THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC165: Ryo Hiroshi
'She made me win,' Klaus thought inwardly as he gently lifted Aoi up. She had given him all the signs. In truth, Aoi was saving him from embarrassment and, possibly, from learning too much too soon. Having practiced since she was seven, it was only natural that she would be much better than Klaus.
But Aoi was shocked by how quickly Klaus was learning her swordplay. What took others years to master was being grasped by him in mere seconds. It was a talent that was hard to ignore.
"Nice duel, Brother Klaus," Aoi said, walking out of the arena, her cheeks flushed. Klaus's hands had pressed against her waist during the ending of the duel, and even though he had let go, she could still feel the warmth lingering there. The sensation made her blush deepen.
She couldn't shake the feeling of his touch, and it left her both flustered and intrigued. What had started as a friendly match had turned into something more meaningful, and Aoi found herself smiling despite her embarrassment.
Klaus, oblivious to the effect he had made on Aoi, felt a rush of his gains despite the handicap offered to him this time. He had learned so much in such a short time. But he also felt a pang of realization about how much he still lacked when it came to using a sword without any active skills.
Even though Aoi had helped him win, he couldn't help but smile as he walked toward his friends. As he stopped near them, he glanced at the two Hiroshi sisters. Aoi was hiding behind them, so he couldn't see her expression, but the looks on the sisters' faces showed they were unaware of Aoi's role in his victory.
"Brother Klaus, I didn't know you were good with the sword," one of the sisters said, her eyes wide with surprise. "By the way, I'm Miki, and this is Mio."
"Trust me, Sister Miki, I'm good with the sword through and through," Klaus said with a grin. His words didn't come off as arrogant; instead, they carried a different tone that made everyone look at him oddly. However, a few of the guys caught the hidden meaning behind his statement.
Daniel, one of his closest friends, gently tapped Klaus on the shoulder and nodded knowingly. It was clear to him that Klaus was both a monster on the battlefield and a beast in other ways.
Miki and Mio exchanged glances, still puzzled by Klaus's words. Aoi, still hiding, felt her heart race for some reason.
"Wow, we've got a real swordmaster among us!" Mio exclaimed, breaking the tension. Klaus chuckled, amused that she didn't catch the hidden meaning in his earlier words.
"Maybe you should teach us some moves," Miki suggested, her curiosity clearly piqued.
Klaus grinned and said, "It will be my pleasure, Sister Miki. This little one doesn't mind going a few rounds with each of you." He spoke in such a casual tone that the ladies thought he meant he would train with them.
But for the boys, it felt like a direct line to all the hidden meanings behind Klaus's playful words. They exchanged knowing looks, trying to suppress their laughter.
"You are one bold and arrogant youngster," a deep voice suddenly interrupted. A man stepped into the arena, towering at 6'2" with a sword tattoo etched on his forehead. He had an athletic build and a calm presence that commanded attention.
"That is Ryo Hiroshi," Lily whispered to Klaus, making sure he understood before saying anything too brash. "He's the patriarch of the Hiroshi Great Family—Aoi, Miki, Mio, and Taro's father. They call him the Sword King."
Klaus felt a rush of respect wash over him as he took in the imposing figure. Ryo's reputation preceded him, and Klaus knew he was in the presence of a true master. The air around him even spoke more than one had to say.
"Nice to meet you, sir," Klaus said, straightening up. He wanted to make a good impression, despite the playful banter just moments before.
Ryo looked at him with a measured gaze, then smiled slightly. "You have skill, Klaus. But remember, confidence is important, but so is humility."
Klaus nodded, appreciating the advice. He glanced at Aoi, Miki, and Mio, all of them watching the interaction with a mix of pride and apprehension.
"Let's see if you can back up that confidence in a proper duel sometime," Ryo continued, a challenge hidden in his tone.
Klaus's heart raced at the thought. "I'd be honored, sir," he replied, feeling both excited and intimidated.
Ryo glanced at Aoi, who was looking down, her face hidden. "You did well, kid," he said, his voice calm yet firm. "It's just that this brat is too talented." Aside from Klaus and Aoi, he was the only one who knew Aoi had helped Klaus win.
He knew Aoi was concerned about Klaus learning her family technique, so he made him win when she could have easily defeated him.
Instead of letting Klaus lose, Aoi had chosen to support him, wanting him to feel good about himself. So hearing her father's praise, Aoi smiled and nodded, her heart swelling with pride.
He himself wouldn't have easily let Klaus learn the technique that has been in their family for many generations, even before the apocalypse go to a stranger that hasn't known for that long. So seeing her daughter place her own win aside just so she could preserve their heritage made him feel like a proud and accomplished father.
"Alright, you youngsters should continue enjoying yourselves," Ryo said, his tone shifting slightly. "Good luck tomorrow in the regional selections." He cast one last glance at Klaus, a look that seemed to carry a warning before he vanished into thin air.
Klaus smiled after him, then muttered to himself, "Father-in-law sure knows how to make an entrance and an exit." His words were quiet, but somewhere far from the arena, Ryo smiled too, murmuring to himself, "I might just have to kill him someday."
Klaus, still in the arena, felt a chill run down his spine for reasons he couldn't quite grasp. Shaking it off, he glanced at Aoi. "Fairy Aoi, if you don't have any big plans tomorrow evening, would you join me and my friends for a night out after the Selection Trial?"
Aoi, taken aback by the unexpected invitation, quickly recomposed herself. "I would be honored," she replied, her heart racing. She glanced at her sisters, who were looking back at her with teasing smiles.
"Brother Klaus, maybe you should win first before making a move on my sister," Mio said, her teasing tone clear.
Klaus chuckled. "A wise man once said, strike while the iron is still hot."
"Does that mean you'll also strike these two hot irons?" Miki teased.
Klaus's smile widened. "I don't want a certain somebody cutting my sword off," he replied, prompting laughter from the group, especially the boys.
Miki, Mio, and the other ladies joined in the laughter, but suddenly, the realization hit them like a crashing mountain.
Anna and Lily hid their faces behind Hanna, while Miki and Mio's cheeks flushed a deep red. It finally clicked for them what Klaus meant when he said he was good with the sword through and through. All the cheeky comments he had made suddenly made sense, and they couldn't stop blushing.
The atmosphere shifted as they processed the implications of Klaus's words. Aoi felt her face heat up, realizing she had unwittingly stepped into a playful yet dangerous game. The teasing had been light-hearted, but now it felt more serious, charged with shameless meanings.
Klaus noticed their reactions and raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "What? Did I say something wrong?"
"Not at all," Miki managed to say between giggles, her face still flushed. With that, they went back to enjoying the evening. Klaus finally managed to enjoy his dessert and even cast Miguel a few mocking smiles. A while later, the gathering was over and Klaus and his friends left back to their hotel.
REMOVE ADS FROM $1
Report chapter CommentsContact - ToS
THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC166: Night Chat With Lucy
When they got back to the Third Finger Royal Hotel, Klaus and his friends didn't go to sleep right away. Instead, they sat together, talking about the Trial that awaited them the next day. After a while, they all retired to their rooms. As usual, Klaus didn't head to bed. Instead, he entered his soul sea and began studying the Pentaface Bead.
'Klaus, are you there?' A voice suddenly echoed in his mind, pulling him from his focus. Klaus immediately exited his soul sea with a smile.
'Yes, my love, I'm here,' Klaus replied in his thoughts. He smiled because Lucy was using the connection they shared to speak to him. After their recent time together, something special had happened between them—a bond formed during their intimate moments.
At first, Klaus thought there might be a limit to how far they could communicate. But when Lucy went back home, she could still reach him, no matter the distance. This made her incredibly happy. On her way back to the academy, she kept testing the bond to make sure it was still working.
Her joy was unmatched when she realized she could even reach Klaus while in the academy. Since she wasn't an Inner Disciple yet, she couldn't use the communication devices there. Before Klaus attempted Assassination when she went back to the academy, she missed him greatly.
So now that she had a way to reach him, she felt like she was on top of the world. Sharing a mental link with your boyfriend, which lady wouldn't want that?
