The Evolution Of A Goblin To The Peak

Chapter 1054: Battle III



Swoosh!

Souta and Welfaz were both hurled hundreds of meters apart. They locked eyes briefly before vanishing once more.

A series of shockwaves rippled through the air as the two clashed at high speed, their blows too fast to track.

Within just a few seconds, Souta could already feel his hands growing numb from the impact. "This guy... he's as strong as the elders from Walpurgis Night. No, he's even better."

A wide grin spread across his face as strings of flesh emerged from his pores, enveloping his skin and turning him into something monstrous. He drew the vajra sword, its blade also covered by the twisting flesh.

With newfound strength surging through him, he swung the weapon with brutal force.

Bang!

Welfaz's eyes widened as he instinctively crossed his arms in defense. A powerful impact slammed into him, sending his body hurtling backward.

He crashed through several buildings, leaving massive destruction in his wake.

This time, Souta didn't pursue. He merely observed his opponent, realizing just how strong Welfaz was. His attack had only managed to knock him away.

Suddenly, Souta shifted to the side as two rays of light shot past him, narrowly missing on his left and right.

Swoosh!

He turned his head, eyes locking on the group of people watching his battle.

"This is going to be troublesome," Souta muttered to himself. "These guys are the best SSS- rank in the Pallas Division."

He raised his hand, and the [Orb of Arcane Seal] floated beside him.

Ohm!

His energy surged again as he activated the effect of [Last Wisdom], doubling the potency of all his spells.

Souta took a deep breath, and doppelgangers emerged from his shadows, instantly rushing off in different directions.

Swoosh!

With that handled, he turned his full attention back to Welfaz. Welfaz now stood amidst the rubble, eyes locked on him, fists clenched tightly as a reddish glow enveloped his body. [Fighting Master: Vanity]!

Welfaz finally activated his skill, and without hesitation, he dashed forward.

Boom!

In the spectator's seats, four demigods watched the battle with interest gleaming in their eyes.

"He's really strong," Frena muttered, a hint of surprise in her tone.

"Strong," Adein, who rarely spoke, added. "It feels like I'm no longer watching a fourth- stage monster."

"I've seen him before, but this is my first time seeing him fight. His close combat techniques are impressive," Cicero remarked with a smile.

"This power goes beyond the fourth stage. There should be limits, but his strength now feels closer to the fifth stage than the fourth. It's fair to call him a false fifth stage," Casme paused for a moment before adding, "It seems the rumors weren't just exaggeration."

Cicero glanced at Casme and said, "He's strong, which is why he managed to seize the position of Hero-rank. Welfaz should have claimed it, but then this guy showed up."

"Oh, so Welfaz was about to become a Hero-candidate, but this monster took the spot instead," Casme chuckled.

...

Souta leaped back, narrowing his eyes. He was being pushed back by his opponent.

Swoosh!

Welfaz suddenly appeared beside him, launching a swift kick. Souta crossed his arms to block it, but the sheer force of the blow sent him flying.

His body crashed into a building, triggering a massive explosion.

Souta quickly got to his feet and glanced down at his arms.

"Defense penetration...?"

That kick had pierced through his defenses. Despite having activated both his spells and combat arts to boost his defense, Welfaz had managed to break through with a single strike.

Souta glanced around and sensed that all his doppelgangers had been destroyed in an instant. It seemed the others were finally making their move.

If that's the case, then...

Boom!

A massive surge of best feram erupted from his body, scattering the debris around him. The pressure in the air intensified, and Welfaz's expression shifted as he felt the weight of it.

"It's here..." Welfaz muttered.

Souta walked forward, a wide grin spreading across his face. His body had transformed as he entered his released form.

"Let's turn it up," Souta said before charging ahead.

At that moment, Zeime and Dopoy hovered in the sky, raising their hands as magic circles formed beneath their feet.

Ohm!

Welfaz frowned as he suddenly felt his strength surge. Pulling back his fist, he launched a powerful punch.

His punch collided with Souta's sword, creating a massive shockwave that rippled through the

air.

Bang!

Souta quickly lifted his leg and kicked to the side, but Welfaz caught it in his hand. Reacting instantly, Souta spun around, unleashing several energy blades.

