Chubb felt a wave of frustration wash over him. Was his opponent really that weak? After tens of thousands of years honing his skills in the earthly realm, he had faced countless monsters and humans in life-and-death struggles. His combat experience was rich, yet here he was, confronting an opponent he deemed inferior.
It wasn't that Chubb couldn't break through to the eighth sense. According to Caron, a solid foundation was essential; only then could future breakthroughs become easier. Chubb had simply adopted a patient, obedient attitude, waiting for the right moment.
"Snort!"
Zeus's contemptuous huff cut through the air. "Hades, you've done well! It seems your underworld fighter is formidable, but my celestial warriors are no slouches either. Bring it on!"
With a flourish, Zeus summoned his second Heavenly Warrior. This one, the Angel of Strength, possessed a small universe at the peak of the eighth sense. The number of Zeus's sky fighters was always uncertain, much like Hades's 108 underworld warriors and Poseidon's seven sea fighters. No one truly knew how many heavenly warriors Zeus commanded, but the existence of the nine corresponding angels was unquestionable.
"Your Majesty!" the Angel of Strength declared, a fierce determination in his eyes. "I will destroy the opponent!"
"Go!" Zeus commanded, his voice booming.
Chubb felt a surge of urgency as he recognized the threat. "This opponent is strong," he thought, steeling himself.
"Drink!" he roared, unleashing the dark purple energy of his small universe as it began to burn brighter. In that moment, he broke through to the eighth sense in the midst of battle, but he knew it wasn't enough. This transition represented an elevation of his life level, yet the difference from peak seventh sense to early eighth sense wasn't as significant as he'd hoped.
"Roar!" Chubb unleashed a primal scream, summoning the phantom of a dark star behind him, which intensified his aura further.
"Messenger of Death! Death Lament!" As he invoked the power, the image of a beautiful woman appeared, her melodious singing luring the Angel of Strength into a trance. The move targeted both body and soul, aiming to ensnare his opponent in a painful embrace.
"Ah!" the Angel of Strength cried out, caught in the dual agony.
"This is the moment!" Chubb capitalized on the opportunity. He struck with a devastating punch, shattering the angel's body and soul in one swift motion.
With the Angel of Strength defeated, Chubb knelt momentarily, exhaustion weighing heavily on him. Despite the fatigue, he refused to bow to anyone but Hades; his pride as a warrior demanded it.
Zeus's expression twisted into one of rage and disbelief.
"Second match, Hades wins!" Metis announced, her voice steady amidst the tension.
Hades remained impassive, declaring, "The treasure house of Uranus at the End of the Sky belongs to me, Zeus. It's time for you to leave."
"Damn it, Hades!" Zeus growled, his voice low and simmering with fury.
At that moment, Metis interjected, "Let's make this interesting. We wager the Orb of Life. If you win the third match, it's yours. If you lose, you give up one-third of Uranus's treasury."
The Orb of Life was a coveted treasure, containing the essence of life itself, capable of reviving even a Titan Main God. However, while it held great potential, it was primarily useful in critical moments of battle, not for everyday use.
"Agreed," Hades replied, showing no hesitation. He regarded Zeus with a cool detachment, confident that no matter the cards Zeus played, he could easily overcome him.
Zeus's eyes gleamed with a terrifying light. "Gyges!" he called forth.
From the depths emerged a towering titan, fifty heads and a hundred arms, radiating overwhelming power. Gyges, one of the three hundred-armed titans, had become one of Zeus's trusted warriors, solidifying his place among the elite.
As the gates of the Underworld opened, Hypnos stepped forward, calm and collected. "Lord Hades," he acknowledged respectfully.
"Lord Hypnos," Chubb echoed, bowing in deference.
"Hmm," Hypnos nodded, recognizing Chubb's accomplishments. He appreciated the warrior's dedication to the underworld, knowing that such fighters were rare and valuable.
"Titan Main God!" Zeus seethed, his frustration boiling over. He never anticipated Hades would deploy such a formidable ally.
The clash between the heirs of the Primordial gods loomed ahead. Who would emerge victorious in this high-stakes confrontation?