The day after Lucy returned to the academy, she entered seclusion, preparing for her Stairway to Heaven test. She promised Klaus she'd reach out to him once she passed. So, the fact she was contacting him now meant only one thing—she had become an Inner Disciple.
"Klaus, I passed! I passed! I'm now an Inner Disciple!" Lucy's voice rang with excitement in Klaus's mind.
A smile tugged at Klaus's lips as he leaned back, closing his eyes. He could feel her joy through the connection, and it warmed his heart.
"Of course, you did. I never doubted you for a second," Klaus replied, his tone filled with pride. From the little he knew from Lucy, he knew for a fact she was a genius, so he was happy for her.
"Thank you," Lucy said suddenly, her voice soft but full of meaning.
"There's no need to thank me. It was all your effort," Klaus replied.
"No, I mean it. Thank you," Lucy insisted. "I don't know what you did, but after our... you know, I started getting stronger. At first, I didn't understand what was happening, but now I do. Klaus, I don't know what that star tattoo is, but it's making me stronger—like, really strong."
"Even my Master is shocked by what happened today," Lucy added.
"What happened?" Klaus asked, his curiosity piqued.
"I walked through the test like it was nothing. There was some resistance, sure, but I didn't even sweat," Lucy said, her voice swelling with pride. The stairway to heaven is like the most difficult obstacle every outer disciple would have to face before becoming an inner disciple.
So to hear she just walked through it, that sounded wild, however, Klaus wasn't shocked, not even in the slightest.
Klaus chuckled. "Well, looks like I didn't sweat for nothing."
"You... you knew all along?" Lucy asked, suddenly suspicious.
"I suspected, but I wasn't sure. It's clear now though—the star is more than just for telepathic communication."
"Klaus, what is happening to me?" Lucy's tone shifted, a slight panic creeping in.
"Hey, my love, there's nothing to worry about. I don't know exactly what this is either, but I'm sure of one thing—you're not in any danger. If anything, you should be happy. You're just going to keep getting stronger." Klaus felt certain his star qi was affecting her in ways even he didn't fully grasp.
"Klaus..." Lucy's voice trailed off.
"What?" Klaus teased, grinning. "Want me to come over and make sure you're still strong?"
Lucy, now sitting in her lush room, flushed red. Somehow, the white-haired bastard had managed to make her blush from thousands of miles away.
"You're my woman now, Lucy. No need to overthink everything," Klaus said with a grin. "This is good—at least I won't have to worry about you being left in the dust. And hey, if you need a little boost, you can always come for a refuel," he joked again, knowing full well she was blushing on the other end, even though he couldn't see her.
His meaning was obvious. If being intimate with her made her stronger, he had no complaints. Any man worth his salt wouldn't pass up something that beneficial.
"Klaus, you're not cheating on me and Sister Ohema with other women, are you?" Lucy asked, trying to steer the conversation away from his teasing. But it wasn't that simple.
"As a matter of fact, I've got two damsels in my bed right now," Klaus said, playing along.
"You..." Lucy stammered, unsure how to respond.
"What? Aren't you the one pushing me to go after your sister?" Klaus teased, his tone mocking. Lucy didn't say anything, but he could sense her smiling on the other end, even though they weren't face to face.
"Just don't hurt her," Lucy said, clearly pleased by the banter.
'What kind of weird sister is this?' Klaus thought to himself. 'She seriously wants me to bed her sister?' It was bizarre how happy she sounded when he joked about it. Of course, she knew he was lying, but still—it was strange.
"Lucy, you're not having any weird fantasies, are you?" Klaus asked, amused. "Tell me, Big Daddy Klaus will make them happen."
"You pervert! What are you thinking?" Lucy's face flushed red as she blushed hard, but Klaus's laughter only grew.
Lucy huffed, trying to hide her embarrassment, but the connection between them made it impossible. Klaus could feel her flustered emotions, which only fueled his amusement.
"Come on, love. Don't be shy. I'm just making sure you're not imagining things you shouldn't be," Klaus teased, his voice full of playful mischief.
"You're impossible!" Lucy muttered, but there was a lightness to her tone that let him know she was enjoying the back-and-forth. "You always know how to turn everything into a joke."
"Well, someone has to keep things interesting," Klaus said, grinning to himself. "Besides, it's my job to keep you entertained. I can't have you getting bored of me now, can I?"
"Like I could ever get bored of you," Lucy replied softly, a hint of warmth slipping into her voice. "Even when you're being insufferable, I still... I still love you, you know?"
Klaus's teasing tone softened as he heard the sincerity in her words. "I know, Lucy. I love you too." He meant it, every word.
There was a brief pause before Lucy spoke again. "So, what are you going to do tomorrow? The Trial is coming up, right?"
"Yeah, it is," Klaus replied. "But don't worry, it's nothing I can't handle. I've been through worse, remember? You just focus on settling in as an Inner Disciple. The academy isn't going to know what hit them once you start showing your strength."
"I will also contact Sister Ohema and let her know I am now an Inner Disciple, also tell Anna and the others. I will contact you tomorrow, the usual time" Lucy's voice cut off from Klaus's mind. He smiled and then went to the fridge for water.
He went back to the bed and was about to sit when he suddenly stopped for a split second. With a smile, he jumped into bed lying face down.
REMOVE ADS FROM $1
Report chapter CommentsContact - ToS
THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC167: An Assassin's POV
Six days ago, Number 91 woke up to a dark envelope under his pillow. The moment he saw it, his body tensed. He quickly grabbed the envelope and tore it open. Inside the envelope is a payment token and a photograph of a young man with incredibly dashing white hair.
Beneath the photo was a single word: Kill. Behind it are the name and location of the target. Without any hesitation, he burned the picture and loaded the token into his account. Then, he got out of bed and headed for the bathroom. After a quick shower and breakfast, he dressed in a business suit and left his apartment. A short while later, he was on a plane to Ross City.
Upon arrival, he passed through customs like any ordinary traveler and hailed a cab. His destination wasn't far. When he reached a certain hotel-like building, he entered quietly. Immediately he approached the counter, he flashed a ring at the woman behind it.
Her welcoming smile instantly vanished as she pressed a hidden button beneath the desk. Moments later, he was escorted to an elevator that took him to the top floor.
There, he sat down in front of a computer and began his search for information on the white-haired target. After two hours of digging, he had what he needed. He stood up, left the building, and made his way toward the western part of Ross City.
A short subway ride later, he found himself at an amusement park. He boarded a roller coaster, but his eyes weren't on the ride. Instead, he focused on a mansion far in the distance—his real destination.
After hours of watching the house, Number 91 returned to his hotel. The next day, he went back and repeated the same routine. He did the same on the third day, but this time, something felt off. There seemed to be some sort of block—an obstacle he couldn't quite put his finger on. Nevertheless, on the fourth day, he returned.
To his surprise, he noticed a car leaving the mansion that morning. Discreetly, he followed it. The car led him to Ross Mansion, a place with far more security. A short while later, a private jet took off from the property, heading toward Hiroshi City.
Number 91 returned to his hotel, calmly cleaning his room as if everything was normal. A few hours later, he was already en route to Hiroshi City, his focus sharp and unbroken.
Upon arriving in Hiroshi City, Number 91 wasted no time. He checked into a modest hotel under a different alias and immediately began scoping out the area. His target had to be somewhere in the city, but Hiroshi was large, bustling, and known for its heavy security presence. This wouldn't be as simple as following a car.
The next day, he planted himself near the airport, scanning for any familiar faces. His patience was rewarded when, late in the afternoon, some youngsters handed in a private jet and got in a sleek car, flanked by two bodyguards. Number 91's heart didn't race—he had trained for this. Calmly, he tailed them from a distance.
Although they aren't the white-haired boys he was interested in, the new group has something in common with Klaus; they are here for the Regional Trial of the Celestial Mountain Academy.
He knew by sticking close to anyone coming to Hiroshi City for the same event, his chances of getting the location and a step closer to the target were very high. So he gathered the patient and did the only logical things, staying alert and following them.
He followed them until they stopped and entered a hotel located at the City's center. Number 91 watched carefully as the group checked in and was escorted upstairs. He knew rushing in now would be suicide. This would take precision.
He continued to observe the hotel from a distance, watching carefully for any sign of the white-haired target. After a few hours, a flying car arrived and picked up a group of youngsters. To his advantage, Number 91 spotted the white-haired boy among them. Rather than pursue it, he decided to play it smart.
He checked himself into the hotel, making sure his room was close to the suite the white-haired youngster had come from. Once inside, he blended in, ordering room service and behaving like any other guest. He knew better than to attract attention, especially in a place like this.
An hour later, to maintain appearances, Number 91 entered his room with a seductive woman by his side. He laughed and chatted with her, playing the part of a carefree traveler, but his mind never strayed from his target. Every detail mattered. The lady was just part of his cover, nothing more. This was the life of a professional—always in control, always watching.
That evening, Number 91 entered the jacuzzi with the same lady, sharing kisses and engaging in all sorts of intimate moments. They laughed and enjoyed the warmth of the water, blending in perfectly with the atmosphere of the hotel. Around 10 PM, however, his attention shifted when he noticed the same flying car dropping off the white-haired youngster and his friends.
A satisfied smile crossed his face as he returned to his room, the lady still at his side. They finished what they had started, and soon she drifted off to sleep, her breathing steady and peaceful.
Once she was asleep, Number 91 slipped out of bed and took a bath, washing away the distractions. He changed into a dark leather outfit, the fabric fitting snugly against his body. He grabbed his bag and pulled out a laptop. But instead of using it to check emails or browse the web, he dismantled it piece by piece.
With swift, practiced movements, he rearranged the parts. In a surprising twist, the laptop transformed into a dagger with a burning dark red blade, glinting ominously in the low light. He carefully laced the blade with poison, ensuring it would do its job if the moment came. Satisfied, he sheathed the dagger, readying himself for the task ahead.
He moved silently to the bathroom, then slipped through the window, carefully entering the adjacent room—it belonged to the lady in his bed. He climbed closer and stopped just as he was right beneath the sealing.
He took his surroundings into his mental note before carefully touching the sealing. Like a foam in hot water, he discovered into the ceiling eerily.
Moments later, he found himself in a kitchen, making sure his aura was canceled out completely. He walked toward the washroom, once again merging with the wall. This time, he didn't emerge on the other side. Instead, he found himself staring at the white-haired youngster, who was drinking water, oblivious to the presence lurking just beyond the wall.
After a moment, the boy moved back to his bed. Number 91 watched intently, noting how he paused for just a heartbeat before jumping onto the mattress. Quietly, he sighed and unsheathed his dagger, preparing for the moment he'd been waiting for. He stepped out from the wall, making sure to remain undetected as he approached the bed.
Each step was calculated, and soon he was just a breath away from his target. He will be able to strike any moment, all he has left is a single step and he took that step.
But as he leaned in, ready to attack, something dark pierced through him—or more precisely, something stabbed at his soul. In that instant, his vision began to darken, and the dagger started to loosen in his grip.
He lost control, unable to fight against the creeping pain and helplessness he found himself in. His dagger slipped and his body lost all strength. His vision turned blurry...
Just before he blacked out, he caught the white-haired boy's gaze who was muttering something at him. He manage to read the boy's lips as he murmured, "Sleep tight. We have a lot to talk about when you wake up."
His vision faded into pure darkness, the world slipping away from him.
REMOVE ADS FROM $1
Report chapter CommentsContact - ToS
THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC168: Interview with an Assassin
Klaus stared at the body of the man in dark clothes, passed out on his floor, and smirked. The moment the man slipped into the wall, Klaus sensed him. It was a foolish mistake. Though Klaus didn't know how to limit his senses to a specific radius, he never let them go easily.
It was evening now, and he figured if he focused on their suit, he might see more, especially with three ladies in the room nearby. So, he deactivated his full awareness but kept a part of it active. The instant the assassin used his spiritual qi to slip through the walls, Klaus felt it.
He then activated his sense knowing he would have to apologize to some people in the morning. But after sensing the intruder, he found that the man was just a saint. So, Klaus did not attempt to reveal that he had sensed him. Instead, he jumped onto his bed and waited.
As the assassin drew closer, just a step away, Klaus activated the Bell of Harrows. It didn't ring out loud on the outside, but inside his soul sea, it rang clearly and he directed the north the sonic, and the soul attack to the intruder. Its effect hit Number 91 hard he is currently passed out from both soul and mental attack.
Klaus formed a hand seal, and a rune appeared on his forehead. It moved and entered the assassin's body. He glanced at the man one last time, then jumped into his bed, ready to relax while he waited for him to wake up.
"Well, how was your sleep?" Klaus asked, watching the dark-clothed figure slowly open his eyes. He hadn't bound the man at all; even his dagger lay on the floor beside him.
In response to Klaus's cheerful greeting, the assassin reached for his dagger. But as he tried to move, he realized his body wouldn't obey him.
"What? Performance issues?" Klaus asked, a mocking tone lacing his words.
The assassin glared at Klaus, frustration etched on his face. "What did you do to me?" he demanded, his voice strained.
Klaus chuckled lightly. "Just a little something to keep you from getting any ideas. You seemed so eager to play, so I figured I should spice things up a little bit"
The man started to struggle against an invisible force, trying to regain control. "You won't get away with this," he hissed, his anger rising.
Klaus leaned back casually, propping his feet up. "Oh, I think I will. You're not exactly in a position to threaten me." He paused, enjoying the moment. "Besides, I'm curious about you. What brought you to my doorstep, or more accurately, what brought you through my walls?"
The assassin's eyes narrowed. "You think I'll tell you anything? Just lift this witchcraft and I will show you amateur what I am made of"
Klaus raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Amateur? You're the one who got caught. I'd say that makes you the amateur here." He smiled, leaning closer. "Why don't you make it easy on yourself? Tell me who sent you, and I might let you leave in one piece."
The assassin hesitated, weighing his options. "And if I refuse?"
Klaus shrugged. "Then we can play a different game. I have all night." His tone turned playful, but the glint in his eyes showed he was serious.
The man's resolve faltered. "I won't be your pawn."
"Not a pawn," Klaus corrected. "More like a guest. You can choose to be helpful, or we can see how far your stubbornness takes you."
With that, Klaus settled back, allowing the assassin time to think. The tension hung thick in the air. Klaus noticed the man trying to bite down on something hidden behind his teeth, but he felt nothing. Klaus had long since removed it. In fact, it was the senior in the soul sea who advised him to do so. This will be Klaus's first time catching an assassin after all.
It was a bewitching spell. When cast into someone's body, it would enter their soul and strip them of their free will. The spell wouldn't allow the caster to read the victim's mind, but it would let Klaus know when the man was lying. Moreover, he could end the assassin's life at will, and the victim would be unable to harm him, or themselves no matter what.
Klaus had placed the mark on the assassin a while ago, rendering him docile. His mind was still his own, but he was bound by the spell's power. Klaus leaned closer, watching as the assassin's frustration slowly turned to resignation. "So, what's it going to be?" Klaus asked, breaking the silence.
The assassin glared, but the fire in his eyes was dimming. "You think you can control me?"
Klaus smirked. "Control? Not quite. I prefer the term 'guiding hand.' You can still think, feel, and plot. You just can't act on those thoughts without my say-so."
The assassin's jaw tightened, but he stayed silent, weighing his options. Klaus could see the struggle within him, the conflict between pride and survival.
"Tell me what I want to know," Klaus urged, his tone shifting from playful to serious. "Who sent you? What's your mission?" Of course, he already knew he was there to kill him and even knew who sent him, but he had to fake it to get what he wanted.
After a moment, the assassin finally spoke. "I'll never tell you anything."
Klaus shrugged. "Fair enough. But remember, the longer you resist, the more time we have for this little game." He leaned back, waiting for the man to crack.
The assassin was completely docile, and he knew it. He could move, run, or even shout if he wanted, but the spell wouldn't allow him to act on his own will. Yet, despite this, that foolish thing called loyalty kept him from cracking. Klaus watched him with mild amusement, knowing the man was trapped in his own stubbornness.
Klaus wasn't in any rush. He didn't have much pressing on his mind or hands at the moment. If push came to shove, he could easily shove the assassin in a closet and head out for the trial. By the time he returned, even the devil himself would have cracked.