Welfaz swung his hand, dispersing the energy blades effortlessly. Then, he stepped forward, lightning crackling around his clenched fist.

Swoosh!

Souta felt a sharp pain in his stomach, but he gritted his teeth and endured it. The four spider- like limbs on his back aimed at Welfaz, firing [Bestrou].

He was about to launch a follow-up attack when he sensed something. Kicking off the ground, he propelled himself into the air.

In the next moment, several humanoid puppets emerged from the ground.

Hovering in the air, Souta realized he was surrounded. He glanced left and right, seeing the puppets positioned all around him.

Welfaz emerged from the smoke, completely unharmed. He stared at Souta but made no

move to attack.

Souta knew his opponents were all top-tier SSS-rank members of Athena's Champion. They were the best, and defeating them would not be easy.

Aside from Welfaz, there were also Zeime and Dopoy, both formidable in their own right. While their combat power was slightly weaker, their support skills were top-notch.

Then there was the skinny guy in leather armor beneath a dark green robe. He was a Puppeteer

-an expert at crafting and controlling puppets.

Souta turned his gaze to the remaining four, who were also sizing him up, carefully moving

into position.

"A Brawler, two Supports, a Puppeteer, a Formation Master, a Rune Knight, and two

Rogues..."

He guessed their professions based on their weapons, attire, and the way they had destroyed his doppelgangers earlier.

Souta couldn't help but think of Cicero. That guy had chosen a well-rounded party to take him down. It felt like a full-on subjugation team.

The Brawler, Welfaz, was the strongest among them. In comparison to his previous opponents, Welfaz surpassed even the elders of Walpurgis Night. The two Supports and the Formation Master were weaker, while the rest seemed to be at the level of the elders.

However, unlike the elders who remained in Walpurgis Night, these Grain Leaders frequently

took on missions and fought in various locations.

"Come," Souta said, dashing forward.

Welfaz flew into the air to intercept him, and their figures collided fiercely in the sky.

At the same time, the two Supports sprang into action, buffing Welfaz and casting debuffs on Souta. The Formation Master activated the formation he had set up beforehand. This coordinated move made a significant difference; Souta felt overwhelmed. His strength was being suppressed while his opponent received enhancements. Although his own buff skills were still active, he couldn't feel their effects due to the debilitating pressure from his

opponents.

The same could be said for Welfaz. While Souta's skill set could reduce his opponents' strength, its effect was minimal compared to the two high-level Supports and the Formation

Master.

"Don't worry about me; just suppress him," Welfaz said, throwing another punch.

At his words, his comrades' expressions grew serious. Their energy surged like a raging tide, sweeping through the area. The elemental power around them intensified as they activated

their [Element Drive] simultaneously.

Boom!

Souta stepped back, feeling the intense pressure in the air as various elements rushed toward

him.

"They're not going to hold back anymore."

He shifted his body and swung his sword.

[Crimson Moon]!!

Boom!

The crimson energy blade collided fiercely with the various elemental attacks, causing

massive explosions.

Souta glanced at his opponents and realized that their elemental power was at the Second Stage. It was quite potent, and their debuffs and buffs had grown stronger as well.

He darted left and right at high speed, evading the numerous attacks launched at him.

Boom! Boom!

A series of explosions erupted around him.

Although the battle was chaotic, Souta could see that they were firmly in control. It was a well-coordinated formation, and they weren't allowing him to escape. They were circling him within the same area.

"I can see why Division Commander Cicero chose them. They're perfectly in sync."

Souta suddenly stopped and looked up. He saw hundreds of humanoid puppets falling from

above. Charging his best feram into his blade, he grinned wider. He was about to attack the puppets when he suddenly turned around and slashed his blade.

Swoosh!

Two figures appeared, moving to the side, both armed with sharp daggers. "Stealth? Well, I can sense your blood, so it doesn't matter if you use a skill to blend yourNôv(el)B\\jnn

energy in the air."

Souta laughed as he stepped forward, facing the two Rogues. He flicked his fingers, sending

dozens of sharp webs shooting into the air to slow down the hundreds of falling puppets. At

the same time, the four spider limbs on his back fired [Bestrou] at those who slipped through the webs.

As he did this, white smoke seeped from his body, and he swung his sword heavily toward the

two Rogues.

Swoosh!!