Chapter 7
The arena fell into utter silence. The crowd couldn't quite process what the Earthling had just done.
He had not only defied the word of a Sovereign—he had demanded a trial by combat.
Everyone present understood the weight of such a request. If a regular trial were held, the Earthling would undoubtedly be found guilty. His fate, along with that of his entire world, would be complete annihilation. But even with the trial by combat, nothing really changed in their eyes.
After all, no matter who was chosen to represent the Sovereign, Raven would have to face at least a Tier Four warrior, someone leagues above him in power. It was a hopeless situation. Some in the audience began to feel pity for him. It had been ages since an Earthling with such potential had appeared. What a shame, they thought, for him to throw his life away in such a noble, yet futile gesture.
But despite their judgment, Raven stood with quiet determination, his expression calm and resolute.
He hadn't made this decision recklessly.
He had calculated the possibilities—if a Tier Three warrior was sent to face him, he believed he had a solid chance of winning. If a Tier Four warrior stepped forward... his odds dropped drastically. But even then, Raven wasn't entirely hopeless. He had spent his entire life fighting against forces stronger than himself. This wouldn't be the first time he faced overwhelming odds.
His hand tightened around his weapon as he waited for the challenger to be announced.
But nothing happened.
Then came a voice, cold and commanding.
> "To think an Earthling could grow so arrogant… I'll do you the honor of facing you myself."
The speaker stepped forward.
Kraven.
He stood tall and imposing. Though only slightly taller than Raven, the difference in presence was monstrous. An invisible force radiated from Kraven's body like a tidal wave, crashing over the arena. The sheer pressure made it hard to breathe.
And then, just as suddenly, it vanished.
Kraven smiled. A small, predatory grin that chilled the spine.
> "Since I passed the verdict... it's only fair that I be the one to duel you. You don't mind, do you?"
Raven's face paled. His body trembled.
What the hell was he saying?
Of course he minded. What sane person wouldn't?
Fighting a Sovereign wasn't just reckless—it was suicidal.
No law, no code, no ancient right permitted a Sovereign to engage in combat against a mortal, especially not during a trial by combat. This was a clear abuse of power.
Kraven wasn't seeking justice. He wanted blood. He wanted to destroy Raven himself.
The difference in strength was astronomical. Raven was only a Tier Three warrior. Facing a Sovereign... the chance of survival wasn't just low—it was practically nonexistent.
Even Zero wouldn't take odds like that.
Sensing Raven's rising tension, Kraven let out a small grin, then waved his hand dismissively, his face contorting into a look of condescending disappointment.
> "Don't flatter yourself, Ling," he scoffed. "You didn't actually think I'd use even a fraction of my true power against you… did you? What a foolish dream."
Without another word, Kraven leapt from the elevated podium and landed gracefully just a few meters in front of Raven. The impact of his descent sent a small tremor across the arena floor.
> "I won't be using my full strength… not even close," he said casually, his voice steady and arrogant. "No abilities. No tricks. Just raw, physical prowess."
A crimson portal opened in the air beside him, carved from the void itself. From it, Kraven reached in and pulled out two objects.
The first was a black dagger, its blade veined with streaks of deep red—like a sleeping flame etched in obsidian.
The second was a long, dark cloth.
As the audience watched, uncertain of his intent, Kraven tied the cloth tightly around his eyes—blinding himself.
Then, in a final display of utter disdain, he placed one hand behind his back and held the dagger loosely in the other.
> "Let me make this even easier for you," he said. "If you can so much as land a hit on me... I'll consider it your victory."
The crowd stirred with disbelief.
Raven, meanwhile, felt a storm of mixed emotions. He was being insulted—deeply. Looked down on like an insect.
And yet… he welcomed it.
If Kraven underestimated him this much, then perhaps—just perhaps—he had a chance. A tiny sliver of hope that he might survive… and save Earth from certain doom.
High above, in the audience seats, Jared watched the scene unfold, his face stricken with concern.
Raven's son clenched his fists as unease crept into his chest.
> "Even like this… this isn't right," he whispered to himself. "A Sovereign… letting himself be hit? It's never happened. Not once."
No one could interfere. No one dared interrupt a Sovereign's duel.
All Jared could do was pray.
> Please… just stay alive, Dad. Please.
Below, Raven inhaled deeply, forcing air into his lungs. Then again. And again.
Suddenly, golden energy exploded from his body, flooding the arena with radiant light. His Circles lit up like miniature suns as the raw power surged through him.
Then—with a furious roar—he charged.
Kraven didn't move at first. That arrogant smirk never left his lips.
Then, just as Raven closed the gap—
Slip. Dodge. Pivot.
Kraven tilted his body a fraction to the right, then to the left, effortlessly sidestepping Raven's high-speed assault.
The dodge was so smooth, so effortless, it made Raven's blinding dash look like a child's reckless stumble.
> "Really?" Kraven taunted, barely suppressing a yawn. "That was supposed to be a strike? Don't waste my time."
Raven didn't respond. He spun midair, golden light erupting from his feet, launching him forward with even more speed.
This time, he took a different approach.
He raised both Circles above his head, channeling energy into them until they gleamed like twin celestial discs. The power crackling around them distorted the air itself.
> "HAAAAAH!"
With a mighty cry, Raven slammed them down at Kraven with everything he had.
The arena quaked.
A deafening BOOOOM echoed as dust and debris exploded into the air. The force of the strike caused even the distant walls to tremble.
For a moment, everything was still.
Then, as the dust began to settle…
Raven could be seen kneeling, his twin Circles embedded in the cracked ground, still glowing with residual energy. His body radiated ethereal light, but his face…
It was marked by fear—and frustration.
A thin crimson line traced its way across his cheek, blood dripping slowly to the ground.
But Raven didn't flinch at the pain.
His eyes were fixed ahead… to the figure standing far across the battlefield, untouched.
Kraven.
Still calm. Still blindfolded.
Holding the obsidian dagger loosely at his side.
His expression was blank. Bored, even.
> "How disappointing," he muttered, the disdain in his voice razor-sharp. "I was wrong."
He took a step forward, his words cutting deeper than any blade.
> "You're just another worthless mortal."
> "Pathetic."
> "Weakling."
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To be continued…
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