"Honestly, I've got all the time in the world," Klaus said with a shrug. "But you, on the other hand, don't. How long do you think that loyalty of yours will hold up? A day? A week?"
The assassin glared, his lips pressed into a thin line, refusing to respond. Klaus sighed dramatically. "Well, since you're choosing the hard way, I suppose I'll just go handle my business. By the time I get back, you'll be begging to talk." He stood up, stretching lazily as if the entire situation bored him.
He glanced down at the assassin one last time, his voice cold and final. "Loyalty won't save you from what's coming. But hey, enjoy your stay in the closet."
With that, Klaus moved away, heading back to the hall. He didn't want to keep looking at the bastard—he might accidentally kill him out of sheer annoyance. Leaving the assassin to stew in his own thoughts, since that was all he could do now, Klaus decided to have a drink.
As he left, Klaus reached out to his senior in the soul sea, asking if there was a more powerful spell he could use to break the assassin's mind. But the senior's response was blunt: "The current you can't handle the karma that comes with such a stronger spell." Klaus had no choice but to make do with what he had.
Not long after, Klaus found himself in a small bar inside their suit. The low lighting and the quiet atmosphere were a welcome break from the tense encounter. Just as he settled down with a drink in hand, Anna walked out of her room, her eyes slightly puffy from lack of sleep.
"Can't sleep, huh?" Klaus asked, taking a sip from his glass.
REMOVE ADS FROM $1
Report chapter CommentsContact - ToS
THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC169: An Unexpected Conversation [Bonus]
Anna sighed, rubbing her eyes as she sat down across from him. "Yeah..." she muttered, clearly exhausted.
She glanced at what Klaus was drinking and, without hesitation, poured herself a glass of the same. Klaus raised an eyebrow as he watched her gulp down the juice in one go.
"You're not worried about the trial tomorrow, are you?" Klaus asked in a sarcastic tone, trying to lighten the mood. But Anna didn't smile. Instead, she looked at him with a seriousness that made him pause.
"Klaus, do you think I can make it into the top ten?" she asked, her voice steady but filled with uncertainty.
Klaus took a slow sip from his drink, then replied, "Of course, Anna. You can easily make it. Just don't overthink it."
His words seemed to lift some of the weight from her shoulders, but they didn't erase the doubt from her eyes.
"My sister... she was first in the Regional Trial during her time. I just don't want to fall too short," Anna admitted, her tone troubled. Klaus raised an eyebrow, finally understanding why she was so tense. It was about her sister.
"Anna, you're not your sister," Klaus said after a moment, his voice firmer. "You're your own person. So instead of worrying about living up to her level, focus on walking your own path."
He wasn't great at comforting people, and he knew it. His reserved nature didn't leave much room for consoling others, especially when it came to women like Anna. He could be bold, even shameless, around them, but this... this was different.
"You say that, but I see the way you look at me," Anna said softly, her gaze shifting. "It's not the same way you look at my sister."
Her eyes held a hint of sadness that made Klaus's stomach churn. This conversation was veering in a direction he didn't want to go. Not that he hated it but he didn't want to have that conversation now, especially with an assassin currently held hostage in his room. But Klaus knew this was also a chance to play a small game on her.
He gulped, feeling a sudden wave of discomfort. "Anna, I—" He struggled to find the right words, but nothing seemed right.
"It's okay," she interrupted, forcing a small smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I just... I don't want to disappoint anyone."
Klaus rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the tension rise. "You're not going to disappoint anyone. Least of all me." He meant it, but he wasn't sure if it was enough to ease her mind.
Anna stared into her empty glass, her fingers tracing the rim. "I just wish I could believe that."
Klaus sighed, leaning back in his chair. This was not the conversation he had expected, and he wasn't sure how to navigate it. He wanted to tell her everything would be fine, that she didn't need to compare herself to anyone, especially her sister. But the words stuck in his throat, feeling hollow and unconvincing.
Nevertheless, Klaus knew what had to be done. He has been planning on doing that already.
After a moment, he spoke, his voice more serious. "Anna, I don't want to sound cruel, but... you're being unfair here." He paused, meeting her gaze. "You know I love your sister, and I've never hidden that from you. But between you and me, you know I don't hate you, not even in the slightest"
Anna's expression didn't change, but her eyes held a flicker of something—pain, maybe. Klaus hesitated, searching for the right words, but this conversation was like walking through a minefield.
"It's just that... things are different between us," he continued. "I've always seen you as... well, someone I care about deeply. But it's not the same as what I have with your sister."
The air between them grew heavy with silence. Klaus hated the words coming out of his mouth, but he couldn't stop now, he had already ventured into the delicate part of her heart.
Anna looked down at her hands, her fingers tightly gripping the glass. "So you're saying you love me, but not in the way you love her," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
Klaus nodded slowly. "Yeah... something like that." He wished he could make it sound better, but he didn't know how. Lucy is her older sister and she is still young.
"I see," Anna said quietly, her shoulders slumping as the weight of his words sank in. "So, I'm just... second place?"
"No, that's not what I'm saying at all, and you know it" Klaus replied quickly, leaning forward. "You're not second place to anyone, Anna. It's just... complicated."
"Complicated," she echoed, her voice flat. She took a deep breath, forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Well, I guess that makes sense. Life's always complicated, right?"
Klaus winced, knowing how much his words had hurt her, even if she wasn't showing it. He hated this. Hated seeing her in pain because of him. But what could he do? The truth was the truth, no matter how much it stung.
"Anna, I didn't want to hurt you. I'm just trying to be honest with you," he said softly, reaching across the table to touch her hand. "I care about you more than you know."
She pulled her hand away gently, shaking her head. "It's fine, Klaus. Really. I just... I need some time to think."
He nodded, feeling a sharp pang of regret in his chest as she stood up. Anna gave him one last look, her eyes full of unsaid emotions, then turned and walked back to her room, leaving Klaus alone with his thoughts.
"Little brother, that was cruel," Hanna's voice suddenly came from behind Klaus, soft but sharp. "But it had to be said, and I understand why you did it," she added, stepping closer.
Klaus sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I know. But I had to check whether she would have a straight mind and continue her cultivation if something were to go wrong. I don't hate her at all, I just don't want her to get into something she later might regret.
I have seen how my influence can be on people and I know despite her feelings for me, those influences might be clouding her judgment somehow. If she can get through this, then she will be ready for what comes next"
Since regaining parts of his past memories, Klaus no longer felt young and naïve. The weight of his experiences had aged him beyond his years. Fruity might not be the social type, but he was in the midst of intelligent monks for over 15 years. It has been a long time since I have learned a lot about life.
He was much more mature now. In the past, he wouldn't have hesitated to shower Anna with sweet words, comforting her without a second thought. But things had changed. Now he knew what needed to be done for her own good. At least for now, he wanted her to understand some things, even if it hurt.
"Then why didn't you just tell her that?" Hanna asked.
Klaus exhaled deeply, rubbing his temples. "Because if I pamper her and tell her all the sweet things, it might get stuck in her head. She might start believing everything is okay when it's not. Also, I want to see if she's doing all this just to please me or if she truly wants to become stronger—much stronger than she is now."
Hanna nodded slowly, watching her little brother with a thoughtful expression. She understood what he was trying to say, even if it wasn't easy to hear.
"And," Klaus continued, a faint smile pulling at the corner of his lips, "if I'd been all sweet now, it would've spoiled my reward for her after the trial tomorrow."
"A reward?" Hanna raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Yeah," Klaus said, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "I've got something planned. She just needs to prove herself first." He leaned back, letting out a small chuckle. "But she'll never see it coming."
Well, that would have been true if not for a certain young lady currently hiding beside the doorway, eavesdropping on Klaus and Hanna's conversation. Lily, with a mischievous grin on her face, had overheard everything. She tiptoed away, barely excited, before bolting down the hall and straight into Anna's room.
A few moments later, the sad Anna was now smiling, the previous sadness washed away. Klaus's mission to test her has clearly failed.
