Strongest Among the Heavens
Chapter 391: Wounded

Chapter 391: Wounded

This nobody, this random Battlemage from the slums had managed to draw blood from him. From Dasha Pang who had outmaneuvered the strongest soldier and had the Singaporean and Chinese government wrapped around his fingers. Dasha who continued his reign of terror from Earth and caused utter chaos in the Underground.

An impoverished unknown foreigner had created a flaw in him.

’That’s good.’

This was why Dasha came here.

To learn.

This was not Earth. Dasha theorized the concept of the soul but could never make it manifest. Why? Was it a lack of intelligence? No, he was perfect. It was a matter of realities, of history and principles and understanding.

This world, these gods, they were not yet within reach. They were nothing like the feeble societies on Earth and their desperate, pathetic humans.

Seeing his own blood confirmed that once more.

Following the slash, Besop cleanly switched to his staff. The tip glowed with concentrated magic and released a blast of force at Dasha’s chest. The impact sent a shockwave through the arena and Dasha was thrown backward, skidding across the ground. He nearly dropped to his knees as pain shot through his ribs—nothing broken, but bruised and bloody for sure.

Besop stood, breathing heavily but grinning. He knew that if he had attempted to add an element to that attack, Dasha would have countered.

’Excellent instincts.’

Dasha’s gaze flicked to the semi-invisible barriers still orbiting the Battlemage. It was impressive—strong and well-maintained, despite the continuous spellcasting. Most mages would have faltered by now. In hundreds of journals and books of cultivators, they always pointed out that their defenses often slipped when their focus was split between attack and protection.

But this one held firm. He had the instincts to become somebody truly great. Perhaps in years to come, a Sorcerer even.

There was only one way to break through.

The Battlemage pointed his staff at Dasha again, lightning gathering at the tip like a storm waiting to be unleashed. But this time, he didn’t fire. Instead, with his free hand, he tossed a small water bottle. It sailed toward Dasha, arcing lazily through the air.

Water sprayed through the air, droplets and long stretches of water hanging in the air. And then, with a flash, the Battlemage struck.

Lightning erupted from his staff, connecting with the droplets and arcs and turning them into conduits. The electricity became a multi-structure current that shot toward Dasha.

’I can’t absorb this—’

Water and lightning—Besop either figured Dasha could do some degree of lightning absorption or was simply taking no risks. It didn’t matter, it was the correct solution to victory.

’Counterflow stance.’

Find every single drop of water. Destroy it. Once the base was destroyed, so would the spell itself. Brains and brawns had to come together.

He jumped back, back touching the red barrier. His eyes cared not for the stinging sensation.

Three separate arcs. Thirty large droplets. All being carried forward by the spell.

Thirty-three structures were selected.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Fists and legs coming in tandem, from an outside perspective, it appeared as though he landed a combo too early. From his perspective, the smallest of inches made the biggest difference. He felt the sting of electricity as it grazed his skin, so he fought faster. He destroyed the three arcs and every single droplet.

This time, instead of charging right at him, Dasha did a back-flip and ran up the red barrier itself, his feet pressing lightly against the shimmering surface as he climbed. He moved with the speed of a gale, his eyes locked on Besop below. He was upside down and still ran. Besop didn’t know what he was doing and wasn’t keen on finding out.

The Battlemage fired bolt after bolt of lightning. Dasha dodged each one. Running faster, he became a blur and bounced off the barrier and rocketed back down toward his opponent.

The Battlemage raised his staff, but Dasha was faster. He slipped past the barrier, the back of his leg brushing against the energy field for a brief moment. But he made it. Dasha was in his guard. The second barrier came in the form of his staff—Besop swung it with speed greater than anything before, but not by much.

Dasha ducked under the staff and with a swift, precise motion, drove his palm into the mage’s chest.

The Battlemage gasped, his staff nearly slipping from his fingers. His barrier shattered, the magical energy dissipating like mist.

Blazing Fury Combo activated without needing an incantation.

Besop tried to counter with his shortsword.

Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! !

Half his strikes were blocked, the other half landed and struck him.

So he did it again. This time, there was no incantation. This time, it was purely fueled on intellect and understanding of the technique.

Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!

Every single one of his strikes landed. The final kick blasted Besop to the barrier, electrocuting him to the point of screams.

Dasha stepped forward. Besop fell to his knees, coughing and wheezing.

For a moment, the alley was silent. The spectators held their breath, waiting to see if the Battlemage would rise again. But he didn’t. His body slumped forward, the last vestiges of his power spent.

"Victor: Leon!" The barrier opened up for two figures: the bald bully Kahl and the girl that accompanied him, Durchbohren, who carried a bucket of silver coins.

Kahl came beside the winner and bowed his head. "Congratulations!" His head raised itself to address the crowd. "The new champion of Old Blood and Guts! Leon!"

Durchbohren gave him the bucket of coins and Kahl expected him to raise an arm. Dasha did not. The bucket in hand, he walked to the barrier, glared at the mage to lower it for his entry, and before he took a step inside, he threw the bucket high in the air.

Silver coins rained upon the crowd.

Where there was once excitement, there was now greed. Dasha watched as these spectators became animals clammering for a silver coin. Behind him, Kahl yelled.

Dasha did not care.

With this, the legend of Leon would spread.