Child of Destiny

...…

Given the terrifying pressure that God's Paradise had, it was clear that all of them were apex experts. It was also obvious that more than half of them were already promoted to the third tier of their class given the clear differences that they had compared to the rest.

But among this group, aside from Kallavan and Susanoo, who were cut above the rest, four more people had a similar level of threat.

One was the Female Archbishop. Despite her class being an auxiliary one, which focused on supporting her team, the pressure that she had was no less than the two fighters beside her.

Then there was the Dire Naga Spearman, which carried the air of a real expert. He was silently standing on his spot but the aura that was surrounding his body carried a scent of death.

There was also the Female Elven Archer, which was surrounded by a gentle wind that was circling her. It seemed like she was the child of wind as they moved under her command.

Then last, but not least, was the Fallen Human Wizard, who seemed to be shrouded by darkness. He seemed to be someone standing between the boundaries of illusion and reality as his figure repeatedly flickered along with the shadows.

These people might not be as famous as their three leading figures such as the Combat King Kallavan and the Storm Samurai Susanoo, who were as well-known as the apex gods within the game despite being Maverick Gods, and their commander, the Martial God Ashura.

The two were known to be the left and right hands of Martial God Ashura, who somewhat overshadowed them with his overwhelming might.

Regardless, these two Maverick Gods were as powerful as Godlike Players with official titles. They just did not join any ranking events due to personal reasons.

Other people might be afraid of this powerful group, especially when some of the big guilds within the game were also wary of them.

But this did not apply to the current people that they were facing as they were also people who stood at the very peak of the game.

Shin, Arthur, and Leonard gathered as each member of the Empyrean Talons also started to appear one after another.

Diablo was the first to make an appearance as he was the fastest to arrive after Arthur and Leonard, who rushed toward here as soon as they could.

Right after he materialized beside the three, he suddenly felt a 'resonance' and raised his head. His eyes were immediately attracted to a certain figure standing on the opposing side. It was the Dire Naga, who was hugging a black spear in front of him.

He was not sure why, but he felt a sudden urge to fight this person as soon as he saw them. He had just been promoted to Tier 3 and even mastered harnessing the portion of the Ancient Shadow Power that he had gotten from the previous battle, so he wanted to test his current strength.

Meanwhile, Cloe suddenly appeared beside Shin after using Blink. She smiled at him before sensing a gaze that was directed to her.

Raising her head, she saw a female archbishop standing in the middle of the other party. When their gazes met, the latter smiled at her while waving her hands. From the look of it, she was quite familiar with Cloe.

Cloe was surprised at first before nodding her head as a greeting. She knew that person as they used to be rivals for being the greatest healer in the previous games. She was not expecting that they would meet like this.

At this point, Alice, or rather Elemental Goddess Charlotte inside the game, floated down and stood along with the others. She was currently carrying a noble aura that seemed to make the surrounding elements worship her.

Right after her feet touched the ground, she immediately sensed a hostile aura coming from the opposing side. That was when she saw the Fallen Human Wizard shrouded with dark elements. There seemed to be a disgusting feeling coming from that person that made her think that she had found her nemesis.

Invisible sparks seemed to be formed as the gazes of the two sides met in the air.

During this, another person arrived. He was a person with a pale skill wearing a seat of exquisite clothes under an elegant black coat. He had a gentleman's hat that covered his eyes with its shade.

Holding a sniper rifle in hand and resting it on his shoulder, he walked toward Shin and the others. His other hand was resting on the silver rapier sheathed on the side of his waist.

This was Alucard who finally finished his promotion quest after digesting the inheritance that he had gotten from Dracula, the Vampire King of the Frozen Kingdom.

Sensing something, he slightly raised his head to look at the opposing side and saw an Elven Archer, who was glaring sharply at him.

Confused, he slightly tilted his head to the side before remembering something. He then smiled at the female elf in a provoking manner, which irked the latter even more.

After that, more members of the Empyrean Talons come out one after another.

Owen and Ithilien appeared together and calmly walked toward the group, Akailu, who was now wearing the set of armor that Berlin had crafted for him, Archimedes and Daulla, who gently landed after flying to this place, and Chaotic Luck, who clumsily joined the group.

There was a standoff between the two groups, creating a heavy and intense atmosphere.

A fight between these groups was about to break out when someone finally broke the atmosphere. "Tsk! Tsk! I know that something like this is going to happen when all of you suddenly disappear."

Ashura walked toward Susanoo and the others while glaring fiercely at Kallavan. He then turned toward the opposing side, Shin in particular, before apologizing. "I am sorry for the trouble that my team has caused."

"They just have nothing between to do, so they come here to mess around," he added before fiercely sweeping his gaze at everyone in his group, making them lower their heads in silence.

