675 Hidden
In a dimension between parallel universes was where the HQ of the human rebellion against God hides. Even the Old Gods and Ancient Gods were unable to locate this place amongst the almost limitless universes. The only being strong enough to locate this place without any trouble is the ORIGIN, but the ORIGIN at this period never interfered and only watched.
This particular dimension wasn't that big compared to the other dimensions as it was only a few million kilometers big. It was a good hiding spot when you're trying to hide away from the eyes of literal Gods.
The HQ was a gigantic city in the middle of this unnamed dimension. The population in this city was around fifty thousand more or less. Eighty percent of the population here were made up of normal humans and twenty percent were people who had killed New Gods and gained mana.
The HQ had a mix of different people from different walks of life, and over time the city turned into something like a sci-fi world mixed with a fantasy one. Teleportation stations, people flying in the sky, an artificial sun, and power generated through mana stored in mana crystals.
The teleportation stations weren't used just to get around the city but it was also used to go to different worlds, the worlds created by the Gods as a hunting ground. There are many hunting grounds and it takes time to be able to infiltrate each one.
The rebels who had mana were grouped into a three-person team. If it was before the leader appeared they would've sent a team of ten or more to fight a New God, but now after training their coordination they could handle a normal New God with just three people.
Still, every now and then the three-man team would meet a powerful New God or worse an Old God and perish. The system was not perfect but it was infinitely better than what they used to do. Now there were trying to see if they could somehow understand what kind of New God was in that world before heading toward it.
...
It was just another day and the group of rebels were returning with new allies. Most of the new allies were unconscious since usually after gaining new power they became very aggressive.
So it was weird when they saw that Jack's group was being led by an unknown person. Erste was proudly walking at the front of the group. Seeing this scene one of the people who was a little close to Jack approached the group. The person was a man with a sort of delinquent biker gang look to him with his ear piercings leather jacket and burning skull shirt, it was like he was trying his best to make him look like a cartoon bad*ss.
"Hey Jack, what happened, do you want me to teach the new guy how things work here?"
"I don't think you would want to do that."
"Hoh, are you saying that this newbie can do something to me?"
The guy looked at Erste and saw that he did seem to have a better build than most newbies, but that really doesn't matter as the most important thing was one's mana.
"I'm warning you, Allan, if you don't want to make a fool of yourself, you better stop now."
"Now you got me even more interested than before."
"Don't say I didn't warn you."
Allan no longer bothered Jack as he approached Erste and was about to hook his arm onto the other person but then Erste dodged.
"Oh, hey newbie wanna use that newfound power of yours?"
"Hmm, who are you and what do you mean?"
"Oh me, I'm friends with Jack over there as for what I mean and simple terms I just want to spar with you."
"A spar you say, fine I wanted to see what kind of people are in this so-called rebellion."
"Hehe, very arrogant I like that, it makes it so much more fun to discipline guys like you."
When Jack heard what Allan said he couldn't help but sigh knowing the other party will be very embarrassed later.
'Well, I did warn him.'
...
In this unnamed city, there are many sparring centers since those that have mana their main source of entertainment was sparring with each other.
The sparring centers also had the most technologically advanced equipment that combine modern science, alchemy, and mana. After renting a sparring room Allan handed a small device to Erste.
"What is this?"
"This device surrounds you with a mana shield and depending on the setting could take a certain amount of damage, victory will be decided when the mana shield is dispelled. This device only works here in the sparring room which is surrounded by a field the guys who made it call those the spell resonators. I set mine to the lowest setting as a handicap, as long as you hit me once you win."
"Huh, I think you got this wrong, how about you set yours in the highest setting and mine in the lowest, as long as you're able to hit me once then it's you win."
"You really are a c*cky little newbie, aren't you? Still, I admire your bravado so, I'll set my and your device to the normal setting we use during training." Allan pressed some buttons on some sort of control panel that was at the end of the room.
"Now the winner will be decided once that device on your chest starts blinking red which means the mana shield is down. Alright then, now that I set the devices up properly pick any weapon you want." n--o)/v-(e-)l/)B-.I-/n
Allan then pointed at the weapon rack which had all sorts of weapons from swords to bows and arrows. The only weapons Erste noticed weren't there were guns. Allan got a longsword from the rack and waited for Erste to pick one. While they were waiting Jack spoke to Allan.
"This is your last chance to back out."
"You really think that this newbie can take me?"
"Yeah, you should know he beat my entire team."
"Huh, Are kidding me? I'm guessing you guys let your guard down. Anyway hearing that just makes me want to fight him even more."
...
"I don't need any weapons, my fists are enough."
When Allan and his team heard what Erste said they were dumbfounded but after a few seconds Allan started laughing.
"Hahaha! You c*cky little sh*t you really need to be taught a lesson. Since you think you don't need a weapon let's begin then. START THE MATCH!"