Previously
The Duke, not one to easily accept defeat, coldly harrumphed. He could see the point the Merchant was making, but he wasn't willing to admit it openly. Instead, he focused on his own overarching plans, his ambitions reaching far beyond the confines of the tournament.
With a sly grin, the Merchant continued, "You see, my dear Duke, it's not always about raw power. It's about knowing when to employ strategy and when to adapt. The boy, despite his you...
2024-07-03 13:38:58 +0000 UTC
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Previously
Then, a memory stirred within him—the enigmatic Merchant who had crossed his path earlier in their journey. The Merchant, with his cryptic words and offers that seemed to defy the very laws of this world, had been a harbinger of extraordinary revelations. Could it be that the Merchant had played a pivotal role in securing these godly contracts?
Willow couldn't dismiss the possibility. The Merchant was an enigma, a figure who operated on the fring...
2024-07-03 13:38:08 +0000 UTC
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Resolution (3)
The warmth within Willow evaporated, replaced by a chilling dread. It struck him then, with the cruel clarity of a sunrise, a truth he had long tried to ignore: the Brutal King. The stories whispered in hushed tones, the fear that permeated the very air around him, all came crashing down. The king, with his insatiable hunger for beauty, his penchant for taking what he desired, his utter disregard for any semblance of morality or decency.
Willow's...
2024-07-03 13:36:28 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 264- Resolution (2)
“I can't just stand by and watch,” Willow said, his voice resolute. “I have to fight. I have to protect the world, even if I'm the only one who can.”
Willow, his heart hammering against his ribs, offered the Sage a half-truth. 'Because I am weak,' he whispered, the words laced with a bitter truth that resonated deep within him.
The Sage seemed to ponder these words, the air aroun...
2024-06-27 15:31:51 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 263- Resolution (1)
The air crackled with the Sage's suppressed anger. Willow, bathed in a cold sweat, felt his heart pound against his ribs. The Sage's Sei, a swirling vortex of emerald energy, pulsed ominously, threatening to erupt like a volcano. He had a minute. Just one minute to come up with a lie that could appease this semi-divine being.
'It was pretty obvious,' Willow blurted out, forcing his voice to come out steady despite ...
2024-06-27 15:31:01 +0000 UTC
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The Sage chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that sent shivers down Willow's spine. 'You have a keen eye, Willow. Though, I must say, it would be a shame if you were to succumb to such a pedestrian thought. I simply have a knack for healing, nothing more.' He smiled, the corners of his mouth lifting in a way that seemed to hold a hidden meaning.
Willow couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it. He knew about his own powers, about the intricate dance of mana that allowe...
2024-06-26 09:36:16 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 261- Chi Versus Sei (4)
He had won.
Willow, the maiden, the perpetual underdog, the one forever destined to fall short, had actually prevailed. The thrill of victory danced across his nerve endings, a counterpoint to the agonizing symphony of his shattered chi. He had faced the Sage, an opponent whose strength dwarfed his own, and he had, by all accounts, triumphed.
The memories, fragmented and vivid, flooded ba...
2024-06-26 09:31:16 +0000 UTC
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Willow's plan had almost worked. He had managed to dodge the Sage's initial QuickDraw attack, but now he saw the error of his ways. The Sage had baited him, allowing Willow to exhaust his chi reserves and leave himself vulnerable. But Willow was not one to back down from a challenge.
He knew that he could not win a battle of skill or speed against the Sage. The Sage was simply too powerful, too experienced. But Willow had something that the Sage did not: the element of surpri...
2024-06-26 09:27:24 +0000 UTC
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In that frozen moment, Willow's mind raced. He cursed his own impulsiveness. The Sage, the wily old fox, had baited him, luring him into a false sense of security. It was clear now—the Sage had never intended to fully commit to his deadly [Quick Draw]. It was a feint, a gambit meant to ensnare the young Maiden in a perilous web of chi and steel.
As Willow watched the Sage, a mirthful glint in his eyes, prepare for a second strike, he had a choice to make. The outcome of this clash hin...
2024-06-19 12:52:08 +0000 UTC
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Across the arena, the Sage mirrored the process, recognizing the gravity of the impending duel. His own 'Sei,' the counterpart to Willow's 'chi,' responded to his command. His aura shifted, intensifying as he harnessed his energy. It was a mark of his incredible mastery over the 'Sei,' honed through years of relentless training and battle.
As he drew the focused 'chi' back into his body, he felt invigorated, like a dormant volcano stirred to life by the promise of eruption. His l...
2024-06-17 15:13:33 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 257 - Maiden Versus Sage (5)
For a few agonizing seconds, an impenetrable silence hung in the air, the tension almost palpable. Willow's heart quickened as he wondered if his audacious gamble had failed.
