching shriek of " I give up. " rang out.
Right at that moment, Athan retracted his abyssal darkness while the middle-aged man also rushed down.
He hurriedly checked Sen and found out that she had fainted.
After announcing Athan as the winner, he first sent Sen underground for treatment.
But he suddenly felt weird because, injury-wise, Athan was way more injured than Sen.
He looked at Athan and couldn't help but gulp, " You..."
" I, Yomable, want to challenge Rank 1, Athan Void. "
Right at this moment, The third rank competitor's voice rang out. Yomable had pale blue skin with a single burning horn on the middle of his forehead. The horn was burning in pale blue flame. His height was just 5 ft, and he was also slim. His skin had many pale blue hairs, and his two hands only had three fingers and one thumb. All fingers were longer than his palm with long pale blue nails.
The middle-aged man turned to Yomable, speechless. Yomable smiled and said, "Anway, It was going to be our turn to challenge the rank one, right? "
Indeed, After rank four to rank ten got the chance to challenge the top three. It was going to be rank second and rank third's turn to challenge the champion.
The middle-aged man nodded and then looked at Athan with his horrible condition, " Do you....want to give up? "
Hearing that, Athan started laughing, which scared many, and even the middle-aged man's lips and eyes twitched.
Athan laughing in that condition was really too scary for anyone. He was hundreds of times more injured than Shish, and the only reason he was alive right now was due to his heart, brain, and neck intact. Everything else was deeply and severally injured. Normal people would have directly fainted and dead after a minute.
Due to his laughter, Athan bled even more, but without caring for it, He looked at Yomable before forming a wide grin, " Prepare to die in thirty minutes. "
After saying that, He waved his hands as he ate fifteen blood recovery pills and five alignment cure pills before covering himself in a round bunker made from earth law energy.
*silence...*
Everything turned to silence. Those last words and actions of Athan were deeply rooted in everyone's mind as they couldn't help but shiver.
All spectators and competitors were wondering how he would heal that many injuries in just thirty minutes and continue to fight, but...they had a strange premonition seeing Athan's last actions that he would really win and Yomable would die if they fought.
The middle-aged man muttered, " Thirty minutes..." Nodding his head, He then looked at Yomable, who also had a clear expression of dread on his face with a hint of regret flashing in his eyes.
Chapter 320 - Finale-5
Inside the earth bunker, Athan simply laid down and was healing himself with fast speed.
He didn't have fifteen blood recovery pills, but he had created additional pills with the milky white aura.
With a total of twenty pills working together with his body's healing factor, he was healing at a speed that was visible to the naked eyes.
Muscles, bones, tissues were patching up and recovering each second. Athan had run out of abyssal darkness, but he can recover almost thirty percent of his abyssal darkness in thirty minutes and will do something with that amount.
.
.
Time passed as everyone waited in anticipation...
Yomable was instead starting to lose his shit while waiting.
' What should I do? Fight him or surrender? If I fight him, He...will really kill me. '
He couldn't come to a decision. After hearing and seeing the actions of Athan, He started to regret challenging Athan.
Soon thirty minutes were up, and Yomable decided as he looked at the earth bunker, ' If he hadn't recovered that much....'
*Crack.....Booom*
Just before five seconds until the thirty-minute countdown, the Earth bunker was destroyed, and Athan appeared, with not a single injury on him.
His clothes had also changed. Previously, They were tattered, and only pieces were sticking to him.
His current outfit was a t-shirt with a soft material and had deep blue color with a single light gold pattern on it that was like a vertical belt coming from his shoulder to waist with a round orb in the middle of the belt.
The round orb design on the t-shirt was placed at his heart. His pants were also made with the same material, but they were bonded near his legs ( ankle and upper part of it ) with another material in a criss-cross design pattern.
His feet were bare, and as he walked a few steps forward while stretching his arms, He glanced at Yomable before speaking one word with utmost nonchalant.
