Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse Chapter 371 Face of StarvationTHE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC371 Face of Starvation
"First was the Face of Harrows, the second was the Face of Despair, and now, the Face of Starvation... How interesting, yet disturbing," Klaus murmured, examining the unusual face on the large bead.
Like the other two, it bore no emotion, yet simply looking at it was enough to make one feel many unsettling things.
"Senior, do you have any comments?" Klaus asked.
[Since we're in a sharing mood today, why not add a little more karma to it…] the senior replied in a teasing tone.
"Go ahead, senior…" Klaus responded with a small, calm smile.
[Well, just like the other Forbidden Items, this bead is also forbidden… in other words, it came from one of the Nine Stars. There have been many theories about how it came into being, but the most trustworthy one is what I just told you.
As for what it does, you've already seen some of it. But now that you've found a way to unlock it, there seems to be more to it than just its faces granting you skills. That being said, the Pentaface Bead is a Forbidden Item with five distinct faces.
These faces are called True Faces of a Nightmare. Initially, I wasn't sure if the names I knew were accurate, but since three out of five have proven true, I can only assume the others are as well.
From one to five, we have the Face of Harrows, the Face of Despair, the Face of Starvation, the Face of Anarchy, and the Face of Discord. These are all True Nightmare faces, said to originate from another place called the Forbidden Heavens.]
"The Forbidden Heavens…" Klaus pondered as if trying to recall something. Then he remembered the Heavenly Punishment Yuying received after he uttered those words in his life as Fruity.
'Does this mean things I remember from my past life won't incur punishments in this life?' he wondered.
[Yes... the Forbidden Heavens. It's a place beyond this realm, and as far as I know, it's one of terror and damnation. Many have ventured there, and before you get curious, know that it's not easy to reach… so let's focus on what we know right now.
Experience tales at empire
That being said, these five faces embody pure terror, so use them wisely. A single misstep could unleash something akin to a calamity.]
"Thank you, Senior," Klaus said, then accessed the ability in his mind. It appeared immediately, just like the abilities granted to him by the System—or perhaps the Apocalypse.
***
[Name: Hunger of the Void ]
[Skill Type: Cursed / Drain / Area-of-Effect]
Description: A forbidden skill born from the unholy nightmare of Starvation. It's an unholy skill that shouldn't be used lightly.
Effects:
- Physical Starvation: When this skill is used, the target will feel an immediate and intense hunger that cannot be satisfied by any physical means. Their Stamina and Strength will drain rapidly as their life force is consumed.
- Energy Drain: The skill siphons spiritual qi from those in the affected area, feeding it to the user.
- Mental and Emotional Drain: Those affected by the skill may lose clarity, becoming confused and disoriented. Their focus and willpower weaken, making them vulnerable to manipulation or mental attacks.
Note: This skill requires immense mental strength to wield. Using it without sufficient mental fortitude could plunge you into a state of Despair.
***
"How despicable... but I love it. With this, the Dark Order will regret ever crossing me," Klaus laughed wickedly, formulating all the ways he could exploit this skill.
[Brat, that is one hell of a skill you've got there. With this, you can siphon energy from your targets, which you can either use to strengthen your core or to rejuvenate your own energy.
This means as long as you have enough mental strength to keep it active, you will never run out of stamina since you can easily convert the energy siphoned from the targets and use it to rejuvenate your stamina.]
"How awesome," Klaus said with a beaming smile.
To most, this is a dangerous and sinister skill, but to Klaus, who knew he would never earn the heavens' favor, it was a chance to level the playing field.
[That being said, you shouldn't use it carelessly, since the backlash is several times more horrifying, to say the least.]
"I won't, Senior," Klaus replied.
The first face granted him the Bell of Harrows, which delivers both sonic and soul attacks. It also offers a powerful defensive skill, as any attack aimed at the bell would rebound with adverse effects on the attacker.
It's a rather sinister skill. All Klaus needs is enough Star Qi to strengthen the bell, and when his opponents attack, their own efforts would trigger a sonic and soul attack, dealing considerable damage.
Of course, he can choose to deactivate the sonic and soul attacks, making it purely defensive. But why would he do that… unless it was a friendly spar? Overall, the Bell of Harrows is a skill he cherishes deeply.
The second face, however, granted him the Eye of Despair. This skill has recently become something of a menace. Initially, it had only three effects: Soul Gaze, which delivers soul attacks; the Eye of Malevolence, which inflicts mental attacks through unsettling hums; and the Soul Beam, which deals direct soul damage.
However, after the upgrade, he had unlocked three more effects of the Eye of Despair, and so far, they were the most dangerous skills in his arsenal. The Night of Terror thrusts the target's soul and mind into a state of horror, filling them with unimaginable fear.
The Night of Agony is even worse. Instead of just horror, it assaults their minds and souls with a powerful force that brings intense, relentless agony. He had used it once during his time in Union City, and Klaus knew just how perilous it was.
Then comes the most dreadful of them all, the Night of Retribution. This revenge-type skill drives the mind down a path of pain and torture. Because of these skills, over 500 warriors are currently in seclusion, afraid even to consider continuing down the path of cultivation.
Initially, Klaus didn't want to use these skills on the warriors sent by the three legacies. However, after what transpired between him and them during the genius gathering, sending a clear and sinister message was the best choice.
Now, they're all thinking a hundred times before doing anything reckless. This was especially true for the Legacies.
After the Union Trials, where they failed to place in the top five, they went into seclusion, burning through their resources just to try to surpass Klaus.
But then again, while their effort was certainly admirable, they are still lacking. Klaus has yet again added another sinister skill to his crazy list of sinister and forbidden skills.
Now that the third face had unlocked, he knew for a fact that, if he used these three skills wisely, he could not only wreak severe havoc but also become untouchable when it came to manipulating the mind and soul.
"If only the Seven Forbidden Ice had awakened, I'd be several times more dangerous with these three skills," Klaus thought. With a smile on his face, he moved on to the next item on his agenda.
REMOVE ADS FROM $1
Report chapter CommentsContact - ToS
Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse Chapter 372 Refining Lightning WingsTHE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC372 Refining Lightning Wings
"Damn... this looks like a prison of lightning monsters. But then again, it's a prison of lightning monsters," Klaus smiled, watching the thousands of creatures, each made of pure lightning.
They were now as docile as flowers inside his Tribulation Prison just waiting to be devoured.
'Too bad that bastard only left me one refining technique,' he sighed. Looking at the multitude of lightning monsters, Klaus knew he could do a lot with them.
First, he could use them to strengthen his lightning element, which had grown powerful but hadn't yet awakened—just like his ice element. Klaus would need to absorb a great deal of lightning to awaken it fully.
However, the Lightning Source Diagram, which Number Three had him steal back from the heavens, was intended to be his path forward. With the diagram, he could channel and use the lightning far more efficiently.
Klaus wasn't sure if the diagram contained other heavenly constitutions like the 10,000 he had stolen for his sister, but for now, he just wanted to learn how to use the diagram to its fullest. Number Three had left him with nothing more than this vague starting point.
But aside from the Diagram, he could also use the lightning monsters he stole during the tribulation to strengthen his Nine Stars Ice Lotus Bloom or even the Nirvana Flame Dragon. However, Klaus didn't want to do that just yet.
Returning to the diagram, he didn't know much about it, but from the memory Number Three had left him, he knew there was a refining method that would allow him to refine anything he desired from the lightning.
Strangely, or perhaps mischievously, Number Three had only left him instructions on how to use the refining technique for one purpose: to refine angel wings.
Once completed, he would gain a skill called Lightning Wings, which would grant him the ability to soar through the air.
"Senior, is there a chance you have any refining techniques I could use with the Lightning Source Diagram?" Klaus asked the senior. Explore stories at empire
[I can't help you with that, kid. You'll have to figure it out on your own.]
"I figured as much," Klaus sighed again.
'Damn you, Number Three,' Klaus cursed inwardly. However, no matter how he looked at it, he couldn't complain. Right now, the only thing he lacked was the ability to fly.
Aerial combat is something even Saints who can walk in the air struggle with; in fact, even Sages don't yet have a firm grip on it. It's only after they become Great Sages that their control over gravity is high enough to fight effectively in the air.
Then there's the issue of flight speed. In the air, movement is more challenging compared to land, so regardless of their ability to move in the air, their speed would be significantly lower than on the ground.
However, with wings, flying in the air could be just as fast as running on land, and in some cases, it might even be faster. In that scenario, it would depend on the type of wing you are using.
"According to the technique, I can refine wings that would grant me a speed of over 28,000 miles per hour. However, I won't be wasting all my tribulation lightning just on the wings. At best, I'll aim for 12,000 miles per hour to be safe.
