[Chapter 65] Sion – Blood Arena V

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“I am the peak of perfection.

Yet in this flawed world,

Merit means nothing.”

What nonsense is she babbling about? Whatever, Sion couldn’t afford to worry. The remaining brats were liberally throwing RSF, and bothersome shrubbery remained about. Both won’t last.

Sion chuckled at the absurdity. For a moment he’d been legitimately concerned about his chances. Me, focusing on survival? Against kids? He shook his head, glancing towards the aura users.

I was playing defensive, but present me with such an attractive opportunity… He’d intended to kill, but instead carved out a three inch hole. Aura defense is tough. It’d worked out however. Sion smirked watching Sola’s clone uselessly tending wounds. You’ll all be dead soon.

“Before aberrant adversity, I know misfortune

Which my pride will never accept.”

Sion’s breath turned misty as a chill hit him. Why’s it getting colder? Momentarily confused, it all clicked together. It’s Astra’s clone! That chant must be the activating condition for a Sublime Vagary.

He regarded the kneeling girl in panic. I must stop her. He’d totally discounted those logic-overturning abilities since it was astronomically rare for someone so young to possess one. If I’d known, I would’ve gone all out from the start.

When he sprinted towards her, the others moved to obstruct him. Ethan’s clone disintegrated his armor and gathered the fragments around Diamonds Edge, letting them loose as a blizzard with an overhead swing. Shit. Recovering from the knocked back, five black ninjas then rushed Sion. I don’t have time for this! The girl had concluded another verse.

“So I’ll invoke it, a place which reverses fate

Where my superiority is complete.”

Dispatching his assailants, the immortal was almost relieved to see a grenade in the collapsing sand. I can use this! He leapt and grunted as the explosion smashed into him, cracking his armor. He was instantly catapulted over his target, throwing his spear and piercing her heart. Yes! His elation quickly faded as his victim dissolved into an ice flurry. I should’ve gone for the head!

“Myriad Calamity Crystallization.”

Sion heard the words as he landed. The Blood Arena grew dim as the cavern melted into darkness. I was too late. The immortal recalled his weapon, readying himself. He observes glittering falling specks as the temperature dropped. Snow?

He looked up to see stars emerge, green wispy trails of pale light dividing them. A separate space recreating the arctic sky… Sion faced the one responsible.

Astra’s clone reached out, “These flakes are my splintered pride. Each represents a setback unjustly imposed on me.”

What’s she—— His eyes widened as the ice specks increased in size, morphing into long sharp spikes. There are a hundreds, and their numbers are rising!

“This place turns my ‘shortcomings’ into strength. As such, I have no flaws standing here.”

“What kind of circular logic is that?” Sion raged. Did this idiot weaponized her inflated pride? To turn something like that into a Sublime Vagary… Just how stuck up is this brat?

“Can you withstand the hardships I’ve suffered?” She asked, raising a hand.

The shards floated forwards, and, hitting an invisible divide, shot like bullets. Damn it all. Sion spun his spears at breakneck speed. It’s alright, not all are on target. This optimism withered away as he repelled the barrage. They’re growing more accurate… It was that revolver pest. She’d worn away his blessing.

Sharper than expected, more and more were getting through, peeling away his armor. If this continues, one will reach somewhere vital… I’ll give up my lower half. Narrowing his focus, Sion warded off the onslaught while enduring agony.

Finally, after an eternity, the bombardment ended, and light returned. Sion panted, not daring to look at his legs. When his foresight flared, he raised his spear to block Diamonds Edge. As Ethan’s clone pressed down from behind, Barsal’s clone stabbed two swords towards him from the front. With his free hand, he grabbed one and let the other impale his arm.

How do I salvage this? Glancing around, he noticed his spacious surroundings. The soulfire is gone! Across the arena, both Nero and Astra’s clones had collapsed. The troubling ones are down. He might yet turn this around!

It was then that Hope appeared before him. Landing on the black ninja’s shoulders, she crouched eye level and placed a revolver against his temple. He felt certain death within its barrel.

“For Rose.” She said, pulling the trigger.

Daammmi——