Chapter 210 210: Taking the stage with grace!
Bam!
A resounding reverberation echoed throughout the coliseum as the ape's fists smashed into the ground, causing it to crack. Dust billowed upwards, coloring the area brown.
Hm, I didn't get him?
The beast looked around, scratching its head in confusion.
"It missed! But where did young master Clea disappear to?" The spectators exchanged glances, their faces mirroring their bewilderment.
The very next moment, something even more shocking occurred, making everyone's eyes widen beyond the size of saucers in disbelief.
Thud!
Their mouths agape, the crowd watched in stunned silence as the starving ape collapsed to the ground with a dull thud, its eyes as lifeless as a dead fish's.
The most perplexing detail about the beast's death was its lack of injuries.
The monster seemed to have perished without suffering any discernible harm, further mystifying the situation!
"Is the beast really dead?"
"I can't sense its breath. It seems to have perished.'
"But how?"
Although there was no answer to how a level 35 beast was killed without suffering a single injure, facts still stand that it had died, killed by Clea.
"To end a creature's life without any signs... this is beyond comprehension," a voice from the crowd remarked, sucking in a cold breath.
Everyone's gaze focused on Clea.
"To defeat the son of the mountain clan's chief, he needed one move. Yet, to vanquish this stronger beast, he didn't even need to act."
"His strength has grown to an unfathomable level!"
"But it's good for us. Our frontier has gained another strong combatant!"
Smiling brightly, Clea happily bathed in the admiration of the crowd.
Val mused, 'So he is an attention whore.'
'I never anticipated encountering someone like this amongst us. Like everyone else, I am unsure how he dispatched the beast. This guy... is certainly worth examining.'
Having glimpsed something intriguing, Val's inherent curiosity was piqued. Thus, he naturally felt the need to investigate.
Uncovering the truth had always been a driving force for him, and every step he'd taken so far was to ensure his survival and to inch closer to 'that' elusive truth.
'Let's see what he is hiding.'
His 'Detect' ability was indeed a wonder. Not only did it warn him of impending dangers, but it also proved invaluable when scrutinizing individuals. With a focused intention, he cast the trait on Clea, unveiling his stats:
Name: Clea Thunderspear
Danger Level: 5
Class: Level 2 Mid-Rank Curse Wizard
Bloodline: Level 3 Thunderspear Bloodline User
Runic Skills:
1: Potent Curse: A powerful hex that can weaken, immobilize, or even fatally harm an opponent. Its effects are unpredictable and depend on the strength and intention of the caster and the rules set by him. The rules are changeable and can significantly affect the power of the curse.
2: Death Evasion: Allow the user to evade death and teleport a short distance.
Bloodline Skills:
1: Thunderbolt: Summons a bolt of pure electricity, striking the target with immense force.
2: Thunderclap: Generates a loud sonic boom, capable of disorienting and stunning enemies in the vicinity.
3: Storm Surge: Calls upon the power of the storm, enveloping the user in an aura of electricity which enhances physical abilities and can be channeled into attacks.
Attributes:
Strength: 24
Stamina: 26
Agility: 28
Reflexes: 20
Val quickly pieced together how Clea had managed to fell the beast. He had likely employed the combination of the 'Death Evasion' runic skill to ensure his own safety followed by the 'Potent Cirse' runic skill to incapacitate the creature.
'Curse Wizards truly are fascinating,' Val thought, eyeing Clea like a viper.
A shiver ran down the victor's back. He felt like he was being stared at by a beast, but looking around, he couldn't tell who it could be. There were just too many in the crowd.
Marshall cleared his throat for attention and announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, the victor of this round, demonstrating both skill and cunning, is Clea Thunderspear!"
From the crowd, a round of applause rose for the victor.
Clea's name was then duly added to the list of those embarking on the expedition to the lesser dimension. Seeing this, he gracefully retreated, melding into the crowd.
Marshall's gaze swept across the gathered crowd as he asked, "Who among you wishes to challenge fate next?"
From the eastern side of the coliseum, where the crowd was densely packed, a figure shot out and gracefully landed in the arena.
The figure was dressed in all black, his cloth linen with gold. The cloak behind him fluttered in the wind, adding to his grandeur.
Although he waa dangerously dressed, his attractiveness was undeniable.
His appearance was nothing short of breathtaking. His sharp features were framed by sleek black hair that cascaded down to his shoulders. His inky black eyes, a stark contrast to his fair, almost ethereal skin, radiated an intensity that was hard to ignore. He stood tall and proudly under the sun, every inch of him radiating an otherworldly charm that left an indelible impression.
Many women and even some men gasped, captivated by his otherworldly handsomeness.
"How can a man be so perfect?"
"He is so perfect, it doesn't seem humanely possible."
"It is a level of perfection that befits a God."
"Just who is he?"
"It's him!" someone exclaimed, "He is the hero who halted the charge of the entire beast tide, leading the lower city to a resounding victory against them."
Another voice chimed in, filled with admiration and certainty, "If it's him, this test shouldn't be too challenging."
Lucious smiled pleasantly at the sight of him. "I might get to see something interesting," he mused silently.
With a measured grace, Val looked up at the stand, locking eyes with Marshall, and announced, "Sir, I would like to go next."
"Just sign the contract," Marshall instructed, tossing a scroll towards Val.
Without hesitation, Val unrolled the parchment. He bit his thumb, drawing blood, and pressed it onto the scroll as a sign of agreement. With a fluid motion, he then threw the scroll back to Marshall, who responded with a nod of approval.
"Let the next round begin!" Marshall declared.