Chapter 96: Third Rank, Caius Arcturus

Zeus was lounging in his house, lost in thought about the upcoming challenge. The decision to take the shortcut and fight one of the top 10 outer disciples had been a bold move, but he hadn't expected things to progress so quickly.

As he began to wonder when the details would be finalized, a knock at the door broke his reverie. Zeus stood up, his curiosity piqued, and walked over to the door. When he opened it, he found the officer from the mission center standing there, slightly out of breath.

The officer offered a quick nod before stepping inside. "I've got news for you," he said, his voice carrying a note of urgency.

Zeus raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the officer's tone. "Already? That was fast," he remarked, crossing his arms as he awaited further explanation.

The officer nodded again, this time more emphatically. "Yes, someone has already accepted your challenge," he replied, his voice steady but with an underlying tension. "And they're ready to face you for their spot."

Zeus leaned in slightly, his interest now fully captured. "Which one is it?" he asked, his tone calm but laced with anticipation.

The officer took a deep breath, clearly aware of the impact his next words would have. "It's the third rank, Caius Arcturus," he announced, his eyes narrowing as he watched Zeus closely, anticipating his reaction.

Zeus's eyes widened, genuine surprise flashing across his face. "The third rank?" he repeated, almost in disbelief. "I was expecting someone around rank seven or eight, not someone that high."

Before Zeus could fully process the news, the system's voice interjected, dripping with shameless arrogance. [Oh, come on, is that disappointment I hear? Isn't this exactly what you wanted? Why settle for the low-hanging fruit when you can go straight for the top? Less climbing, more action, and let's be honest, you love the drama.]

Zeus paused, letting the system's words sink in. Slowly, his surprise gave way to a growing sense of excitement, and a smile began to spread across his face. "You're right," he admitted, a newfound eagerness in his voice. "This is better."

Zeus turned back to the officer, his tone composed but tinged with a clear undercurrent of anticipation. "So, when's the battle?" he asked, his gaze steady and focused, though the excitement in his eyes was unmistakable.

The officer hesitated for a brief moment before replying, "He wants it today. Caius doesn't have much time, so he's already waiting for you in the arena."

Zeus's eyebrows raised slightly as a slow smile spread across his face. "Already in the arena, huh?" The excitement in his voice was barely concealed.

"Yes," the officer confirmed with a nod. "You just need to head there, and he'll be waiting for you."

Zeus's eyes gleamed with a newfound anticipation. "I see. Then I'll go there immediately," he said, his voice carrying a note of finality as he turned to leave.

But before Zeus could step out, the officer, concern etched on his face, added, "I just want to warn you—Caius Arcturus is strong. Be careful."

Zeus paused, a smirk curling his lips as he glanced back at the officer. Confidence radiated from him as he replied, "Don't worry about me. I'm strong, too. If anything, Caius will have more to worry about than I will."

The officer gave a small nod, still uneasy but knowing there was nothing more he could say. He watched as Zeus stepped out of the house, already focused on the battle ahead.

The officer sighed, then turned to head back to his duties at the mission center, silently hoping that Zeus's confidence wasn't misplaced.

Zeus soon arrived at the arena, his steps confident and unhurried. As expected, Caius Arcturus was already there, standing at the center of the ring, his posture rigid with impatience.

The third-ranked outer disciple was a tall, imposing figure, his presence exuding a quiet, lethal strength that made it clear he was not to be taken lightly.

Caius's sharp eyes locked onto Zeus as he approached. "So, you're Zeus," Caius said, his voice cold and dismissive. "The one who thinks he can take my third-rank position."

Zeus met Caius's gaze with a calm, leisurely smile, completely unfazed by the intimidating aura before him. "Of course, it is," he replied smoothly, his voice laced with a quiet confidence that seemed to mock Caius's attempt at intimidation.

Caius's gaze narrowed, his eyes scanning Zeus from head to toe as if assessing his worth. "What kind of match do you think this is going to be?" Zeus asked, his tone casual, though there was a hint of curiosity beneath the surface.

Caius didn't bother to hide his disdain as he replied, "It's a simple match. The first to surrender or be forced out of bounds loses. There's a referee who'll save you from dying, so no need to worry about that, newbie."

Zeus's smile wavered for just a fraction of a second, and a vein bulged on his forehead. The term "newbie" stung more than he wanted to admit, but he quickly regained his composure.

"I understand," Zeus said, his voice steady, though there was an unmistakable edge to it, a simmering irritation that lurked just beneath the surface.

"Good," Caius said curtly, his tone sharp as he turned away, already dismissing Zeus as a threat. "Let's get this over with. I don't have time to waste on you."

Zeus's smile returned, though this time it was tinged with a dangerous undertone. "I see. Then let's start," he said, his voice carrying a subtle challenge that didn't go unnoticed by Caius.

The referee, who had been observing from the sidelines, stepped forward and raised his hand with authority. "Begin!" he commanded, his voice cutting through the tension that hung thick in the air.

Caius's expression immediately hardened, his focus laser-sharp as his hand moved to grip the hilt of his sword. "Let's finish this quickly," he muttered under his breath, almost as if dismissing Zeus as a mere inconvenience.

But before Caius could fully unsheathe his weapon, Zeus moved. In a blur of motion, he closed the distance between them, his speed catching Caius completely off guard. Zeus's fist shot forward, aimed with deadly precision at Caius's chest. Sёarch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Caius's eyes widened in shock, the surprise momentarily freezing him in place. Instinct took over just in time; with a swift, practiced motion, he brought his sword and its scabbard up to block the incoming strike.

The impact was explosive. A shockwave rippled through the arena, reverberating off the walls. Caius was forced back, his feet skidding across the ground as he struggled to maintain his balance.

Zeus, unfazed, watched Caius regain his footing. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, his expression transforming into one of amused mockery.

"You're pretty good," he remarked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. There was a taunting edge to his words, a clear challenge that hung in the air between them.