Chapter 238: The Strongest Rose

Perseus POV

The quarter-finals started, and the audience is expecting a good show today, but I'm not giving them that today, unfortunately. Hopefully, the battle between the losers of each round should entertain them afterward, they're all fighting for higher placements in the top 10 after all.

My opponent got onto the field, greeted me, and went to their side of the arena, no words were needed, the bell rung and I switched to using Satan's power, I created black chains out of thin air to hold my opponent down, and with everything I got, I gave out a large blast of dark energy in the arena.

A large magic circle appear on the ground, and black-colored energy erupted from the ground on the spot. it was quick and unexpected, the whiplash should knock my opponent out.

And sure enough, my opponent got knocked out in one move, I was announced as the winner, but the audience wasn't entertained at all, not that I cared too much, I need to hide whatever I can against Finn. Now, I got 2 weeks, the top 10 ranking tournaments will take place then, and I can finally finalize my plans.

But something else unexpected happens, my body started to glow a bit and I felt this rush of power, I opened my palms and sure enough, there were 7 stars floating on top of it, i wanted to celebrate, but I'm in the public's eye, so I won't.

While I am at Tehios, the movements of the anti-magic cult have been weird, despite usually being proactive lately with their attempts of announcing their so-called 'prophecy' while trying to recruit the heroes to their cause, now, they've gone mostly silent.

Orion said that he has spotted one of their representatives talking with a Tehios representative, so we have a guess of them being in on the plan to rid of the fake roses. Though the meeting was quite recent, there is also not a lot of movement from them either.

The chief has disappeared for a while for his 'investigation', but if it goes on for any longer, I'm gonna spend effort in searching for him, it's very unlike him to disappear, knowing that I'm in a fantasy world, what if he's kidnapped? But what insane psycho would be brave enough to kidnap him, starting a war with my village will not have any good consequences for both side.

On my way back to meet my family, I experienced the cliché event where a character of the story meets their competitor in the tunnel of wherever they're at, usually taking place at some sort of tournament arc. Finn was there waiting for me with his huge wing which I seriously question on how he can move so quickly with such a huge thing weighing his back down.

"What are you planning to do?" he asked

"Why in the world would I tell you?"

"I know you won't, but it won't hurt to ask." he shrugged "You seriously gave into the devil's temptation for power, that was a mistake on your part, you should never fall to the devil's clutches just so you can win. The prizes aren't that good for you to go that far."

"Remember the other reason why a lot of people are participating in this tournament?"

"To show off?" he responded

"Yup, that's all I want."

"Why go through all that effort?" he questioned "You are cunning enough to ambush me on my way back home and take me down, taking down the champion sounds like a good headline to show you off."

"Thinking of yourself as the champion already? That's a bit...well, way to put yourself on the pedestal, not that I hate it that much, I'm the same way."

"Well, you are the only other competition I truly fear might win." he said with this stupidly serious look that makes me want to burst out in laughter cuz it looks quite funny "To think that the match that would decide the fate of 1st place is against the devil himself, God must have given me this chance to prove my worth."

"And if you lose?"

"God will forgive me, but he will be greatly disappointed to have me lose to you."

"Can't you know...make your own decisions? I've made a lot of prayers, and he has not given me any help whatsoever."

"You've prayed to God? That's a first." he responded with a surprised look

"It was mostly to end my suffering, which at that point, was living."

"Well at least I know that you've tried, that's great news, the devil praying to God..."

"I'm a human."

"With impure demon blood."

"Yeah, but look at me, I literally look and act human, I'm hypocritical, a psychopath, and imperfect in every shape or form, there's like nothing more human than that."

"What makes you a psychopath then?" he asked "Because, unlike the world of the heroes, most of the things we do are very similar, like killing for example."

"I enjoy walking on Legos, it feels like a tingly massage to me."

|I'm sorry, what?|

What's wrong with stepping on Legos? It feels good to me.

|Bruh, you need serious help, I think even your therapist would need a therapist if they hear this crap.|

"What are leg-os?" Finn questioned "Sounds like a failed brand name that my grandfather came up with. Anyway, I came to give you a warning, I heard that you have contacted the referee committee, I don't know what you're doing it for, but I will beat you, my powers are very effective over the devil, you stand no chance against me, I recommend you surrender before you get humiliated."

"Nah, I'm so gonna beat your ass."

I contacted the referee committee so that they can help me implement certain measures that won't have the audience get caught up in my attacks, it's finally time for me to use the black rose, and I don't want my witnesses to die at its debut now, do I?

Oh man, this is going to be so much fun, I got the 7th star and I'm about to have an ego boost from winnin.