" Come. "
Yomable looked at Athan's eyes as he heard this and felt an intense chill penetrating deep into his body.
Death.
He couldn't help but think that he was looking at his death.
" I...Surrender. I give up. "
Hearing that, Uproar ensued everything.
The spectators booed loudly while other competitors were speechless, but they also internally nodded and felt that they would also make the same decision.
Athan froze for a moment because he didn't expect this result. He was going to risk getting more injury to defeat Yomable since he can only focus on the offensive with his remaining abyssal darkness and can't protect himself.
He had also decided to focus on improving his defense after this is over. Initially, His order-based and body strength were weakest in the top twenty, and the only thing he had superiority to was offense and inhuman endurance.
The middle-aged man snapped out of his daze and announced Athan as the winner as Athan went and stood on the rank one pillar.
The middle-aged man then asked 2nd ranker if he wanted to challenge the champion or not, but his response was obvious. He, of course, rejected the challenge.
Suddenly, The middle-aged man paused and looked at Athan because Athan transmitted his voice into his ears using soul sense.
Basically, Athan carried his voice in his soul essence to speak something directly in the ears of the middle-aged man.
The middle-aged nodded at Athan before speaking in a loud voice that reverberated everywhere.
" The competition is almost over. But there is a situation, so the competition will be paused for a few minutes. "
After saying this, He did something, and Athan was absorbed into the pillar before appearing in the underground.
The middle-aged man also disappeared from the competitor ground, leaving the spectators and competitors confused.
" But really...Athan becoming a champion was something I never expected. "
Drizzly spoke in a voice that contained disbelief.
Roselin blankly nodded because what she saw recently was something she hadn't seen before.
" It looks like his physique must be a very high leveled one to able to defeat powerful Sen who had never tasted defeat after getting the inheritance....unbelievable. "
Drizzly nodded with a smile that had a hint of pride. After all, Athan is a member of their little family, and she was happy for him.
" If only he reaches the peak of Tier-1 order base, then he will be invincible in the same tier and wouldn't suffer such severe injuries. "
Hearing this, Roselin was also slightly speechless and nodded, " I didn't entirely believe at first, but now that I saw with my own eyes, I have no doubt anymore. He is really a mad one. Even if he was used to pain, This is entirely different. We chaotic beings are attuned to chaos and a higher level of existence than people of lower worlds. Naturally, our structure is also superior but still not feeling pain after getting hit by these chaotic powers is unbelievable. "
Drizzly shrugged hearing that as she was also clueless as to how Athan became like that.
" Those things aside, Athan killed that pupil of Demon Xubaji..."
Hearing this, Roselin also remembered that and put the palm on her forehead as she felt a headache regarding this.
" That's one hell of a trouble. After this competition is over, You and Athan should stay here instead of returning with us. We must not let them know that we know each other or my family will be in trouble. "
Drizzly adopted a serious expression as she nodded, " Of course I am aware of that. In any case, I will inform Athan through the contact card and won't meet him too. After telling him about some things, I will directly return to report Yone about the situation here. "
Roselin nodded as exercising this much caution was needed, " But I still hope that Demon Xubaji won't go to great lengths for his dead pupil because he already has more powerful pupils. One dead pupil of tier-1 order base shouldn't be worth getting worked up over for someone powerful like him. "
Hearing that, Drizzly smiled wryly, " Well...Let's hope that's the case. "
Just then, The two of them saw Athan and the middle-aged man appearing once again, along with an additional person.
Chapter 321 - Competition Over, Rewards Announced, Uproars.
The third person who returns with Athan and the middle-aged man was none other than Sen Theorus.
The middle-aged man spoke loudly after returning, " Sen Theorus has returned, and as she still has her two challenges, She is allowed to challenge rankers in the top three. "
Sen looked at Athan with a complex expression for a moment before turning her towards the third ranker, Yomable.
