Chapter 34
Silence filled the air as the two locked eyes, neither saying a word.
Then, Zero's pressure began to rise. It climbed from (C) to (C+) and continued increasing.
Eventually, it stopped at B+, but even that wasn't enough to faze the boy, who simply looked on with a smile.
In an instant, a katana appeared in Alex's hand.
The change took mere seconds, but it was enough to shift the atmosphere completely.
Everyone aligned against Zero suddenly felt the presence of death looming over them.
Sword intent surged, making the boy's face turn pale.
No matter what he tried, he couldn't move or speak under the crushing pressure of impending doom.
He knew, without a doubt, that the moment Zero unsheathed his sword, he would die—along with Henry, who stood behind him.
It seemed there was no escape. Just as Zero prepared to strike, Ava's voice rang out, sharp and commanding: "Stop."
Zero hesitated, though unwillingly. He knew his opponent was of SSS rank, a level so high that only one of his skills could ensure a kill.
Ava added, "If you attack, I don't think the kid will survive."
Zero understood this, but his gaze remained locked on the boy.
He knew this was his only chance—not just to eliminate the threat, but to gain a Soul of such quality that it could propel him to a higher realm in Soul cultivation.
Despite the temptation, he lowered his weapon, and the oppressive pressure vanished.
Still, the question lingered: What skill had Alex intended to use that left everyone paralyzed with fear?
Even Ava felt its deadly potential and knew it could kill her if she wasn't careful.
[One Strike]: A technique usable only once per year, capable of killing anyone below the Saint King realm.
Though it seemed like a waste to use such a skill on his opponent, Alex knew it was the only way to ensure a safe escape with Ava's younger brother.
Engaging in a direct fight would be suicidal; he was certain he wouldn't survive such an encounter.
Abandoning Ava to die wasn't an option either.
He knew Aurora would hunt him down and likely kill him if he did.
Aurora was a genius, someone who crossed ranks with ease.
Her power was so terrifying that entire empires allied with others across continents to fight her, only to be defeated.
Compared to her, this man was nothing.
Zero sighed and said, "Alright, what price do you want for the boy?"
The boy stopped pretending to act tough.
No matter how much he wanted Ava's younger brother, he wasn't willing to die for him.
"If you had said that earlier, I would have agreed from the start," he lied.
Zero didn't comment.
He simply observed the boy, intrigued by the look in his eyes.
He was trying to understand something and discerned one thing amidst the confusion: faith. "One hundred royal coins should suffice—and that sword of yours."
In a flash, the boy was attacked.
He didn't see or feel what hit him, but pain coursed through his body, and blood spilled from his mouth.
[Lv156] → [Lv155]
'Damn. I sent 200 Soul Spears at him, and it only decreased his level by one,'
Zero thought, disappointed.
He added, "One hundred royal coins are easy enough to obtain, but I'm not giving you my sword. Since you still want to disrespect me, I want the metal in your storage ring as well."
The boy frowned, alarmed. 'How does he even know about that?' he thought. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "Sorry, I was just joking."
"But I'm not," Zero replied. He continued, "The boy and the metal—or death for both of you."
Zero's blade hummed once more, and the boy, frustrated, thought,
'I don't even know what the metal is for, so let's not fight. This man is already far above SSS rank.'
"Fine," the boy relented.
A golden piece of metal appeared in his hand and floated toward Zero.
He then signaled Henry to retrieve Ava's younger brother.
The boy was handed over, and as they left, Alex and Ava stood by a crater—a massive, 100-meter-wide, 50-meter-deep scar in the ground.
Zero, who was Alex, smiled inwardly as he grasped the metal.
[A piece of the Zenith Sword.]
Alex couldn't hide his joy.
As the boy and Henry left without another word, Alex watched them retreat.
Ava, meanwhile, leaped above the crater to reach her younger brother, who was still unconscious.
Alex floated upward, raising his hand toward the nearby town and deactivating his golden flame barrier.
After a moment, Alex's voice rang out. "Ava, don't be so reckless."
Her brother was beginning to stir, slowly waking up. Ava responded, "I understand, but I didn't know he was here."
Alex shook his head. "What about the man with black hair and red eyes?"
Ava lowered her gaze, unable to answer.
When her younger brother finally opened his eyes and saw her, he murmured in a faint voice, "Big sis."