REMOVE ADS FROM $1
Report chapter CommentsContact - ToS
THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC170: An Assassin's Loyalty [Bonus]
Klaus spent a few minutes chatting with Hanna. When midnight came, he asked if he could stay the night with her. Hanna didn't mind at all. They were siblings now, and despite Klaus's reputation for being shameless, she instinctively knew he wouldn't do anything inappropriate.
She couldn't explain why she felt so certain, but the way Klaus looked at her told her everything. There was no hint of bad intentions in his eyes. Their mother had even reassured her, saying she didn't need to worry about Klaus. He wasn't the type to cross that line with her.
In truth, Klaus's past—his life as Fruity—made him extra protective of Hanna. He carried memories of the time they had spent together, the love and care she had shown him, and the ultimate sacrifice she had made for him and his in the end.
Klaus knew just holding her hand as they slept wouldn't be enough to repay that. In his heart, he vowed to make her happy, to ensure she never had to worry about anything again. That night, they both drifted off to sleep with peaceful smiles on their faces.
At 4 a.m. the next morning, Klaus quietly got up and went to his room. He had an assassin under his spell, and it was time to check on him. The senior had told him to be patient—the spell would work on its own, but it required time.
When Klaus entered the room, he found the assassin sitting silently, staring at his poison dagger. The man looked like he was thinking about ending his own life, but something was stopping him. The Bewitching spell wouldn't let him take that final step.
"So, are you ready to talk, or are you still holding on to that loyalty?" Klaus asked casually, his expression relaxed.
Number 91's hands trembled as he stared at the mocking smile on Klaus's face. He wanted nothing more than to sever that head off his neck while that infuriating grin was still there, but he couldn't. No matter how much he tried to muster the strength, he was powerless. His stubborn loyalty was eating away at him, but it wasn't just that—his very soul was being consumed by the spell.
In truth, Klaus could've ended it easily. If he used the Eye of Malevolence, he'd be able to extract some memories from the man's mind, it would be painful for both of them. He doesn't yet have the mental and Soul capacity to do such a thing.
But even if he could, a part of him didn't want to. He was savoring the situation, watching the once-loyal assassin squirm. Another part of him thought it would be far more satisfying to record the man spilling his secrets and send the footage to his employers.
They had tried to kill him, and now Klaus wanted to strike back—hard. The best way to do that was to show the Dark Order that he could turn anyone. When he said "anyone," he meant even the most loyal could be bewitched.
"Let me make this clear," Klaus said, his voice cold and sharp. "You will die today. Or maybe tomorrow, depending on how fast you talk. But instead of getting your fingers cut off, then your toes, then your hands, feet, tongue, ears—every piece of you, little by little—your death could be quick. Painless, even. All you have to do is tell me what I need to know."
Number 91's breathing quickened, sweat dripping down his face. Klaus's words cut through the room like a knife, leaving the assassin no room for hope. He knew Klaus wasn't bluffing. The man standing before him had no mercy, and the only thing keeping him alive now was his silence.
But for how long?
Klaus's cold eyes gleamed as he watched the assassin's internal battle. The assassin's resolve was cracking, his defiance hanging by a thread.
"So," Klaus continued, his voice even colder now, "what's it going to be? Are you going to keep holding on to that worthless loyalty and suffering... or are you going to save yourself from unnecessary pain?"
"The Dark Order sent me," Number 91 muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. He looked down, avoiding Klaus's piercing gaze. "And before you ask who they are or where to find them, know this—I'm just an assassin with the designation Number 91. I receive orders and payment, and that's all I can tell you."
Klaus raised an eyebrow, amused. "That's all you can tell me? Or all you will tell me?" He leaned in closer, his tone dark and menacing. "Because right now, you're not in any position to make that choice."
Number 91 swallowed hard, his throat dry. He had given Klaus something, but it wasn't enough. The name of the Dark Order meant nothing to Klaus, and he knew that. It was like throwing a scrap at a wolf and hoping it would walk away.
Klaus smirked, clearly unimpressed. "I've heard about the Dark Order. They think they're untouchable, moving in the shadows, sending their puppets to do their dirty work." He stepped closer, his eyes locked on Number 91. "But you're wrong if you think you're just a nameless pawn. You do know something, and I'm going to get it out of you."
Number 91's heart pounded in his chest. He knew there was no escaping this. The spell, the pain, and Klaus's cold gaze on him are menacing enough.
"Now, let's try again," Klaus said, his voice chillingly calm. "Tell me everything. Names, locations, and how they operate. Don't make me ask twice."
"I receive orders through an envelope, and that's about it," Number 91 said, his voice trembling slightly. "But there are safe houses in every city. To access them, you need a key. This ring—" he lifted his hand, showing a plain black band on his finger, "—is that key."
He paused, his breathing uneven. "Like I said, I don't know where the Dark Order's headquarters are. Not even at the Regional level. If you're trying to find them, the best place to start is their safehouses in the cities."
He looked up at Klaus, hoping that was enough, that he'd finally said all he knew.
Klaus studied him for a long moment, his eyes sharp and calculating. There was no hesitation in Number 91's voice, no flicker of a lie. Klaus could tell the man was being truthful. Maybe he didn't know everything, but what he had given was valuable.
Klaus nodded slowly, his expression neutral. "You've done well," he said, his tone flat but with a hint of something darker beneath. He took the ring from Number 91's trembling hand, examining it briefly before slipping it into his pocket.
Number 91 let out a shaky breath, unsure if this meant his suffering would soon end. His eyes darted to Klaus, desperate for any sign of mercy.
"So, where is the Dark Order's safe house in this city? Or in Ross City?" Klaus asked, his tone sharp and demanding.
After a tense pause, Number 91 finally gave up the locations. His voice wavered, barely holding together as he shared the secret he had sworn to protect. Klaus listened carefully, memorizing every detail.
Once Klaus had the information he needed, he stepped back and looked at Number 91 with cold, emotionless eyes. "You should have picked a different line of work," he said, his voice low and harsh. "Instead of getting paid to kill people."
Klaus's gaze hardened. "But for telling me what I needed to know, I'll grant you a quick death."
With that, Klaus's sword materialized in his hand, glowing faintly with power. In one swift, fluid motion, the blade sliced through the air. Number 91 didn't have time to react as his head rolled from his body, hitting the floor with a dull thud.
Klaus slid his sword back into his space ring with a swift motion, the blade vanishing from sight. He bent down, encasing the severed head in an ice sculpture, preserving it perfectly before tucking it into his space ring as well.
The body was a different matter—he glanced at the lifeless form and with a flick of his fingers, ice began to creep over it, freezing it solid. Once it was completely encased, Klaus shattered it into fine pieces, dissolving it into nothingness.
He stood there for a moment, satisfied with how clean the process was. No trace, no mess. Just like that, he had secured a lead.
"Now the Dark Order will know exactly who they tried to kill," he said, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Even if it was just a contract from someone else, they would soon realize their mistake for trying to kill him and making those around him worry.
REMOVE ADS FROM $1
Report chapter CommentsContact - ToS
THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC171: Going to the Regional Trial
Klaus took a bath washing the stench of death off him and then went back to studying the Pentaface bead for the next few hours. Around 7, there was a knock on the door. When Klaus opened it, he saw Anna standing there, looking right at him.
"Good morning, Anna," Klaus said, trying not to think about the awkward conversation they had the night before.
"Good morning, Klaus," Anna replied, her tone carrying a hint of guilt. Klaus wasn't sure how to respond, but before he could say anything, Anna stepped forward and hugged him. An unexpected hug that is.
"Klaus, I know you said those hurtful things because you think I'm still young, and I understand that," she whispered. "But I want you to know, I won't give up that easily. I will find a way into your heart. If not now, then maybe a year from now, or two, when I'm more mature for you."
Klaus's heart pounded at her words. It's not that girls her age can't date, it's more like girls her age dating are just wasting their time instead of focusing on cultivating and training to brave this apocalyptic world.
They can date, but when all they think about all day is their significant other, then they are doomed. Klaus doesn't focus on just that, he has his priorities set, god knows he needs all the time to prepare since he will always have to fight for his life whenever he is breaking through realms.
He might have said those words to make Anna set her priorities straight, but he was also doing it to give himself at least a few years to grow before these instructions piled up. After witnessing a part of his past self, Klaus started to change without him even realizing it.