Who knows what might happen to me if I tried going 28,000 miles per hour with my current strength?" Klaus wondered with a smile. He then formed a hand seal, and the diagram appeared.
"Using about 40% of the tribulation lightning for the wings should be enough to achieve a speed between 8,000 and 12,000 miles per hour."
He directed the diagram into the Tribulation Prison, and with just a thought, the monsters started transforming into tribulation runes, entering the diagram. All Klaus had to do was activate the refining method; the rest was up to the diagram.
"Let me kill three birds with one stone," Klaus said, bringing out the Nine Stars Ice Lotus Bloom and directing 30% of the runes into it.
He also sat down and began absorbing the other 30%. At first, he wanted to save some for the dragon, but seeing that the dragon had started upgrading for the second time, he figured he might as well boost his lightning for now.
With fire, ice, and now lightning at his disposal, who knew what he could accomplish?
Within 20 minutes, he had absorbed millions of runes thanks to the Second Paragon Star cultivation technique. He then moved forward and began absorbing the golden energy, which quickly started refining the first qi sea.
Now that he had expanded and stabilized his nine qi seas, all that remained was to refine each one of them into Star Cores. Once that was done, he would be able to break through.
"Although the Second Paragon Star diagram is great, it seems refining this golden energy is rather slow," Klaus sighed.
"But it's speeding up the formation process. At this rate, I will form the first core within the next three weeks if I continuously absorb this energy."
Twelve hours later, the Lotus Flower finished absorbing the runes, becoming even more refined.
"The moment I awaken the ice elements, I can start using the golden energy to upgrade it," Klaus said with a small smile before putting the lotus away.
Thirty-six hours later, the wing was finally done refining. It used only 34% of the lightning, allowing Klaus to save the rest for the diagram. Now that the wing was refined, all that was left was to use it.
Klaus spent a little more time in his soul sea, and after making sure everything was okay, he exited.
"Are you done stabilizing it?" Ohema immediately asked. She had stopped practicing the technique and decided to wait for Klaus to finish so she could finally get back to it.
"I did, and more," Klaus said, standing up. "Watch this." He activated the wings, making the first star tattoo on his back glow faintly.
At once, a pair of whitish-blue wings, resembling those of an angel, appeared on his back.
"Wow," Ohema exclaimed, stepping back.
"Cool, right?" Klaus asked with a beaming smile. Ohema nodded, clearly taken aback by the sudden appearance of the wings.
"Here I go," Klaus said, running off the edge of the mountain. Ohema wanted to shout, but before she could, Klaus was soaring through the air like a natural.
"I guess he can do everything," Ohema sighed, but a small smile played on her lips as she watched Klaus soar through the air like a birdman.
A few minutes later, after getting accustomed to the wings, he flew back down, landing perfectly on the mountain.
"You can fly now," Ohema said, watching the wings with interest.
"I guess so," Klaus replied, reaching for her waist. "Wanna go for a flight before heading home?" he asked, pulling her closer.
"Put on a shirt first," Ohema said with a blush. Klaus smiled, deactivating the wings. He then put on a shirt before activating the wings again.
He scooped up Ohema like a princess, and before she could protest, they were in the air. They flew across the forest for a while, and when they had enough, he flew them away, heading back to Ross City.
REMOVE ADS FROM $1
Report chapter CommentsContact - ToS
Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse Chapter 373 My Butler Is A GeniusTHE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC373 My Butler Is A Genius
Ross City is a no-fly zone for humans, meaning they cannot fly through the air without using an automobile or jet. Despite thousands of Saints and Sages living in Ross City, none have ever flown through the sky.
Because of this, Klaus and Ohema didn't make it to Ross City by flying. They flew for a while, but when they were a few kilometers from Ross City, they had to land and walk. It took them just a few minutes to reach the eastern city gate, where Kofi was waiting for them.
"Young Master, My Lady, this way please," Kofi said, opening the car door for Klaus and Ohema to enter. Klaus made sure Ohema entered first—signs of a gentleman.
"Kofi, I see you've been spending too much time with Henry; he seems to be rubbing off on you," Klaus joked as they started moving.
Kofi smiled slightly, hearing his Young Master say that.
"Kofi, don't mind him; he just wants to make fun of you," Ohema chimed in. "You should even ask for a raise now that your status has risen to a butler," she added with a smile.
"As expected of Madam Rich Woman," Klaus joked, grinning.
Kofi was his chief of security and driver. However, after spending a lot of time with Henry, the butler of the Ross Family, Kofi had also taken on a bit of a butler's demeanor.
Even the way he addressed Klaus showed that Henry had rubbed off on him a little too much. The two had become friends when they teamed up against the Tier 7 Zombie during the Arcadian Mine invasion.
"Don't worry, Kofi, I'll raise your pay now that we have the richest woman in the whole world staying with us," Klaus added.
"Tsk, annoying," Ohema chuckled and decided not to entertain Klaus any further. Klaus just smiled and continued chatting with his butler.
"So, Kofi, when do you plan on breaking through to the Great Sage?" Klaus asked. Find more to read at empire
"I recently advanced my Sword Aura to the Enhanced Stage and awakened Sword Intent, so—" Kofi began, but Klaus cut him off.
"Wait! You've awakened Sword Intent?" he asked, surprised.
"Yes, Master Klaus, I awakened it a week ago. I'm now working to solidify that understanding before attempting the Great Sage Tribulation," Kofi answered, with a hint of pride in his tone.
And he deserved that. Klaus had witnessed firsthand just how powerful Kofi was during the Arcadian mine invasion. His sword skills were rather unusual in the few seconds he had observed him during the battles.
Now and then, he knew Kofi was a genius. He'd even made a mental note to spar with him after the invasion, but after what happened to him, he became preoccupied, and Kofi, also feeling guilty for not being able to save his master, decided to become even stronger so there wouldn't be a next time.
In short, they never had the chance. So hearing now that he had awakened Sword Intent—something Klaus himself needed to master before he could safely use the Asura Crazy Sword Strike—he was taken aback.
"This is awesome, Kofi. You should be proud," Klaus said with a smile. "The moment we go back, enter seclusion and don't come out until you're ready to take the tribulation and become a Great Sage," he added.
"But Young Master—" Kofi began to protest, but Klaus stopped him.
"I won't be going anywhere for the next few weeks, so you have nothing to worry about. Plus, my friends will be around, so unless anyone wants to die, I don't think they would dare infiltrate my home."
"Okay, Young Master. I will try to get it done as fast as I can," Kofi said, his gaze filled with gratitude.
"Don't rush it, Kofi. This is important for your growth, so take your time and avoid any mistakes," Klaus advised.
A few moments later, they pulled up at the house. The car quickly entered the parking space, following Klaus's instructions.
"Give me your hand, Kofi," Klaus asked, and Kofi obeyed without question. Klaus used the [Info] skill he'd learned from the senior to extract his details. A few seconds later, he let go of his hand.
Ohema sat beside them, watching closely with interest.
"Come see me immediately after you come out of seclusion," Klaus said to Kofi. He nodded and then opened the door for them. He left after his job was done, or more accurately, Klaus had sent him away to enter seclusion immediately.
"You seem close with your employees," Ohema remarked, watching Kofi go.
"Well, they've been with me and my mom since we moved back to the city. So they're practically family," Klaus said. "My mother enjoys their company, so the least I can do is make sure they're included in the family."
"That is admirable, Klaus. Not many with your kind of fame would be this grounded," Ohema said. Klaus's demeanor was that of someone who valued everyone.
To many, Kofi and the others would just be workers and nothing more. But to Klaus, they were friends and people he could call family. So, no matter what, he wouldn't look down on them.
"I see people as people unless they're a bunch of arrogant bastards. Then I'd be forced to treat them like animals," Ohema laughed, drawing some attention from the maids around.
"But what was the reason you asked for his hand?" Ohema suddenly asked.
"I just wanted to see his information so I can give him a good cultivation technique and martial techniques," Klaus replied.
"You'd be spoiling your butler, Klaus," Ohema smiled as she said that.
"Well, my butler is a genius," Klaus also laughed.
They left the parking space and headed inside.
"Mom, I am home," Klaus called out as usual. His mom, who was in the kitchen with Hanna, Miriam, Lily, and Anna, rushed out, and, as they all expected, he threw himself at her.
The hug lasted for a minute before they broke apart. However, after breaking apart, the ladies, except for Hanna and his mother, were charmed when they saw Klaus's extremely handsome face.
"Surprise!" Klaus said with a grin, watching the looks on their faces.
"You... You what happened to you this past month?" Anna asked. Klaus had indeed cranked up his handsomeness a little more.
What would anyone expect? Tribulation Runes are what temper the body and Klaus is someone who has a whole army of them, so there was no reason for him not beefing up his handsomeness a bit.
But perhaps, he had become a little too handsome this time.
