Chapitre 1511

By the time it was late afternoon, Atticus hovered high in the sky, overlooking the territory. Everything was looking good. 'It's better this way,' he thought. Other bounty hunters were sure to come for him, which meant more challenges. The longer he kept them away, the longer he had to grow his territory. Atticus summoned the rules and glanced at his territory rank. Imperial. 'I can feel the increase…' He could feel the change. The will density of the territory had increased. While the worlds under him still remained at about thirty thousand, his will had gotten stronger. It was one of the perk of having an upgraded territory. But Atticus soon had a thought. 'What will happen after the Games?' Will this increase remain, or vanish? He cleared his thoughts and focused on the present. He couldn't allow himself to get distracted. 'We'll have to fight tomorrow morning.' The day was almost over. By morning, he hoped to push them all to an acceptable level before the challenge. He left the skies and joined the others, continuing his training with the army. The night went by smoothly. By morning, the army had gathered at the edge of the territory, fully clad in gleaming armor, weapons brandished. Atticus hovered in the sky with the others, who were seeing the opposing army for the first time. Somehow, none of their eyes strayed from the god at its center. "Atticus Ravenstein! You're nothing but a coward!" the giant bellowed. He jumped from his palanquin the moment he saw Atticus, crushing the soldiers carrying it as their bodies folded beneath him. He stormed forward, each step making the ground quake.Latest content publıshed on n0velfire.net "How dare you ignore my challenge!" Atticus felt Ozeroth smoldering beside him. Being addressed like that by some random man obviously grated on him, but Atticus had warned him repeatedly not to do anything stupid. Ignoring the giant again, Atticus looked over his people and army. They were ready, strong, disciplined, and well rested. He had made sure they were at their best. 'We're ready.' "I accept the challenge." A panel of light appeared in front of Atticus' face, and the world abruptly blurred around him. When his vision cleared, everyone had vanished, and he now stood in an endless space. He felt a glare on him and looked forward. The giant man was staring at him like he wanted nothing more than to tear him apart. "Finally grew some bone, eh?" the giant laughed. "I'll make you pay for ignoring me." A voice suddenly echoed through the empty space: "The challenge has been accepted. Challenged: Atticus Ravenstein. Challenger: Gorvath Bolgar. Gorvath territory is noted at Mythic, and Atticus at Imperial. Factoring all variables now. Atticus held his breath. This was it. If a disadvantageous theme was chosen, he could lose everything. The man made an even bigger fuss at being ignored again, but Atticus paid him no attention. Soon enough, the voice returned. "Theme selected. The theme for this battle will be Duel type. Both selected participants will battle using only physical strength, without any form of energy." Atticus almost jumped in glee. The rules couldn't be any better. This way, he had control over the game. But he wasn't the only one pleased. The giant man erupted into loud, boisterous laughter. "I'll crush you like the little pulp you are!" The blur of the world receded, and Atticus appeared back in the sky among the others. "Well? Don't keep us hanging," Whisker said. Atticus could feel everyone's eyes locked on him, waiting. "It's a duel type. No wills or any energy. Just physical strength." </pre>

Un profond soupir de soulagement parcourut le groupe, comme un poids lourd enfin levé.

« Alors… qui vas-tu choisir pour te battre ? » demanda Anorah.

« De quoi tu parles ? » fit craquer son cou Ozeroth. « C’est de ma grandeur qu’il s’agit, bien sûr ! »

Ozerra allait parler quand Atticus les interrompit.

« Je vais me battre. »

Ozeroth se retourna brusquement vers lui, mais Atticus secoua la tête.

« Il sera probablement celui qui combattra pour leur camp. C’est trop risqué d’affronter un dieu. »

Ozeroth grogna quelque chose d’incompréhensible mais recula. Ozerra lui lança un sourire, et tous deux se lancèrent immédiatement dans un autre concours de regards silencieux.

« Je reviendrai. »

Quelques instants plus tard, Atticus se tenait dans une zone circulaire de lumière sur le sol, créée pour leur duel.

Il pouvait sentir l’espace restreindre toute forme d’énergie qu’il possédait, ne laissant que sa force passive. Sa respiration était régulière, son attitude calme. Il tenait fermement son katana en se concentrant devant lui.

Devant lui se tenait le géant dieu, tenant une massue massive comme s’il s’agissait d’une simple batte. Des rugissements tonitruants et des acclamations explosaient de son armée alors qu’il fléchissait ses muscles ondulants.

« Il a l’air d’un type physique. »

Atticus pouvait comprendre la confiance sans limite du géant. Il ressemblait à un tank vivant, construit pour se battre avec rien d’autre que ses poings nus, alors qu’Atticus ressemblait à une longue brindille en comparaison.

La conclusion de ce combat serait évidente pour quiconque regardait. Pourtant, les yeux d’Atticus restaient détachés alors que la voix retentit :

« Commencez. »

Le géant sourit et frappa sa massue dans le sol, provoquant une secousse qui parcourut l’arène.

Il rugit, mais avant que le son ne se calme, il se pencha en avant et fonça à toute vitesse vers Atticus.

Atticus regarda calmement le colosse abattre sa massue sur lui. Le temps sembla ralentir alors qu’il entrait dans Logoth.

Les énergies n’étaient pas autorisées, mais le chemin vers Logoth était un état d’esprit. À cet instant précis, il lut chaque mouvement du géant.

Une lumière argentée zébra l’air alors que la lame d’Atticus quittait son fourreau.

Du sang brun jaillit comme des geysers, suivi d’un lourd bruit sourd.

Les yeux du géant tremblèrent.

« Q-quoi… ? »

Il regarda son bras sectionné reposant sur le sol, le sang s’accumulant rapidement en dessous. Il se tourna vers Atticus, mais celui-ci avait disparu.

Profitant de l’élan du premier coup, la lame d’Atticus balaya proprement le cou de l’homme, envoyant sa tête voler, tachant le sol à son crash.