Atticus's Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground

Chapter 1438  Stronger

Two of his teammates were enroute to the Ravenstein base. From their prowess, it was very clear that these three were the strongest in the Ravenstein team. If they could just hold on until their people acquire their egg…

'An attack!' His thoughts were sliced short as Aurora, wrapped in fire flickered in front of him, sending out a punch. As the captain brought his arm up to meet the attack, another shockwave blasted out, and a choking haze filled the air.

…

"The clashes are insane!" As the Stellaris bellowed, the crowd roared in response.

"Not even a minute has passed, yet so much excitement! Are you thrilled!?"

"Yessss!" "Well, hold your breath, because there's more excitement coming your way!" The Stellaris spun toward the screens, "Let's take a look at what the other champions are up to!"

Another massive screen rose above the arena, displaying live footage of two figures blitzing through the dense forest, speeding straight toward the Ravenstein base.

"Another battle is underway!"

"Whoaaaa!" …

"Damn, those three are really mean."

Caldor kicked a stone away with a sigh.

"Why are you angry?"

Though Nate indulged him, his focus never wavered. He scanned the surroundings with the sharp eyes of a predator.

"They just decided to leave without saying a word! I mean, who does that? They're basically calling us the weakest in the team."

"But we're the weakest."

"Yeah, genius, of course I know that! But they didn't have to hint it, urgh!"

"…Why do I feel like this is more than it seems?"

Caldor scowled but stayed silent. Nate was right. Their first match was against the Surnix Hold, and Caldor had been excited to finally meet that girl again. But with those three abruptly charging ahead, it would be a miracle if he even got to see anyone from their team in this round.

'Should I just join them?' He shook his head. 'There's no point, urgh! There'll be nothing but chaos there now.'

Nate watched Caldor silently whining and wisely minded his business, until his eyes sharpened.

"Something's wrong," Nate said.

"Huh? What is it now?"

"Shut up."

As Nate bent and touched the ground, Caldor frowned but stayed quiet.

A moment later, Nate rose with urgency. "Two of them are approaching us."

"Wait, what? You serious?"

"I am."

Before Caldor could react, Nate slowly unsheathed his long sword.

"I'll draw one of them away from here. Handle the other."

"Wai—"

The ground swallowed Nate before he could finish, and he was gone.

'Let me choose the opponent!' Caldor screamed inwardly. If his girl was among the attackers, the last thing he wanted was Nate fighting her.

But before he could act, an intense clash erupted in the distance.

'He's already fighting.'

Caldor sighed, shaking his head. 'I should take this seriously too.'

In the next instant, his expression turned serious.

Arm resting on his sword, he focused in one direction, where a blur was racing toward him at high speed.

A moment later, Caldor's eyes widened as the figure landed before him.

'It's her…'

It was the girl he'd seen the day before! 'What luck!'

As the girl stared at him with a piercing look, Caldor couldn't help but smile.

"Nice day we're having, huh?"

The girl's eyes narrowed. "What?"

'What… the… fuck, Caldor! Is that the best you could do!?'

"Ahem. You're here for this, right?"

"I am. Will you stand in my way?"

'Damn, she sounds so good… get a grip, get a grip.'

"Unfortunately, I have to."

He took his arm off his sword and smiled. "But I'm sure we could reach some agreement. Surely, you wouldn't hit a handsome man, would you—"

A punch abruptly crushed into his face, hurling him backward.

"What the hell!"

Caldor twisted midair and spun, regaining his balance. He saw the girl make a beeline for the egg, and his eyes sharpened.

'Hell no.'

His body turned fluid, and like a surging tide, he shot forward, fist shooting out. The girl's eyes widened in shock before she scarcely managed to evade, leaping back to create distance.

"Why the hell did you punch me!" Caldor said, trying to set his crooked nose back in place.

"You're an enemy standing in my way. What do you think would happen?"

She stared at Caldor warily, circling him. He stood between her and the egg.

"But is that what this is all about for you? I… I thought we were hitting it off."

"Then you're very mistaken."

Her arm blurred as she made a rapid series of hand signs. Mana surged through her body, forming a radiant armor that shimmered across her frame.

As she stepped into a stance and raised her blade, Caldor's eyes slowly widened.

'She's beautiful…'

The world slowed again, and all he could see was her breathtaking figure, until she vanished from sight.

Caldor threw himself to the side as a blade came crashing down where he stood.

"Shit! At least tell me your name first!" he shouted, raising his weapon. Water mana burst from him, coating his blade and body in rippling energy. His movements became liquid, smooth, impossible to predict.

He lunged forward, unleashing a flurry of swift strikes. The girl met him head on. Their collisions shook the ground, waves of pressure cracking the terrain and swaying the trees.

'She's strong.'

Caldor could tell at a glance how skilled she was.

'But… I'm stronger!'

Like a flowing stream, he slipped through her assault and closed the distance. His fist slammed into her stomach, the impact sending her flying back.

'Damn, sorry!'

As she regained her footing, Caldor cleared his throat.

"You see? You can't defeat me. Why don't you just tell me your name, and we'll call it a day?"

All he received was a glare as she shakily stood.

"Shit. You look really pissed."

The girl raised her arm, clearly preparing to act again, when a bright light flared in the distance, followed by a sharp beep.

"The Surnix Hold egg has been captured. Winner, The Ravensteins."