Ultimate Level 1

Chapter 298

Chapter 298

As the bells chimed, Max moved toward the twenty-five foot walls.

None of the other three hesitated, each of them moving as a group, keeping him pinned in as he let himself get pinned against a wall.

Knowing what was going to happen, Max had his spell already building up, waiting for the moment to let it out.

The one on his right curled up into a ball, starting to spin as it moved, flicking sand and purple ooze from the spikes on its body.

Carhena waited, spear out, and let the mantis close in some, each now only about fifteen feet away as Max stood a few feet from the wall.

Someone above threw a glass mug at him from the stands, and Max moved his head, dodging the attack from behind.

A few seconds later, a beastkin found itself airborne, flying over the wall.

The crunch of bones as it hit was hidden by the laughter and cheers of the spectators.

A tigerkin found itself unable to move and trapped between Max and the other three, holding up its left arm, panic setting in on its face.

Tsking, Max unleashed a Fire Nova, and the second the flames washed out from him, Carhena thrust her spear into the ground, vaulting to lean against the walls and out of the fiery spell.

The mantis took to the air, wings appearing from behind, and it hovered safely above the pain that took out the spectator.

Max couldn’t help but grin as the smallest one attempted to spin away but wasn’t able to outrun the spell, flames washing over its body and causing it to spasm as it fell sideways before opening back up.

The second wave went out, and then the third, blackening the sand and taking out the smallest of the three opponents.

When the last wave had left, the mantis screeched and moved to his right, coming in from above with a double attack.

Carhena reacted instantly, coming down from the wall, shifting forward, the spear moving with a speed and grace that Max could appreciate.

Slowly Max moved from the wall, using his left hand to parry and block the spear, his right hand twirling his staff and deflecting the barrage of slashes from the mantis.

Each of them was fast, much faster than the previous opponents, and they fought with an uncanny ability to strike at the same time against Max.

Only his weapon skill and Sonar allowed him to know just where to step, when to turn or react.

Like a top they spun in the sand, Max at the center and the other two changing directions every few seconds.

The noise of the crowd was able to be felt it was so loud.

Max found himself smiling, enjoying the moment, holding his own against two opponents he could tell were probably at least able to fight in the tower floors at level thirty.

Minutes passed, and not once did the pair relent or give up their assault.

And then a bell sounded. It wasn’t loud, but Max heard it, his Sonar detecting the noise.

Carhena’s spear glowed blue, and the mantis’s blades flashed orange.

Surprised at the obvious coordination, Max prepared for what was about to come.

Both blades came, and Max used his staff, moving to parry them when the first one connected, forcing him backward as whatever skill the insect had used had increased the power of their attack. ?

As he shifted his left hand, ready to parry the spear, it vanished, and Max’s Sonar detected it only at the last second.

Twisting sideways, using the force from the second bladed arm that struck his staff, Max’s chest turned, taking the weapon to his left lung instead of his heart.

A chorus of joy and excitement came from the crowd as his blood was spilt.

The armor he wore that was hidden under the robe had done its job, slowing the tip just enough that it didn’t go out his back.

[ Regeneration ]

[ Evasion ]

As the spear was yanked free and was sent toward him again, two more slashing attacks came from the mantis.

His ability sensed the spear as it vanished, knew where it would be, and even with blood flowing down his chest, Max pushed the weapon to the side, watching as it tore through his robe but missed his body by an inch.

Two bladed arms struck at the same time, but with his skill activated, his staff held under their power, and Max threw back his hood, letting his face show completely.

[ Ice Nova ]

He had been preparing it, holding it, and now with both close, he let it out, watching as the magic struck them, even the one flying unable to escape its reach as he poured more mana into it.

Their movement slowed, and as Carhena tried to retract the spear, Max grabbed on to it, yanking as he twisted, pulling the warrior off their feet.

As they came toward him, Max let go, sliding his elbow along the shaft, watching as Carhena tried to get both arms up in time to block his strike.

It connected, sending the chained warrior flying backward about ten yards, rolling in the sand before they stood up.

The spear was still moving, flying in the direction Max had yanked on it, now free from the grasp of its owner.

Snatching it out of the air, he held it at the end of its eleven-foot shaft and twisted, hand tucked against his side that bled, whipping the weapon around.

Trying to fly out of the way, the insect couldn’t get away from the reach, the cracking sound of its exoskeleton breaking drowned out by the crowd as the mantis was sent tumbling through the arena floor, one wing now missing.

Spinning once more, Max’s staff twirled, blocking the daggers that were coming at him. Carhena, running, tossed another pair before grabbing a pair of swords from their waist.

With what felt like a lifetime of practice, even though it hadn’t even been a year, Max slid his hands down the spear shaft, summoned an ice wall, and ran up it, jumping upward and tossing the overly large weapon at the downed insect.

It flew like an arrow, hitting its mark, pinning the mantis through the chest and into the floor.

[ Skill Consumed is Equal or Lesser to Rank of Current Skill ]

[ Power stored for future use ]

I guess we already knew that one .

Indeed.

Coming toward the ground, Max rolled and rose up, his staff blocking the two slashes that came as he stood.

His eyes snapped shut, sensing something like sand being flung at him, and as the substance connected with his skin, a burning sensation began, but it wasn’t overpowering.

This one is a tricky one.

Swords came again, slicing upward, downward, thrusting, and a barrage of attacks never stopped.

Even when his Evasion skill ended, Max couldn’t help but appreciate the effort this one was giving.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

They reminded him of Dexic. Strong, fast, and not against using cheap tricks.

His wound was healed, and when Regeneration turned itself off, Max opened his eyes and smiled.

