Awakening?The Infinite Evolution of My Talent as a Low-Level Awakener

Chapter 182: Facing the [Challenger]

Immediately, Faye stood aside quietly.

The players around them looked at Sterl with sympathy. No one dared to speak, only exchanging glances.

A second class against a maxed-out third class? This was a guaranteed death.

Earlier, York had mentioned the rules of the Hall of Valor: you can't refuse a challenge. Poor David...

It's a pity. We owe him one, but there's no way to save him! Maybe we can at least recover his body and give him a proper burial...

In the tense atmosphere, York next to Sterl frowned slightly.

He glanced at Faye with disgust.

This woman, so heartless! She was the one who, along with David, told us "don't join the guild." Now that her companion is in danger, she doesn't say a word?

A femme fatale!

Cold and ruthless!

Unable to stand it, York stepped forward.

"Hey buddy, I used my detection skill and saw your name is 'David,' right?"

"Earlier, I owed you a favor. I'll fight this battle for you."

He spoke with loyalty.

But Willis looked irritated. Even an SS-grade talent player at third class was just an ant to him. York and David jumping around in front of him was extremely annoying.

"Do you think I can't get to you without challenging you?"

"Once you're in the Hall of Valor, you're dead meat."

Willis said angrily. He didn't plan to have his men challenge York because an SS-grade talent at third class might actually turn the tables!

York remained calm: "I'll take whatever you throw at me."

"If you're trying to trick me into your guild, you should be worried about yourself."

"My father won't let you off."

"Your father?" Willis's expression changed.

York took a step forward: "My father is the [God of Trade, Votist]."

He brandished a token: "I was recommended by him to join the Hall of Valor. Even if I fail the trials, I'll be safely teleported out."

With these words, Willis's face turned incredibly ugly!

The dozen or so arrogant figures behind him also looked stunned.

What a backfire. Who could have thought this SS-grade talent had a god backing him? With a simple trick, they could make Willis's life in the Hall of Valor a living hell or even kill him.

But it was too late now. Willis and his group could only glare viciously: "So what if a god backs you? The Hall of Valor's rules mean gods can't interfere with us!"

Unfortunately, despite his tough words, a flicker of fear crossed his eyes.

The God of Trade might only be a minor deity, but even that was too much for an ordinary legendary like Willis to handle.

He now regretted it! If he'd known, he wouldn't have taken the newcomer's recruitment task! His debt problem wasn't solved, and now he had a god's attention!

But Willis, burdened by debt, spoke harshly: "Stop dreaming. The Hall of Valor's challenges don't allow replacements!"

"Otherwise, wouldn't those who don't work hard to improve their strength just latch onto someone powerful and survive easily?"

He sneered.

Though his demeanor remained intimidating, all the players present were speechless. Willis was clearly avoiding York and instead targeting "David" again...

Isn't this just bullying the weak?

Upon hearing this, York's expression changed slightly, and he looked at Sterl with concern.

York didn't have any deep feelings for David, but considering him a benefactor, he couldn't just watch him die without feeling guilty!

From his perspective, a maxed-out third class fighting a second class was a guaranteed easy kill. David was doomed!

Willis finally regained some composure. He looked at David with satisfaction, ready to enjoy the panic and desperation in the eyes of this ant, anticipating how he would beg and plead...

"Watch how I make you suffer."

Willis wasn't planning to let David off easily. Killing him in a challenge would be too merciful.

His eyes gleamed with bloodlust, planning to have his men challenge a few more "lucky" players and kill them all!

If Willis was going to die, he might as well take a few more with him!

He wasn't worried about his men disobeying because they were all in his guild. If one dies, they all die!

The surrounding players remained silent, feeling both grateful and sympathetic toward David but too scared to speak up, fearing they might also become targets of Willis.

Those who had been in the Hall of Valor for a while and passed its trials were much stronger than them!

A challenge meant certain death!

In this oppressive atmosphere, Willis spoke with a sinister look: "How about you kneel and kowtow to me a few times right now, and I might..."

He dragged it out deliberately, then continued, "Make your death a bit quicker later!"

