As Gideon charged towards Mirrel, his enormous form propelling him forward with a terrifying velocity, suddenly a shadowy figure darted past him with uncanny swiftness. The figure was almost too fast for the eye to follow, and with a precise and practiced motion, the blade connected.
"Slash!"
Gideon's head snapped to the side just in time and a deep gash appeared along his neck. The pain was immediate and searing, causing him to stagger slightly. With a guttural roar of agony and rage, he tried to shake off the impact, but the injury, though serious, didn't seem to faze him completely. His monstrous form was still very much alive and furious.
The attack was from Aria's father using one of his assassination skills.
"I will kill you all!" Gideon roared, his voice echoing through the auction hall like a death knell. His massive body began to shimmer with a dark, menacing energy. He stomped his foot onto the ground with such force that the entire hall trembled.
"Ape's Gravity Domain (S)," he rumbled, casting his S-Rank skill.
In an instant, the auction hall was enveloped in a crushing gravity field. The sheer force of the gravitational pressure bore down upon everyone present. The very air seemed to thicken, making it almost impossible to move.
Aria's father, previously maintaining his shadow form, was forced into visibility by the oppressive force.
"Bang!"
His figure was slammed to the ground, his shadowy form dissipating under the immense pressure.
"Father!" Aria cried out in desperation as she watched her father's injured body. Her voice was swallowed by the overpowering gravity that immobilized her as well. She wasn't even allowed to reach his side.
Ethan struggled against the crushing weight, his breath coming in labored gasps as he lay sprawled on the floor. The power of an S-Rank hunter was overwhelming, making him feel insignificantly small. "Is this the true power of an S-Rank hunter?" he thought in horror. The difference in power was stark and terrifying, with Gideon's single stomp effectively rendering everyone powerless.
"Hahaha! You miserable rats, know your place!" Gideon's laughter was filled with malevolent glee. "You should just grovel beneath my feet and beg for a quick death." His mocking tone was laced with cruelty as he relished in their helplessness.
He glanced down at the ancient key lying on the floor, a cruel smirk spreading across his face as he discovered it was a fake. With a contemptuous sneer, he crushed it under his enormous grip, the key splintering into pieces. "You dared to deceive me? I'll make sure you suffer for this!"
"Now, my minions, go forth and exterminate the humans!" Gideon commanded, his voice booming with authority. The demons, seemingly unaffected by the gravity domain, surged forward with lethal intent. Their eyes glinted with a predatory hunger as they descended upon the immobilized humans.
"Oh no! Are we going to die like this?" The cries of despair spread among the humans as they faced their imminent demise. "If only the city lord were here, we might stand a chance!" Their thoughts turned to the city lord of the Fire Crow clan, a powerful figure whose absence was conspicuous.
"Haha! Die!" Gideon roared with sadistic pleasure, savoring the sight of their fear. His enjoyment of their terror was palpable, and he continued to gloat over their suffering.
Suddenly, a calm, almost nonchalant voice cut through the chaos.
"Ohh! What's the hurry?" The voice, smooth and casual, seemed to mock the gravity of the situation. The speaker—a young man, moved with a serene grace, unaffected by the oppressive gravity. Gideon's instincts flared with an intense sense of danger, but his body was frozen, paralyzed by a deep-seated fear.
Emerging from the chaos, the figure of the young man became clear. His approach was deliberate, each step resonating with an almost otherworldly calm.
Seeing the figure of the young man, Gideon's instincts were screaming to tell him to run, however his body was not moving somehow. "Who is this young man?" He trembled at the thought of any higher power involved in this game. Even the city lord won't be able to scare him this much.
Ethan and everyone else's attention was also drawn to the young man. As soon as the young man arrived, the demons halted their actions as if an invisible shackled binded them with strong force.
Ethan found the young man familiar. His eyes widened realising who it was. It was Leon, the dude guy who just sat beside him. So his suspicions came true at last.
As Leon stepped forward, his each step reverberated in everyone's ear in the deathly still atmosphere.
His demeanor changed completely as he drew closer, his youthful appearance underwent a striking transformation. He became a distinguished adult, clad in a regal military uniform adorned with the Arkanis kingdom's royal insignia on his chest.
The man exuded an aura of supreme dominance, his long icy blue hair cascading in elegant waves that framed a face of flawless perfection. His lean, muscular build suggested both formidable strength and agility, while his ocean-blue eyes, serene as an ancient lake, held an intensity that could command legions. His skin, smooth as polished jade, accentuated his otherworldly beauty.
Clad in a strikingly handsome military uniform that highlighted every sculpted muscle, he appeared less as a mortal and more as a god among men. His commanding presence was irresistible, captivating every woman who gazed upon him.
Despite the perilous situation, his sheer allure was a blazing force that captured the delicate hearts of women's, making them swoon and fill their eyes with stars. The dangerous circumstances only heightened his charm, enveloping them in a fervent embrace they couldn't escape.
With a gentle touch of his flickering fingers, a wave of cooling sensation spread throughout the auction hall, making everyone's mind relaxed, and instantly freeing everyone from the ape's gravity domain.
Gideon's eyes went saucers as he finally recognized who the man was.
Gideon's eyes widened in disbelief as recognition dawned on him. "G-General Leon!" he stammered, his voice tinged with terror even in his formidable Devil Ape form. The mere presence of General Leon was enough to shake him to his core.
"A Transcendental Powerhouse!"
The other clan leaders, equally alarmed, struggled to fathom the presence of such a high-ranking figure in their midst. To them, he was more than just a leader; he was almost like a god, a being of immense power and authority. In his presence, they felt like mere mortals, his devoted followers in awe of his every move..
The realization that General Leon, a Transcendental, was present, added a new dimension to the unfolding events.
"Brother, did you really summon General Leon? I didn't know you have such influence." Aria's uncle marveled, his face reflecting awe and disbelief. "So that's why you were so enigmatic about the help we would receive. I didn't realize you had such an powerful ally."
Aria's father shook his head, his expression a blend of relief and astonishment. "No, you fool. How could I ever have the audacity? I only sent a letter to the capital requesting assistance. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect him to come in person. It's truly a mystery."
Aria's uncle, realizing the misunderstanding, felt a surge of embarrassment. "Regardless, it's fortunate that General Leon is here."
"Yes," Aria's father agreed, a note of relief evident in his voice.
"Father, are you okay?" Aria approached her father, her concern palpable.
"I'm fine," her father reassured her with a pained smile. His gaze then shifted to Ethan beside her, and a flicker of disapproval crossed his face. But in the presence of General Leon, he held his tongue, not daring to make the slightest mistake.
Before they could continue their conversation, their attention was drawn back to the most anticipated confrontation unfolding before them. General Leon's presence had undeniably altered the course of the battle, and the tension in the auction hall reached a fever pitch as the final showdown was near.
However, everyone could guess the result already.