"Tsk, if you think I am handsome, wait until you meet Fruity," Klaus said with a smile, picturing the not-so-handsome face of his past incarnation.
After a few minutes, the ladies finally got accustomed to Klaus's new looks. A while later, they sat down to have dinner.
"Klaus, is it too late to stop being your friend? I feel like anytime I think I'm catching up, you always come back looking like an Immortal out of a painting," Daniel said with a defeated smile.
His other male friends wore the same expression. "Don't worry, Daniel, when I'm done with you all, even immortals will be put to shame," Klaus said with a small smile. But to his friends, that cute smile on his handsome face appeared evil.
Subconsciously, they all shuddered.
"We should spar tomorrow so I can see your progress," Klaus said, then paused momentarily. "Not in Oracle, by the way."
REMOVE ADS FROM $1
Report chapter CommentsContact - ToS
Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse Chapter 374 Sparring with Friends (1)THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC374 Sparring with Friends (1)
The next day, Klaus and his friends entered a large training room for the sparring session he had promised them the previous day. Initially, Klaus's intention was simply to teach them some techniques.
However, after the senior mentioned the potential some of them possessed, Klaus wanted to understand them better before making any move to bestow techniques on them.
He planned to give them a cultivation technique that would allow them to form a suitable core. He had the Paragon Star Diagram Technique, so he didn't need to rely on anything the academy had in store for them. He wanted to ensure his friends received the same advantages.
He also planned to provide each of them with two powerful techniques tailored to their respective classes. Thanks to Yuying, Klaus now had access to thousands of skills and techniques to choose from. Hoarding them without sharing them with those who needed them seemed foolish.
Especially, if the people are his friends.
They entered the largest training room in the house, each eager to finally spar with Klaus after being friends for nearly a year.
"Now, before we start, I want you all to know this is not for fun, so do your best to show your true strength and don't hold back... I know I won't," Klaus said, facing his friends. Hearing his words, they all felt a bad premonition.
"Now, who wants to go first?" Klaus said, stepping into the large arena in the training room.
"I'll go," Daniel said, stepping forward with his large hammer dragging behind him. The others stepped back while Klaus's mom, Miriam, and Ohema took seats a few meters away from the arena.
Klaus smiled and nodded. He took a fighting stance. Daniel gripped his hammer tightly and walked into the arena. His eyes were serious.
"Ready?" Klaus asked.
Daniel nodded. Without warning, he charged at Klaus. The ground shook as he moved. He swung his hammer with all his strength. Klaus dodged quickly, his movements smooth and precise.
"Good! Again," Klaus said.
Daniel adjusted his stance and attacked again. This time, Klaus blocked the hammer with his arm, surprising everyone. The clash echoed in the room. Daniel's eyes widened.
"You'll need more than that," Klaus said with an evil grin.
Daniel stepped back, sweats immediately started forming on his brow. It took just a single block with Klaus's arm for him to realize he was in for a beating.
'It was like my hammer struck a diamond statue,' Daniel thought, gripping his hammer even tighter.
"Here I come again." Nevertheless, Daniel decided to attack once more, this time adding even more strength to his assault. His hammer rose into the air and then came down hard on Klaus, who stood calmly, watching the massive weapon descend.
Boom!
The hammer struck hard, but Klaus just stood there, holding out his hand to block the powerful attack.
"Not enough power," Klaus said, and with a fraction of his strength, he pushed the hammer, sending Daniel flying. The others watched with their jaws hanging open. Klaus had just taken a full-on attack that could break the bones of a Tier 6 monster with just his hands.
If that wasn't enough, he had casually pushed Daniel, sending him flying like a ragdoll. Just what kind of monster was Klaus? Whether it was Miriam or Klaus's friends, they couldn't fathom what they were seeing.
Ohema, on the other hand, seemed to know just how terrifying Klaus had become. While stabilizing his core, Klaus had consumed hundreds of vials of Mountain Dew and thousands of monster cores.
That alone was unimaginable for a human. On top of that, he had also absorbed the spiritual qi in the air with greed that could raise an average cultivator's rank from Level 1 Grandmaster to Level 5.
In short, Klaus had become terrifyingly powerful after breaking through. And with his first core nearing the formation stage, no one could predict just how powerful he had truly become.
"You guys haven't seen anything yet," Ohema chuckled.
"Again," Klaus said. "This time, put in your full strength, and you can use any skill or technique you know. Don't hold back," he added.
Daniel stood up. He wiped the sweat from his face. His eyes were determined. He knew this was not going to be easy.
"Alright," Daniel said, gripping his hammer tighter. He closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. The air around him changed. A faint glow surrounded his body. He was using a technique to boost his strength.
Klaus watched with a small smile. He was curious to see how far Daniel could push himself. The others watched in silence. They felt the tension in the air.
Daniel charged forward. He moved faster this time. His hammer glowed with energy as he swung it at Klaus. The room seemed to shake with the force of his attack.
Klaus raised his arm again. The hammer collided with his forearm, creating a loud thud. Sparks flew from the impact. Daniel gritted his teeth and pushed harder.
Klaus's eyes lit up. "Good. Now, try again," he said, stepping back a little.
Daniel nodded, breathing heavily. He used the skill Klaus had given him, making the hammer grow heavier and double in size. The already huge hammer now looked even more intimidating.
"Here I come," Daniel called out, attacking with the massive hammer. His body glowed as he used another enhancement skill, giving him extra strength to add more force to the strike.
The hammer fell through the air, and as it neared Klaus, flames surrounded it, igniting into a blazing inferno.
Klaus smiled, knowing that Daniel had unleashed his strongest move. The hammer increased 3 times and doubled in weight making it appear very terrifying. Continue your saga on empire
Klaus's palm began to burn as he activated his own flame. However, instead of catching the hammer again, he punched forward, meeting the hammer with his fist.
Boom.
Flames erupted from the clash. Daniel was sent flying, and his hammer was knocked out of his hand. Klaus, on the other hand, took three steps back, a small smile on his face.
"Not bad, not bad at all," he said with a beaming smile. His friends looked at him with narrowed gazes, surprised at how pleased he seemed after forcing Daniel to use all his strength.
"He has fainted," Anna said, standing beside Daniel, who lay passed out from exhaustion.
"That is to be expected. He poured all his energy into that attack. Look, even the glass wall that they said could withstand a Tier 7 attack has cracked," Klaus said, pointing to the wall behind him.
"The attack was that powerful," Lily said, narrowing her eyes. The others were the same.
"Indeed. If given the chance, Daniel could kill a Tier 6 or even a Tier 7 monster with that attack," Klaus added, making his friends turn and look at the unconscious Daniel for a moment.
They all knew that attack would have turned them into meatpaste, but hearing Klaus say it could kill a Tier 7 monster made them swallow nervously.
"That being said, who wants to go next?" Klaus asked. This time, they exchanged glances before Danny stepped forward, his sharpened axe resting on his shoulder.
REMOVE ADS FROM $1
Report chapter CommentsContact - ToS
Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse Chapter 375 Sparring with Friends (2)THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC375 Sparring with Friends (2)
Danny stepped into the arena with his colossal axe on his shoulder. Klaus smiled and then retrieved a meter-long spear from his space ring.
Anna, Lily, Hanna, Mark, Kay, and Kilian raised an eyebrow, watching Klaus take out a weapon. Even Klaus's mom, Miriam, and Ohema had the same expression. He had just tanked a hammer with his bare hands, but now he was taking out a weapon... intriguing.
"I would have been worried if he went at that axe with his bare hands," Klaus's mom said with a small smile. For a second, she thought Klaus would be using his bare hands.
The next weapon he would face wasn't something he could handle with his bare hands just yet. Although he could defend against a sharp weapon by coating his hands with ice, the one Danny was carrying was just too heavy for him to do that.
The hammer had a large surface area that allowed him to casually use his hand, but the axe lacked that, so he needed a weapon to channel his strength through.
"Don't hold back," Klaus said to him, and as if possessed, Danny charged with his axe in full swing. At first glance, one could tell Danny wasn't holding back his strength. The axe rose and fell on Klaus, who casually blocked with the spear.
"You can do better than that," Klaus said, and Danny responded by charging forward again exganging dozens of blows.
Unlike Daniel, who had the fire element, Danny possessed the light element. This limited his elemental offensive abilities, but it also granted him something even better.
His body glowed for a second, and like a new person, all the fatigue he was feeling vanished, giving him newfound strength to charge at Klaus, who stood with a smile on his face.
'I guess the senior was right. Although he can't use the offensive power of his element just yet, he can at least heal himself, which allows him to stay in the fight a little longer,' Klaus thought inwardly, swinging his spear forward.
His spear met Danny's axe, creating a booming sound that sent shockwaves around.