" I challenge the third ranker, Yomable. "
Yomable cursed under his breath, but he didn't give up without a fight this time because he wanted to regain a bit of his lost face. He knew that he would lose against Sen, but he didn't want to lose without fighting.
While the fight between Sen and Yomable started, The middle-aged man looked at Athan and thanked him once again.
Athan simply nodded in response.
Previously, Athan and the middle-aged man disappeared because Athan told him that he could heal Sen so that she can recover and fight for the top 3 rankings.
The only reason behind his action was to get better protection from the organizer. After all, He didn't believe that his life was that expansive in other people's eyes that Demon Xubaji can't pay for it.
That's why he secured his own way out by helping Sen. Since the middle-aged man said that Sen's backing was big and that they also had a connection with the organizer of the competition, then helping her at this stage would be to his advantage.
Since he had brought trouble, then he decided to make arrangements against it himself.
He had also helped Sen by making her slightly more powerful by using his milky white energy. As for what he did? Well, He simply strengthened her soul slightly and also nourished it to remove whatever trauma she suffered when fighting against him and facing the terrifying abyssal darkness.
This was the reason why Sen looked at Athan with a complex expression.
After doing this favor, He felt that he had earned the best protection against whatever trouble that might come from Demon Xubaji.
The fight between Sen and Yomable barely lasted four minutes.
The victor was obviously Sen as she became the third ranker while Yomable became fourth.
After this, The middle-aged asked Sen and Yomable, " You two still have one more challenge left. What do you want to do? "
Sen shook her head with a wry smile, " No. " She didn't want to experience that power inside her body again.
Yomable also said no because he wasn't a match for Sen and the second-ranked competitor in the first place. As for challenging Athan? That was out of the question. He had already given up once against him. Even Sen didn't challenge Athan to regain her position, so he had even less reason to risk his life.
The middle-aged man nodded as he loudly announced, " The competition is finally over! The champion is Athan Void. "
" Woaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...."
The spectators cheered while some of them showed disappointment.
"It's over? Sigh, I thought Sen would challenge Athan for a revenge match to regain her top position. "
" It looks like Sen didn't challenge Athan to regain her top position. But anyway, that Athan guy is kind of scary with his conduct. At first, He gives off the feeling of recklessness but seeing his demeanor and hearing his voice...."
The spectators made an uproar and talked until the middle-aged man announced the rewards.
" The rewards for rank four to rank ten competitors are thirty thousand low-grade chaos stones, Any three scrolls of 5-star and under from a better collection of the library, A fixed period of twenty minutes of training inside Jade-Star pool, and a custom made 2-star weapon or armor. "
" Waaaaaaaaaaaaaa...."
Another uproar resounded across the whole stadium. This was even bigger than the previous one as the rewards were simply too juicy.
" Holy Shit!! I wish I had gotten these rewards when I was in the Tier-1 order base."
" Indeed. These kids of Tier-1 order base getting such rewards invokes a strange feeling of envy, hahaha. "
...
Athan also revealed a surprised expression and couldn't help but anticipate what he, A champion, would get as rewards if the top ten already gets such good rewards.
After announcing the rewards of the top ten, The middle-aged man announced the rewards for second and third rank competitors, " Remel Howling and Sen Theorus gets the rewards of forty thousand low-grade chaos stones, Any five scrolls of 5-star and under from a better collection of library, A fixed thirty minutes of training inside Jade-star pool, One custom made 2-star weapon and one custom made 2-star armor and a peak 3-star chaos beast mount of their choice. "
Hearing the rewards, Most of the spectator's throats ran dry.
Not taking into account of five 5-star scrolls and two custom-made 2-star equipments, The 3-star chaotic beast made many envious. 3-star means that the beast was the same level as a person with a tier-3 order base, and peak 3-star implies that it will also breakthrough if their owner helped them. These kids of Tier-1 order base getting such a chaos beast was indeed a boon for them.
Although they didn't know what kind of chaos beast mount they will get, given the backing of this competition, They should have an extensive collection of chaos beasts from which they can choose.