Shin, who had seen that scene, found it funny before saying. "It is fine. I fully understand," while giving Arthur and Leonard a meaningful glance.

In response, the two rolled their eyes, seemingly saying that he was no better.

Cloe even hit Shin and glared at him as if she was telling him – "You have the gals to talk? You are the one who is always at the center of trouble!" –

Shin quickly shut up and just smiled.

Ashura chuckled as he saw what was happening on the other side before saying. "How about we proceed with our schedule so that we can get this over with?"

Shin was about to agree when he noticed the fierce glares that Arthur and Leonard were sending to the Susanoo and Kallavan.

He then smiled helplessly before suggesting. "How about we move to a safer place for now? I am afraid that these guys will go out of control once we start."

Ashura smiled in understanding and was about to agree when Susanoo and Kallavan simultaneously opened their mouths.

"You can go and have your duel while we will have fun with these guys."

"Do hog all the fun by yourself. At least let us have our own."

At the same time, Arthur and Leonard also voiced their thoughts.

"Yoh, Shin. Don't mind us. We can handle ourselves."

"Shin Bro, you should know that is hard to find suitable opponents who can test our skills. Let us have a go with those guys."

In the meantime, Cloe, who was the real or named commander of the Empyrean Talons could only sigh when she heard those words. She wanted to scold these three, but she could also understand what they were feeling.

She then looked toward the archbishop of the opposing group before falling into deep thought.

While everyone was in their respective thoughts, the archbishop of God's Paradise suddenly suggested. "Then how about applying for an official challenge, Commander?"

"It will be a pity not to challenge such a worthy opponent. It will be a waste if we don't give it a go when we are already here."

"Moreover, the United Cup is already around the corner. Don't you think it is a good opportunity to test our current strength and coordination while also checking on the abilities of one of our greatest rivals," she added in a whispering tone.

Ashura was surprised at first before nodding. "That is a good idea, Lia. Let's see what the other side thinks."

Before he could even voice it out, Arthur and Leonard, who both had sharp senses immediately responded.

"That is a great idea!"

"Perfect!"

These guys seemed to have forgotten that Cloe was their commander and did not even consult her about her thoughts.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Empyrean Talons also became interested, seemingly eager to give it a try. There was an intense blaze in everyone's eyes, especially Diablo and Alucard, who were staring at their 'counterparts' on the opposing side.

They were overflowing with competitiveness.

"That sounds interesting," commented Shin before turning to Cloe with a smile. "What do you think?"

Cloe gave him meaningful eyes before nodding. "Let's try it."

After that, she turned to Ashura and the others and suggested. "But I think it is better if we keep this upon ourselves. No broadcast, and no live feeds. We can record the battle, but we can't leak it to any other party – at least until the United Cup concludes."

Ashura nodded without hesitation as he understood what she was thinking. They wanted to keep their current strengths secret from their other competitors.

Cloe then turned to Shin and said. "Then you can go ahead and do your thing. We will handle ourselves."

Arthur and Leonard quickly ditched Shin and invited the others.

"Then let's head back to the city and do the necessary preparations."

"We will leave the official challenge to our reliable commander!"

Cloe rolled her eyes at the two and said. "And now you remember that I am your commander!? Hmph!"

Ashura, on the other hand, turned to their archbishop and said. "I will leave the rest to you, Lia. These guys are all unreliable as you know," while pointing at Susanoo and Kallavan.

Lia nodded before leading the group. She also turned to Cloe and asked. "What rules and format are we using?"

Cloe thought for a moment before sweeping her gaze at everyone. She then answered. "Let's go with the most straightforward one, where everyone can join."

"No champions from each side and go straight to team battle?" asked Lia in response.

"Let's go with two team battles with six members each," nodded Cloe.

As the two healers of the group discussed the rules for the competition, the rest of their members were already bickering with each other, especially the four gods who were familiar with each other.

"Don't chicken out this time, Simba. I will beat you this time!"

"Tsk! You can try any time, Kallavan. As if I am afraid of you."

"I will let you experience the might of my real power, Siegfried. You better be prepared to lose."

"Hah! As if you have won against me before. Mind me reminding you of our current standings?"

The two groups that were close to breaking into a war against each other suddenly became somewhat friendly with one another due to these four battle maniacs.

Shin and Ashura watched them disappear one after another after using their respective return scrolls.

When everyone left, the forest finally returned to its usual silence.

After that, the two exchange glances, seeing the intense fighting spirit in each other's eyes.

Shin then immediately issued a challenge through the system, finally using his last Godly Challenge Right, which Ashura accepted without any hesitation.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

After that, the two suddenly disappeared and were sent to an ancient battleground.

...