"Is it just me, or is Danny not getting tired?" Mark said, watching Danny unleash his 59th brute attack with the same energy as at the start. They expected him to be tired by now, considering he was putting all of his strength into it.
"I think it has something to do with his light element" Anna replied after studying what Danny was doing.
"That makes sense" Mark nodded.
Klaus shifted his stance, preparing for Danny's next move. Danny's eyes shone with determination. He gripped the axe tighter and swung again. Klaus deflected the blow, sending sparks flying.
Danny never backed down, and since Klaus wasn't attacking him yet, he continued to come at him with all his strength.
Klaus admired Danny's resilience. Only a few could match his stamina.
He decided to test Danny further. With quick footwork, Klaus spun around and jabbed the spear toward Danny's side. Danny reacted quickly, blocking with the axe and stepping back.
The force Klaus put into the attack was enough to send him flying, but Danny anticipated it. He braced himself, placing strength in his foot, allowing him to tank the attack with ease.
"You can use the skill now." After exchanging dozens of attacks, Klaus began to notice that Danny's strength wasn't being restored as quickly as it used to. It was a clear sign his stamina was depleting faster than it was being restored.
"Okay," Danny responded, activating the skill Klaus had given him. The axe tripled in size and became several times heavier. But unlike the hammer, the axe became even sharper, showing how dangerous it had become.
Klaus didn't stand idle. He knew the attack coming next would be no easy one, so he prepared by coating his spear with ice.
Danny charged forward, and when he was just a few feet from Klaus, the axe rose and came down hard with its sharp edge.
Klaus swung his spear, and when the two weapons met, ice exploded everywhere. Klaus took five steps back, but Danny was sent flying, just like his friend Daniel. However, unlike Daniel, Danny managed to remain conscious after slamming into the ground.
"Who next" Klaus said looking at his friends with a small smile.
Mark stepped forward and without even a moment to delay, he charged at him stabbing and slashing his spear at him.
Klaus followed his movement. But instead of attacking, he was just defending and at the same time, looking at his shortcomings and how best to help him overcome them.
Mark circled Klaus, searching for an opening. His eyes were focused, and his movements were quick. He thrust his spear forward, aiming for Klaus's shoulder. Klaus sidestepped and blocked, using minimal effort.
Mark changed tactics and swung low, trying to catch Klaus off guard. Klaus jumped back, letting the spear graze the air.
"Good, but faster," Klaus said, smirking.
Mark's grip tightened. He lunged again, this time with more speed. Klaus deflected the strike but felt a slight push. Mark was improving.
Klaus decided to test him. He spun his spear and aimed at Mark's side. Mark reacted just in time, parrying the attack and taking a quick step back.
The arena echoed with the sound of their weapons clashing. Mark's breath came in short gasps, but he kept moving. He jabbed, spun, and tried different angles, forcing Klaus to shift and block.
Klaus nodded, impressed. "You're getting better, Mark," he said.
But before Mark could react, Klaus advanced, launching a series of quick strikes. Mark struggled to block them all, his feet sliding back with each hit.
Mark was blocking the attacks while trying to stabilize himself, but Klaus wasn't making it easy for him at all.
Just when Mark managed to block an attack and aimed to regain his footing, Klaus's next strike would throw him off balance again.
'They need good movement techniques. I guess I'll add one for them,' Klaus thought. He had dozens of such techniques, thanks to Yuying.
For 30 minutes, Mark Mark was moving between offense and defense due to the sheer intensity of Klaus's attacks. Enjoy new chapters from empire
Mark wasn't having it easy at all. His friends, who were yet to fight, watched with tense faces, breaking into a cold sweat just from witnessing the match.
Klaus pressed on, his spear moving with precision and force. Mark's arms trembled under the strain of each block. He clenched his jaw, refusing to give up. But the fatigue was evident, and Klaus noticed it.
"Come on, Mark! Show me your best!" Klaus shouted, delivering a powerful downward strike. Mark barely managed to block, his knees buckling under the force.
Finally, Klaus delivered a strong blow that knocked Mark's spear from his hand. Mark stumbled but stayed on his feet, panting hard.
"Good fight," Klaus said. "However, you never had the chance to use the skill I gave you. Do you want to try it?"
Mark looked up, eyes determined despite his exhaustion. He nodded, reaching for his spear that lay a few feet away. He picked it up and took a deep breath, centering himself.
"Good," Klaus said, stepping back to give Mark space. "Activate it when you're ready."
Mark calmed his beating heart and activated the skill. Instantly, his spear vanished and reappeared a second later, looking much sharper.
Mark gripped it tightly, and with a powerful charge, he thrust his spear forward. His speed had increased, making him move incredibly fast.
Boom.
Klaus also stabbed with his spear, and as if by coincidence, the tips of their spears met, sending shockwaves through the arena.
Mark was sent flying back, landing on the ground with a thud. Klaus, on the other hand, stayed rooted to the spot, barely shifting.
"Not bad," Klaus said, nodding as he felt the vibration in his spear.
REMOVE ADS FROM $1
Report chapter CommentsContact - ToS
Show menu NOVEL BIN5Novel The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse Chapter 376 Sparring with Friends (3)THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC376 Sparring with Friends (3)
"Mark, you can try that attack again when you recover enough," Klaus said. Mark nodded, breathing heavily.
He hadn't been at his strongest before using that attack, so Klaus wanted him to try again once he was fully rested. Of course, the strong vibration from the clash told Klaus that Mark was no pushover.
Klaus knew that if Mark had been at full strength, he would have managed to push him back, just like Danny and Daniel had done. The duel wasn't for fun.
He wanted to see not only how strong they were but also if there was something unique about them that couldn't be shown on their status pages.
So far, he wasn't disappointed. Their progress was clear. He could tell they were training harder than most, driven by their friendship with him and the desire to match his strength.
"Who will go next?" Klaus asked, turning to the rest of his friends.
Anna and the others exchanged glances, mentally preparing for what was to come. In the end, Kilian stepped into the arena, his sword glowing with a thin layer of Sword Qi that radiated intense heat.
"Not bad... You have awakened Sword Qi and even learned how to use it with your fire element. This should be an excellent fight," Klaus said, making Kilian smile slightly.
When he broke through to the Grandmaster stage, his understanding of the sword improved slightly, allowing him to unlock the Sword Qi every swordsman craves.
However, it was just in its common Sword Qi form. Klaus had already stepped into the Adept stage and would soon advance to the Enhanced Sword Qi stage.
"This kid is not bad at all. At such a young age, he has already awakened Sword Qi," Ohema said, looking at Kilian.
"Huh... What is Sword Qi?" Klaus's mom asked, clearly at a loss.
Experience more content on empire
"It's that energy covering his sword. Mine is golden-white due to my light energy, and Kilian's is golden-red due to his fire element. Its use is simple but profound... To any swordsman with Sword Qi, all attacks unleashed with the sword would have an amplified effect.
In other words, all attacks unleashed with the sword will become much stronger than they would have been without it," Miriam explained, making Klaus's mom nod.
"Does this mean he would be able to defeat Klaus?" she asked.
"Not even close," Miriam said, almost laughing at her innocent question. "Even though he has unlocked Sword Qi, his understanding of it is still weaker compared to Klaus. But even without Klaus using Sword Qi, Kilian stands no chance.
Klaus is just unusual," Miriam explained with a tone full of pride.
Klaus's mom said nothing more. She just focused on Klaus and Kilian, who were about to get started.
"Here I come too," Kilian said, and with a quick move, three of him appeared, each wielding the same sword, identical in all aspects.
"Right off the bat, huh?" Klaus's eyes narrowed as he watched the three Kilians coming at him from three different directions. One was approaching from the left, one from the right, and one straight ahead.
Klaus knew Kilian would use the [Cloning Sword Strike] he had given him to gain an advantage, so he prepared to entertain him and see how long he would last.
After all, the skill requires high endurance to use effectively, and Kilian had been training quite hard.
Klaus watched as the identical Kilians closed in. The skill allowed Kilian to create two identical clones, each capable of being the true version of himself.
It was a technique designed to confuse and disorient. But, unfortunately for Kilian, Klaus's perception was unmatched. Even as Kilian shifted between clones, Klaus followed his every move with sharp eyes.
Clang.
The Kilian on the left clashed with Klaus, their swords meeting in a shower of sparks. Klaus had chosen a common sword for this duel, yet he wielded it with unmatched precision.
As their blades locked, the clone on the right swiftly moved behind Klaus. In a split second, Kilian switched places, taking control of the clone and striking at Klaus from behind.
Klaus moved forward just in time, dodging the strike by a hair's breadth. He knew that if it had been relying solely on reaction speed, Kilian's strategy would have worked perfectly, resulting in a decisive blow.
"That was a good move, Kilian, but you'll have to be faster than that," Klaus said, a smirk playing on his lips.