" Sigh...I don't know if I want to hear the rewards of rank one competitor. "
" True. But I am siding with my curiosity and not jealously. "
...
The spectators made another uproar until the middle-aged man's cough reverberated as prepared to announce the rewards of Athan, the champion.
" The rewards of the champion, Athan Void are fifty thousand low-grade chaos stones, Seven 5-star or lower scrolls to choose from a better collection of library, A fixed period of ten minutes training inside Meta-Aerodite Pool, A custom made 2-star weapon, and a custom made 2-star armor, A peak 3-star chaos beast and..."
The middle-aged man paused here as he cleared his throat. The final reward was something that even he was envious of.
After pausing to clear throat and annoy the spectators and competitors likewise who were waiting for the final reward, He continued, " And...an egg of epic grade chaotic spirit. "
*Silence...*
Athan found it strange, but it was because he didn't know the importance of an epic grade chaotic spirit.
The silence only lasted for one second before everyone turned mad.
" Fuck me! This is my first time hearing of epic grade chaotic spirit given as some sort of reward. "
" I have never seen any star of epic grade chaotic spirit in the market, but im seeing one given as the reward? what the hell.."
...
The epic grade chaotic spirits were rare; Only rarely can one be seen in an exceptionally high-grade chaos-phenom dimension.
The middle-aged man smiled wryly because this reward was specially added for Sen Therous as it was a joint effort from her backing and the organizer of this competition to get that egg.
But who would have expected that a dark horse like Athan would crash their arrangements?
Sen was undoubtedly the most powerful in Tier-1 order base and was told to hold her breakthrough just for this competition. That's why she is still in the Tier-1 order base.
The middle-aged man looked at Athan and thought, ' The scary kid won a big one. '
Chapter 322 - First Reward, Library-1
After announcing the rewards that made most of the spectators enviable, The middle-aged man concluded the competition as everyone started to leave the big competition stadium.
Drizzly used chaos card to contact Athan and told him about her plans.
And after Athan told her that he would stay here for the protection against any trouble that might arise due to demon Xubaji, she also decided to leave for the Dosflame region without returning back to the Gelamix town.
Since there is still more than a year before the Penta region tournament starts, Drizzly told Athan that she would return after a year.
.
.
After the competition was over, The top ten competitors were sent to an underground hall.
The middle-aged man also arrived there shortly after they appeared in the small hall.
He looked at the top ten competitors with a smile and said, " First, We will be going to the better quality library where you will pick your scrolls. This library has slightly more collections than the library, where competitors from rank eleven to rank thirty went to pick their rewards. "
After saying this, The middle-aged man waved his hand at the wall of this small hall before speaking, " Also, You can call me Mr. Devon. Now let's go. "
He started walking towards the wall that started to change shape when he waved his hand previously. The wall actually revealed a door due to something done by Devon.
Athan, Sen, and others followed him through the door as they appeared in another hall, but this one was filled with shelves of scrolls.
" As you can see, there are three sections. The first section contains shelves of 1-2 star scrolls, the second section contains shelves 3-4 star scrolls, and the third section contains shelves 5-star scrolls. You can start searching for scrolls now. Also, remember that each of your actions is observed by other people, so don't try to do anything funny like stealing the scrolls. "
.
.
Athan and others started to look through the shelves.
There were six big shelves for 1-2 star scrolls, Nine shelves for 3-4 star scrolls, and five shelves for 5-star scrolls.
The scrolls were slightly opened, which displayed the name of their technique or method and a small introduction.
Athan also went to the second section to look for 3-star scrolls, which he will need after he breakthrough from the Tier-1 order base.
He had already decided on what star scroll to pick.
After looking through the 3-star scrolls shelves for twenty minutes, he grabbed three scrolls.
The first scroll he picked was a 3-star essence order method called Aegis Starwood of Highland.
Since he needed to increase his defense, He picked an essence order method with defense-oriented chaotic power.
