The conversation between Damien and the Director lasted through the night. The duo went over the statistics in the hologram and Damien learned more about what the Director actually wanted from him.
The task in store for him wasn't small, but it wasn't unachievable. It also helped that it was a task that aligned with Damien's goals, incentivizing him to complete it.
'What a crazy old man.' Damien thought to himself. The plan itself was relatively streamlined, but it was something only an insane person could think up.
Damien had to admire the Director's spirit.
'Old monsters are usually like this, huh? The Director isn't as casual as Master, but I feel like the two of them would get along well.'
The Director's attitude towards Damien could be considered good. The Director was a Demigod and the heading figure of Hidden Death Valley, if he was even somewhat cordial in his treatment then it could be considered a good thing.
Hidden behind those eyes of his was a ruthlessness that could only be bred in calamity. It was something Damien infinitely admired, as this type of attitude would always achieve the best results in wartime.
'Still, he's lucky he chose me. If it was someone with a hero complex then…'
Damien shook his head and stopped thinking about it. He took the Director's projection device and placed it in his subspace. This was a gift from the Director, and the information on it would be an immense help to him in his quest.
'I guess I should finish what I started…I have another two days. As long as I don't fall, that's enough time to dominate the King Bracket and move upward.'
Damien stood up and walked out of his Star City home.
His battlelust was especially high after his previous conversation with the Director, and he was more than just a little excited to entertain it.
***
BOOOOOM!
"Winner: Damien Void!"
The terrifying explosion that rang out was immediately followed by the announcer's excited voice. The cheers of the crowd rocked the entire coliseum, causing space to tremble with their fervor.
On the arena floor, Damien stood silently. Blood ran down his body from the numerous wounds he'd received from the previous battle, but Transcendent Regeneration made sure those wounds wouldn't hinder him.
"This is our rising star's 9th win in the King Bracket! With just one more, he gains the right to challenge the Overlord for supremacy!"
Despite the uproarious atmosphere of the crowd, Damien's face remained cold. Unlike his first five matches, the sixth through ninth weren't as enjoyable.
But this wasn't a matter of the battle itself.
Damien's most recent victim dematerialized from the arena floor and appeared outside the barrier. His face was pale white and drained of any blood, and despite being fully healed, he didn't wake up at all.
The torture Damien had inflicted onto him was too much to bear. His psyche had already crumbled.
'That's four. From level 300 to level 330, they've been getting stronger every time. But…is this the best the Bloodbitches can do? Even if their levels are powerful, their law comprehension is lacking. They'd die in a heartbeat if they were ever sent to war.'
His opponents didn't try to hide their affiliation. Each and every one was a servant of the Bloodlock Clan sent by Reavus to hinder him.
Knowing this fact, Damien didn't go easy on them. In fact, he did everything he could to make sure they'd never wake up again no matter how much healing they'd received.
On one hand, he was offended by how little Reavus thought of him. To send these people to destroy him with brute force alone, did he really think Damien was weak?
4th class was a rank where law comprehension mattered far more than levels. If one couldn't match their comprehension with their base power level, they'd be infinitely weaker than even those beneath them.
Now, an average genius wouldn't stand a chance against these forces. Damien was well aware that he couldn't underestimate their power. But against someone like him whose comprehension far outstripped their base level, these men were nothing more than bugs.
A stronger physical body and higher existence level meant nothing to him who could devour existences to heighten those factors easily.
'Those four weren't bad solely because of this weakness. Level 300 and even 325 beings are manageable in single combat, but unless they're lacking in law comprehension like those idiots, I won't be able to face someone higher level than that…'
By this point, Reavus should've been aware that he couldn't hinder Damien with such sloppy methods. Most likely, he was facing some restrictions that didn't allow him to send geniuses too overly powerful to fight him.
But those restrictions wouldn't apply for the tenth match. That was a match that decided whether or not he'd fight the Overlord, and the strength of his competitor would likely be a glimpse into the Overlord's own strength. It wouldn't be an easy win at all.
'I should be prepared to sacrifice a limb or two.'
"Contestant Damien Void, would you like to continue fighting?" The announcer asked.
Damien's eyes narrowed in thought. If he could, he'd prefer to take a day to recuperate before continuing.
But his current circumstances didn't give him time to do so.
And besides, wasn't the best way to improve being pushed to the brink?
After a slight moment of thought, Damien nodded his head. The crowd's reaction to his decision could be imagined. It was hard to describe just how excited they were.
People in the King Bracket didn't usually have win streaks for so long. Whenever it looked like someone would reach the Overlord, countless powerhouses would arrive to suppress them.
But Damien didn't face this challenge.
His performance and his empowering words from his first entrance didn't just gain hatred from the battle arena geniuses, but respect as well.
His determination to face the Bloodlock Clan without backing down was more than just admirable, it was something to be worshipped.
Those unaffiliated geniuses and those with different affiliations didn't interfere with Damien anymore. This was partially due to the prior factor and partially because they didn't want to offend the Bloodlock Clan by stealing their prey.
Now that he'd reached an almost impossible height to these observing geniuses, they naturally wanted to see him triumph.
Everyone loved a good underdog story.
As the battle arena rules mandated, Damien was given half an hour to recover his energy. This period of time was greater than that of the lower brackets due to the King Bracket's difficulty and the connotations of Damien's next fight.
During this time, Damien not only healed and used Devour to replenish his mana, he also calmed his mind and sunk into a comprehensive state.
His spacetime abilities weren't fully developed yet, but any small improvement he could have in this area would be an immense help to him.
Unfortunately, half an hour wasn't any time at all. It passed faster than a shooting star.
Damien stood up confidently.
The announcer's voice rang out to introduce his opponent.
The crowd went wild.
A woman walked through the challenger gate and entered the arena.
The mere residual power of her footsteps caused the ground to quake.
As Damien looked on, his eyes hardened.
'Level 340…'
This fight…
He'd be hard-pressed to win.