Kilian's jaw tightened.
He took a deep breath and steadied himself again. The clones dissolved into thin air as he prepared for the next round, eyes locked on Klaus, who stood unbothered, ready for whatever came next.
Kilian used the skill again, but this time he was much faster. His swords glowed crimson, tinged with the fierce energy of Sword Qi. All three versions of him charged straight at Klaus, their movements synchronized and deadly.
Klaus's smile widened, understanding Kilian's strategy. Kilian planned to strike with all three versions at once, masking which one would deliver the true blow until the last possible moment.
'A true genius move,' Klaus thought, but his eyes remained locked and calm. He watched closely, studying the subtle differences between the clones and the real Kilian, ready for the moment of truth.
The three Kilians closed in, their swords cutting through the air. Klaus's grip on his sword tightened, and time seemed to slow. The real attack would be decided in an instant—Kilian's eyes flickered, revealing his intent.
Klaus reacted with flawless precision. In a single, fluid motion, he spun to his left, meeting the true Kilian's sword mid-swing. The impact sent a shockwave through the clearing, the crimson Sword Qi clashing against Klaus's steel.
Kilian's eyes widened in disbelief. Klaus's smile never wavered. "Impressive move, but not enough," he said, pushing Kilian back with a controlled force.
Kilian staggered, his clones dissolving like smoke. For 45 minutes, he tried every strategy he could think of, but he never managed to catch Klaus off guard. Every attack was defended effortlessly.
"Nice one, Kilian, but work on your speed. This skill requires two things: endurance and speed. With quick strides, you'll be able to catch anyone off guard," Klaus said before landing a swift kick to Kilian's side during his next attack, sending him flying.
Klaus turned his focus to the remaining four.
Kay, the only archer among them, stepped forward, determined. They all knew they couldn't defeat Klaus, but that wouldn't stop them from trying to push him back.
"You're wondering how an archer and a swordsman are going to spar, right?" Klaus asked as Kay stepped into the arena.
"Yes," Kay nodded.
"It's going to be simple. You'll stand there, and I'll start from here, leaving 200 meters between us. All you have to do is shoot at me using any skill in your arsenal. I'll defend and move toward you until there's no space left between us.
If, before I reach you, you manage to push me back, I'll count it as your win," Klaus explained, a confident smile on his face. Kay's eyes narrowed, considering the challenge.
"What if I accidentally kill you with my arrow?" Kay asked, half-serious.
"Accidentally kill me? Ahaha," Klaus laughed heartily.
"Kay, buddy, I'm not underestimating you, but I don't think you can even injure me, let alone kill me. Just give it your best shot."
REMOVE ADS FROM $1
Report chapter CommentsContact - ToS
THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC377 Sparring with Friends (4)
Kay nodded, and his bow ignited in flames. Unlike the others, he didn't have the physical endurance to match Klaus, but he made up for it with speed.
Before anyone could blink, a flaming arrow shot from his bow, streaking through the air and arriving in front of Klaus in an instant. Stay updated through empire
Klaus calmly raised his sword, slicing the arrow in half with a swift motion. He took a single step forward, closing the gap. The distance between them was 200 meters, and for Kay to win, he had to find a way to push Klaus back.
Another arrow left Kay's bow, fierce and blazing. Klaus cut it down effortlessly and stepped forward again. Kay's eyes narrowed, his focus sharpening.
Without hesitation, he locked multiple arrows onto his bow and let them loose in rapid succession. A storm of flaming arrows filled the air, each one aimed precisely at Klaus.
"That was quite the speed there, Kay, but you will have to be faster," Klaus said, cutting the arrows as they came.
"Flame Barrage unleashed," Kay responded, unleashing another barrage of attacks. But Klaus kept cutting them as they came. It took just 20 minutes for him to move 50 meters, closing in on the 200-meter gap he had set.
Kay knew he was running out of time, but he also didn't want to use his strongest move just yet. The skill Klaus had given him, the Lion's Roar Pierce, was his strongest move, and in order to have a chance, he wanted to use it when the gap between them was not that wide.
With an attack that could turn his flaming arrow into a lion's head with a long Pointed flaming horn, he was certainly counting on it.
Klaus's eyes narrowed. He could feel Kay's hesitation. The real fight was just beginning.
Kay steadied his breath. He aimed another arrow, flames swirling around the tip. He released it, but this time with a twist. The arrow split into five, each one racing toward Klaus with fiery trails.
Klaus grinned, his sword flashing as he deflected each one with precision. Sparks flew around him, lighting up the ground.
"Is that all you've got?" Klaus taunted, taking a step closer.
Kay's heart pounded. He couldn't hold back any longer. He drew a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment. When they snapped open, they were burning with fiery determination.
"Lion's Roar Pierce!" he shouted.
A flaming arrow formed in his hands, glowing brighter than any before. He locked the arrow in the bow. Kay wasn't holding back anymore. He could tell any more delay and he would regret not using his strongest move.
Klaus's smile faded. He sensed the danger and steadied his stance.
Kay released the arrow. The lion roared as it surged forward, heat waves distorting the air around it. The ground cracked under its power.
Klaus swung his sword, channeling energy into the blade. He met the lion head-on. The clash exploded in a burst of light and heat.
When the smoke cleared, Klaus stood with his sword glowing red. He had coated it with his fire element just before defending against the Lion's Roar Pierce.
"Kay, you must know that in a fight where you have no chance against your opponent, use your strongest move first," Klaus said his tone calm. "If you're lucky, you might get an opening you can exploit. But even if you stand no chance, you can still run away."
He paused, studying Kay's face, then continued, "Just now, I was blinded for a moment. You could have used that advantage to unleash another attack. I know for a fact it would have pushed me back, making it your win. You could have been the first to win among your friends."
Klaus smiled. "So, if you still have some energy, don't make the same mistake. But I doubt I'd also make the same mistake defending up close."
He raised his sword, fire flickering along the blade. "But hey, take your best shot, and let's see what happens."
They resumed their battle for another 35 minutes before Klaus finally closed the gap between them and disarmed Kay. Luckily for Kay, Klaus didn't send him flying, as he had managed to gain some upper hand during the fight after all.
"Next time, don't hold back against stronger opponents," Klaus said.
Kay nodded and walked over to sit beside the others, who were recovering. Even Daniel had regained consciousness and was now sitting up.
Klaus looked at the group and sighed. With a flick of his wrist, he made the ice lotus move and hover above them. The lotus has some recovery qualities that would help them quickly recover their energies.
"Thanks, Klaus," Kay said.
Klaus nodded, then turned to the three ladies.
"Well, ladies, who wants to go first?" Klaus asked with a smile. Anna, Lily, and Hanna exchanged glances. After a brief pause, Anna stepped forward.
"Oh, I thought Lily would go first, considering she wanted to show off her sword qi to Klaus," Miriam said, raising an eyebrow.
"Wait, she has also unlocked sword qi?" Klaus's mother asked.
"Yes, she was the first to unlock it. Her sword qi is even stronger than her brother's," Miriam replied, a smile playing on her lips. She had been giving Lily some pointers over the past few days and was eager to see how much she had grown.
"But I want to witness Anna. This young lady seems to have a rather strong affinity for the Ice element," another voice suddenly spoke.
"You two do know it's creepy to lurk in the shadows like that?" Miriam turned to a particular shadow where Nuna's voice had come from. The shadow flickered, and Nuna appeared, followed by her twin sister, Luna.
"Sorry about that, Sister Miriam," Luna said with a guilty smile. The twins had always preferred staying in the shadows since they had spent much of their lives alone. Now, even though they were surrounded by people they considered friends, old habits seem to die hard.
"Tsk," Miriam chuckled, turning her attention back to the arena.
"Don't worry, girls. She's just having a hard time coming to terms with her emotions," Klaus's mother said with a smile, watching Miriam's antics.
The twins nodded. They had been staying with Klaus's family now. However, while that might seem unusual, they hadn't stopped their work—taking out the assassins sent after Klaus.
This had helped them remain unsuspected, as their mother, who was also their former slave master, was concerned. They simply told her that someone powerful was protecting Klaus and that they would need more time.
Klaus looked at Anna, now gripping her staff as she looked back at him with her icy green eyes. She also seemed to be radiating a green, icy energy that was immediately freezing the space around her.
[Interesting, this young lady is on the verge of awakening her Ice element] the senior suddenly said from Klaus's soul sea.
"Senior, do you know the type of ice element she will be awakening?" Klaus asked, curious.
[From the aura, only one ice element comes to mind: Infinity Freezing Ice] the senior replied.
[It's number 7 on the Absolute Heavenly Ice Chart.]
