NOVEL NEXT Chapter 652: surveyed
Ty watched as Alexander spoke, the authority in his voice bringing a strange sense of clarity to the chaos that had enveloped them. He could see Waddle, Gisorn, and the others nodding, trying to muster whatever strength they had left.
Aldric, still breathing heavily, looked towards the man in red leading the Black Bulls. "He's saying something," Aldric muttered, squinting. He shook his head, trying to clear his senses. "But I can't hear a damn thing."
The Black Bull leader, clad in crimson, raised his hand, and his group moved, spreading out, each of them wearing a grim expression. The leader looked directly at them, his eyes locking onto Ty for a moment, before scanning the others. His lips moved, issuing commands, though still, Ty heard nothing—like the world was holding its breath.
Yagrid, leaning against Gisorn for support, grumbled, "Why now? Why're they here now, when we're already at our limit?" His voice was filled with frustration, his body clearly at the edge of collapse.
John, his face smeared with dirt and blood, looked over at Ty, his eyes filled with a mixture of determination and fear. "What do we do, Ty? Do we attack first or…?"
Ty swallowed hard, his gaze flicking between his group and the Black Bulls. "We need to be smart," he said, his voice quiet but filled with resolve. "They've been watching us. They've got a plan. We can't just charge in blind."
Rosana scoffed, though the exhaustion in her eyes made her expression softer than her usual defiance. "I don't think we have much of a choice," she muttered. "We either fight or get crushed."
Fernando, who had remained silent until now, looked at the Black Bulls, his eyes narrowing as he studied their formation. "They're too organized. We're scattered, beat up… they're fresh." He wiped a streak of blood from his cheek, a weary smile forming. "But we've got more to lose, don't we? Maybe that gives us an edge."
A bolt of lightning cascaded down the center of the room, illuminating the pearl-like ground in stark white light. Shadows danced erratically against the walls as King Threxian stepped forward, his imposing figure framed by dozens of drones hovering in synchronized formation. Their lenses flashed, capturing every moment for the audiences worldwide.
Ty leaned against the wall, his chest rising and falling with every labored breath. His tired eyes locked onto the figure of the King. The man's face, younger and sharper than Ty expected, held a smirk of calm dominance. A coin spun effortlessly between his fingers, its intricate design catching the light with each rotation. Something about it gnawed at Ty's mind—it was hauntingly familiar.
Across the room, Ty's gaze shifted to the Black Bulls. Their usual arrogance was absent, replaced by a tangible unease. Their leader, a man with jagged black armor and an emblem etched onto his chest, visibly tensed. Even from this distance, Ty could see the sweat dripping down his face.
"This… wasn't part of their plan," Ty muttered, his voice a low rasp. He glanced toward Rosana, whose brow furrowed in concern. Alexander, as composed as ever, didn't say a word but shifted slightly, positioning himself between the King and their group.
King Threxian spread his arms wide, his voice smooth yet commanding. "Good day, contestants! And welcome to the greatest tournament on the face of this kingdom." His grin widened as he surveyed the room, his arms gesturing theatrically. "What a spectacle it is to have you all here. You've fought valiantly, endured much, and now stand before the culmination of our grand stage."
The Black Bulls' leader shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting to the drones circling like mechanical hawks. "This is bad," he whispered to one of his subordinates, a wiry man clutching a shattered gauntlet.
"I don't like this," Rosana hissed under her breath, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. "Why's he here? He's not supposed to be here, right? This isn't part of the protocol."
Alexander, his voice calm but edged with steel, replied, "It doesn't matter why. Focus on his words. He's always deliberate."
On the far side of the room, the tension snapped. A Black Bull with wild, fiery eyes broke ranks, his hands crackling with red energy. "To hell with this!" he roared, charging the King. The aura around his palm flared as he swung it toward Threxian's face with murderous intent.
Three inches away, his attack halted. An invisible barrier shimmered to life, rippling like a disturbed pond. The energy from the strike rebounded with brutal force, sending the man flying backward. He slammed into the floor with a sickening thud, his arm charred black from the reflected blast.
The room fell silent save for the soft hum of the drones. The downed Black Bull groaned, his attempt to rise faltering as his injured arm refused to respond. His comrades stared, frozen in place.
King Threxian lowered his arms, the coin now spinning between two fingers. His voice dripped with amusement. "You thought you'd storm this tournament and disrupt my stage?" He took a deliberate step toward the crumpled attacker. "Did you think I wouldn't notice? That I wouldn't respond?" His gaze turned to the drones, his smirk growing. "I hope the world is enjoying this display."
"Get up!" shouted a female Black Bull, her voice sharp with urgency. She knelt beside her fallen comrade, her scarred face a mask of fury as she glared up at the King. "This isn't over."
"Ah," Threxian said, tilting his head slightly, "the defiance. How quaint. But defiance without power is… useless."
Ty forced himself upright, his legs trembling but holding firm. "What is this? Why are you here?" he demanded, his voice rough but resolute. The words spilled out before he could stop himself. "This isn't part of the tournament." Explore stories on My Virtual Library Empire
Threxian's smirk faltered for a heartbeat before returning with a sharper edge. "Ah, the demon speaks. Vishu...
Vis-... Ty stated for a moment before breathing heavily as the King contiued to talk.
I have come to deal with a pest, you lay a trap for rats and they always fall for it if the food is good enough.
I have been racking my brain around how to deal with this once and for all for the largest time. and I came to the conculsion that killing the black bulls with my own hands would showcase just how out of touc hthose who question the kingdom truly are.
So all of you watching from around the world, enjoy the full carnange on display, everyone standing behind me; you have made it to the final stage, execept for the demon, I want you to watch what comes next. Snapping his finger a door opened from behind them as nurses and medical staff began to flood in. as a bolt of fire came toward the king but slammed into the wall again as a women in black robes with the black bulls tried to attack but nothing happened,
The chamber fell silent except for the faint hum of the drones circling above, capturing every angle of the tense standoff. The Black Bulls exchanged wary glances, their usual bravado tempered by the oppressive presence of King Threxian. The coin in his hand pulsed briefly, the ripple of its power sending a subtle wave through the room before he slipped it back into his pocket. His demeanor remained relaxed, as though their defiance was a trivial inconvenience.
"Show me," Threxian said simply. "Let's see if you're worth the trouble."
Gerald, adjusted his golden bracelets with a deliberate motion. He glanced at the others and muttered under his breath, "Don't rush in. Feel him out."
The woman with the doll-shaped teleportation artifact clenched her jaw. "Feel him out? Have you seen what he's done?"
"We don't know his third skill," Gears said, tightening the straps on his gauntlets. "Until we do, every move is a gamble."
Xuán Wěi's wraiths swirled around him, their forms restless. "We buy time," he replied. "If we survive this round, we'll figure a way out."
Threxian's boots echoed as he stepped forward, the sound deliberate and measured. He gestured lazily toward Gears, his eyes gleaming with disdain. "You look eager," he said, his voice heavy with amusement. "Go on. Show me."
Gears inhaled sharply, his jaw tightening. He stepped into the open, his hands curling into fists. Without hesitation, he lunged forward, the reinforced gauntlets on his arms roaring to life. His first strike came fast and heavy, aimed directly at Threxian's center. The sound of the impact reverberated through the chamber as stone beneath their feet cracked under the force.