The second scroll he picked was a body order method called Harmony of Giant.
And the third scroll he picked was an essence order technique called Spiraling Cave of No Entry.
Athan liked the concept of this defensive technique and chose it without hesitation. Although, he felt that the name of this technique could have been better.
Afterward, Athan thought for a moment and decided to skip 4-star shelves and directly moved to 5-star shelves.
Seven of them were looking at the 5-star shelves, and adding Athan increased the number to eight.
' Looks like no one actually lacks the scrolls, but...' He guessed that since the collection of 5-star scrolls in this library was big, they might pick up some good methods or techniques here. He then also started to look for 5-star scrolls.
Someone like Sen didn't need order methods. Well, Considering her backing, She wouldn't need order techniques too.
But she knew that this library might contain some suitable techniques and that's why she was looking at each one of them carefully.
Athan was at the other side of the exact shelf where Sen was looking at the scrolls.
After reaching this part, Sen went to the other side and saw Athan, but she turned her attention to the shelf after glancing at him.
After a minute, Athan and Sen's eyes fell on the same scroll, and both reached out their hands at the same time.
They instantly noticed each other and increased speed, but Sen was faster as she grabbed the scroll.
But Athan also managed to grab a corner of it, and he didn't intend to leave it.
Sen grinned at Athan before pulling her hand after putting some force, " I was first. "
Athan indifferently looked at her, but he tightened his small grip on the corner of the scroll, refusing to let it go.
Devon noticed this and smiled wryly before walking towards them.
" Don't put too much force on the scroll. First, Give me the scroll. "
Hearing this, Sen said to Athan with a small pout, " Remove your grip from it first."
Athan shook his head, " No. you first. "
Devon sighed and just stretched his hand as he grabbed the middle of the scroll before speaking, " Release your grips from the scroll, you two. Now! "
Athan and Sen looked at each other for a sec before they both released their grip at the same time.
Although Devon got the scroll, He also started to have a headache, ' Who should I give this scroll to? Simply giving to one of them would dissatisfy the other one. There needs to be some kind of a proper reason. Hmmm...'
Athan and Sen looked at Devon, who also stared at them while thinking about what to do. He also can't let them fight to decide to ownership of this scroll.
Sen already voiced her dissatisfaction seeing Devon entering into a daze, " Hey old man Devon, I was the first one to grab it, and I got the major part of it. So it should belong to me. "
Devon looked at Sen and then at Athan, who simply shook his head with an indifferent face towards him. Athan's face cleared showed that he also wanted the scroll.
" Umm....cough. Let me think for a bit. "
Devon became slightly embarrassed as he started thinking.
But after a few seconds, Athan suddenly spoke, " I have a way to determine who should possess the scroll in the end. "
Hearing him, Both Devon and Sen looked at him.
" Humph, It better be fair and square. "
Sen snorted and said. She was going to reject at first but thought about it and decided that she would at least hear what Athan has to say about his supposedly way to determine who should possess the scroll in the end.
Chapter 323 - First Reward, Library-2
Seeing that Devon couldn't think of something, Athan got an idea.
' This should work. I used to do it with my classmates and friends...'
He faintly smiled after thinking about it and told them.
Sen was willing to listen to it as long as his method was fair and square, while Devon also nodded, " Let's hear it. "
" It's quite simple. We will play a small game, and the winner in this game will be the owner of this scroll. "
Sen raised her eyebrows hearing that and asked, " What game? "
Athan faintly smiled and said, " This game is called rock, paper, scissors. We will play five matches, and the one who wins three matches first is the final winner. The rules are pretty simple. "
He then told them about the rules of rock, paper, scissors.
Hearing about such a simple game, Sen was interested and nodded, " Not bad. This sounds fair and square. Let's do it. "
Devon also nodded while smiling, " Mhmm. You can decide the winner this way. "
Internally, He was glad that he didn't need to think of anything and won't be burdened with this decision.