REMOVE ADS FROM $1
Report chapter CommentsContact - ToS
THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC378 Sparring with Friends (5)
< 7th on the Absolute Heavenly Ice Ranking Chart? What the hell is that?> Klaus asked, using the connection between him and the senior.
[The Absolute Heavenly Ice Ranking Chart is a list of the most powerful ice elements in the Universe,] the senior explained.
[Each element is ranked based on its strength and potential. Infinity Freezing Ice is ranked 7th because of its ability to freeze anything, no matter how powerful.]
[It's extremely rare and dangerous,] the senior added.
[Only a few people in history have ever awakened it.]
[Yes, brat.]
The senior replied, almost annoyed. Klaus just smiled at Anna, who was getting ready to attack.
"Alright, my dear? Just like I said to Kay, don't hold back," Klaus said. But Anna only smiled before her eyes turned cold. Klaus felt the temperature drop immediately, and just as he had expected, the ground turned watery.
Anna started by using a debuff. The moment the ground turned watery, Klaus felt his strength and everything drop by 30%.
"Nice move, but I hate to be the bearer of bad news, my love. This debuff won't change anything," Klaus said.
"I know. That's why I prepared this too." Suddenly, ice mist began to spread across the battleground.
'Another 30% debuff. How interesting,' Klaus thought inwardly.
[That was indeed a good combination attack, but it also took about 40% of her energy.] The senior commented.
[However, she has activated a healing skill and is now recovering faster than she is being drained.] He added, making Klaus smile.e
'Still, she wouldn't have the chance to deal any damage,' Klaus thought before moving toward her.
In response, Anna waved her staff, and ice shards appeared in the air, shooting toward Klaus. He just used his sword to defend and dodge.
Klaus moved quickly, dodging the ice shards with ease. He swung his sword, cutting through the air, and deflecting the sharp projectiles. Anna didn't stop. She summoned more ice shards, her staff glowing with energy.
Klaus smiled. "Is that all you've got, love?"
Anna didn't answer. Instead, she lifted her staff higher, and a wall of ice rose from the ground, blocking Klaus's path. The temperature dropped even further, making it harder for Klaus to move.
He raised his sword, slicing through the ice wall with a single strike. But Anna was already on the move again. She appeared behind him, her staff glowing with cold power.
Klaus turned just in time to block a burst of icy wind. He grinned. "Nice try, but you'll have to do better."
Anna's eyes flashed. She raised her staff, and the ground beneath Klaus's feet began to freeze. He felt the ice creeping up his legs, trying to trap him.
Klaus jumped back, breaking free from the ice. "This is getting fun."
Anna was breathing heavily now, but she didn't stop. She summoned a massive ice spike from the ground, aiming straight at Klaus.
Klaus's eyes narrowed. He dashed forward, using his quick speed to close the gap. At the last moment, he leaped into the air, dodging the spike and landing right in front of Anna.
Before she could react, Klaus's sword moved in a blur, aiming to knock her staff out of her hands. But at the last moment, Anna gave Klaus a cold smile.
Klaus immediately felt a bad premonition. Without thinking, he abandoned his attack and jumped away. Right where he had stood, a huge rhino made of solid ice burst from the ground.
"Wow, that was close," Klaus said, wiping an imaginary sweat from his forehead.
"He underestimated her," Luna said, watching Anna with interest.
"This young lady is a genius, no doubt. Even I would have fallen for her cunningness," Nuna added, observing the three massive ice rhinos now charging at Klaus.
Klaus smiled and swung his sword at the nearest rhino, but before he could move away, ice trapped his legs. At that moment, a large ice shard shot straight at his chest. He twisted his body, narrowly avoiding it.
"Klaus, stop holding back and use your abilities," Anna said, noticing that Klaus hadn't used any of his elements like he did when fighting the others.
Anna felt he was looking down on her.
"Are you sure? The moment I use my fire or ice element, your debuffs will be canceled," Klaus said, dodging another attack from one of the rhinos Anna had summoned.
"Don't worry. Just do it and let me see how long I can fare against the real you," she said, swinging her staff. A wave of water surged toward Klaus, freezing when it was only a few feet away and then shattering into ice shards that shot at him with increased speed.
Klaus dodged and defended against the shards.
"Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you," Klaus said, stomping on the ground.
The ice beneath him melted instantly and then like smoke, it evaporated. A wave of heat swept across the ice battlefield. It struck the rhinos, destroying them in one blow.
Anna's eyes widened as the heat wave shattered every ice around her. The battlefield turned steamy as the cold air met Klaus's sudden burst of heat. She steadied herself and tightened her grip on the staff.
Klaus stepped forward. The ground under him was dry now, steaming with leftover heat. He looked at Anna, his eyes serious.
"Ready for more?"
Anna nodded determination in her icy eyes. She raised her staff, and a circle of glowing runes appeared around her feet. The temperature dropped again, and shards of ice formed in the air. They pointed at Klaus, ready to strike.
Klaus smirked. He lifted his hand, and a small flame danced on his palm. The flame grew until it formed a barrier around him. The ice shards shot forward, colliding with the fire barrier. They melted before they could reach him.
Anna frowned but didn't stop. She moved her staff, and a stream of icy wind wrapped around her, forming a swirling shield. Klaus took a step and then vanished, reappearing behind her in an instant.
Enjoy more content from empire
Anna spun, surprised. Klaus's hand was already reaching for her staff. She jumped back just in time, landing on an icy platform she created mid-air.
Klaus laughed. "You're fast, but let's see how long you can keep this up."
Anna's breathing grew heavier, but her eyes shone with fierce energy. She pointed her staff at Klaus, and ice spikes shot out in rapid succession. Klaus dodged them, the ground under his feet cracking from the force of his movements.
This time, he didn't hold back. He unleashed a wave of fire that swept across the field, forcing Anna to raise her shield again. The heat clashed with her ice, steam filling the air between them.
"Ha... You are much more feisty than I anticipated," Klaus said, slashing his sword and sending an arc of fire toward Anna. "If you can defend against my next two attacks, it will be your win," he added.
Anna's eyes narrowed as she raised her staff. A thick wall of ice shot up in front of her, blocking the fiery arc. The heat clashed with the ice, steam hissing and swirling around her.
Anna smiled knowing if she played her cards right, she would be able to defend the two attacks coming and secure the first win among her friends.
REMOVE ADS FROM $1
Report chapter CommentsContact - ToS
THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC379 Sparring with Friends (6)
Klaus smirked. "Not bad, but here comes the first move." He thrust his sword into the ground, and flames erupted, racing toward Anna in a wave.
Anna gritted her teeth and focused. She stabbed her staff on the ground, and a barrier of frost formed beneath her.
It spread quickly, meeting the flames and freezing the ground around them. The heat and ice clashed, creating a loud crackling sound as steam billowed into the air.
Klaus watched with interest. "Impressive. You blocked it. Now, for the final move," he said, his eyes glinting with excitement.
A small ball of flame, the size of a tennis ball, appeared in Klaus's hand. The temperature rose instantly, melting all the ice on the ground. Even the ice surrounding Anna started to drip and vanish.
"Here comes my second attack," Klaus said.
He had already studied Anna's moves enough to know what she might try next. Not that he cared much, he planned to use the [Info] skill to learn the rest.
The flame ball left Klaus's hand and began to grow. As it expanded, the temperature spiked again.
Anna quickly raised an ice wall, but even from 30 meters away, the intense heat melted it down. Still, she stayed calm and focused.
She lifted her staff and sent ice shards at the approaching fireball. However, each shard only made it within 10 meters of the flame before melting.
When the fireball was just 20 meters from her, it had grown to the size of two basketballs, radiating powerful heat.
Every defense Anna set up was destroyed by the searing wave. Sweat formed on her skin but vaporized as soon as it appeared.
"This is unfair, Klaus! Are you trying to kill me?" Anna shouted, feeling the unbearable heat as the fireball inched closer. But Klaus remained focused, watching as his attack continued on its path toward her.
Anna started trembling.
"Hey, Klaus, are you trying to kill your girlfriend?" Klaus's mom shouted from the stands just as the fireball was 10 meters from Anna. Klaus smiled slightly at her voice.
He looked at the trembling Anna and his smile widened.
"You need much more training to match me in combat, Anna, but well done." With that, he snapped his fingers, and the fireball burst into harmless sparkles, scattering like fireworks in the air.
Anna let out a deep sigh of relief, her tense shoulders relaxing. The heat dissipated, and the battlefield turned calm again.
Anna sighed and was walking away when a certain vixen exploded in anger.
"You crazy bastard... I am going to kill you!" Lily charged at Klaus before Anna could even step away from the arena.
"Lily, hold on..." Anna reached out, but Lily was too fast. Her sword, now coated in Sword Qi, sliced through the air, aiming for Klaus's neck.