So hearing her, Klaus knew Anna had been thinking about those things. Thankfully, Klaus thickened his skin and made her realize she was complicating things for herself and him. Ohema and Lucy were both mature, unlike Anna and Lily who could get excited over every small thing.
Anna broke the hug, and with her flustered expression, she hurried to her room. Klaus just smiled and headed to eat the breakfast delivered by room service.
Danny and the boys were already eating, so he joined them without a second thought. Meanwhile, Anna found herself sitting with two Fairies listening to them like a baby bird.
"He's right, Anna. You're still young," Hanna said gently, watching Anna's conflicted expression. "But understand this—he does love you. It's just... it's a lot for him right now. He loves you both.
Give him time."
Anna's face softened, but she said nothing. Lily, standing nearby, nodded in silent agreement. They both knew Hanna was right.
"Anyway," Hanna added, standing up with purpose, "we should get ready. The trial starts at ten O clock"
With that, the women quietly excused themselves, heading off to prepare for the day ahead. A little while later, they left the hotel in the same flying car they had been using.
On the way, Klaus glanced at his friends and smirked mischievously.
"Although none of you will be getting the first spot, since this handsome friend of yours already has it, I expect each and every one of you to land in the top 50 among the 1,000 who will be selected."
His friends rolled their eyes, knowing he was being serious in his shameless way. They all understood that Klaus was an anomaly; everyone knew that. None of them were confident they could take that spot from him, but they sighed, realizing that getting into the top 50 was what everyone aimed for.
There were about 12,000 geniuses competing in the trial, but only 1,000 would be selected. It was common knowledge that those in the top 50 gained the most recognition and attracted support from others looking to win favor with them.
It happened every time there was a trial like this. So every youngster will aim for the spot.
"Just do what you can," he said, his tone sincere. "I have no doubt you all will advance to the next stage."
His friends nodded, determination settling on their faces. Klaus then leaned back in his seat, glancing at his phone as if expecting something. Shortly after, it began to ring.
"My dear mother, I thought you wouldn't call to wish me good luck," Klaus said with a smile, seeing his mother's face on the screen.
"Klaus, dear, good luck! Now put your sister on," his mother replied.
Klaus grinned and handed the phone over to Hanna.
"Baby girl, good luck in the trial! Make sure you show this bastard what you're made of," Klaus's mother said, her voice warm and encouraging. Hanna beamed at the praise.
"A traitor mother and sister, tsk," Klaus pouted silently, but he didn't say anything. He watched as his mother showered Hanna with affection before she handed the phone back to him.
"Okay, Klaus baby, take care of yourself and your sister. Bye!" His mother smiled teasingly before hanging up.
A few seconds later, a text came through: "Good luck, my love! Show everyone what a handsome and shameless son who peeks on his mother is made of."
Klaus wanted to smash his phone and jump out of the car, but he held back. Clearly, his mother wouldn't let go of that incident anytime soon. He smiled despite his embarrassment and leaned back in his chair, ready to face whatever came next.
A while later, they appeared in the view of a massive building, almost similar to the same building in Ross City.
As they neared, Klaus could see thousands of young people gathered outside, each ready to showcase their skills. Klaus sighed as he took in the scene; he knew that many would have their dreams of entering the prestigious academy in the entire world crushed today.
But who was he to complain? They alighted from the flying car and walked toward a corner. To his surprise, Klaus spotted his dear friend—at least, that's how he saw him, lol—standing there with a few friends and some familiar faces he had met at the Felin Youth Ball.
"My dear friend Miguel! It's been ages! You don't happen to miss me as much as I miss you, do you?" Klaus called out, moving closer to Miguel's group.
Miguel's expression twisted with disdain. He hated Klaus with a passion, and seeing that handsome, white-haired bastard only fueled his anger. All he wanted was to sever Klaus's head from his neck, but he forced himself to maintain a composed exterior.
"Funny how you think anyone would miss you," Miguel retorted, crossing his arms. The tension in the air crackled as their respective groups sized each other up.
"Ah, Brother Yaw is also here!" Daniel suddenly called out, walking toward a young man standing in Miguel's group. They seemed to know each other well. This gesture helped ease the tension in the air as friends began chatting among themselves.
Klaus stood with a mocking smile, his gaze fixed on Miguel. "When you're done hating me, I'd like to have a proper duel," Klaus said, throwing a cheeky grin at Miguel before moving in a different direction.
"Brother Nathan! Long time no see," Klaus greeted warmly as he approached a familiar face. This young man is the son of Dave Arcadia, the leader of the Arcadian Great Family and the wealthiest individual in the Eastern Region of the Northern Union.
"Ah, Brother Klaus! I'm sorry about what happened during the invasion. It was our negligence that nearly cost you your life," Daniel said, his tone sincere.
"Don't sweat it; accidents happen," Klaus replied, waving off the concern. "Tell me, how are things going lately? What happened to that group you were forming for the expedition to the Tier 3 Forbidden Zone?"
They exchanged updates for a while, Klaus absorbing all the information he could from Nathan. After their conversation, he returned to his group, feeling more informed and grounded.
After about an hour of waiting, the massive doors of the building opened, and everyone began to move in, anticipation buzzing in the air.
"Welcome to the Regional Selection Trial of the Celestial Mountain Academy" After everybody found themselves in the building, a voice suddenly spoke quieting them.
REMOVE ADS FROM $1
Report chapter CommentsContact - ToS
THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC172: Entering The Trial
A projection of a lady appeared, just like during the city selection. Klaus and everyone fell silent, eager to hear what she had to say.
"Congratulations on making it this far," she began. "This is the regional trial. As you already know, we will only be selecting 1,000 out of the 12,000 present here. However, those who wash out of this trial will still receive some attention from the academy."
Everyone listened intently. They understood that this would be their last chance to make an impression, even if they didn't succeed. "But that's as far as it goes. You might gain some recognition, which, while limited, will still draw some positive attention toward you."
No one was shocked by her words. They all knew that only the top 1,000 would advance, so they braced themselves for the news. Still, a few couldn't help but sigh in resignation.
"Now, let's discuss the structure of the trial. It will be like the city selection, but instead of moving through multiple stages, there will be only one stage called Endless Tide. As the name suggests, you will face an unending onslaught of monsters and zombies, ranging from Tier 4 to Tier 6."
A hush fell over the crowd as they absorbed her words. "There will be no breaks between tides. So if you don't want to be overwhelmed by stronger monsters, it's advisable to kill as quickly as you can. The strongest enemy you'll encounter will be Tier 6 Terrors or Tier 6 Zombie Generals, and there will be tides of them. So prepare yourselves."
Hearing this, everyone let out a collective sigh, a chill running down their spines. The weight of the challenge settled heavily on their shoulders. Klaus, standing with his friends, glanced at them and shook his head. They looked scared.
He understood their fear; they had never faced such large tides of monsters before. Klaus had, and it had been thrilling. Seeing his friends so worried made him want to comfort them, but instead, he said something that made them want to murder him.
"You guys are chickens. They're just monsters. How hard can it be to kill them?" It wasn't just his friends who glared at him; those nearby were ready to join in on the murder.
Klaus just smiled, unfazed, and turned his attention back to the lady's projection.
"Also, I know many of you noticed that the monsters during the city trials were weaker than those in the real world. We designed it that way so they could exert only 60 percent of their strength." Many nodded in understanding, recalling how easy it had been to defeat those creatures.
"However," she continued, "for this trial, the monsters will wield between 80 to 90 percent of their strength. So good luck, and may the strong and intelligent come out on top."
A heavy silence fell over the crowd as the implications sank in. The stakes had just risen dramatically. But there was no time to hesitate; doors opened along the walls, signaling them to enter.
"Alright, guys, try not to die early. It would be a bummer if some of you washed out," Klaus said with a grin. He cast a sneaky glance at a certain blonde-haired beauty who was watching them, more specifically, Danny. "Also, Danny, I think Alice is gunning for you, so be sure to make her happy."
Danny smiled and walked away, ready to chase his dreams. Anna looked at Klaus, and for some reason, she smiled as she walked off. This made Klaus raise an eyebrow, puzzled by her expression. The smile wasn't ordinary at all and Klaus knew that.