But then, breaking the stillness like a sudden bolt of lightning, the Sage erupted into hearty laughter. It was a sound that resonated with genuine amusement, and it caught Willow off guard. In his meta-knowledge of the game, he had never witnessed the Sag...
2024-06-12 15:21:09 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 256 - Maiden Versus Sage (4)
The Sage's eyes, which usually held a glimmer of enigmatic wisdom, now harbored a hint of contemplation. He was not one to be easily swayed by the words of others, but Willow's carefully constructed argument had struck a chord. Honor was a principle deeply ingrained in his being, and he recognized it in Willow's challenge.
Finally, the Sage's voice broke the silence, a measured cadence that matched his deliberate nature. "For w...
2024-06-11 15:25:30 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 255 - Maiden Versus Sage (3)
In this quiet interlude, Willow felt a shift in the atmosphere. Although this 'empty space' existed solely within his mind, the Sage seemed to sense it too. A subtle curl formed at the corners of the Sage's lips, a knowing smile that transcended the boundaries of their inner world.
Willow was acutely aware that his chances of defeating the Sage, given his current state, were slim at best. Yet, Willow's 'chi,' the essence...
2024-06-10 14:29:19 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 254 - Maiden Versus Sage (2)
And so, as the battlefield raged on, Willow found himself engaged not only in the present clash of powers but also in a deeper duel of intentions. [The Sage]'s closed eyes hid a knowledge, a history between them that shaped their roles in this unfolding narrative.
He seemed calm, even though he should be anything but. Just like how Willow was agitated just being near the Sage and his ‘inferior’ power system, the Sage sh...
2024-06-06 15:44:37 +0000 UTC
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Willow’s POV
In the tumultuous expanse of the arena, Willow's attention gravitated toward a figure that stood as a beacon amidst the chaos — the Sage. Balanced like a sovereign sentinel upon a mound of prostate contenders, the Sage's posture carried an air of mastery that transcended the obvious.
It wasn't merely the elevated vantage point that fascinated Willow; it was the subtle phenomenon taking place beneath the Sage's feet. An almost imperceptible void se...
2024-05-24 14:50:50 +0000 UTC
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A heat ignited within Duke Aryan, a fire that blazed against his better judgment. He was consumed by a yearning so primal, so overwhelming, that it clawed at the edges of his self-control. It was a desire that transcended boundaries, that defied reason and propriety. The simplicity of his existence shattered in the wake of this newfound infatuation, leaving only a raw and unquenchable thirst in its wake.
Simply put, he was horny as fuck. His nails nearly bled at the thought of breed...
2024-05-22 15:52:47 +0000 UTC
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With a flourish, [MC] raised his arms, the microphone-like object gleaming in the sunlight. His voice carried the weight of his message, a clarion call that resonated with the hearts of all who listened.
"Prepare yourselves, dear audience, to witness strength and resolve like never before! Brace for the spectacle that shall unfold before your very eyes—the [Elimination] is underway!"
With a triumphant sweep of his arm, [MC] turned his gaze toward Duke Aryan and [The Merchant...
2024-05-21 15:48:41 +0000 UTC
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The Duke harrumphed, still grappling with the concept. He settled into his royal seat, which was placed beside [The Merchant]'s VIP seat. A silent contemplation consumed him as he pondered what [The Merchant] had insinuated.
In the lower realms, where power struggles and political machinations were rife, the Duke had always relied on his might and cunning to secure his influence. That was how he was where he was.
The strong ruled the weak. That was and always will be the nat...
2024-05-17 15:47:43 +0000 UTC
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The Merchant gripped his cane as tight as the next annoyed man. Oh, how he hated being interrupted in the middle of his musings. But, he played along.
He turned his head slightly, only to be greeted by none other than the fabled Duke, or rather ex-Duke Aryan himself. The Crownless King, and the forbidden younger brother of the current wise King Of Valterra. Why forbidden? Because, he had been exiled by his dear older brother simply because he had lusted after his older brother’s wife ...
2024-05-16 14:10:24 +0000 UTC
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“I grow weary of these battles,” The Merchant spoke, his voice flowing throughout the VIP section like the finest wine. Speaking of wine, he swirled the glass of ‘oldest wine’ the venue had, in his gloved hands and took a sip. Yup, it tasted like shit.
With a trick of the hand, suddenly the red wine inside turned a mystic purple. He took one sip, and sighed. ”Do a job by others, do a good job yourself.” Then, he turned his attention to the lower realm, at this ‘Tourn...