With that, Willis laughed heartily, and his followers joined in with malicious laughter.

The psychological pressure on these people was immense, with debts and a god looming over them. They just wanted to vent their rage by torturing David!

The players present were terrified by the scene, which delighted Willis and his crew even more!

York clenched his fists, extremely displeased.

Faye's eyes flashed with anger, wanting to say something but unsure what. The girl really didn't know how to curse or use harsh words.

But just then, Sterl inexplicably smiled.

"Dude, why are you so worked up??"

"I'm not a formal member of the Hall of Valor; I can refuse challenges."

He casually pressed an invisible button in the air.

[Challenge Declined.]

The black-haired youth who had issued the challenge looked stunned: "Really? He actually declined?"

Willis and his followers were dumbfounded. After all, in the Hall of Valor, it might be decades before a formal member challenged a [Novice].

They didn't know that [Novices] who weren't formal members had the full right to decline challenges from [Trial Seekers].

Immediately, Willis and his Trial Seeker group found themselves in an extremely awkward situation...

The harsher the words they had spoken earlier, the more awkward it was now to be humiliated!

They felt like complete clowns, talking so tough, but the fact was, David could completely ignore their threats!

Their earlier attacks on David were nothing but a one-man show!

Willis and the other [Trial Seekers] turned pale and green with embarrassment.

They were furious and utterly humiliated.

They also realized that the fear in the eyes of the other players had instantly turned into a mocking gaze.

"I..."

"You!!"

Willis and his crew's faces changed several times before he finally barked, "Let's go!"

"All of you, let's go!"

Staying here any longer would only add to their shame.

Willis and his followers barely regained some composure and prepared to leave, though their morale was shattered.

This trip yielded no benefits and left them humiliated in front of a bunch of Novices!

They trembled with rage, barely containing their anger!

The surrounding players couldn't hold back anymore.

"Seriously? They put on a show for so long just for this?"

"They couldn't do anything to us and yet kept barking? What a bunch of idiots!"

"They've offended a god; they probably won't last much longer anyway..."

"How did these morons even survive in the Hall of Valor and reach legendary status? Makes me think I could do it too!"

...

The players mocked one after another.

Hearing these words, Willis and his crew couldn't hold it in any longer. They glared back viciously and then—

They pulled out teleportation scrolls!

They didn't want to stay in this miserable place for even a second longer!

York finally breathed a sigh of relief.

At least his "benefactor" was safe.

Then his expression turned cold as he pulled out a communication device, ready to report everything to his father...

But just as things were about to wrap up.

Sterl suddenly spoke: "Did I say you could leave?"

"Kid! Don't get too cocky!"

"Even within the rules, it's easy for us to vaporize a second class. You might not even need us to do it; you could die in the trials."

Willis's face was twisted with rage, knowing that continuing to threaten David would only make him look more foolish.

But leaving in disgrace would be even worse.

Sterl smiled slightly and said, "I didn't say I wouldn't accept your challenges. I just don't want to fight him."

"What do you mean?" Willis was stunned.

He didn't feel any joy, just a sense of something being very wrong and strange.

Everyone else was also taken aback, not understanding what David was planning.

Did he mean he would accept challenges from others?

Was this a joke?

As a second class, accepting any challenge was certain death!

"What exactly do you want?" Willis's followers grumbled.

Sterl smiled and said, "I'm not interested in these people. How about you fight me?"

He looked directly at Willis—the legendary strongman!

Gloria had instructed Sterl to showcase his abilities, but his nature was to seek benefits in everything he did!

Showcasing his strength had to come with perks!

For example, challenging Willis!

Willis wasn't a [Trial Seeker]; he was a [Challenger]!

Having reached legendary status, his title had automatically upgraded.

According to the Hall of Valor's rules, by defeating Willis, Sterl could directly gain the status of a [Challenger]!

This would allow him to gather more resources in the Hall of Valor and enjoy higher discounts in the contribution shop.

Additionally, this was a way for Sterl to gradually reveal parts of his strength and trump cards.