"Big sister, you should probably go. I think all of Mom's good luck has been given to you," Klaus said with a playful pout, eyeing Hanna, who couldn't help but smile before leaving. Clearly, the mommy's boy didn't like not getting all the attention anymore.
'Maybe I should take her to the mountains and leave her there for a few days. That will give me more alone time with Mom,' Klaus thought as he moved toward a certain door. The idea made him chuckle, but he quickly focused on the task ahead. The challenge awaited, and he was ready to face it head-on.
After walking through the doorway, he found himself in a room similar to the one for the city selection. Klaus lay back in a bed-like chair and placed the gaming helmet on his head. Soon, his consciousness entered Oracle, leaving his physical body vulnerable on the outside.
Meanwhile, in a room somewhere within the large building, the officials overseeing the trial were gathered. The lady who had made the announcement was present, along with a certain cute, dark-haired lady with a heavy chest—the War Goddess. She sat with her arms crossed, almost as if supporting those mountains.
"War Goddess, are you sure about this?" the announcement lady asked, her voice tinged with concern.
"Yes, Set his trial to 100 percent and increase the rate at which the monsters come," she replied. The lady looked puzzled but nodded, glancing toward the screen that showed Klaus selecting his weapons. She made some adjustments and sighed.
Inside the game, Klaus was presented with all types of weapons, but he chose only two: a sword and Viper Piercing Needles. It would be his first time using the needles in combat, so he wanted to have a backup plan.
The sword served as that backup, but even without it, he had the Ice Lotus and his Pentaface bead. However, he didn't plan to use any of that now; he wanted to focus on training with the needles and sharpening his mind during this trial.
After selecting his weapons, Klaus was transported to a vast field that stretched for thousands of kilometers. The landscape was dry and deserted, but with his senses heightened, he could already feel the presence of monsters approaching.
He could use the needles effectively within a 10-kilometer radius; beyond that, their attack power would drop. So, he waited patiently. According to the instructions, there would be an endless tide of monsters, and he knew there would be plenty to kill.
In the other parts of Oracle, youngsters stood in similar fields, preparing themselves and their weapons for the impending onslaught. Anna held her staff, exuding an air of calm as chill as ice. Lily gripped her sword tightly, the atmosphere around her seeming to respond to her steady heartbeat.
Danny, Daniel, and others were also poised in their respective trial spaces, eagerly awaiting the monsters' arrival. This is their time to show what they are made of, whether they qualify to be Klaus's friends or not.
Meanwhile, on one side of the trial space, Hanna stood with her bow in hand, crackling with subtle lightning. She has an affinity for the lightning element which in some way is very lethal for an archer.
Suddenly, hundreds of Tier 4 dark monsters appeared on the horizon, their various shapes and sizes looming ominously. Hanna narrowed her eyes watching them as they crossed the 5-kilometer mark. In an instant, a thick lightning arrow materialized in her bow. With a powerful pull, she released the arrow.
As it flew toward the first monster, it burst into sparks of lightning that streaked through the bodies of the creatures. Just like that, over a hundred monsters were dispatched, and she was just getting started. More Lightning arrows followed
=======
Back to Klaus's battle space, he watched as the monsters entered his 10-kilometer radius, a smile creeping across his face. He suddenly released the Viper Piercing Needles, making 45 of them float around him. With a thought, the 45 Needles moved and merged forming one large and thick needle.
He grinned again and, with a quick gesture, he sent the needle flying at terrifying speed. What followed holes through heads and monsters dissipating into nothingness.
REMOVE ADS FROM $1
Report chapter CommentsContact - ToS
THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC173: Like a Lightning Goddess With a Bow
Lightning streaked across the battlefield like a meteor shower, lighting up the sky in brilliant flashes. The monster that had dared to approach barely made it within 3km of the young woman holding the lightning-streaked bow firing lighting shot after shot.
Hanna stood her ground, calmly firing one lightning arrow after another. She didn't bother with any fancy techniques or flashy moves. It was as if she didn't have any special skills at all, aside from morphing her lightning into arrows. And in truth, she didn't. She was one of the many who had awakened without any active skills.
Her only strength was her lightning element, and that alone made her stand out despite her lack of active skills. It gave her a raw, unshakable power that put her a step above the average awakened. She had no fancy combat moves or special abilities. All she could do was shoot her bow, transforming her lightning into deadly arrows.
But the speed at which she was killing was unlike anything you'd expect from someone with such a basic and average Stats. Everybody knew lightning element is one of the most powerful elements out, so it wasn't a coincidence she was that lethal with the bow.
During the city selection, Hanna had nearly washed out. Had it not been for a stroke of luck, she wouldn't have even made it into the top 200. That near-failure broke her for days, leaving her devastated.
But instead of giving up, she pushed herself harder. She began training relentlessly. Though she lacked active skills, she knew that honing her lightning abilities alone would be enough for now—until she could afford to buy a skill, which for some reason, cost an absurd amount.
They always said that once you reach the Saint-level, you'll automatically gain a passive skill and an active skill. Some lucky individuals even received a full technique set. Hanna had her sights set on that. It was her goal. But she also knew the path to becoming a Saint wasn't going to be easy.
That's why she was exploiting a loophole in the trial, one the announcement lady had hinted at. She planned to use it to her advantage.
The trial is called Endless for a reason. In most trials, you had to clear the first wave of monsters before the next one came. But this one was different. There were no waves. The monsters appeared at random, all mixed together.
Right now, Tier 4 monsters were roaming the battlefield, but Tier 6 could show up at any moment, with no warning. It was chaotic—but in a strange way, Hanna found it exhilarating.
She knew some of the geniuses with slower kill rates would be overwhelmed when the higher-tier monsters arrived. They'd be crushed under the sheer weight of numbers. But not her. She had figured out the key to survival—kill fast, rack up points before things got out of control.
And so far, her plan was working.
With her lightning arrows firing at an insane speed, Hanna was eliminating monsters quicker than anyone else. Her ability to stay ahead of the chaos made all the difference. While others were still struggling with the Tier 4 creatures, she was already thinking about the higher ones that would inevitably come.
She wasn't just here to survive. She was here to win—and stay beside her little brother, Klaus, who had accepted her into his family. These past days with Klaus and his mother had been the best of her life. She wasn't going to lose her place by Klaus's side anytime soon. After all, she is still Klaus's personal assistant.
Unbeknownst to Hanna, the moment Klaus woke up from his 72-day coma and welcomed her as his sister, her destiny changed in ways none of them could have imagined. And now, during the trial, part of that change was beginning to show.
Hanna's grip on her bow remained as firm as ever, but something was shifting within her. At first, she relied purely on raw strength to make her lightning arrows fly with devastating power. But now, there was something else happening, something deeper. It showed in her eyes.
Her eyes flickered with lightning, the same energy that now danced around her. As she loosed arrow after arrow, it was as though she was transforming. Even though this was just a virtual world, her consciousness was being affected by something greater.
She was becoming more lethal, more precise. Her lightning arrows began dealing far more damage than before. When Tier 5 monsters appeared, they stood no chance. They crumbled under the weight of her power.
The battlefield soon filled with creatures ranging from Tier 4 to Tier 6, but none of them managed to cross the 2km line she had set. It was like an invisible barrier of destruction; anything that dared to approach was struck down before even getting close.
Hanna wasn't just fighting anymore—she was evolving. Her lightning grew fiercer, her attacks sharper, and even in this digital realm, she felt the change within her soul. Something had awakened, and it was making her stronger than she ever imagined.
Yet through it all, Hanna's thoughts remained steady. All she could do was kill—and keep killing.
===============
In the observation room overseeing the trial, 12,000 small screens displayed the participants' progress. Soon, some of the screens began to turn red, signaling that contenders were washing out. The speed of their failures was staggering, and in no time, the number of active screens began to dwindle.
"Who is that?" a lady suddenly asked, pointing at one screen showing Hanna's trial. The display showed her firing lightning arrow after lightning arrow with deadly precision.
"Is she not using any skills?" a man commented, eyes fixed on the way Hanna's lightning arrows materialized seamlessly in her bow.
