Chapter 166: Michael

Perseus POV

"If you aren't responsible for this attack, why the hell do you look happy?" Rowan asked as he created a platform to stand on and grabbed me by the collar

I would usually be slightly intimidated, but he's a super tiny guy with a childish figure, it's kinda funny looking.

"I'm just happy that I got an excuse to escape from here, my social anxiety can't take it when y'all are so focused on me, you know."

"Then why the fuck did you attend the event?!" he retorted

"Duh, I'm a greedy selfish fucker, I came for the money. I already used up all my luck, so I'll probably have a high chance of dying if I do this, so I'll scram through the shadows."

"Then help us!" he shouted which is overheard by everybody "Leilah's powers over the shadows are absolute and the best even compared to the gods, you're the only guy who can take all of us outta here at the same time."

"And why would I do that? I know that at least more than a quarter of you would survive at the very worst, this group won't kill the heroes and future saints if they are not demons, and...more than half the people here were shit-talking me to my face, why should I save them?

"And yes, I know that I'm visibly heard. Let's be honest, most of them hate me for where I came from, my talent, my monopoly on the products they all use shamelessly, and most importantly, for beating up the heroes who came for my head.

"You don't think I don't hear all the rumors? Well, shit, I can say all of you here condone human massacre and sacrifices without an ounce of shame, cuz the proof exists before your very eyes, you defended the heroes who came to me due to the nobles who participated in the kraken project and summoned the heroes. So give me a good reason why I should either help bring you guys away or stay and help?"

"I'll give you money." Rowan countered "Shit, I'll personally go convinced the accountants and treasurers of all those who are here to give you millions or billions according to how much they can afford."

"What do I look like? A sellout?"

"You are one, numbnuts." he retorted "How much from each of us?"

This guy knows me too well, but that insult at the end there needs work, I've been called way worse. But based on the surprised expression and glare that the yellow rose duo is currently showing, it means that my team has succeeded earlier than expected.

I can save everyone, but it'll take time, like 5 minutes of undisturbed time, Leilah would be able to do it in 30 seconds or less, 5 seconds at best, or instantly if she uses her full strength. There are quite a lot of people here, lesser nobles, scholars, and academics...it's at least 700 people on site.

But my expression remains neutral even though they're glaring at me, it's only an accusing look at best.

"It was unexpected that you're here." a cage made of metal tougher than a 10-star material appeared and caged me in "I don't want you to help everyone escape now."

In the sky, there's this guy winged guy flying above us. He's a muscular guy about 188cm tall, looks to be in his mid 30s, got long brown hair, and bright blue eyes. He got a set of golden armor on with a gold glade in his arm as his white feathery wings make me question how his mother gave birth to him, I pity her.

But I must criticize him for using his wings considering that using magic to fly is a more costly and viable option to do it. I feel something that is connecting me to him, and I can tell that he does too. I know the answer.

*****

*Flashback*

A conversation I had with the moon god that helped me immensely was about this anti-magic cult, a very interesting lot for me to learn about since the religion they are practicing(even though it is barely anything like the original now) and I came from the same world.

"Oh, those people are being treated as a cult now? Interesting." Jerah snickered as I told them about the anti-magic cult "Be careful of them."

"I know, they're the strongest faction after my village if we're taking the unification of the 4 human continents plus Tehios and those under the demon lord."

"That's not what I meant." he shook his head "You see, one of the heroes who was summoned to the world you now live in happened to have the powers of an archangel inside of them and he was the one that brought over the religion."

"Oh, one of the previous heroes was a super?"

"Yep, and a powerful one too, he's probably on a similar level or slightly better in terms of talent compared to the first hero or whatever you call him now, though he was quite a pacifist, it's why he isn't regarded as a strong hero and mostly forgotten apart from those of the 'cult'." he then put on air quotes

"So the powers aren't just from gods, but angels too?"

"This one is an archangel, the most powerful one." he replied with a nonchalant tone "It's one of the powers that can be passed on directly by the holder as well, which is rare."

"Oh, I'm done then. Every guy in this world is strong while I'm so shit, fuck."

*****

*Present time*

Michael. The strongest archangel...

Well, shit, I didn't think I will be encountering him this early, I heard a rumor of the strongest person of the anti-magic cult joining the tournament in a couple months from Zach, who told me not to worry too much, but it only makes me more sure on why I know that I'm losing and not make first place.

"You." the guy said "You are a chosen one as well it seems."

"Chosen?"

"The powers bestowed by God," he responded "It seems that you are more valuable to us even more than we thought you were."