2024-05-11 14:32:33 +0000 UTC
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Then, a cacophony of tearing flesh and the heavy thuds of severed heads crashing to the ground resounded throughout the woods. The forest floor was littered with large chunks of Hydra meat as they each fell to the ground with a heavy thud.
Then, there was a deafening silence.
Amelia's mind swirled with a mix of disbelief and elation. Amelia's gaze shifted forward, her eyes widening as she took in the sight before her. The once-mighty Multi-Headed Hydra now lay motionless...
2024-05-08 15:41:46 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 246_ How To Kill A Hydra (4)
As Willow felt the mana converging at Amelia's location, he realized that the time had come to escalate their efforts. They needed to get serious, to push beyond their limits. The plan required their full commitment and resolve.
Stage Two was pretty simple. Hit & Run.
Gathering his chi, Willow propelled himself with renewed vigor, slashing through the remaining heads with unmatched skill. Each strike was...
2024-04-30 14:34:47 +0000 UTC
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Chapter 245_ How To Kill A Hydra (3)
Raegis, feeling the surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins, hopped lightly on her feet, warming up her muscles for the coming onslaught. Her feline agility and predatory instincts were honed to perfection, and she was ready to demonstrate her prowess. Stepping hard onto the tree trunk beneath her, she propelled herself forward with explosive force, her muscles coiled like a tightly wound spring.
"Mm!” Raegis harrumphe...
2024-04-28 04:02:52 +0000 UTC
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Willow's gaze remained fixed on the Multi-Headed Hydra as it sniffed the air once more, its hundred heads raised to the sky. The anticipation in the air was tangible, the moment charged with a mixture of tension and curiosity.
The monster’s gills cluttered, as it let out a deep, guttural moan before it laid all of it’s heads down, coiled around it’s large trunk of a body, nesting.
It was about to lay it’s precious egg now.
Willow raised his index fi...
2024-04-24 04:06:31 +0000 UTC
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The Multi Hydra's movements were a spectacle in themselves. Muscles rippled beneath its scales, propelling it through the water with a mesmerizing grace. Each stroke sent arcs of water spraying into the air, a testament to the raw strength and agility possessed by this magnificent beast.
Willow's heart pounded in his chest as he beheld the awe-inspiring sight before him. As he observed the majestic creature through his lens, Willow's mind began to race with strategies and contingencies....
2024-04-22 13:40:27 +0000 UTC
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As his thoughts circled back to the quest, Willow's excitement grew. He couldn't help but imagine the potential rewards that awaited them—the satisfaction of triumph, the growth in their abilities, and, of course, the coveted egg-shaped item that would boost him all the way to the next realm.
“Alright then,” Willow got up, causing both of the two women to get up as well. “We have a quest to undertake.”
“Yes boss,” Raegis’s eyes had a slight glint. Sure...
2024-04-22 13:21:41 +0000 UTC
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“Also,” Willow added, looking over at the beastkin. “Raegus, you need to stop letting your emotions cloud your judgment. Yes, your taunts were working effectively against Amelia, but what’s the point of taunting someone if you fall for their taunts twice as much?”
Raegis pouted, her gaze falling to the ground. “Raegis just made a little mistake.”
“Yes, it’s a little mistake but when you’re in a real duel, a little mistake like that can ruin your life,” Willow...
2024-04-19 02:41:01 +0000 UTC
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Amelia breathed in. And then, she breathed out.
‘Let’s do this according to plan.’ Amelia gripped her staff, before jumping away from the tree she was hiding behind, and aimed her staff at Raegis’s back.
“ᚷᛖᚹᚨᚢ, Wind.” A few wind slices were thrown at Raegis, who had dodged the wind blades, without even turning back to look at Amelia, as she cart-rolled a couple steps back.
Just as Raegis planted her feet onto the ground, she found that they...
2024-04-16 14:10:17 +0000 UTC
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A few moments later
Amelia’s little tantrum of a spell actually managed to work out well, as all the trees in a 5 meter radius from her had been utterly destroyed, and cut down.
And, right as the last stone missile had been shot, and the last tree fell down, there she was, the stupid, annoying mutt standing on the branch of a rather thick tree behind the tree that had just fallen.
Raegis tapped her steel-branch sword at her back, a tho...
2024-04-12 14:31:30 +0000 UTC
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“Oh Ivanka, my love. . .”
His gaze settled upon the forest surrounding him—the rustling leaves, the gentle caress of the breeze, the earthy scent of the moss-covered ground.
Images of Ivanka, his beloved, danced in the recesses of Willow's mind, evoking a longing that stirred his heart. He yearned for her comforting presence, her understanding touch, and the solace she brought to his soul. The memories of their shared moments flooded his consciousness, reminding him of her u...
2024-04-12 14:02:01 +0000 UTC
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