Her eyes widened in horror as her staff broke apart in her trembling hands.
The barrier user, still restrained by Xel’Shaar’s shadows, let out a furious shout.
"Let go of !"
He raised his staff to break free, but before he could, Leila fired another mana bullet at him, hitting his chest and forcing him a few steps back.
Crack—!
The barrier do around Steel Hydra shattered like glass.
Without hesitation, Kristoff charged in, his shield glowing with holy light as he slamd it into the weapon master, sending him crashing to the ground with a dull thud.
Cael spun on his heel, his blade slicing across the leg of the rogue who had just gotten back up.
Blood sprayed out as the rogue collapsed with wide, disbelieving eyes.
The mage fell to her knees, clutching her broken staff, tears streaming down her cheeks as she trembled.
"We surrender...!"
She scread out, her voice cracking.
"We surrender...! Please...!"
The rest of Steel Hydra’s mbers dropped their weapons, their eyes wide with fear as they looked at Adam’s team.
In their minds, an unquestionable phrase appeared.
The Chosen Conduit didn’t even need to fight for his team to win...
[Steel Hydra has surrendered.]
[Winners: Team Winners.]
The announcent echoed across the arena.
Adam’s gaze swept over his team.
His eyes didn’t say much emotion but silent approval glimred within them.
Cael lowered his sword, breathing heavily.
Kristoff sheathed his blade with a small smile of relief.
Leila held her staff tighter, her shoulders trembling slightly from adrenaline.
Xel’Shaar simply nodded silently, his shadows lting back into the ground.
"Good."
Adam finally spoke.
"Your coordination was better this ti."
His words were calm, but his team could hear the faint praise hidden within them.
Leila let out a shaky sigh of relief while Cael smirked confidently.
But before they could rest, the system’s voice echoed out once more.
[Second round concluded. Preparing for third round matchups...]
Adam closed his eyes, his expression unreadable.
’Let’s see... who’s next.’
...
[Round 2 has concluded.]
[Announcing winners of the second round.]
Match 1 Winner: Winners
Match 2 Winner: The Reapers
Match 3 Winner: Can’t Think Of A Na
Match 4 Winner: Phantom Reavers
Match 5 Winner: Black Lotus
Match 6 Winner: Bladestorm
Match 7 Winner: Warforged
Match 8 Winner: Superiority
Adam’s team stood quietly, reading the results floating before their eyes.
Leila tilted her head, a small frown on her lips.
"Can’t Think Of A Na... wasn’t Gravestone supposed to win that matchup...?"
Cael let out a small chuckle as he flicked his sword lightly, burning off dried blood.
"Well, either Gravestone was weaker than expected, or these guys are hiding their true strength."
Adam’s eyes narrowed as he thought of a possibility as to who the group was.
[Preparing for Round 3.]
[Announcing third round matchups.]
Match 1: Winners vs Can’t Think Of A Na
Match 2: The Reapers vs Phantom Reavers
Match 3: Black Lotus vs Bladestorm
Match 4: Warforged vs Superiority
[Round 3 will now begin.]
[Teleporting teams to designated battle arenas.]
The stone floor beneath them glowed softly before their surroundings twisted, dragging them into the next battlefield.
When the world settled, they found themselves standing in the middle of a square arena.
Black fog wrapped around the battlefield, curling and shifting like silent watchers in the shadows.
Despite the thick fog surrounding them, the battlefield itself was brightly lit, allowing them to see their surroundings clearly.
Adam’s eyes narrowed as he glanced forward, cold and emotionless.
Standing across from them was a team of five.
They looked... ordinary.
They didn’t have flashy weapons nor did they seem to have rare gear.
Just standard combat clothes.
But Adam recognized them imdiately.
’Celestia’s puppets...’
His eyes flickered slightly.
’So it begins... The plan must be comncing sooner than expected. I need to discuss our formation with Celestia before she teleports Elaric in.’
Just as Adam was about to step forward and call out to Celestia—
He felt a sudden tug on his sleeve.
Turning back, his eyes t Leila’s trembling form.
Sweat dripped from her forehead as her wide eyes glistened with fear...
Her hands were shaking uncontrollably....
"A-Adam... I... I think we’re going to die..."
Her voice cracked as terror overwheld her.
Adam frowned, confusion flashing in his eyes.
’Die...? Why would—’
Before he could finish his thought, an intense burst of mana erupted from the so-called puppets.
The ground rumbled as violent winds howled, blowing back his hair and clothes.
Thick smoke bellowed upwards, swirling chaotically.
Without hesitation, Adam activated [Authority of Disconnection].
Through its vision, he saw threads vibrating at blinding speeds, threads connected to an entity carrying imnse power.
But what truly made his chest tighten was the fact that it wasn’t just one thread!
There were multiple!
Massive coiled threads stretching out like constricting serpents, bringing with them sothing beyond human.
Adam’s instincts scread!
He instantly activated [Crimson Dominion], forming a massive blood spear that launched straight toward the puppets.
But just as it was about to pierce through—
One of Celestia’s "puppets" raised its hand calmly.
With a flick of its wrist, the direction of the blood spear inverted, curving away and crashing into the black fog uselessly.
Adam’s eyes widened.
’What...?’
Before he could ready another attack, a thunderous Boom! shook the entire battlefield.
The smoke began to clear, revealing four silhouettes ahead.
First was a man with neatly combed dark blue hair, wearing a tailored black coat over a high-collared shirt and vest.
His aura felt suffocating, like standing before a silent storm.
Next was a young woman with flowing long black hair like liquid ink.
One of her eyes shimred silver, while the other burned with a deep, crimson glow that pierced into Adam’s very soul.
Beside her was a short, black-haired woman clad in radiant white armor.
A massive skeletal dragon stood behind her, its hollow eyes glowing dimly as it glared straight at Adam’s team.
Adam’s hand shook faintly as he glanced towards the woman cladded in white armor.
His chest tightened, breathing becoming shallow.
For the first ti in what felt like an eternity...
Sadness and shock overwheld him, piercing through his cold, unfeeling walls.
His trembling lips parted.
"...Mother..."
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