" You can be the referee. Mr. Devon. Stretch your hand out, and once you speak, ' start ' We will start the match. Also, we are not allowed to use any kind of power. Not even our soul sense. "
Sen nodded, " Got it. "
Hearing this slight commotion, The other competitors also gathered and looked at them with curiosity.
Athan and Sen stood in front of each other as they stood in a stance with their one hand stretched forward in a fist.
Devon stood to their side as he also stretched his hand forward in a chopping stance and put it between their hands.
" Readyyyy...Start. "
Athan and Sen looked at each other as they began.
" Rock...Paper..."
Athan intently looked at the hand muscles of Sen to determine her move.
" Scissors. "
*shuaa....*
Wind gushed out as their speed of the last draw was quite fast and looked blurry to the naked eye.
Athan drew scissors while Sen drew....paper.
" First match. Winner, Athan. "
" Owhh..." Sen released a sound of disappointment as she lost the first bout, but after a second, she snorted once again while looking at Athan, " Continue! There are still four more rounds. "
Both became ready as Devon once again started the match.
" Rock...Paper..."
" Scissors! "
*Shuaaaaaaaaa....*
Athan drew rock while Sen drew...Scissors.
" Second round. The winner is Athan. "
Sen frowned slightly, but then she smiled and chuckled, " I know what are you doing there. Hehe, Continue! "
The other competitors were confused, and they also wondered why Sen was not angry or resented Athan.
After all, She lost against him and also suffered pain as she practically screamed loudly before losing her consciousness.
Well, They didn't know that Athan had already healed her and also whatever trauma she had, and that's why she didn't reset Athan as much. After all, It was also thanks to him healing her that she could return and get in the top 3.
Athan and Sen started another round match.
" Rock..."
" Paper..."
Both Athan and Sen intently looked at their hands that there moving in speed. They were looking at the muscle patterns and the micro-second observing the last movement of each other's hand before the " scissor! " to determine their draw.
" Scissors! "
*Shuaaaa....*
Athan drew paper while Sen...drew paper too.
" Tsk..." Sen bit her lips because if she failed to win the next two rounds, Athan would win.
" Third round. The winner is Athan. " Devon announced with a wry smile as he felt that Sen would lose.
" If I win the next two matches, It will be a dra..."
Athan interrupted her and said, " If you win the next two rounds, then we will have a rematch. But this rematch will be of only one round, and whoever wins it takes the scroll. "
Sen nodded with a serious expression, " Alright. "
" Readyyy....Start. "
" Rock..."
Sen was intently looking at Athan's hand to determine what he would draw.
But Athan slightly smirked as he performed his trick. By damaging his own internal muscles of his palm and changing the structure, He let Sen believe that he was going to draw scissors.
" Paper..."
" Scissors! "
*Shuaaaaaaaaaa...*
Sen felt that she would win this time as she drew rock. After experiencing the previous rounds, She had grasped how to judge the draw.
But when she looked at Athan's hands, Her face froze.
Paper.
Athan drew paper.
" Fourth round. The winner is Athan. " Devon slightly sighed as he looked at the daze Sen before speaking, " Since Athan won three rounds, This scroll belongs to him. "
Sen snapped out of her daze as she looked at the slightly unnatural palm of Athan and then at Athan before she took a deep breath, " Looks like my resolves are not as great as you. But...I will win next time. "
After saying this, She went to another shelf and started looking at the scrolls.
The other competitors also realized that they were fighting for the scroll. Some of them wanted to ask about the game, but in the end, none of them approached Athan or Sen for obvious reasons: Athan was like a dread devil to them, while Sen should be in a bad mood after losing.
Naturally, a few of them asked Mr.Devon about it, who explained to them with a smile.
.
.
Athan also started searching for another scroll after winning the scroll of the 5-star Essence order technique, Point Zero Bombardment.
Both Athan and Sen liked this technique, but in the end, Athan won it from her.
After twenty minutes, He finished picking the remaining three scrolls.
