Chapter 1581 98% Affinity <TOC> Chapter 1583 Temptation
Translator: SumTLMan
The power of the Sin Fog, if it could be inherited by another, would be a boon for the inhabitants of the Dream Realm. Thus, if Freud were to deem Labu suitable after his evaluation, Angel wouldn’t hesitate to grant him the authority over the Sin Fog.
Having the authority is one thing, but actually controlling Sinful Monsters is another matter altogether.
Although Angel has floated this idea, it remains just a proposal. Before it can be implemented and realized, experiments are needed to ascertain its effectiveness.
And for that, a test subject is naturally required.
Given the special nature of this experiment, it warrants serious consideration.
So, who should be chosen?
As Angel pondered this, a subtle rustling sound emanated from behind them, originating from a glass chamber covered with a black cloth.
Angel’s gaze fixed on the upright glass chamber, a glint of inspiration suddenly flashing across his eyes.
…
In the southern part of the city lies the Stone Pillar Coliseum.
The previous pinnacle duel between Tulas and Knight Sabel took place here. Although that duel is now long past, its impact still reverberates and continues to serve as a topic of conversation during casual chats.
Today, the Stone Pillar Coliseum is devoid of spectators. Nevertheless, a fierce battle is unfolding here. It’s a battle that might even surpass the previous duel between Tulas and Sabel in terms of intensity.
On one side is still Knight Sabel.
But on the other side is not Tulas; it’s a man whom everyone had previously deemed a “failure”——Lietz’s younger brother, Sharu.
On the dueling platform, Sharu’s speed is beyond imagination, so fast that ordinary people can’t even catch a glimpse of his shadow.
However, facing Sharu’s blistering pace, Knight Sabel remains undeterred. He calmly draws a circle on the ground where he stands using his knightly sword. Within this circle, it can be said that Sabel’s swordsmanship reigns supreme — “As the heart wills, the mind conceives, and the sword shall reach.” In essence, this circle is Sabel’s dominion of the sword.
No matter how fast Sharu is, if he tries to penetrate this circle from any angle, he would be instantly intercepted. Even an attack from Sabel’s blind spot would fail, as the sword seems to have eyes of its own, and is able to counterattack Sharu effectively.
Take this moment, for instance. Sharu is exceptionally fast, almost turning into an afterimage. Seizing a moment when Sabel is distracted, he positions himself behind him.
A glint of joy flashes across Sharu’s face as he eyes Sabel’s unguarded back.
Leaning his body slightly, Sharu powerfully kicks off the ground with his left foot, shooting toward Sabel like a cannonball just fired from its barrel.
With a deafening roar, Sharu’s speed is so incredible that even the air erupts with a thunderous noise.
Even if Sabel reacts in time, Sharu believes it will be too late! Sharu takes great pride in his current speed, and he’s confident that within Initial Heart City, apart from a few leaders, no one can track his movements — including Sabel!
However, just as Sharu enters Sabel’s domain of the sword, convinced that he can break through the defense, a sword unexpectedly appears in front of him, its sharp tip aimed directly at his forehead.
The sword’s edge is so keen it almost takes on physical form, exuding an icy chill.
Although Sharu is fast, he hasn’t yet mastered full control, like making minute adjustments in direction to parry the sword, which is quite challenging for him.
Yet, if he ignores it, the sword will inevitably pierce his forehead.
Faced with the threat to his life and unable to dodge in a subtle manner, Sharu is forced to make a dramatic ninety-degree turn. Following a resounding “bang,” Sharu tumbles and rolls, finally stopping not far from Sabel.
Panting heavily, Sharu felt chilled to the bone. Although he hadn’t been pierced by the rapier, the sensation of nearly being thrust into the brink of death left him icy cold.
On the other hand, Sabel wielded his rapier with an air of nonchalance, creating a stark contrast to Sharu’s tension.
“Amazing, just amazing!” Leon couldn’t help but exclaim with excitement from the sidelines.
Leon felt incredibly fortunate. He had initially come to Initial Heart City to discuss combat techniques with Knight Sabel, but found out he was not in town. Just when Leon felt disheartened, City Lord Marilyn approached him, informing him that Freud wanted to see him.
However, when Leon went to meet Freud, he was told that it was nothing important. Later, Freud, learning that Leon had come looking for Sabel, took him to the Stone Pillar Coliseum.
There, Leon was reunited with his long-unseen brother Angel.
Before he could formally greet Angel, Leon found himself captivated by the match unfolding before him.
Leon didn’t know who Sabel’s opponent was, but the contest was undoubtedly awe-inspiring. Whether it was Sharu’s remarkable physical prowess or Sabel’s unpretentious, sublime swordsmanship, Leon was utterly enamored.
In fact, this match delighted him more than any he had seen in the Novastar Competition.
That wasn’t to say the Novastar Competition lacked excitement; the main reason was Leon’s own lack of expertise. The Novastar Competition was heading into its final stages, filled with potential-laden contestants whose skills far surpassed his own. Leon could only watch the matches in a haze, unable to discern the intricacies.
Seizing a lull in the match, Leon leaned over to Angel beside him and inquired, “Who is the man dueling with Knight Sabel?”
Angel replied, “Sharu.”
“Sharu?” A look of puzzlement flashed across Leon’s face. “Is there such a formidable person in Initial Heart City? Could it be…”
Leaning in close to Angel, Leon lowered his voice and asked, “Is he a recent arrival?”
“No, Sharu was among the first to come in,” Angel’s response left Leon even more puzzled. How had he never heard of someone who was among the first to arrive? Neither Knight Sabel nor Sheriff Tulas had ever mentioned him.
At this point, Freud interjected, “You’ve heard of Lietz, haven’t you? Sharu is Lietz’s younger brother.”
“Lietz’s younger brother?” Leon found this surprising. Lietz had previously reported to Tulas, so Leon was naturally aware of who Lietz was. He’d also heard that Lietz’s younger brother seemed like a good-for-nothing, who had spread scandalous rumors about City Lord Marilyn. After being apprehended, he’d escaped beyond the city walls, disappearing without a trace.
So, Freud was now suggesting that the man on the stage, with incredible physical prowess, was Lietz’s younger brother? This was almost fantastical.
What had happened to Sharu after he’d escaped the city? Otherwise, how could he have become so powerful?
Leon knew that beyond the city lay nothing but a vast wilderness, where Sharu would be forced into exile.
How had he managed such a metamorphosis?
While Leon was pondering, his attention was caught by a sudden exclamation from Sabel in the arena. Lifting his eyes, he saw Sabel, usually so impassive, displaying an expression of astonishment. The object of his bewilderment was none other than Sharu, standing on the other side.
About ten meters away from Sabel, Sharu was now a changed man.
His eyes, which had been clear black and white, seemed as if ink had been dripped into them; the whites of his eyes were visibly darkening at an alarming rate, eventually becoming entirely black.
Not just that, Sharu was hunched over, his upper body swaying as if he were intoxicated.
As he swayed, a dark mist began to emanate from his body.
The mist gradually rose and faintly shaped into a grotesque and horrifying creature; its head resembled a worm, its ears like butterfly wings, its snake-like body covered in barbs and jointed legs, similar to a centipede.
This terrifying being appeared for just a fleeting moment before dissipating back into mist.
Simultaneously, Sharu’s body began to twist, sprouting sharp barbs, similar to the creature that had manifested just moments before…