Chapter 235 Blaspheming the Unspoken Rule

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Thrax absorbed the advice of his master and looked at Kieran with a silent nod.

His opinion was pretty much the same. Rather than make necessary preparations for a real threat, he was called upon to participate in this traditional round, also known as the Champion’s Round.

The Champion’s Round’s purpose was to provide one lucky person insight. The insight was broad, such as shedding light upon the power of the previous generation, revealing aspects one could improve oneself in, and unveiling the traditional task of a Champion.

A Champion should serve as a role model for the future generation, which is why every Champion’s Round was unique, adopting the name of the former Champion’s title.

This year it would be called the Herculean Round, a representation of Thrax’s moniker.

Kieran locked eyes with Thrax across the platform, gazing at him indifferently and strangely.

A peculiar glint flashed through Kieran’s eyes as Retaliatory Sense hummed inside his mind. The outcome was something unfamiliar to Kieran because the ability would usually activate in a quick burst.

The sustained droning made Kieran question its meaning. ‘Could my senses be alerting me that I’ve stepped into the presence of a predator? But, if that were true, the same effect should have occurred during my fight against Ronan and Bracca. No... it’s something else.’Geett the latest novels at novelhall.com

General Zieg noticed Kieran’s peculiar gaze and interpreted it as questioning why he must go against an absurd opponent.

“The chasm in strength has always been large during this round, but having you win is not our intent. Your objective is to last ten minutes while extracting crucial knowledge from your opponent. Succeed, and you will become this year’s Champion.”

‘Endure for ten minutes?’ Kieran inwardly muttered. His expression sank because he felt doing so would be incredibly difficult. Why? Because he received important information regarding Thrax’s strength.

「Lv.60 Thrax, The Herculean Mountain (Titled Epic NPC)

Class: Herculean Monk

Health: ??? (100%)

Affiliation: «War Deity Council» 」

‘A Monk...’ Kieran thought.

A Monk was a specialized path of a Fighter, particularly a Pugilist. They were known for their incredibly swift actions, which betrayed their size and the fact they wielded devastating striking power.

Monks were a somewhat unfathomable existence because it was a path inaccessible without diligence. And because his opponent possessed a further refined version, Kieran couldn’t see himself stretching this match to ten minutes.

If Kieran’s destructive power was considered his forte, then speed was his secondary forte. What remained if we removed both factors? His resiliency, which in this case, didn’t seem particularly helpful.

“Can we begin already? I’d much rather spend my time elsewhere,” Thrax said in a brusque tone. His tone, while offensive, didn’t pass the line of no respect, so General Zieg could only frown in response.

Crunch!

The sound of numerous bones breaking resounded, leaving everyone appalled.

Even Scar clutched his seat until the armrest shattered, and the entire chair exploded into a fine dust. That strike just now was something not even some of Thrax’s peers could handle.

Why would he use such disturbing force?

It was a known fact that the Champion Round existed to gradually increase pressure and extract the most potential from this year’s winner without jeopardizing their future. The logic of this round was: to strike the iron while it was hot.

However, Thrax’s attack didn’t abide by that unspoken rule.

Thrax especially should understand the meaning of leniency. The Champion he went against was one of the council’s most monstrous talents―Aggregor.

While his talent was inferior to Ronan in terms of understanding his power’s essence, Aggregor’s physical might was unmatched. If he had executed his final attack, Thrax would have ended up crippled.

General Zieg begrudgingly turned his head after sensing a boundless sense of murder emanating from his backside. Half of the Gladiator’s Coliseum was filled with an oppressive pressure that made breathing difficult.

Scar’s crimson eyes flashed with indescribable fury as his gaze shifted from Thrax to the quiet High Commander Igris standing not too far away.

High Commander Igris could sense the malice directed toward him and lifted his head to meet Scar’s murderous gaze. Under his slender helmet, Igris’ lips curved into a cruel smile undetectable to all.

However, Scar could see the smile within Igris’ minacious eyes.

But, rather than focus his fury on Igris for the moment, he examined Kieran’s injury from far away. The attack had destroyed a large portion of Kieran’s left side, leaving a gash so deep his arm remained attached by a few durable tendons.

Because of the pressure that locked him in place, Kieran couldn’t fall despite enduring excruciating pain. But putting aside the matter of his body, Kieran was confounded by his Health.

It was literally one.

Kieran wasn’t sure if this phenomenon resulted from the competition’s special conditions or another inexplicable reason, but he didn’t feel the threat of death.

In place of that sensation, Kieran felt unbridled fury, one violent enough to sunder the world. They wanted to kill him?!

Before Thrax’s attack arrived, Kieran sensed sinister intent filled with treachery. Although they were in the same organization, this fool wanted to claim his life.

The gall required to perform a foolish action like this was unthinkable.

Kieran lifted his head after great difficulty and looked at Thrax.

The pressure encasing his body suddenly disappeared, and it was not Thrax’s doing. Kieran’s sclera adopted a demonic black color while his eyes turned a ravenous crimson color.

Kieran’s already pale countenance blanched further as he lifted his right hand to the repugnant wound on his left shoulder, chest, and ribcage and spoke a phrase that practically stopped everyone’s hearts.

“Aspect: Ruinous Negation!”

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A/N: Please read the Creator’s Thoughts for a link to the discord if you’re interested! If not, here:(Link: https:///en6DrVPQvN )