Read Novel Full Chapter 1542 Show
Chapter 1542 Show
"As long as you can't react…"
"…you're finished."
The attack detonated in a violent explosion, scorching the earth as a thick haze swallowed the entire domain.
"It's over."
Many gods shook their heads. There was no doubt about the outcome. Atticus' strange weapon was terrifying, but even the most absolute power meant nothing if it couldn't be used. Scaela had erased its advantage by moving too fast for him to respond.
"He never stood a chance."
More than a few watched Scaela with trembling eyes, until their expressions froze.
"H-how is this possible…?"
The haze cleared. Atticus stood at the center of the devastation, his arm coated in will closed around Scaela's blade.
There was not a single scratch on him. Not even a flicker in his will.
The Marquis jolted.
"H-he blocked it!?"
"H-how is that possible?"
Of them all, Scaela was the most shaken.
Crown of Cinders was a Marquis level will art, one that traded flesh and will for overwhelming speed and power. The more orbs sustained, the greater the boost.
And despite her age… Scaela handled a staggering five.
But she wasn't given even a heartbeat to process it.
The distance between them ceased to exist.
Atticus' fist crashed into her face, the impact detonating with such force that she was torn headfirst across the terrain.
Her body carved through the desert before slamming into a massive crater. Blood burst from her mouth as she collapsed to her knees.
"W-what…?"
Her hand rose shakily to her face. When she pulled it back, it was wet, sticky with blood and something worse. Her features were warped, barely recognizable.
Scaela's eyes trembled as footsteps reached her.
"W-what are you…?"
Atticus walked toward her with composed steps. His attire fluttered in the scorching wind as he spoke.
"Crown of Cinders."
What followed was so fast that many of the Marquis didn't see it happen.
Atticus slid his katana into its sheath.
Only then did the vertical line appear, stretching through Scaela, through the desert, and into the horizon beyond.
"M-monster…"
The line ignited, and fire tore upward as Scaela split into two sizzling halves, the strike carving a yawning canyon across the domain.
The board dropped into a suffocating silence.
"Did he just copy a… Marquis level art?"
The Marquis stared, eyes wide, bodies stiff.
But Dravek's voice broke the silence. "You killed her… you killed her…"
Steam poured from his nostrils as heat surged outward, the air around him warping until his form blurred.
"Listen carefully," he said, his voice shaky. "From this moment onward, Atticus Ravenstein, and every single person associated with him, are sworn enemies of the Redflame."
His gaze burned into Atticus.
"I place a bounty upon him and all those tied to him. Kill them… and I, Marquis Dravek Solmar, shall owe you any favor."
The other Marquis stiffened.
A favor from a Redflame Marquis, there were few things more valuable.
Atticus felt countless gazes slam into him and frowned.
'The fear in their eyes is gone.'
'You really pissed him the hell off,' Whisker said, but Atticus remained silent.
He'd expected Dravek's rage. He'd just killed his daughter afterall. But this escalation had been unexpected.
A Redflame favor could open doors most gods would never even see.
'They think it's worth the risk.'
Marquis exchanged glances with their champions. Cold intent surfaced in many eyes.
'They won't come for me… they'll come for my champions.'
The bounty had stated any death.
'So what's the move, fearless leader?' Whisker asked.
Atticus went silent for a moment, then his grip tightened around his katana.
'We show them their place.'
"Marquis Atticus. Please select the champions to expose."
"Whisker. Noctis."
Their domains flared as white ground bled into blinding red.
"Both champions are now free to be challenged by any player across the board. The game may continue."
The next god rolled a one, but it didn't matter.
"I challenge him."
The speaker was a slender man with a quiet, restrained aura. A faint smile was on his lips as he pointed toward a domain where a small furry creature stood in silence.
Several gods sighed.
The creature looked like the weakest of Atticus' people. The odds of something like that possessing a true will were laughable. Unfortunately for it, this god had moved first.
"Marquis Atticus," the board asked, "do you accept, or would you like to contest the challenge?"
"I accept."
Murmurs spread instantly.
"He's not even contesting it?"
"There's no way that… puppy can fight."
"He's drunk on his victories."
"Lucky bastard. He'll earn a favor from a Redflame Marquis."
The Marquis selected his champion, and moments later, the man appeared before Noctis.
"Ha!" He laughed immediately. "You're even smaller up close. A little runt."
He was tall and lean, and his figure was sharp and dangerous. Two sabers rested at his waist as he grinned down at Noctis.
"Begin."
The man drew both blades.
"No hard feelings," he said lightly. "That's just how the world works. Blame your owner for what comes next."
He vanished, appearing before Noctis like a phantom.
"Endless Sabers."
Gray will erupted around him as he blurred, an endless storm of slashes tearing forward.
Noctis released a short breath, as the attack reached him, detonating in a violent explosion that swallowed the field in smoke and debris.
"Kue! He's finished." The champion grinned within the choking haze. He was about to turn when a blast suddenly erupted, clearing the haze. His eyes slowly widened at the sight before him.
The little pup was gone. In its place stood a beast of legend, its massive form towering over him. Fangs gleamed. Claws flexed. Crimson eyes looked down on him with cold, predatory intent.
"W-wha—"
Noctis' claws tore forward with such speed that the air itself split. The man was shredded apart, his body dividing into four sizzling halves before he could even scream.
The shock that swept through the watching Marquis was planetary.
(A/N: Happy Christmas Eve! I hope you enjoy reading! Oh and merry Christmas for the y'all in the future. Have a good one :)