"Understood."
Barney and Trench, also equipped with smart glasses, didn't waste any words. They exited their snow truck's cab and moved into the cargo area.
Standing on small platforms, they raised their arms, allowing four robotic arms to automatically equip them with their armor.
The upgraded Mark III armor they donned had significantly enhanced power supplies. Unlike the earlier versions, which required external batteries and had a mere 70-minute runtime, these suits were equipped with dual high-capacity internal batteries. They could run for a full 12 hours and came with two spares, ensuring a full day's operation without issues.
Their weapons included dual Gatling guns, with 3,000 rounds of armor-piercing ammunition, and two modified rapid-fire pistols, each equipped with 12 magazines holding 18 armor-piercing rounds.
As for melee weapons, William opted for something unconventional: 100 small, finger-sized metal spikes stored in his dimensional space, ready to be used with his telekinesis. Barney and Trench, on the other hand, chose standard long combat knives.
William deliberately avoided using the advanced Mark V armor. With his magic as a fallback for both offense and escape, it would be unwise to reveal his best gear prematurely.
As for the Mark III armor, he trusted that the Predators, being an interstellar species, would have encountered similar or superior technology elsewhere. And if things went awry, William could always use a portal to escape or return to his castle to retrieve the Mark V armor.
Fully suited, the three exited their snow trucks as the doors opened automatically and advanced toward the three cloaked Predators, who were spread out.
When they were 20 meters away, William, Barney, and Trench stopped, standing back-to-back. Their shoulder-mounted Gatling guns locked onto the Predators' positions, tracking their every move.
This unexpected maneuver surprised the Predators. They tried shifting positions to test whether the targeting was accurate, only to find that the Gatling guns followed them with precision.
Realizing that their cloaking was ineffective, the three Predators stopped moving. Armed only with melee weapons due to the trial's rules, they withdrew their throwing blades and cautiously regrouped.
Seeing this, William lowered the Gatling guns on his armor and stepped forward alone to address the wary Predators.
"I know you can understand me. As the Hereditary Grand Duke of England, I challenge you to a duel. If I win, I demand the right to an equal dialogue. Do you agree?"
William stood his ground, waiting for their response.
In orbit above Earth, the Predator ship monitoring the trial also picked up William's words. The Predator elder aboard, who had participated in trials on Earth centuries ago, activated his holographic interface.
After confirming William's noble status, the elder transmitted a command to the three younger Predators: Wait.
Moments later, the spaceship began descending toward the icy plains.
On the ground, William was about to believe his plan had failed when Sunday's voice came through.
"Sir, a spacecraft is descending to your location. I recommend preparing defensive spells and a portal for quick retreat."
William was already prepared for the possibility of advanced weapons being used against him. Over the past week, he had sparred extensively with the Black Ghosts and trained in defensive magic.
He had mastered spells like the Ring of Raggadorr and Seraphim's Shield, though Hoggoth's Ancient Body—capable of withstanding a full-force strike from Thanos—remained challenging to sustain.
A minute later, a Predator spaceship hovered above them, landing 100 meters away.
As its ramp descended, a group of a dozen Predators emerged, led by an elder holding a ceremonial metal mask. His hair, resembling grayish pine needles, denoted his advanced age and status.
A mechanical voice translated his words for William:
"Human of Earth, we accept your challenge. But before we begin, tell us: how do you know of our existence, and how were you able to detect our cloaking technology?"
William smirked. The question confirmed his suspicion that their primary concern was his ability to bypass their cloaking.
"Apologies, but just as you wouldn't freely share your technology, I'm under no obligation to explain mine."
As he spoke, William removed his helmet, then disarmed himself by setting aside his Gatling guns and pistols.
He continued, "Since your species values hunting, let the outcome decide everything. Agreed?"
The elder Predator, recognizing William's attempt to play by their rules, nodded toward the three younger Predators. One stepped forward, removing the energy weapon mount from his armor and unfastening his helmet.
The Predator warrior extended the blades on his wrist gauntlet and let out a guttural roar, baring his grotesque mandibles.
"Unarmed combat?"
William called out to the elder Predator, "I suggest we fight barehanded."
The elder ignored him, walking a few paces away and standing still.
"Fine," William muttered. "My innate abilities don't count as cheating, right?"
The elder glared at him impatiently before nodding. "Begin."
"Heh, you asked for it."
Sunday had already analyzed the Predators' movements, calculating their stride length and speed. While they were strong and tall, their agility was average.
As the Predator charged, William advanced cautiously.
When he was within a few meters, he abruptly accelerated, weaving side to side before lunging forward with blinding speed.
The Predator swung its wrist blades, but William dodged with ease, moving three to four times faster than expected.
In a single fluid motion, he ducked under the blades, snatched the Predator's collapsible spear from its waist, and kicked the back of its leg, sending it off balance.
Grabbing its dreadlocks, he yanked the Predator to the ground. With a flick of the spear, he extended its length and drove it into the ice next to the Predator's head.
Standing over the stunned Predator, William withdrew the spear and stepped back, smiling.
His gesture of mercy, however, only enraged the other Predators.
Except for the elder, all of them roared furiously at William.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enjoying the story? Support the author and get early access to chapters by joining my Patre@n!Find me at: patre@n*com/Mutter
You can read each novel for $5 or get them all for just $15.
I Am Zeus, KING OF GODS (Chapter 79)
Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 391)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 471)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 677)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 1059)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1418)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1422)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1452)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1504)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld!(Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 703)
[+50 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter][+5 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter]