Chapter 225 The Fall



Each Grade showed the approximate strength of the creature, it wasn't any kind of exact value since two Champion Grade monsters could have completely different strengths. 

However, they were necessarily more powerful than a Terror Grade monster, if they were not, then an incorrect grade was given. 

A mistake was only possible with Champion Grade and Terror Grade, and only if those monsters were not part of the Chaos Hearth. In that case, even an inexperienced Oracle could understand what Grade monsters were in it. 

Those who weren't Awakened yet and especially those who weren't even aware of it, could make mistakes. They judged the opponent based on their appearance, first attacks, and their feelings, but for Awakened Ones, everything was much simpler.

"Hah, you know you spread the energy in your body rather unusually." Toruf smirked as his eyes narrowed.nov?\?\o\?

'Agh...? What is he talking about? Damn, he looks like he can see right through me. Zayne became wary.

In fact, that was exactly what was happening then. Toruf saw four white arcs and one ring floating amongst the darkness as well as two spheres, blue and red.

"First Ring of the mind... granted your other arcs would suit you somewhat more in close combat. You were definitely advised to do that by someone, weren't you?" Toruf asked with curiosity.

Zayne nodded slowly, "Yeah, a powerful mage said that it was the only way I could get special training. I was surprised too, but thanks to that training I was able to face an opponent again that was much stronger than I thought."

"Do you want to tell me about it before we start?" Toruf asked, "I think I know what training you're talking about, so I'm curious who your toughest opponent was."

'Damn... It's all so weird. It started out as a simple encounter like with other monsters, but now... It's like I'm in training with my teacher, even though there's a talking bull in front of me!" Zayne internally exclaimed. He felt weird, and it was made worse by the fact that he liked this kind of semi-friendship format.

"Hey! Can you hear me?!" Toruf frowned.

"Yeah, sorry, I was just thinking. This is an unusual situation, you know." Zayne shrugged, "When I got to the Dark Lands before I expected endless attacks from bloodthirsty monsters, and at first I did, but you... You're different."

Toruf smirked, "Was that a compliment or what? Hehehe, considering you're new to this area, it's not surprising. Dark Lands is a place of strength! Strength isn't just about brutality and killing, it's also about overcoming challenges and respecting your opponent!"

"I see... Everyone has their own philosophy doesn't they?" Zayne smiled, "About your question, I don't know if you've heard of it or not, but it was Apostle, Enar, Flame of Sorrow."

At the same moment, Toruf's eyes went wide, then he got an annoyed look on his face.

"Don't you dare lie to me... That one...!" Toruf exclaimed menacingly, emitting a dangerous aura that sent a chill down Zayne's spine, but, it immediately disappeared as Toruf realized that Zayne wasn't lying.

"Is it really...?" Toruf muttered in disbelief.

Zayne sighed, "You're not the first one who didn't believe me. Now I'm even more puzzled as to why he decided to fight me to the death then. Considering I never even wounded him once during training, he had a goal to end his life that day."

Toruf remained silent for a while. It seemed that he was having a hard time realizing that it had actually happened and Zayne was the one who had defeated Enar.

"Agh..." Toruf took a deep breath, "Enar was a great warrior, perhaps he had done enough in this world. It is not for us to judge him. However, if he chose you, it means you are different from the others in some way! Don't let me down!"

Whoooooosh.

At the same moment, without any warning, Toruf lunged forward, straight at Zayne.

The ground shook violently from Toruf's massive weight, causing Zayne to lose his balance for a moment, but he recovered quickly, preparing to counterattack.

'I don't need to defeat him, I doubt that's possible, considering he's on Arisen Grade and Awakened...' Whatever that means, it's obvious I'm no match for him. Zayne pondered with a serious look, 'However... Knocking him down should be much easier.'

"Come on! Show me what you can do!"

Zayne nodded slightly as Toruf's long sharp horns almost reached him. At the last moment, he jumped high up, dodging the attack only to launch his own.

