Bonus Chapter 114: Another Challenger
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Axel pronounced, his voice echoing through the barren wasteland. The landscape around him was desolate, stretching out in every direction. Cracks littered the ground like scars on an ancient battlefield, and the air was thick with the scent of dust and death.
A few twisted, lifeless trees stood crooked against the skyline, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. In the distance, the horizon was barely visible beneath a sky that flickered between shades of grey and purple.
In the middle of this wasteland, a figure sat cross-legged, her annoyance radiating off her like heat from a furnace. The challenger— a woman with two wickedly curved horns protruding from her skull and a large, violet sword resting across her lap— glared at him. Her sharp eyes never left his, filled with a seething rage.
[**Welcome to Barren Zero**]
[**Defeat your opponent and defend your title**]
Axel's attention was momentarily diverted by the system notifications flashing before him, but he casually dismissed them with a wave. His focus returned to his opponent, who seemed less than thrilled with the wait. He lifted a hand in an almost friendly gesture. "I'm Axel," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "And honestly, I'd much prefer just to talk."
The woman growled in disgust, her hands tightening around the hilt of her blade. "Liar!" she spat, her voice dripping with venom. "How dare you keep me waiting so long."
Axel shook his head, a wry smile forming on his lips. **Liar.** That word still stung, even after all this time. **Mictlantecuhtli**, the dark god who had cursed him, had robbed him of the ability to lie. Although, thanks to his pact with **Velerium**, there was a loophole. He could lie, but only five times within two days—an absurdly small allowance for a man in his line of work. But this woman?
He wouldn't waste one of those precious lies on her. Not a chance.
'And I won't waste a lie on such a small fry.'
His system hummed to life again, scanning the opponent before him.
[**Name: Reya ???**]
[**Abilities: Turbo Recoil (A-Rank), Bullet Damage (B-Rank)**]
[**Full Inspection: Your opponent excels at short-range combat. Close contact is extremely dangerous. Proceed with caution.**]
Axel's eyes gleamed with amusement. **Turbo Recoil**? That explained her short-range affinity. The more he thought about it, the more he was tempted to end this quickly. But no, that wouldn't be satisfying. He liked to understand his enemies first.
[**Rewards**]
*You have gained 1000 Exp from the mission*
*You have gained Reya's weapon*
He glanced at the blade that now floated in his inventory, unimpressed. "Her weapon isn't even worth keeping," Axel muttered, selling it off instantly in the system's store. "I expected more."
He checked his stats, his expression growing more frustrated. **8899/100000 Exp**. "Leveling up has officially become a nightmare. I knew it would get harder, but this is just ridiculous."
Axel shook his head, his mood souring. "I better head back. Trisha's probably waiting on me to pack for the journey." He cracked his neck and stretched. "Man, I don't get women."
***
**//Stats//**
Name: Axel Teras
Exp: 8899/100000
Level: 63
Job Class: Dormant Devour
Axel closed the interface and glanced at the horizon, where the dark, barren land seemed to stretch on forever. But all he could think of was the family he had waiting back home.
***Author's thought***
Now that we have gotten a rest or should I say, a short introduction and fun. The true matters start here. Our planetary adventure begins. And the question about Luxiam!