"Indeed," the announcement lady confirmed, clearly impressed. "She's just using her lightning as arrows. No skills involved."
"But how is that possible? You can't maintain that speed and power without a skill or technique," another person chimed in, making everyone else glance curiously at Hanna's screen.
"That's because this young lady has a lightning elemental mark," a calm voice spoke from the back. The War Goddess, who had been silently observing, now looked closely at Klaus's big sister, a small smile tugging at her lips. "It's faint, but it's there. I doubt she even realizes it yet."
"What? That... that shouldn't be possible," the announcement lady stammered. "Only someone who has formed a Sage Core can start sensing an elemental mark, talk less of someone who is just a master"
"Well," the War Goddess said, "she's a genius, then. The mark is there, and that's why she's wielding her lightning with such mastery."
The officials in the room exchanged shocked glances. They knew exactly what an elemental mark was—and what it meant. It's a rare, powerful link that binds an individual closer to the element they awaken.
Those with that mark often seen as a tattoo on their forehead hold great control over the said element with unparalleled mastery. So anyone with the mark or promised to have the mark is branded as a genius among geniuses.
The day she awakens the mark is the day she will truly command the storm and the heavens with lightning grace.
"She's like a Lightning goddess with a bow," a younger woman whispered, her eyes sparkling with admiration as she watched Hanna's lethal efficiency.
Hanna, unaware of the conversations happening in the observation room, continued firing her lightning arrows, each shot more powerful than the last.
However, on one side inside the Oracle, Klaus is standing at one spot and using his hands like a choir coordinator to direct the Void Piercing Needle to kill monsters like they are dummies.
[A/N: Full disclosure, aside from the Main Character, Hanna is my second favorite character. I am sure y'all will love her once you read about her pasts]
REMOVE ADS FROM $1
Report chapter CommentsContact - ToS
THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC174: A Boring Trial
Klaus stood still, only his fingers moving as the Void Piercing Needle darted through the air, piercing holes in the heads of monsters. Everywhere it went, creatures disintegrated into nothingness, leaving only the eerie silence of their death.
The needle moved with terrifying speed, killing relentlessly. Tier 4 monsters appeared, but they didn't even last a minute before they were obliterated. There wasn't even a hint of resistance in their attempts to withstand Klaus's attacks.
It was as if they weren't worth the effort. Even though Klaus is fighting these monsters at their full strength, this is still the virtual world. They lacked the natural aura of intimidation they would normally have on the outside. But still, there shouldn't have been such little resistance to the way Klaus was destroying them.
It felt almost too easy.
"At this rate, I won't even have to move an inch," Klaus said, disappointment creeping into his voice. He watched as the monsters fell one after another, feeling a sense of emptiness in their swift defeat.
The thrill of battle was fading, replaced by a dull sense of monotony. He longed for a challenge, something that would make his heart race. Instead, it felt like he was merely going through the motions, his skills wasted on such weak opponents.
Klaus sighed, wishing for a fight that would truly test him. He glanced around, hoping for a glimpse of something more formidable. But for now, the virtual world offered nothing but easy victories.
The Tier 6 monsters that appeared were all weaker than Klaus had expected. He couldn't quite understand why, but with his Eye of Malevolence observing the battle, he felt a strange sense of control. The monsters charging at him seemed like mere objects, each with countless ways to be destroyed.
He could pinpoint where to strike for an instant kill. As the needle moved, it became nearly invisible to the naked eye. The monsters didn't even realize what had hit them before it was too late.
Klaus knew if he were to start using the Nine Stars Ice Lotus Bloom right now, then the monsters wouldn't have much resistance. Even without it, they are not showing any resistance, not even in the slightest.
"Had I known I could use the Spirit Master Powers like this, I would have mastered using more than 100 needles by now," Klaus mused, watching as the monsters fell without a hint of resistance. The ease of it all left him feeling both powerful and unsatisfied.
The challenge he craved never came, on a bunch of weak monsters coming endlessly yet not able to do anything to him.
However, while Klaus was feeling bored, the thousands of young fighters were struggling. Many are facing overwhelming odds, especially those with slower killing speeds. Some were getting swarmed by the sheer number of monsters charging at them. Those who managed to kill faster were holding on, but it was only a temporary reprieve.
Even Klaus's friends were not faring as well as he was. On one side of the battlefield, Danny had switched to a heavy spear-like weapon, delivering devastating blows. But it wasn't easy for him either. Soon, he would be overwhelmed by the relentless tide of monsters.
Daniel was also in the thick of it, wielding his axe with heaven-shaking might. Both Dannys are brute-strength fighters. They rely on heavy weapons to deliver powerful attacks
Brute strength fighters have some devastating attack power, but when overwhelmed, their killing speed would slow dramatically. Daniel was doing his best to kill as many monsters as possible before the situation became unmanageable. The weight of the battle pressed on him, and he knew time was running out.
Mark was having it slightly easier, but not by much. His spear spun, stabbed, and struck as he focused on killing as fast as he could. However, in this large-scale battle, he struggled to keep up his killing speed. Spearmen are powerful fighters, but in this chaotic situation, he felt the weight of the monsters closing in.
Kay, on the other hand, was in his element. His fire arrows are activating every second, raining down flames on the monsters. He moved with agility, ensuring he kept his distance from the approaching threats. As an archer, it was only natural for him to maintain that gap.
Kilian on the other hand is swinging his blazing sword, slicing through monsters and unleashing arcs of fire with each strike. His attacks were lethal, and even without awakening his sword qi, his attack power was very impressive. The fire danced around him, making each move look both beautiful and deadly.
Lily, his sister, appeared to be one with the wind. With her affinity for the wind element, she was the fastest in the group. Her sword sliced through the air, sending wind arcs that cut silently through the monsters. She moved effortlessly, her speed making her a difficult target as she darted around the battlefield.
They all seem to be giving it their all as they battle the monsters like their life depend on it. well, it kinda does.
As for Anna, she was on an entirely different level. Like Klaus, she stood in one place, her staff stabbed firmly into the ground. Around her, a 1-kilometer radius was frozen solid. This was her killing zone. Although one can tell by the paleness on her face that she is struggling to keep the killing zone active, she doesn't back down either. She stood there with a determined look on her face.
Any monsters entering that zone were faced with a grim fate. Weaker monsters were frozen to death instantly, while stronger ones were encased in ice and pierced by sharp shards that were shooting from the ground. It was the perfect killing domain, and Anna was fighting to maintain it for as long as she could.
Despite the toll it took on her, she remained resolute, channeling her energy to keep the deadly frost alive. She wants to be within the top ten so she is doing all she can to enter that ranking even if it means she just wants to impress Klaus.
As for Hanna, she maintained her killing streak, but the paleness on her face signaled that she would soon be overrun. Despite her impressive speed, she was still an average awakener, and her stats were not that great. The struggle was evident.
In just 20 minutes, 10,000 young fighters had been eliminated. With each passing second, stronger monsters continued to appear, increasing the pressure on everyone.
===========
"I think this trial is meaningless for him. Just look at how he is killing those monsters— is he even human?" a man in the observation room said, watching Klaus.
He stood with both hands behind his back, eyes closed, relying solely on his senses and mind to control the Void Piercing Needle.
If only they knew that even with his eyes closed, Klaus was as deadly as ever. He is a paragon, someone who doesn't need to follow the same rules as everyone else. So it's only natural for him to be this powerful.
But they only see him as an Anomaly, unable to comprehend just how powerful can a master be.
"Even after making his trial extra hard, he seems just fine. Just how powerful is he really?" another observer wondered aloud. The War Goddess watched all of this with a gentle smile on her lips, clearly impressed by Klaus's performance.
=============
"Tsk, this trial should just end already so I can enter a forbidden zone and have a real fight," Inside the Oracle, Klaus muttered, frustration seeping into his voice. It had already been 45 minutes, and even with zombies now flooding the battlefield, it felt dull to him.
The thrill, the rush, the fun—he craved that adrenaline. Some might say it's strange for one to feel that, but Klaus didn't care, the zeel he brought for the Regional trial was washed away. He is bored and everyone watching can see that.
REMOVE ADS FROM $1
Report chapter CommentsContact - ToS