NOVEL NEXT Chapter 499: Leroy
Inside the dome, Leroy watched with growing worry as the supernatural cold began affecting his enhanced physiology in ways that his S-rank constitution had never experienced before. The temperature wasn't just cold—it was something approaching absolute zero that made even breathing require conscious effort.
System notifications materialized before his vision with information that confirmed his tactical assessment of their deteriorating situation:
[You are in The Winter Beast's Domain]
[Resistance toward Ice Damage has been lowered by 20%]
[Your attributes have been lowered by 20%]
[The Winter Beast's Ice-based attacks have been increased by 10%]
'Winter Beast?' Leroy's mind immediately focused on the creature standing beside Arthur—an entity whose presence radiated immense power.
'It must be this creature,' He thought to himself, to the cause of the debuffing that was reducing his combat effectiveness to levels that could prove fatal if hostilities commenced. The Winter Beast's compact form this time around belied the tremendous power it wielded.
"Are you planning to fight?" Leroy asked with the tone of someone preparing for combat while hoping to avoid it entirely.
Arthur shook his head with genuine gentleness that seemed incongruous given the overwhelming display of power he had just orchestrated. He could sense the worry and horror that Leroy was experiencing as the domain's effects continued reducing his capabilities, yet the Australian champion still managed to maintain a brave front despite facing impossible odds.
It was genuinely commendable behaviour that spoke well of Leroy's character and potential value as an ally rather than an enemy.
"I don't want to fight," Arthur replied with sincere reassurance. "I told you I didn't appreciate having so many observers present. So I brought you to a more private location where we can speak honestly without external interference."
His tone carried consideration of Leroy's feelings, as if he didn't want him to feel unsafe. "As for my intentions, I want to recruit you to join a new world order that's emerging from the chaos of the dimensional crisis. I don't want to waste time with elaborate explanations when direct discussion will be more efficient."
Arthur's expression grew more serious as he prepared to outline the proposal he had come to present. "I'll give you both the advantages and disadvantages of what I'm offering. You can decide what path serves your interests best based on complete information."
Leroy raised an eyebrow with obvious interest despite their circumstances. The Australian champion possessed the intelligence to recognise that negotiation represented a far better outcome than combat against someone whose capabilities clearly exceeded his own.
"Go ahead," Leroy replied with the attention of someone evaluating potentially life-changing proposals.
Arthur nodded, his smile carrying satisfaction at Leroy's willingness to engage with serious discussion rather than defaulting to hostile responses.
"The advantages are numerous and substantial," Arthur began. "Epic-rank equipment that exceeds anything your government can provide. Skills and opportunities that will accelerate your development beyond current limitations. Premium membership in what will become the strongest organisation in the emerging global power structure, with status and authority to match that position."
His voice carried confident certainty as he continued outlining the benefits of the alliance. "Whether your desires focus on personal power, financial resources, international recognition, or access to opportunities that don't exist through conventional channels, you'll have access to all of it if you choose to follow my leadership."
Leroy laughed slightly, the sound carrying scepticism mixed with curiosity about claims that seemed too ambitious to be realistic.
"Isn't this rather far-fetched?" Leroy asked with diplomatic caution. "The benefits you're describing sound like dreams rather than practical opportunities."
"Not at all," Arthur replied with confidence that suggested he possessed a comprehensive understanding of what he was promising.
Without warning, Leroy suddenly disappeared from his position in a gust of wind that spoke of his S-rank talent's activation, his form becoming temporarily incorporeal before rematerializing directly beside Arthur with enhanced speed that should have provided overwhelming tactical advantage.
Had anyone outside seen it, they would have thought that Leroy teleported. That's how fast he was. However, to Arthur, he was at a snail's pace.
His fist appeared before Arthur's face with the accuracy and power that had made Leroy Australia's designated champion, the attack carrying enough force to disable superior-rank opponents through sheer impact.
Arthur caught the incoming strike with ease, his hand intercepting Leroy's fist without apparent effort or strain.
BOOM!
The sound of the attack spoke of its severity, but the impact was contrasting.
The smile remained on Arthur's face throughout the interception, suggesting he felt no hostility from Leroy's action.
Arthur recognised this wasn't a genuine attack born of aggression—it was a test designed to assess his defensive capabilities and determine whether his confident claims were supported by actual power that justified such ambitious recruitment offers.
Understanding Leroy's curiosity, Arthur deliberately stepped back and gestured for another attempt. "Try again," he suggested with an encouraging tone.
Leroy appeared in a different location within the dome, his wind-based movement allowing for rapid repositioning that should have provided optimal striking angles against even s-rank opponents. This time, Arthur made no defensive gestures or preparation for interception.
The attack landed squarely on Arthur's chest with the full force of an S-rank beta awakened's enhanced physical capabilities, the impact creating a sound like thunder that echoed through the ice dome.
Nothing happened to Arthur. Absolutely nothing.
Instead of flying across the dome in obvious pain or showing any indication of damage from the tremendous force delivered by Leroy's strike, Arthur remained perfectly stationary. His expression didn't change, his posture didn't shift, and no defensive aura or protective technique was visible around his form.
Leroy, however, felt agony shoot through his attacking hand as the impact reverberated back through his bones and muscles. The sensation was similar to punching an object with the thickness of a mountain with full force—his hand felt like it was nearly broken from the encounter with Arthur's apparently invulnerable physiology.
The Australian champion stepped back with obvious shock, flexing his injured fingers while staring at Arthur with growing understanding of exactly what kind of individual he was facing.
Arthur's defensive capabilities weren't based on protective techniques, magical barriers, or equipment enhancements. His body itself had become so fundamentally enhanced that S-rank attacks simply couldn't affect him through conventional physical force.
"Does that answer your questions about whether my offers are realistic?" Arthur asked with gentle amusement at Leroy's expression of dawning comprehension.