'Let's start with something standard, to begin with.' Zayne clenched his fist tightly, bringing it down on Toruf's head with all his might.

The shot hit the target and was successful, however, Toruf didn't even flinch.

"Hey, did you have breakfast today? Since I didn't feel any strength in your punch at all! It's more like a tickle!" Toruf chuckled, raised his front hooves, and brought them down because of all his strength.

Then, from beneath the ground, came a multitude of stone spikes, thick and long, one was enough to pierce Zayne and end his journey forever.I think you should take a look at

'What...?!' Zayne's eyes went wide.

'Ahahahahahaha, did you really think that if I'm a beast, all I can do is try to pierce you with my horns! You're thinking too primitively!" Toruf laughed, experiencing the sheer pleasure of this battle.

Zayne was in the air, the sharp tips of the spikes were heading straight for him, but he wasn't worried though he was surprised since he had a way out of this situation.

"Is this really the end? I'm not into this..." Toruf exclaimed when the shadow of two wide scarlet wings fell on him, appearing behind Zayne.

Then, a powerful fist came down on Toruf's head again. However, this time the situation was a little different, the flapping of the wings gave Zayne momentum and acceleration that greatly strengthened him.

And, his blue eyes turned completely dark, for a moment Zayne lost all of his aura causing Toruf's to be greatly surprised.

'What was that...? Was it just me? No, for a second his aura was completely hidden from my senses!" Toruf internally exclaimed, then the impact from the impact reached him.

Toruf's massive body shuddered. The powerful shockwave plunged Toruf's head into the ground as well as the front of his body.

'Nice! All that's left is to knock him off balance!" Zayne internally exclaimed as his hands became covered in blue energy and quickly found themselves at Toruf's hind legs.

Zayne brought his fist up to strike, stepped forward, and attacked, aiming just above the hip to bring the huge bull to the ground.

Crackle.

In a heartbeat, the heavy hoof plunged into Zayne's stomach like a hammer. It happened too fast for him to react, so Zayne flew aside like a projectile.

His back broke many dry trees before the momentum died down, allowing Zayne to stop.

Toruf pulled his head out of the ground with a wide grin on his face, "Not bad. If you were more experienced in fighting opponents like me, you'd probably have won our bet by now."

Toruf shook off the dust of small stones and headed towards a strip of ruined trees that went quite a ways inland.

"Hey, can you hear me? I don't believe one kick was enough to knock you out! Let's go! If you want to pass Chaos Trial, you definitely can't give up now!" Toruf tried to cheer Zayne up, he didn't want something so interesting to end so quickly.

Toruf sighed, "Well, I have to admit that that punch was really powerful. Even if I had expected it, I doubt I would have been able to stay on my feet. You have a lot of strength hidden in your body."

Step. Step. Step.

Toruf slowly approached the pile of dry branches Zayne was under, only his hand visible while dark drops of blood dripped from his fingertips.

Toruf frowned, "Well, if that's all, in that case, don't take offense at me for being so harsh!"

Toruf raised his legs high, about to bring them down on Zayne.

At the same moment, a blue flash flew out from under the dry branches, quickly ending up behind Toruf. His eyes went wide for a moment, he hadn't expected Zayne to be so fast.

"Nice try, but it's not enough!" Toruf exclaimed, swinging his hind legs.

Zayne risked getting two more kicks like the previous one. It was unlikely he would be able to move after that, but he was ready for it, no, he was expecting it.

Zayne did a roll-up, slipping under Toruf's legs, then he made two lightning-fast palm strikes on Toruf's knees, causing him to wince and stagger slightly.

"That's not all..." Zayne muttered before leaping up.

Toruf was ready for another blow, his thick skin could easily withstand all the damage, only his head was vulnerable to Zayne's attacks. At least that's what Toruf's thought.

As the temperature suddenly became lower, Zayne's palms erupted in blue flames, bringing with them only cold, sorrow, and ice.

'Shit!" Toruf turned his head sharply, only to see the flaming cross descend upon him.