"Hi, dear. You wouldn't want to actually Kill me would you?" Klaus said, parrying her attack. Lily said nothing and moved with the wind. Before Klaus could react, she appeared in three places at once, attacking with otherworldly speed.
'Looks like her brother shared the skill with her...' Klaus thought. He moved swiftly, and before the two clones and Lily's real body could get close, he landed a gentle kick on the true body approaching from his left.
"Lily, relax. I'm okay," Anna said, catching Lily as she stumbled back and tried to charge at Klaus again.
"But..." Lily started to protest, but Anna interrupted her.
"He wasn't trying to kill me. He just wanted to scare me, and, well, it worked." Anna sighed, recalling how terrified she had been when the fireball came so close.
"But he still scared you... Let me teach him a lesson," Lily said, glaring at the smiling Klaus.
"I don't think you can get revenge for me, Lily," Anna said with a small smile. "He is a monster."
Lily gritted her teeth and turned to Miriam. "Sister Miriam, you wouldn't want this bastard to keep bullying us, would you?" she complained.
"Don't worry, Lily. I will get revenge for you. Now, just show him what you've got," Miriam replied with a smile.
"Okay, Sister Miriam." Lily turned back to Anna. "I'll try to kick his ass for you." Anna nodded with a smile and walked back to recover under the Ice Lotus.
"Now that we've cooled down, why don't we start again... this time with a clear mindset?" Klaus said, watching Lily with a teasing smile.
"Tsk... You better wash your neck for when Sister Miriam gets you," Lily said with a mocking grin.
"Oh, and what about you? You have a sword, arms, and legs. What are you going to do with those?" Klaus said with a smile.
"Just watch." Lily moved again, this time even faster. With her wind element affinity, she was much quicker. She used the cloning skill again but in a different way this time.
Instead of attacking Klaus from three different directions, she executed a series of wind slashes from all three clones using the skill Klaus had given her. The skill allowed her to create duplicates of the wind arcs she unleashed.
Each clone performed three slashes, and Lily managed to create three more copies of the attacks, making each clone release six wind arcs at once.
Eighteen wind arcs closed in on Klaus, who, despite the danger, didn't move. His sword flashed, and in one sweeping motion, eighteen ice arcs flew out, cutting through the wind arcs instantly.
"What..." Lily shouted, her expression dazed.
Lily stood frozen for a moment, staring at the ice arcs that had destroyed her wind slashes. She gritted her teeth and tightened her grip on her sword.
"You're quick, but not quick enough," Klaus said with a grin. He didn't give her a chance to react before he dashed forward, his sword moving in a blur.
Lily barely managed to raise her sword in time to block his first strike. The force of the blow pushed her back, and she had to quickly regain her balance.
Klaus didn't let up. He followed up with another series of rapid strikes, each one forcing her to move faster, her sword dancing through the air as she tried to keep up.
"You're keeping up better than I expected, but that's not enough to beat me," Klaus teased, a smirk playing on his lips.
Lily gritted her teeth, trying to anticipate his next move. She swiped at him with a fast slash, but Klaus sidestepped with ease.
"Is that all you've got, Lily?" Klaus taunted, spinning around to face her again. "I thought you were going to kick my ass."
Lily's cheeks flushed with frustration. She pushed herself harder, her sword flashing as she attacked from multiple angles. But Klaus was always one step ahead, his sword effortlessly deflecting her attacks.
"You've got the speed, but not the strength to match me," Klaus said, his voice light and mocking.
With a sudden twist, Klaus disarmed her in one swift motion. Her sword flew out of her hand, landing a few feet away. Lily stared at him, shocked, but Klaus only grinned wider.
"Guess you'll have to try again later, my love," he said, walking toward her, his sword still in hand. "Come on, pick it up."
Lily clenched her fists. "You're impossible," she muttered, but the teasing glint in Klaus's eyes only made her more determined yet frustrated. Explore more stories at empire
Klaus laughed softly, bending down to pick up her sword and handing it back to her. "You'll get better with practice. But today, you're not winning."
Lily took the sword with a sigh, but then, to her surprise, Klaus stepped back.
"I'm not holding back anymore," Klaus said, his tone turning serious. "Are you ready for the real fight?"
"Tsk..."Lily chuckled wiping sweat off her forehead, "You've already seen all my moves and I am exhausted, so no, Sister Hanna will be coming next" She added before moving out of the Arena, Klaus's laughter echoing behind her.
This made her want to tie him up and give him a good beating.
REMOVE ADS FROM $1
Report chapter CommentsContact - ToS
THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC380 Sparring With Friends (7)
"This Klaus is just too wicked. How can you toy with your own girlfriend like that?" Luna said, watching the frustrated Lily walk out of the arena and sit beside Anna.
"Are you okay?" Anna asked as soon as Lily sat down.
"This bastard is just too strong. I'm not sure even if all of us band together, we would be able to win," Lily replied.
"I know, right? I was confident I would be able to defend his last attack, but I guess I was just too weak," Anna sighed.
Hanna watched the two ladies pour out their frustration and sighed. She walked up to the stage and stood 200 meters from Klaus.
"Are you ready, little brother?" Hanna asked with a mocking smile.
'She looks different somehow.' Hearing her tone, Klaus raised an eyebrow curiously.
[You better not underestimate her, Brat] the senior said from Klaus's soul sea.
'What is it, senior?' Klaus asked.
[You'll see.] The senior laughed. This only made Klaus realize something huge had happened while he was away for the past 5 weeks.
"Hey there, big sis. You aren't planning on bullying your little brother, are you?" Klaus asked with puppy eyes.
"Hey, brat, don't think your sister will be holding back on you," Klaus's mother shouted from the stands with a huge smile on her face.
"Baby girl, show this bastard he wasn't the only genius in the family!" she added, making both Hanna and Klaus smile.
"Well, little brother, you heard her," Hanna smiled. Then her body started emitting lightning. A few seconds later, her body was bathed in lightning.
She looked at Klaus with eyes now full of blue lightning. Klaus felt his hair stand on end, even from 200 meters away.
'She has become very powerful, huh?' Klaus smiled, watching her antics.
Suddenly, Hanna extended her arms, and her forehead glowed blue, showing a bow tattoo. At once, an elegant blue and black bow, about 2 meters long, appeared in her hand, crackling with electricity.
"A soul weapon," Klaus muttered, watching the weapon closely.
"Yes... I call it StormPiercer, but its true name is the Skybound Bow," Hanna replied. "A cool name, right?" she added.
"Without a doubt, big sister. But I don't think just a bow will do you any good," Klaus said, raising his hand. At once, lightning began dancing around it.
"Wait... you have lightning too?" Hanna almost shouted.
"Surprise," Klaus said with a smile.
It wasn't just Hanna; everyone except Ohema had a shocked expression watching the lightning around his arm. Even his mom was taken aback for obvious reasons.
Klaus already possesses Fire and Ice, which are considered two of the most powerful elements out there.
So, watching him start to use Lightning, another terrifying element, they were all stunned.
"Does this mean you have the other elements too?" Hanna asked.
"No, silly. I am not a monster, you know," Klaus said, but inwardly, he was laughing at what they would all think when he awakened the other elements out there.
"Good to know. You better prepare, brother. I'm not the same girl who couldn't even get revenge for her friend," Hanna said, pulling the bowstring. At once, a long arrow made of blue lightning appeared in the bow.
"Take your best shot, sister," Klaus said with a smile. While it might look like the arrow was dangerous, Klaus believed he could defend against it.
"Tempest Forging Arrow!" Hanna muttered.
Then, with a powerful pull and release, the arrow shot from the bow and appeared before Klaus almost instantly. However, before it could strike him, his sword flashed forward, cutting it in half.
'That was close,' Klaus said inwardly.
[What did you expect? Although she hasn't yet awakened her Lightning element, from the blue aura, she would be awakening the third on the Absolute Lightning Chart: The Blue Tempest Lightning.]
'Wait, if she hasn't awakened it yet, how can she use it to form an arrow?' Klaus asked.
[Have you forgotten? She awakened a Lightning Seal, a much weaker one, but thanks to you changing her constitution, the Lightning Seal has also changed to the Tempest Lightning Seal.
Just like your Seal of Slaughter, she also has one now, and it seems she has already gained something from it]
'That is wild,' Klaus said, watching Hanna lock the same arrow into her bow, but this time, it looked a little stronger than before.
Klaus took a step forward, already closing the 200-meter gap between them.
"Nice shot, sister, but you'll need more than that to shake me," Klaus said with a smile, but his focus was on the bow. There was something about it that he just couldn't place his finger on.
There was a sense of familiarity he was sensing from the bow. Nevertheless, he would give Hanna the same deal he gave Kay. Every time he defended against an arrow, he would take a step forward, closing the 200 meters between them.
