MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

From the beginning to the end, every eye was fixed on the unfolding battle, not a single moment missed.

Even those whose arrogance soared to unimaginable heights observed, unable to tear themselves away.

Anthony sat in quiet contemplation, his gaze locked upon the figure of 20072, his thoughts lingering on the lifeless body of 837.

'A pity'

Anthony mused inwardly, his expression unreadable.

'Such wasted potential, such squandered ability...'

His mind wandered back to 837's electromagnetic field.

Anthony had observed it with keen interest, recognizing the raw power it contained.

While others might have seen it as a refined technique, to Anthony, a genius in his own right, it seemed crude.

He could already envision countless ways to wield that same power with more finesse, more precision.

A dozen different strategies raced through his mind, each one capable of ending the fight with far greater efficiency.

What others considered mastery, Anthony knew could be so much more.

Anthony was not alone in his thoughts.

Many others, who were also talented and intelligent to some extent, also envisioned more refined ways to manipulate the electromagnetic field.

837 had undoubtedly been a genius, but among geniuses, he was merely another face in the crowd, a talented individual who had yet to reach the peak of what was truly possible.

The overseer reappeared, his expression one of amusement, as if the previous battle had been little more than an afterthought.

With a casual wave of his hand, 837's lifeless body vanished, replaced by 20072, who swiftly returned to his seat.

Without hesitation, 20072 began using potions to restore himself to full strength, his focus entirely on regaining his peak condition.

The overseer chuckled softly, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Well, that was boring"

He remarked with a touch of disdain.

"I hope the next battle entertains me. I can't sit through days of watching this nonsense"

His gaze shifted toward a select few, his expectations clear: 'Let the next combatants impress me'

"Anyways"

He continued with a nonchalant wave.

"None of that matters. Let us begin with the next death"

The screen flickered, numbers racing across the display at lightning speed, before halting once more.

The final numbers materialized: 17393 vs 28292.

The overseer sighed.

"Another boring one"

His voice echoed through the arena before he disappeared, his presence fading like a shadow.

The two combatants exchanged a brief, intense stare from their seats, each aware of the imminent clash.
Enjoy exclusive chapters from empire

Without a word, they vanished, leaving only the quiet hum of the arena in their wake.

17393 and 28292 stood high in the sky, floating above a desolate landscape, their eyes locked onto each other with unwavering focus.

The air around them crackled with energy, their bodies brimming with aura as they prepared for the life or death battle that would soon unfold.

The winds whipped violently, pulled by the sheer intensity of their presence, but neither flinched, both determined to end the fight swiftly.

17393, a towering figure clad in obsidian armor, exuded the power of the storm itself.

His affinity lay with the elemental force of lightning, and his presence surged with crackling energy, arcs of electrical power dancing along his armored limbs.

His eyes glowed with the intensity of a thunderstorm, the flickers of his aura painting his silhouette against the sky.

28292, by contrast, was a more nimble figure, dressed in tattered cloaks that flared with crimson energy.

His affinity rested with fire, his aura radiating an intense heat that distorted the air around him.

His deep red eyes smoldered with an inner flame, his posture low and predatory.

He was the embodiment of a raging inferno, his power threatening to consume everything in his path.

Both combatants were clearly aware of the other's strength, neither underestimating the danger the other posed.

Their gazes met one final time before the battle began.

The silence shattered.

With a burst of speed, 17393 surged forward, his body propelled by the raw force of lightning.

His fist crackled with power, aiming for 28292's chest.

The strike was a direct and unforgiving blow, designed to send his opponent flying with the full force of a thunderclap.

But 28292 was quick, too quick. With a fluid motion, he twisted his body, his aura igniting in a flash, and darted to the side.

The punch missed by inches, and 28292 retaliated immediately.

His hand extended outward, summoning a burst of flame that shot toward 17393's side in a flash of searing red.

The fireball erupted mid air, its heat enough to scorch the surrounding air, but 17393 reacted instantly, raising his arm and channeling his lightning aura to create a barrier of crackling energy.

The fireball collided with the shield, exploding in a violent burst, but the shield held, only slightly flickering from the impact.

Without hesitation, 17393 leaped forward, using the momentary distraction to close the distance between them.

His hand gripped a jagged blade, crafted from condensed lightning energy, and he slashed horizontally with deadly precision.

The blade left a trail of arcane electricity in its wake, its jagged edges crackling with lethal power.

But 28292 was ready.

With a twisted grin, he raised his hand, summoning flames that swirled around his body in a protective vortex.

The lightning blade met the fire vortex with a deafening clash.

Sparks flew as electricity danced along the flames, creating an explosion of energy that pushed both combatants back.

They hovered mid air, their auras flaring, both taking a moment to gather themselves.

28292's eyes narrowed.

"Impressive"

He muttered, but there was no time for words.

He was already moving.

The fire mage launched himself forward with a burst of flame propelling him through the air.

His fist clenched, flames licking around his knuckles, and he swung with the full weight of his fiery power.

17393 blocked the attack with his forearm, but the force behind it was enough to send him crashing into the sky, his energy flickering dangerously as he struggled to maintain control.

28292 pursued, his body like a streak of flame in the air.

As he closed in, he unleashed a flurry of fiery punches, each one aimed at vital points, gut, ribs, face.

Each strike left a trail of embers and smoke, forcing 17393 to dodge and weave through the storm of attacks.

He was fast, almost too fast.

But 17393 was no slouch.

With a growl of exertion, he tapped into his lightning affinity once more, his aura flaring brightly, and launched a counterattack.

With a sudden burst of speed, he appeared behind 28292, his fist crackling with raw energy.

Lightning surged through his arm, aiming for the back of his opponent's head, but 28292 twisted in mid air, narrowly avoiding the strike.

The air sizzled with the near contact, the surrounding atmosphere charged with static.

28292 responded by unleashing a powerful fireball, throwing it like a molten spear toward 17393's chest.

The projectile moved faster than expected, a burst of energy scorching the sky as it closed the gap.

But 17393 didn't retreat.

Instead, he surged forward, his form becoming a blur of lightning as he met the fireball head on, colliding with it and shattering the flaming mass into a wave of sparks.

But the explosion sent him skidding backward, his body temporarily paralyzed by the blast's force.

28292 didn't wait for him to recover.

He followed up with a sweeping kick that sent torrents of fire trailing from his foot, aiming to overwhelm 17393's defenses.

The fire dragon like attack arced through the air, burning bright as it aimed for 17393's midsection.

At the last moment, 17393 ignited his mana, creating a burst of lightning that forced the fire dragon attack back, but the heat still left deep burns across his body.

His chest heaved with exhaustion, the energy he had left rapidly draining.

His lightning barrier flickered, barely holding.

Realizing he was on the back foot, 17393 retreated momentarily, gathering all of his remaining strength.

His aura swirled around him, coalescing into an intense, electric storm.

Bolts of lightning crackled across his body, charging the air, and he channeled the power into his spear.

With a cry, he hurled it at 28292 with deadly accuracy. The spear whistled through the air, crackling with raw energy.

28292 responded with a roar of fury, thrusting both hands forward and unleashing a torrent of fire that collided with the lightning spear mid air, creating a massive explosion.

The shockwave shook the heavens above them as the two forces met, sending ripples through the atmosphere.