Atticus's Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground

Chapter 1529  Threat

'Attack and defend.'

Atticus didn't know how to feel about that.

"Last chance, Atticus Ravenstein," Balanar said.

Atticus ignored him. His decision had already been made.

The endless space warped, returning him to the skies amongst his people.

Atticus felt every gaze settle on him. The air was heavy with anticipation as he met their eyes and began explaining the rules of the challenge.

The weight that followed was immediate. He couldn't blame them. Given what they'd just learned, it was the only reaction possible.

'Champions and gods.'

The theme of the challenge was attack and defend.

Each side was granted ten fortresses. Gods and champions under the challenged and challenger would be assigned to defend them, each alongside an army of soldiers. The number of gods and champions was unrestricted, but the soldiers were capped at roughly ten thousand per side.

Each side was required to both defend their own fortresses and capture the enemy's. The duration of the challenge was thirty minutes. Victory would go to the side that controlled the most fortresses at the end.

But there was one rule that caused their reaction. The challenged and challenger gods were forbidden from participating physically. Their only role was to issue commands. Fighting such a disadvantageous battle without Atticus… Atticus' gaze moved across the group.

'Aside from me… there are only four other gods.'

If either side lacked the required number of gods or champions to control a fortress, they could substitute them with civilian soldiers. The opposing side would be required to mirror the substitution.

'We can make this work.'

"Listen," Atticus said, breaking the silence. "It's uncertain. But I have no doubt in any of your abilities. We won't lose."

A flicker ran through each of their eyes. Deep frowns turned to smiles and then grins.

"Bond's right," Ozeroth said confidently. "We'll show those cowards their place."

Atticus met each of their gazes in turn. Every one of them nodded with determined eyes.

"Alright," he said. "Here's how it'll go."

Minutes later, the gods, champions, and armies under Atticus' command split into their assigned groups. The battlefield reshaped itself, an expansive arena stretching across the land as fortresses materialized for both sides.

Atticus' fortresses occupied a vast hill. They were layered and positioned at varying elevations, some below, others above, forming a natural barrier that sealed access to the peak.

Atticus considered the ground an advantage. But it didn't mean the abyss army lacked one of their own.

Their fortresses were scattered throughout the forest at the hill's base, concealed by terrain and shadow. Even from above, Atticus struggled to pinpoint their exact positions.

'They're all set.'

He glanced down at his people, each already in place.

"Kuu~"

Atticus smiled faintly as Noctis slid down from his head, ears flattened in frustration.

"Sorry, little guy," he said softly, brushing his fur. "You'll join them soon. I promise."

"The game will begin in one minute."

At the voice, Atticus' coldness snapped back into place as he looked down at his people from above.

Ozeroth. Ozerra. Whisker. Magnus. Anorah. Kiara, along with two resistance gods who had come with them, and two generals from the territory army. These were the ones he'd placed in charge of each fortress, each commanding thousands of soldiers. Other champions were scattered across each territory. 'We have thirty minutes.'

Once the battle began, their time to act would be brutally limited. Every second would matter.

As a gaze settled on him, Atticus turned toward it.

Balanar now floated above the forest, meeting his eyes with a small, knowing smile.

"You still have a chance to avoid needless bloodshed," he said. "The alternative is watching every single one of your loved ones die… slowly."

Atticus felt his arm tremble, killing intent simmering beneath the surface. The threat was real. Still, he forced himself to breathe.

Losing control now would be foolish.

He ignored Balanar. The seconds stretched until the final moment passed.

As the signal came, the battlefield fell into a suffocating silence.

'They'll move first.'

Atticus was certain of it. Balanar was still trying to energy him to surrender the suit. He would want to make a statement, and fast.

Still, their restraint was intentional. Atticus needed to see how his will armored soldiers fared against other will users before committing to anything further.

Less than a minute later, figures emerged from the forest, advancing toward the fortress at the base of the hill.

Atticus narrowed his eyes.

'They're few.'

Not even half of the allotted ten thousand. Why would such a energy approach a fully fortified position?

Either they trusted their power… or

'Their goal isn't to attack.'

Atticus reached out to the fortress commander.

'Prepare for anything. They're up to something.'

'Yes, my lord.'

The fortress commander was one of from the civilian soldiers. The group stood at a measured distance from the walls and one man stepped forward.

'A champion.'

He was tall and slender, much like Balanar, dressed in the same purple attire and radiating a similar aura, though weaker.

A malevolent smile curved his lips as he lifted a hand.

Several soldiers broke formation, dragging forward small figures with sacks over their heads.

Atticus' expression darkened as they were forced to their knees.

"People of Fartonia," the man said calmly. "You may address me as Neroser. I am a servant of Lord Balanar. The Abyss faction is merciful. We believe in order and obedience." His smile widened. "But we punish defiance."

He waved his hand, and the sacks vanished, revealing multiple children.

'They didn't kill all of them.'

Atticus recognized every face. They were among the kidnapped children from earlier.

He'd been focused on finding the one responsible and hadn't bothered to confirm if all the missing children had been accounted for. 'They had them all this time. They expected something like this would happen.' Atticus felt his mind spinning as he collected the pieces. Now he understood their real aim.

'They're attacking morale.'

He fixed his eyes on his soldiers. Many had also recognized the missing children. Relatives. Friends. He didn't know. What mattered was the implication. The abyss soldiers stood behind them, blades hovering against small throats.

"To show my seriousness," Neroser said.

He nodded.

Blood splattered the ground as heads rolled.

The soldiers withdrew, and another group was dragged forward.

Neroser smiled at the graveyard silence.

"Now… where were we?" he said lightly. "Ah yes. Lay down your arms and join our mighty army, and I will spare these innocent souls."

I’m sorry it came late, but this is yesterday’s chapter. Today’s will also come late, until I can return to the normal schedule, so we don’t miss any updates.