Carhena tried to disengage, seeing the look on Max’s face, but he didn’t give them that chance.

Instead, he became the attacker, his weapon moving between both hands as he thrust, slammed, kicked, and punched.

He had an idea of how strong this one was, and that chain armor did little against a bludgeoning weapon.

Instead, he slowly increased how hard he struck, grinning more when the first crack came and Carhena dropped the sword in their left hand.

Crack.

Crack.

Crack.

Each blow struck with surgical precision, making his opponent unable to hold a weapon, unable to raise an arm in defense.

Carhena’s ribs broke, and then he swept their legs, shattering both femurs the moment Carhena hit the arena floor.

The crowd was going crazy, watching an obvious favorite dismantled like this.

Moving to their head, Max grabbed the helmet and pulled it off.

“Don’t!”

Ignoring the plea, he saw what looked like a fox, with soft fur, big eyes, and a small snout filled with sharp teeth.

Some cries came from the audience, and Max ignored them.

“You fought well. Thank you for helping me get stronger.”

“Wait!”

The announcer's cry came, yet Max ignored it.

His staff came down, striking the chest and caving it in.

A surge of blood shot forth from the foxkin’s mouth, and Max felt what he longed for.

[ Consume has successfully Consumed a skill ]

[ Would you like to learn [ Ghost Strike ]? ]

[ Yes / No ]

Tempted to hit yes, he waited, watching as someone from the box section of the stands came racing across the floor.

It was another foxkin, bigger, with reddish fur that matched the one beneath his feet.

Max saw the hate in those yellow eyes and could sense the difference in power.

This one was dressed in finer clothes. No armor was evident amongst the vibrant colors.

A shout came from their snout, and Max noticed two more leaping down into the arena floor.

“DO NOT FIGHT!”

Lowering himself, Max held his weapon ready, the distance gone in just two seconds.

His new opponent swung, weapons moving with a speed that felt like the first fight he had ignored. This one outmatched everything he had faced.

Max’s staff moved with the same haste, matching each strike, bringing up his leg to block kicks.

“DO NOT FIGHT! THE—”

Whatever the announcer was trying to convey, it was obvious that this one didn’t care.

Still, Max was glad that the other pair had stopped about ten yards away, staying close but not engaging yet, unsure why.

“Rhomadous, heel!”

The power of the command was incredible.

[ Consume has Resisted Mental Command ]

As if the foxkin had been crushed by a mountain, Max had to halt his natural instinct to brain in his foe when the beast flattened themself in the sand.

That awkward moment when there was no sound beyond the heavy breathing of the one lying before him made Max aware that the arena was silent.

The other pair that had held back were bent over, faces in the sand like the one he assumed was Rhomadous.

Glancing at the crowd, Max saw that every person was kneeling, and then he saw why.

Dropping from the wall, appearing from behind a curtain in one of the boxes, an unusually large lizard woman strode toward him.

Her scales glistened like the sun, and Max had no doubt this golden one coming toward him had to be Igarra.

The way she moved, each step graceful yet poised to react and bring death, almost made him itch.

That one… she is powerful. Can you feel the aura she gives off?

Wouldn’t it be harder to not feel it?

Perhaps we should not attempt to play games with this one like the other.

As the ruler of this city came close, Max watched the very sand almost seem to move away from her feet.

She wore a simple gown, jewelry adorning her neck, fingers, wrists, and ankles.

Yet the powerful aura she had pressed against him like a weight, and when she came to stand about five feet away, he bent his neck upward to look at her.

Eight feet… she has to be eight feet tall.

“For one so small, you are causing much chaos lately, Ifrit . Why is it that each of you smooth skins always brings problems?”

“Forgive me, Lady Igarra. I had not intended to come to your world. Instead a hunter—”

She hissed, her entire body flexing at that word, displaying a full snout of teeth.

“Ezreal… he brought you here? How did you—”

She stopped, cutting herself off, and looked around the arena.

“That is not a conversation for here.”

Glancing at the prostrate foxkin near her, she tsked.

“Fool… you, like your sister, have no idea what you are facing, and yet you broke the rules… rules that cannot be forgiven.”

She held up her hands, and whatever spell had been cast was lifted. Everyone in the stands rose, all eyes turned upon her.

“You know the rules! When one fights on this sand, they are safe from outside things!”

A murmur came from the crowd, and Max watched as everyone bobbed their heads.

“These three forgot that rule! Even if the other two came to stop this fool, they have put their lives on the chopping block! As such, Ifrit can choose whether they shall live or die!”

Those gold eyes focused on him, and Max noticed that Igarra smiled or smirked the same way Aimee did.

“Their lives are yours. Tell me, shall I kill them all?”

“How strong are they?”

Laughing, she shook her head.

“Compared to what I sense in you? They are pests, ready to be swatted away when you tire of their buzzing, but like all pests, if enough come and are left too long, they can cause a wound that might become infected.”

“Those two?” Max asked as he pointed to the pair that hadn’t attacked him.

“Barely a pest.”

“Then I shall fight this one and take what is owed. Those two can leave, unless they wish to share the same fate.”

Her smile grew, and Igarra nodded.

“Ifrit… or whatever your name is. I look forward to talking with you soon. Good luck on your climb through the rings of the city. That, I am afraid, I cannot help you through.”

Giving a slight bow, Max watched as the woman turned, moved to where the pair were, and grabbed them by the scruffs of their necks.

In a single bound she was back at the box she had left, yelps coming from the two she held.

“Rhomadous! Try to die with honor!” she shouted.

Max smiled, watching as the foxkin struggled to stand at first.

“Give me everything you have,” Max said, a grin appearing as he spoke. “Maybe you can win, after all.”

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