A 5-star essence order method, Force of Glittering River.
A 5-star body order method, Heavenly Stream Pressure.
And finally, He picked a soul order method, Soul Enhancement Bubbles.
The soul order methods were all the same below the Orderic Catalysmal stage as they all had the same function of strengthening the soul, Just the different ways of strengthening it.
The end result of all soul order methods below the Orderic Catalysmal stage was the same. There were also no powerful soul order techniques here as the primary usage of chaotic soul powers would come after reaching the Orderic Catalysmal stage. The only soul techniques here were 1-star and they too were exhausting to use because of the complicated nature of the set of order forces.
Chapter 324 - Skymare Tingale
After everyone picked their scrolls in the library, Mr.Devon led them to another hall.
Unlike the previous halls, There was a room in this hall.
" It's time for the second reward. A 2-star customize armor and a weapon. Besides the champion, Athan, Who gets armor and a weapon both, You all can only get one of them. So, while Athan decided on what type of armor and weapon he wants in this room, You can think about what to choose between a 2-star customize armor or a weapon. "
After saying this, Devon told Athan to enter the room where he can decide on what kind of weapon and armor he wants.
Athan nodded as he started walking towards the door leading to the room.
After entering, He saw a man with no hair but with an explosive body filled with big muscles underneath the tight clothes he wore.
He was mostly human except for a big and thick tail behind him. It looks like a lizard's tail but bigger, thicker, and longer.
He was standing behind a wide table. The table had several things placed on it that looked like strange pieces of rocks.
Seeing Athan, The man grinned and introduced himself, " Hello, Athan. You can call me Old Timmer. Now let's get to the business without wasting time. "
Saying this, He pointed at the stones on the table, " These six stones are small pieces of the 2-star materials. You can pick one of them as the base for your armor. But you might not know what specialty these stones have, so I'll tell you about them first. "
Old Timmer then picked up the first stone before saying, " This stone with brown and green pattern is called Mudrawad material. It is effective against penetrative attacks, and the material's mystical properties heal your injuries passively. Of course, this healing effect is not as powerful as eating a pill, but it can stop internal bleeding. But the armor made from this material is weaker against vibration, shockwave, and other types of attacks. "
After he finished speaking, He put the stone of Mudrawad material down and picked up another rock.
" This stone is from the material called Mozeria Stalamil. " Old Timmer paused here and threw the rock at the nearby wall.
The stone was not round in shape but like a normal unnatural shape of the usual stone. But after this stone hit the wall, It actually bounced back.
" The armor made from this material is not heavy at all, and it can also defend against many kinds of attacks except penetrative attacks. It is extremely weak against penetrative attacks, so you have to be careful about that. "
He then put this stone down and picked up another one.
" The material of this stone..."
.
.
After hearing the introduction of all six materials, Athan picked up the first one.
Mudrawad material. He picked this because it would pair up well with his natural healing factor, and he could endure other kinds of attacks like vibration and shockwaves better than penetrative attacks.
A powerful penetrative attack at one of his joints or vital part can render him incapacitated. Even though he might not feel the pain that comes with it, the penetrative attacks can render him immobile and reduce his movement.
So choosing this Mudrawad material for his armor is a better choice because even though its defense against other types of attacks is bad, It's more effective against penetrative attacks than other stones presented on the table.
After Athan chose the base material for his armor, Old Timmer asked him about the armor's design.
Athan thought for a moment and remembered his dragon-scaled armor, ' Since this Mudrawad material is brown and green. It should look good in the dragon-scaled armor type design. '
After deciding it, Athan drew the armor's design by controlling some chaos essence and turning it into lightning dust chaos essence to make it vivid.
Old Timmer nodded after seeing the design, " Good. But there is a problem. The armor you drew is full body armor, but the reward is only chest armor. Even if you forgo your reward of customizing the weapon, It won't make up to get you this full-body armor. "
Hearing that, Athan fell into thought, ' What I need is protection on my body so that I can focus on offensive and fight to my heart's content without worrying about getting disabled injuries during fights. So...'
