Chapter 309
Max would have thought he was drunk for a moment, his mind foggy on the details of what was going on.
Even worse, his body felt like flames had engulfed every square inch of him, yet he knew he was standing.
Bob was running the show, and once again, watching from a far-off position, Max saw Igarra standing a few yards away from him, her body tense.
“I appreciate your concern to come rushing in and make sure that I am not in need of assistance.”
Hearing his own voice sounded weird, especially as it seemed to echo sometimes.
Igarra’s golden eyes shifted as she looked Max up and down.
“Yes... I was not certain that you were okay. I am glad to see that you are.”
Around them, Max could hear the faintest cry from the spectators. Everyone was crying out his name, chanting it over and over.
“I assume I have displayed enough power to be allowed into the final ring of the city?”
The golden lizard woman said nothing, her lips curling as she stared down at Max.
“You have defeated a champion. Forced Sheemena’s hand to show a power she rarely revealed, and still managed to kill her with just your bare hands. That is the least of my questions. I would like to know how you have powers typically associated with our world and not others. Even more interesting is that you say Ezreal captured you and set you free to only later hunt you. Why that man would do such a foolish thing is what really bothers me.”
“I have not lied. He surprised me with a portal and imprisoned me. After failing to break my will after a few months, he revealed who he really was. I doubt anyone but Ezreal knows why he does anything at all.”
A snort came as the golden lizard stood like a statue. Waves of power washed out from her, yet Max stood without flinching.
He wanted to ask Bob what the plan was but wasn’t sure what would happen if he did. Their only chance right now was letting his skill take over, as Max knew he couldn’t control his own body like this.
The shouts of his name continued, and Igarra glanced upward at the people around them.
“You have earned the right to come into the inner city, but I must warn you. What lies beyond the last gate is nothing like you can fathom. To go beyond them is a chance most will never get, and what you will face in my arena will be far worse than any nightmare you could imagine.
“What about the tower? Is there a way for me to enter it?”
She scoffed, shaking her head as she crossed her arms.
“You want to enter my tower? What would possess you to desire such a thing?”
Max felt himself shrug and a smile start to form on his face.
Whatever game Bob was playing at, it was going to be announced soon.
“I think it would be interesting to try a tower from another world. I doubt Suljin would mind as I won’t seek to complete it, simply to see how it stacks up to what I have faced before.”
Igarra laughed, and it was obvious from the tone that her thoughts on Bob’s statement was complete amusement.
“Perhaps she might. Win three matches in my arena. Then I will give you the chance. After that, I will see if I might be able to find a way to return you to your world.”
“And what would that cost?”
Both of her golden eyes sparkled as she raised her clawed hands.
“That price has yet to be set. Let’s see if you can first earn the right to enter the tower. Survive that, and then we shall see.”
Igarra snapped her fingers, and the barrier vanished, the wave of sound assaulting them both.
Ifrit! Ifrit! Ifrit!
Her fingers snapped again, and every ounce of sound stopped.
“My people! We have a new champion! Ifrit has earned the right to cross the gates and enter into the inner city!”
Hands and arms waved in the air, and yet still no sound came from the gathered horde of spectators.
“So wish him one last goodbye and know that if you are ever fortunate enough to earn the right to enter in, perhaps you can witness him once again, fighting in my arena!” ȑ
She turned and walked away, the spell or ability she had just used to silence everyone ended, and once again, Max heard the people chanting his name.
Can you walk?
Barely. Your body is in need of a long rest. I am burning my own power to keep you upright. Wait till we are home. Then we can talk.
***
Max stared at the stars and planets that surrounded him.
Next to him in the void was Bob, floating as he was.
I don’t suppose any of the planets out here is mine.
One might be, but I cannot control where we are right now. This isn’t your world, and things are different. I can feel a string that pulls me toward it, but there is no way for me to act upon it right now.
Silence hung once again, and Max felt a peace in this place.
She was going to kill me wasn’t she?
Her aura gave off that desire. When you stumbled, she saw the chance. It was always there, a desire to remove the threat. I know you missed her expression when I stood, smirking as she came.
As his skin finished growing over his body, hiding the grotesque figure he had looked like with no covering, Max saw the notifications appear.
[ Strength Milestone Upgrade Complete ]
[ New Body Type Acquired ]
[ System Calibrating ]
[ Species - Human ]
[ ..... ]
[ Milestone Reached Before Evolution is Possible ]
[ Awaiting System Unlock for Species Strength Evolution ]
[ Constitution Milestone Upgrade Complete ]
[ New Body Type Acquired ]
[ System Calibrating ]
[ Species - Human ]
[ ..... ]
[ Milestone Reached Before Evolution is Possible ]
[ Awaiting System Unlock for Species Constitution Evolution ]
[ System Error ]
[ 2 Milestones Achieved Early ]
[ Rectifying ]
[ ..... ]
[ ..... ]
[ Granting Temporary Bonus ]
[ Temporary Bonus Will Be Removed Upon Evolution ]
[ 10% Strength Granted For Melee Attacks ]
[ 10% Resistance Gained Against All Attacks ]
Max could feel the vibrations of people moving through floor on the other side of his door.
“Ifrit!”
Jazzjak’s paw banged against the metal frantically. It was locked, and Max knew neither of them would want to come in without permission, having been warned multiple times.
“I’m fine! I promise!”
“Are you sure?! That scream didn’t sound good!”
Groaning, Max felt something under him and realized his mattress was covered in blood and other goo from when his body had just disintegrated.
“Actually,” Max called out as he heard his stomach grumble, “I need some food! Give me twenty minutes, and I’ll be down there!”
“Okay!”
Sliding off the mattress, Max did his best to not drip onto his pants or boots, which were on the floor next to the bed.
Imagine if I had been wearing those while I slept.
It would have been fun cleaning them out.
Max walked across the room, leaving bloody footprints and other droppings on the stone floor as he headed to the sink in his room. Turning the handle and injecting mana in the rune he wanted, the water turned warm, flowing very slowly so as not to be wasted.
Picking up a towel, Max sighed, knowing he might run out of towels before he was clean.
A thought hit him, and even though his Sonar skill told him how he looked, Max moved to where the light switch was, pushing it, listening to the squelch of his finger against the metal.
Light gems activated, and Max moved to stand before the mirror inspecting his body.
Gone was the skinny but fit body he remembered. Now was a more muscular and defined one. A body like his seemed impossible to achieve, and yet, here it was, rippling with muscle as Sheemena’s had.
Was she evolved? Or was it just the stats she had?
Once more I am not sure but feel I will know in time. You do look more like a warrior now.
Chuckling, Max got to work, scrubbing his body and removing the layer of bodily fluid and goo that covered him.