Hanna pulled the bowstring again, her eyes locked on Klaus. She shot another arrow, faster this time.
Klaus moved quickly. He raised his sword and sliced through the arrow in one swift motion. He smiled and took another step forward.
"Not bad," he said.
Hanna frowned but quickly nocked another arrow. She aimed carefully and released. The arrow flew with a loud crack, like thunder.
Klaus stepped to the side. The arrow missed by inches, but he didn't stop moving. He took another step forward.
"You're getting closer," Hanna said, determination in her voice.
She pulled back once more. This time, she channeled more lightning into the arrow, making it glow brighter.
The arrow shot forward with more speed and power. Klaus raised his sword again. He blocked the arrow, but this time, it sent a shock through his arm.
He gritted his teeth, feeling the burn. "Impressive," he said, his eyes narrowing. He took another step forward.
Hanna's expression hardened. She wasn't giving up.
She pulled the bowstring again, the air crackling with energy. The next arrow was different. It seemed to shimmer with a force beyond regular lightning.
But Klaus was just too abnormal. Arrow after arrow, yet he kept moving forward, closing the gap between them.
Hanna keeps locking more and more dangerous arrows, yet Klaus never back down. Soon, he was almost in front of her.
Klaus didn't hesitate. He stepped forward, closing the gap in an instant. He swung his sword, slicing the arrow that left her bow clean in half just before it could hit him.
He stood right in front of her now. "Your move, sister," he said, a smirk on his face.
Hanna sighed. "I guess I lost," she muttered.
"No, you didn't. You held back, afraid you'd bring this place down," Klaus said. Hearing this, Anna and the others exchanged looks.
"It looks like Sister Hanna has become much stronger than us," Anna said, looking at Hanna with a cheerful glint. "With her, we can maybe make this bastard sweat," she added.
"I know, right," Lily chimed in. "But it seems she's widening the gap between us," she added. Anna and the others nodded after hearing that.
"Don't worry, guys. The cultivation techniques I'll be giving you will surely turn you all into monsters," Klaus said.
'After all, I created them over three generations,' he added inwardly. All the techniques Yuying prepared for him—about 95% of them—were created by him, most from his first incarnation, and the others from the other two incarnations before Fruity came.
At least, that's what Yuying told him… told his 4th incarnation, Fruity.
They all nodded hearing Klaus's words. They didn't doubt him, not even in the slightest.
"Can I hold the bow for a second?" Klaus suddenly asked, extending his hand for the bow. Hanna didn't hesitate and instantly handed it to him.
However, the moment his hands touched the bow, Klaus's mood shifted.
REMOVE ADS FROM $1
Report chapter CommentsContact - ToS
THE LAST PARAGON IN THE APOCALYPSEC381 Meeting the 2nd Incarnation
Although they were not that common, it was widely known that soul weapons were not casually handed to just anyone since they were directly linked to the soul.
If someone wanted to harm you, attacking your soul weapon would directly affect your soul.
So, soul weapons were not easily entrusted to others, especially those who you can truly trust with your life. However, between Klaus and Hanna, Klaus didn't even need to ask. Hanna had already planned to let him examine it.
When he asked, Hanna didn't hesitate to hand it over. Klaus gently reached for the bow, but as soon as he touched it, he felt something move from the bow into his mind.
Instantly, his consciousness was pulled away, and he dropped onto his back, firmly holding the bow.
"Brother..."
"Klaus..."
Everyone shouted, rushing toward him. Hanna, being the closest, reached out to take back the bow. But before she could touch it, a voice invaded her mind.
[Don't.]
She jumped back, startled by the commanding tone. "Nobody should touch him," she said, halting everyone in their tracks.
"Why?" Klaus's mom asked, worry etched on her face.
"Don't worry, Mom. He's not in any trouble." Though the voice was harsh, Hanna sensed it was more concerned for them than for Klaus. This meant Klaus wasn't in any real danger. They all nodded, but none of them stepped back.
***
Klaus, immediately after he touched the bow, felt something shift within it, sending his consciousness away. But unlike the others who panicked, Klaus didn't.
That was because the pull was so familiar, so unlike how panicked he was when Number Three and Fruity visited. This time, he wasn't scared.
However, when he appeared in the place he was pulled to, a cold sweat broke out on his back.
"What the fuck is this place?" Klaus muttered, ready to run. But he knew it wasn't possible. But he sure damn would have like a good sprint right now.
Standing inside a raging storm, he couldn't believe himself. Well, he could perfectly believe himself, after all, it was his past self that came calling.
The landscape appeared to be a valley with a storm raging above. The storm was so intense that Klaus immediately felt his hair being pulled. His white hair stood up as if he had been electrocuted.
"Mesmerizing, isn't it? This was one of the places we came to train and unwind." Suddenly, a voice spoke from behind him, prompting him to turn around.
Turning, he was greeted by a bare-chested man with the best physique he had ever seen. Between him and Fruity, the handsome man standing before him looked much more refined. His abs were cleanly cut as if he had been meticulously sculpted from the finest clay.
He also had an unusual set of whitish-blue hair, thick and twisted into 16 strands that seemed to possess a life of their own, extending as if the lightning ahead was calling them.
He had blue eyes and a handsome face, and at least he was wearing simple trousers and old mythological sandals like those only a deity would wear.
"Damn, another handsome bastard," Klaus sighed, looking at the face staring back at him—his own face, but much more handsome. But at least, this one was smiling a genuine smile, or so it seemed.
"Let me guess, you are the second incarnation," Klaus said.
"Smart. I guess I didn't reincarnate into an idiot this time," the blue-haired man said with a mocking smile. "By the way, you can call me Knox. Pleasure meeting you."
Klaus stared at the man for a full minute before chuckling. "I guess I shouldn't have expected anything different."
"But why am I here? If it's another set of memories, let me have them. I don't really need a lecture on how important my past memories are meant to help me," Klaus said with a defeated smile.
He had even stopped thinking about it. Somehow, the incarnations he had met were almost lifelike, as if they had never died. It was bizarre in a way he just couldn't put his finger on.
"You don't seem pleased meeting your past self," Knox asked with a slight smile.
"No shit, Sherlock... Although I don't know how you guys are doing it, next time you take possession of my body, try not to use it to anger the heavens, and then run off, leaving me to deal with the fallout," Klaus glared at Knox.
Knox was the one who had taken possession of Klaus's body during the tribulation and struck the base of the Lightning Tower, angering the heavens enough to send down a gatekeeper.
"Sorry about that... I just wanted to have some fun," Knox said, maintaining his smile.
"Well, you're dead, so maybe act like a dead person next time," Klaus fired back.
"Dead, huh? It's been a long time since I heard that word," Knox muttered, appearing as if he had forgotten what death was.
"By the way, congratulations on awakening Skybound," Knox said. With a quick wave, the bow Hanna had awakened appeared in his hands.
"I wasn't the one who awakened it, it was my sister," Klaus said.
"I know, the Star Light," Knox responded, making Klaus frown.
"You knew about the Star Lights?" Klaus asked. Number Three had already mentioned them, but a fresh perspective was always welcome.
"Well, duh, I am the second incarnation, remember?" Knox said, making Klaus sigh.
"So, if you are the second incarnation, does that mean you have already found your Star Light?" Klaus asked.
"I mean, if there are nine Paragon Stars left to awaken, there would be nine Star Lights, right? And since it was our mission to find all nine Star Lights, that could only mean each incarnation has already found one."
Klaus's question made Knox sigh. This deepened Klaus's frown. "Well, what am I missing, Knox?"
"It's not as easy and simple as it seems. We indeed need the Star Lights to unlock the Paragon Stars so we can accomplish what we want, but that doesn't mean each incarnation will birth a Star Light," Knox said.
"I don't understand," Klaus frowned.
"Think of it this way: the first incarnation, our original self, was the one who discovered the existence of the Star Lights. However, he never figured out how they would appear. You could be considered the first to actually meet a Star Light.
I reincarnated during the Chaos Era, but even after thousands of years, I never found the Star Lights, which could only mean my era wasn't destined to birth a Star Light.
That being said, the other incarnations failed in one way or another. But that was to be expected, considering we had already foreseen such outcomes."
"Foreseen as in seeing into the future?" Klaus asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Well, our first self was a rather unusual monster, I must say. You don't remember yet, but when you do, you'll understand one thing: our original self wasn't just a psycho, he was also a maniac and a genius.
He was the strongest of his era and, well, he was also a playboy—something I see you've picked up as well," Knox said with a smile.
"Seriously, who are you people? How is it that all of you seem to know more about me than I do myself?" Klaus asked, clearly disturbed by the situation he found himself in.
"Duh, have you ever heard of 'me, myself, and I'..."
REMOVE ADS FROM $1
Report chapter CommentsContact - ToS