Kieran's cold gaze swept over the contenders still showing hostility.
Although they hadn't approached him, Kieran's sensitivity to malice painted them in a different light.
Retaliatory Sense outlined everyone deemed as a potential threat in a faint red color. The moment outlined in red made a move was when the red aura vanished, only to be replaced by a black fang, symbolizing an enemy viewed as Prey.
After speaking, Kieran glanced up at the timer above.
Less than thirty seconds had passed since the round's beginning, yet almost 10% of the contenders were eliminated by frightening opponents nearby.
'No wonder my placement is rising so slow. Although I've eliminated four people myself, it seems others are eclipsing my pace,' Kieran thought to himself.
Some of the stronger people eliminated several people with a single attack, which skyrocketed their placement.
Of course, Kieran's placement also changed without making a move. If someone of a higher placement was eliminated, his rank would adjust accordingly.
Before making a move, Kieran looked up at Scar with a strange expression. Since it was the best time to amass points, he was acquiring permission to go all out during this stage.
Scar understood the intentions conveyed through Kieran's gaze despite the lack of words. He gave a subtle nod, which resulted in Kieran's smile.
'Dread Culling is out of the equation. Setting aside my lacking proficiency with Dread Culling, which poses substantial risks of killing people, its cooldown is far too long. If I can't kill, it takes too long to recover usage,' Kieran thought.
As he devised a plan, the aura surrounding Crimson Ashrune swelled and began to swirl as his Attack Power and Strength climbed to new heights.
"Abhorrent Paroxysm!"
Wooom!
Kieran's body emitted a strange ripple as the sanguine energy surrounding his body gained a threatening presence. The scene invoked the feeling of a bloodthirsty demon awakening.
Due to Kieran's understanding of Blood Mania deepening to the point its rank increased, the effects of Deranged Spirit and Abhorrent Paroxysm underwent a change.
While their levels and rank didn't experience much of a transformation, their information appeared somewhat differently.
Still, Kieran couldn't justify using Deranged Spirit early in the event. Only Abhorrent Paroxysm with a relatively short cooldown period fulfilled Kieran's required criteria.
「 Abhorrent Paroxysm (Lv.3)
Skill Rank: A
Skill Type: Active/Buff
Mastery (80.00%)
Description: A skill that amplifies the True Berserker's slumbering rage by agitating a modicum of Argexes' Blood. After this skill is activated, the user grows vulnerable but destructive, entering a unique state known as «Frenzy».
«Frenzy»: In exchange for becoming extremely vulnerable, the user experiences a 100% increase in Strength. In addition to the user's Attack Speed and Movement Speed increasing by 150%, their Critical Damage Modifier increases by 50%. (The vulnerability's aftereffects rely upon the user's understanding of Blood Mania.)
Aftereffects: Stamina Regeneration Rate is reduced to 50% for one hour and gradually increases afterward.
Consumption: 100% Defense
Duration: 60 seconds
Cooldown: 90 minutes 」
The swirl of sanguine energy penetrated Kieran's skin, producing thick crimson veins along his arms and neck.
The appearance of this skill was somewhat different from before. Scar's guidance taught Kieran how to manipulate this power at a basic level and block it from seeping into his heart, where it could cause lasting damage.
That's the reason his Stamina Regeneration virtually disappeared after using this skill in the past.
Kieran's appearance grew demonic, but not on the same level as activating Deranged Spirit, or worse, superimposing the two skills.
Considering his Stamina surpassed 14,000, the exchange was something Kieran could manage in his current state.
After activating Abhorrent Paroxysm, Ezrath's gaze narrowed, and his expression darkened. "Don't tell you have taught that kid how to tap into the abominable power. Didn't that power make you lose reason during your youth?"
"It did," Scar admitted while sparing Ezrath an indifferent glance. He understood what Ezrath insinuated with his words. Activating a power like that with such dark origins in a competition that didn't allow death was foolish.
"So what makes you think it's safe for him to unleash an ability like that? You do understand the risks of death in this competition, right? You may be strong, but not even you can go against everyone."
"Relax. You talk too much and spoil the fun. I gave my twerp permission for one reason," Scar said with a proud smile—one that hid emotions he never thought he would feel.
"What is that?" Ezrath curiously inquired. This was the first time he witnessed Scar with such a proud smile on a topic that didn't include himself.
"The answer is simple—my twerp is stronger than me mentally when I was at that stage. If it is him, I believe he'll quickly learn to control his emotions without fail. You know what that means, yes?" Scar's smile became playful and menacing.
Cold sweat seeped down Ezrath's back after comprehending Scar's words. 'They're what's known as True Berserkers. They become one of the most fearsome existences after subjugating their emotions. If that's true...'
The way Ezrath looked at Kieran changed.
A tinge of horror surfaced in his eyes while watching the berserk power of a True Berserker rampantly permeate a large portion of the stage.
"Hahaha! That's the power Scar used in the past. I'd recognize it anywhere. It appears his youngster is quite talented to be wielding that power this well at such a young age."
A burst of boisterous laughter sounded not too far from Ezrath and Scar, breaking their conversation.
After turning his head, Scar recalled this newcomer. It was another Commander in the War Deity Council named Caecus. The man stood with a leather blindfold over his eyes. Underneath the blindfold was two scars that told his story.
Born blind, Caecus decided there was no use for his defective eyes, ripping them out of the sockets without hesitation. The decisiveness of his actions birthed a strange power, giving him the ability of another sight.
Even without his eyes, Caecus could "see" as well as anyone else.
He possessed long, dirty blond hair, which cascaded down his back and torso, and a sharp jawline matching his toned physique. His armor looked similar to ancient gladiators, with sleek knight boots and a black cloak draped over his shoulders.
If Kieran realized this person, his jaw would drop. Why? Because Caecus, while not a Mythical Hero, was a Legendary Hero. Like Scar, he possessed the potential to become a General but chose not to.
Instead, he sought power and relative freedom.
"Caecus," Scar greeted with a nod.
Caecus sat beside Ezrath and Scar with crossed arms. He leaned back in his chair and sighed as a strange ripple undulated from his body.
"The power of youth. How remarkable. Look at those children fighting with every ounce of passion they can muster. All to claim their future. It's truly a remarkable sight, isn't it—Scar, Ezrath."
Ezrath grimaced due to Caecus's poor choice of words. Sight? He should be the last person to utter such a word.
…
Inside the Gladiator's Coliseum…
Many heads turned toward Kieran after he activated Abhorrent Paroxysm. Rather than focus on several small opponents, Kieran's gaze shifted toward the bigger fish.
While others were afraid of confrontation, he wasn't.
Worthwhile opponents were how he quickly increased the mastery of his skills and deepened his connection with his class.
Eventually, Kieran's eyes landed on one nearby, who had just eliminated more than ten contestants in one strike.
「Lv.49 Vex Ation, The Roaring Fist (Epic NPC)
Class: Destructive Fist
Health: 21,500,000/21,500,000(Epic NPC)
Affiliations: «War Deity Council» 」
'Pretty strong,' Kieran thought. Although lacking compared to Yashua and Azahara, Vex unleashed destructive attacks by compressing and discharging wild bursts of Mana with his fist.
His base class was a Pugilist, but it was a rare variation that many players would kill for.
Boom!
Kieran sprinted toward Vex with a ruthless look in his eye. Contrary to the start of this round, many people avoided Kieran's rush because of the energy spilling off his body in droves.
"!!" Vex's eyes widened as he sensed a hostile presence fast approaching his right.
Lifting his right hand to defend against the incoming attack, Vex threw out his left fist with frightening precision.
The impact of the two attacks created a shockwave. 'Defintely a Berserker. This kind of Strength is unusual.
For someone to achieve nearly 3,000 Strength naturally, they must go through an Advancement. Only an Advanced Being could wield that degree of power naturally.
Then again, Vex also felt Kieran's current condition was unusual. "You're not an Advanced Being, but this presence you emit… how strange, indeed. Nevertheless, I must clarify that you are not my opponent."
Swoosh! Boom!
"Sui!" Vex swiftly retracted his hand and jumped. After spinning, he lashed out his leg, which looked like a human whiplash.
The destructive force made Kieran backpedal and shake his wrist. "That kick. It shouldn't have been that strong, but it was. Another unorthodox utilization of Mana."
This wasn't the first time Kieran had fought against someone that wielded pure Mana unusually. It was often the unusual application that yielded the most success.
After all, several people developed ways to overcome and neutralize general utilizations.
Vex landed back on the ground a second later with his knee bent. "If you want to go far in this challenge, I suggest you eliminate those who don't belong. Fighting against me will only destroy your path forward."