After thinking for a few moments, He made the decision.
" How much surplus do I have to pay to get this full-body armor? "
Old Timmer was startled as he didn't expect this, but since there was no problem with this arrangement, He said, " Three thousand low-grade chaos stones. "
Athan readily gave him three thousand chaos stones because he at least had that much. Even if he didn't have, He could just tell them to minus the amount from his fifty thousand chaos stones reward, which he had yet to receive.
Old Timmer received the chaos stones and said with a smile, " Alright! The full body armor will be delivered to you once it is completely crafted. You can return back now. "
Athan nodded and left the room so that the next competitor can go there.
Seeing Athan coming out, Mr.Devon told Sen to go into the room before saying to Athan, " Since you are done here. Then go and choose what kind of peak 3-star chaos beast you want. "
After saying this, He waved his right hand towards the east wall of the hall, which caused a door to appear.
.
.
After walking through the door, Athan appeared in another hall. This hall was a lot smaller than the previous halls, and A woman was standing in the middle, right beside a blue-colored portal.
She was a pure human and looked mature. She had long brownish-maroon hair and wore a light orange-colored dress with white designs.
Seeing Athan coming through the door, She told him to enter the portal where a person would be waiting.
" The collection of chaos beasts are at that place. Good luck on choosing a chaos beast. "
Athan thanked her with a seemingly no expression on his face before entering the portal.
But after arriving at this place, He was slightly stunned.
The sun's rays shone down as the atmosphere was filled with many kinds of different noises released from beasts.
There were large trees and big wooden cages in this place. It looked like he arrived on an island as he could smell the sea.
" Athan Void...."
Athan turned around as the voice came from behind him and saw a lady with black hair, two black wings, and a beautiful face with green eyes that had vertical iris.
She apparently recognized Athan from his hair and skin as she was left speechless after watching his fights.
Athan looked at her eyes which snapped her out of the daze as she smiled politely and said, " Seeing you reminded me of your performance in the competition, and I became a bit dazed. Anyway, You can call me Kornella and without further ado, let's take a tour around this island filled with peak 3-star one hundred and three chaos beasts. This island is wholly reserved for the champion of the competition as only the rank one victor is rewarded with a peak 3-star chaos beast. "
She then led Athan to various wooden blocks where the chaos beasts were chained.
Athan looked at the beasts one by one, and after thirty minutes, he finally encountered a beast that sparked a slight interest in him. He saw many weird chaos beasts while touring around, but this one seemed the strangest of them.
" This..."
Before Athan could speak, Kornella introduced this strange beast to him.
" This is a Skymare Tingale. This one was brought here from the famous spot of this region, Myriad Wind rifts. It's not that offensive, but this beast is probably the fastest one among the peak 3-star chaos beasts present here. "
Athan nodded with a faint smile as he had already decided to take this beast.
Kornella smiled and nodded, " Alright. It's a good choice. "
Saying this, She took out a token from out of thin air, which most likely came from the storage ring worn on her index finger.
" You can command this beast with this token after infusing a bit of your soul sense and form the normal pact after putting a drop of your blood on it. Though, once you have grown familiar and close to the beast, you can form a soul pact with it. This token is also a beast space as you can just command the beast to return to the token's beast space to let it take some rest. "
Athan took the token presented to him by Kornella and put some drops of his blood on it and then infused his soul sense into it to command the beast to come to him.
This was chained with a different type of material than other beasts because its body was practically a mass of cloud with only two big clear cyan crystal eyes on its ever-changing cloudly body.
After Athan formed the normal pact to it by dropping some blood on the token, the chains were removed as the beast slowly neared Athan.
Its size was three meters long, and its body was a floating cloud with two big crystal eyes in the front.
*shrii....shirii....*
A wind rustling sound was produced from it as it looked at Athan with its crystal clear eyes.