Book 4: Chapter 202: Brave

Book 4: Chapter 202: Brave

“When the universe was created, there was chaos.”

“Clear and light rose to be heaven, the muddy and heavy fell to become land. Lastly, there were lives. All things in the universe exist as inseparable and contradictory opposites.”

“Water and fire, heat and cold. Warm spring and summer, cold autumn and winter. Light and darkness, day and night. Then there’s also... Good and evil.”

A world-weary voice echoed between heaven and earth. It soothed the crowd like a cool spring breeze and reignited the hopes in their heart like the blazing summer sun.

Everyone momentarily forgot the desperate situation they were in, and looked toward the source of the sound...

A rift was torn open in the dark sky. A ray of light descended, and like a lone spotlight, it shone on a tall and majestic figure.

A knight?

That was the first impression everyone had when they laid eyes on the figure. Upon a closer look, they realized that the figure did not quite resemble the image of the knight in their memory.

His pure gold armor did not cover his whole body. His abdomen, upper arms and legs were only protected by black leather armor that clung to his skin. However, the gold part of the armor was extremely thick and looked heavy.

The pauldrons were decorated with unknown vicious beasts that had a pair of sharp horns on its head. It made him look like a badass.

The most prominent part of the armor was at its belt. The buckle was extremely gorgeous, decorated by five gems of different colors that complimented the centerpiece—a yin yang gem. The design certainly gave the buckle a mysterious finishing touch.

“You are...” the vice dean absent-mindedly murmured.

Although his voice was barely audible, the armored figure still caught it. He turned his head around. Though his face was hidden behind a black facial armor, the vice dean seemed to be able to see a boundless light of hope.

“I am the Emperor... Ah, damn.”

The figure quickly caught himself. He composed himself, then cleared his throat before speaking slowly.DiisCoover updated novels on n(o)v./e/lbin(.)com

“Who I am matters not. Name is but an utterance. But if you insist on knowing, you may refer to me as... Brave.”

“Brave?”

The vice dean was taken aback, because he was all too familiar with the name, “Brave.”

In fact, there was no one in the world who would find that name unfamiliar.

Rather than calling it a name, “Brave” was more of a title given to heroes who had defeated evil by their own strength and rescued the people who were in need. Such figures were often heard in countless tales and their appearances were usually accompanied by demon kings, evil dragons and princesses.

However, the vice dean knew very well that these figures only existed in tales. Saving the world alone was only a beautiful lie weaved for young and hot blooded teenagers.

The reality had always been unbearably cruel.

“Are you... doubting me?”

The vice dean could clearly feel the burning gaze behind the facial armor.

Without waiting for the vice dean’s reply, the armored figure who called himself Brave, continued speaking to himself.

“Ahh, I understand. I understand everything. People were so foolish. They longed for the appearance of the heroes in their time of despair, yet loathed their dazzling light. After all, the light was too blinding and scorching hot for those poseurs.”

The vice dean flew into a rage upon hearing that. “I won’t allow you to insult them! They may have failed in becoming heroes, but they’re definitely not poseurs!”

Brave sneered. “Then tell me, were their sacrifices meaningful?”

“Meaningful...?”

Brave’s question struck the vice dean like a bolt of lightning. Every word stabbed his heart like sharp knives.

He was right. The sacrifices of those old men were all for naught.

...Because Golden Demon Htilil still remained standing, unscathed.

Brave watched Golden Demon as she rolled on the ground, hissing his name while clutching her perfectly intact right arm even though there was a deep cut that ran from her chest down to her abdomen.

“It seems like my new move is more effective than I thought. The pain is even enough to cause confusion.”

The Golden Demon froze for a moment before she continued wailing.

“Why?! Why am I still no match for you even though I have powered up in the Ancient Ruins?!”

“That’s because you’re not the only one who is growing stronger every moment.”

Brave looked up at the sky and said ruefully. “You are the reason that I must become stronger.”

“Don’t get so cocky!”

The Golden Demon got up with difficulty and shakily pointed her finger at Brave.

“You! Even if you’re powerful, this is not the end yet!” she hissed, like a wounded beast that was cornered.

Beep, beep, beep.

A strange sound that sounded like an alarm clock echoed in everyone’s ears.

The Golden Demon laughed loudly. “I have planted a bomb that is powerful enough to destroy a nation in the foundation of this academy. When the timer runs out, everyone in the Holy Dragon Empire will be blown into smithereens! All of them, haha!!!”

“WHAT?!”

Chill invaded everyone’s heart.

A bomb that was powerful enough to destroy an entire nation? What a joke! How could something like that possibly exist in the world?

But then again...

Everyone could not help but believe it. After all, the person who said this... was the Golden Demon herself, the most notorious criminal in the history of mankind!

There was no reason for her to babble nonsense and make empty threats.

“There is no need to worry.”

A voice filled with righteousness from within that golden armor reached everyone’s ears, and melted their hearts that were frozen by fear.

“I will stop her.”

For some reason, everyone was convinced just by hearing that person’s voice.

Brave suddenly landed. He dropped down on one knee and placed his hands on the ground.

“What... are you trying to do?”

“Stopping you,” Brave said nonchalantly before roaring loudly, “RISE!”

The ground shook, as if he had just yanked something out from the ground.

“You... You... Don’t tell me...”

Terror filled the Golden Demon’s voice.

“Have you lost your mind?! You’re planning to sacrifice a hundred years of your life just to save these vermin? Do you think it’s worth it?”

“Of course!” Brave replied sternly, “Aren’t heroes supposed to rescue everyone in a crisis?!”

Brave rose to his feet again and raised his right arm, with an object shaped like an alarm clock in his hand. He then crushed it, deforming it so much that it stopped working.

The second hand was merely one tick away from completing its final rotation.