Chapter 396: A good battle

Arthur was the apostle of Apollo, the very man Odin had once used when Ethan was on the hunt.

Odin could not directly use his apostles to intervene under ordinary circumstances. Their roles on this sphere were different, and from several perspectives, far more important than mere intervention. They had their own duties, their own positions, and their own influence to maintain.

As a warrior, Arthur had earned both name and fame, largely because every challenge that had ever stood before him had been reduced to dust. It was not merely a matter of overwhelming strength. Arthur possessed a formidable range of abilities, complemented by a combat technique that had developed naturally through years of experience.

However, he had never truly been challenged.

That was precisely what Kyle wanted to see.

Just how far could his strongest Apostle go when finally pushed to his limits?

And for that reason, Kyle decided to let the others observe as well.

’Start the livestream.’

Freya: [Hello, Kyle. I missed you. How is your evening? Why am I looking at some yellow bird when I should be watching you? Is Aleda glitching again?]

A barrage of questions came from her almost immediately.

Tyr: [Lady, you need to calm down. A battle to evaluate the worth of one who acknowledges my brother’s wisdom is about to begin.]

Odin: [You made a wise choice in taking him under your wing. He is a bright human.]

Kyle inwardly asked, Your influence over Arthur’s fate is quite considerable. I believe you hold significant affection for the child?

[There is nothing hidden from you. Right... there might indeed be some connection between us.]

Kyle faintly smiled and shook his head.

Artemis: [Kyle... it has been a while.]

Kyle took a slow breath as he read that name.

He crossed his arms and asked, I believe our last conversation should have eased some of your concerns. Yet you took longer than I anticipated to come out of your shell.

The guilt trip had lasted a long time, and to some extent, Kyle could understand why. However, he had never blamed her for what happened. As far as he was concerned, Artemis had punished herself enough and should have allowed herself to move on by now.

Artemis: [You are right. I have been blaming myself for far too long.]

Athena: [Well, you have always been the one with the most thoughts.]

A brief silence followed.

Kyle raised a brow, his expression revealing that he was just as surprised by Athena’s sudden appearance.

Freya: [Ehh? Why is she here? Athena?]

It was surprising. Until now, whenever Athena appeared in the chat, it had only been to leave a reaction to one of his streams or, on occasion, hand him a quest.

She had never actually participated in the conversation.

But now...

Athena: [I merely came here to extend my gratitude toward the benevolent lord who saved the child from her grim fate.]

Kyle inwardly sighed.

Her fate was altered by me, but more importantly, she saved my life. Of course I would save her.

His brows rose slightly before he asked, Though, do you not mind losing her?

[I do, Lord Supreme, for that child possesses a flaming will and undying courage. However, none of that would have mattered if she had not survived back then.]

Kyle nodded.

He could not exactly call what had happened fortunate. There had been too much loss and too many uncertainties surrounding it. Still, when everything was said and done, he had gained a reliable apostle from the aftermath.

There was a brief pause before Kyle asked, Is Tear not joining?

Odin: [It does not appear so. I believe Lady Death has been occupied with the recent movements of the Other Side for some time.]

Kyle shook his head.

As he had expected, the chaos that had been spreading recently pointed toward a single destination.

They were entering the endgame.

A great revolution was about to take place.

If that one percent chance failed, one side would be wiped out. The only alternative would be for both sides to somehow reach a compromise before everything descended into an irreversible conflict.

"Here it comes," Kyle muttered, his attention sharpening as he finally sensed the shift in the atmosphere.

The creature that had fought Amanda back then was still a young and inexperienced Special Grade. Its crude fighting style and lack of control over magic had made that much apparent.

However, the being now stepping across the border was on an entirely different level.

It bore a striking resemblance to a human, at least at first glance. Yet its towering height of nearly two and a half meters, broad shoulders, and imposing physique made it clear that it was anything but ordinary. Two black horns protruded from its head, while its lower body resembled that of a bull, lending its already intimidating figure an unmistakably monstrous appearance.

The creature’s expression remained largely unchanged as it stepped forward and surveyed those gathered before it. There was no apparent hostility in its gaze, nor any sign of apprehension. It simply regarded them as though assessing the strength of those who had come to meet it.

Arthur, meanwhile, was already prepared.

His muscles were taut, his posture steady, and his eyes remained fixed on the newcomer. He showed no intention of letting his attention wander, even for an instant.

Ethan, too, seemed to have realized that their opponent was no ordinary Special Grade. Without wasting time, he retreated and gave Arthur the room he needed to fight without interference.

"Strong warriors, all of you," the being remarked, its deep voice reverberating throughout the space.

"Yes, but I shall be the one to face you," Arthur replied.

Golden radiance began to spill from his clenched fist, extending outward until it took the shape of a staff forged from pure energy. The weapon was astonishing in its own right, even before Arthur had made a single move with it.

He is manipulating Spark with surprising precision, Kyle noted, his interest growing as he observed the manifestation.

Tyr: [Excellent focus and command over his resources. He has considerable potential.]

Kyle could hardly disagree.

Freya: [I hope he fails and Kyle has to step in...]

Kyle deliberately ignored that remark, keeping his attention on the two figures standing opposite each other.

Neither moved at first.

They merely studied one another, their gazes measuring the other’s capabilities while the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. The silence stretched across the battlefield, carrying an unspoken sense of anticipation.

Then, without warning, both charged.

Clang!

The creature raised one hand just above its head, intercepting Arthur, who had vanished from his original position and reappeared directly overhead.

The golden staff collided with its skin, releasing a violent burst of sparks that illuminated the surrounding space in a blinding flash.

To the others, the impact might have appeared straightforward. Kyle, however, could clearly discern what the Nightmare was experiencing at that very moment.

"Hrrfh!"

The creature suddenly reached out with its other hand, attempting to seize Arthur before he could retreat. Yet the blond warrior had already anticipated the movement.

He disappeared from the creature’s grasp and reappeared at his original position, his stance composed as though the exchange had been little more than a brief test.

The monster let out a low snicker. "Quite a talent for slipping around, aren’t you....?"

His voice abruptly trailed off as he attempted to raise the hand Arthur had struck. The limb refused to respond. For a brief moment, the creature seemed puzzled, until the realization dawned on it that the hand had become completely useless.

Odin: [That is what happens when pure energy comes into contact with darkness.]

Freya: [Weren’t we supposed to be the only ones capable of doing that?]

Tyr: [Who cares?! Things are finally getting interesting!]

Kyle crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes. Activating God’s Eye, he examined the damage beneath the monster’s skin, tracing the lingering traces of Spark as they burrowed deeper into its flesh and disrupted the energy sustaining its body.

The effect was astonishing. The energy had not merely damaged the surface. It was steadily eating away at the creature from within, corroding its flesh and interfering with its internal flow of power. The process resembled a potent magical acid, one that continued to consume whatever it touched.

Tch.

The Nightmare clicked its tongue in irritation before abruptly bringing its other hand down upon the eroded limb. With a single decisive slash, it severed the damaged hand at the wrist.

Yet before the severed limb could even hit the ground, new flesh began to emerge from the stump. Bone, muscle, and skin rapidly took shape, restoring the missing hand in a matter of moments.

The newly formed limb flexed without difficulty, perfectly functional as though nothing had happened.

Silence descended upon the ground. And after a long time Kyle felt he would be enjoying witnessing a battle.

°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading. Drop a comment or a review