Genetic Ascension

Chapter 1313: Feral

BANG!

Sylas landed in the middle of an arena, his aura rippling out in waves of wild sparks of lightning.

Deng. Deng. Deng.

One piece of the Scorpion Warlord Armor after another snapped into place, sounding so solid and real it reverberated akin to metal sliding along metal and mountains clashing against mountain.

As soon as the last piece slid into place, the world roared and his tail swayed.

Ahead, on the bottom of the stage, Alex cleared his throat and adjusted his tie. He had put on formal wear—a black suit, finely pressed, adorning him from head to toe along with a nice top hat. He played his part all too well.

In the crowd, not too far off, Old Brama stood next to Jala, shaking his head. Both were wondering what was going on and wanted to ask more questions, but Alex seemed gung-ho with what he had already gotten.

They weren’t even technically allowed to be here, but apparently, rules didn’t matter anymore.

”Ahem. ATTENTION, ATTENTION!” Alex’s voice boomed, his voice being projected not by himself, but by a clever set of Runes that Sylas had so graciously given him. In fact, Alex hoped that he could keep it. This was nice.

If Sylas’ commotion hadn’t already sent off waves, then this certainly did. Sylas was no longer the nameless youth that came by just a few days ago. He was number one on the F-tier list, a man who had quickly become known for his prowess.

But he was also a person that many were dissatisfied with. He had jumped to number one on the F-tier list without even beating Scarval at his very best.

They had all seen the battle. Sylas was powerful, but Scarval had never even used his Warlord Armor. How could someone be ranked number one based on that performance alone? It was ridiculous.

But now...

”To be quite frank and honest with you all, my young master here doesn’t take even a single one of you seriously. You see, he’s been hearing a lot of talk recently, and he’s not exactly the patient sort of guy, but he also doesn’t have the time to deal with every Tom, Dick, or Harry that wants to challenge him either.

”So listen up, folks. We’re giving you a flash deal, a sale for the ages. It’s quite simple to participate—you just have to be of either the Lion, Serpent, Ape, or Whale Lineages. Like I said, my boy here doesn’t like wasting time, and he’s not of the opinion that anyone else is worthy of his own.

”Let’s start systematically.”

Alex unveiled a scroll and it unraveled until it slapped heartily against the ground. But even then, the list of names on it was actually quite short. In fact, there were only four names total.

”Ah, seems I pulled the Ape Lineage list out first. It seems you guys will be the lucky first few.

”Alrighty, then. 23rd Ranked F-tier Disciple Brenna Khar. You have exactly 30 minutes to respond to this challenge, or, in the names of me, myself, and I, you are what we like to call a ’pussy-ass bitch’ on Earth.”

Alex snapped his scroll closed, clasped his hands behind his back and smiled.

”Feel free to also inform number 17 Raul Gorak, number 9 Riusar Vekius, and number 3 Torin Kael that they are next, in that order. Honestly, my young master is only a little bit interested in this Torin character and is graciously giving him as much time as he needs to appear. The rest of you can kick rocks for all we care.”

The commotion these words caused was immediate and almost haunting.

In the midst of the chaos, Old Brama shook his head, wondering if he’d ever survive long enough to get any real help out of Sylas. At this point, one of the two of them would get themselves killed before that day came.

Sylas continued to stand at the center of the arena, his eyes closed. It was as though he hadn’t heard anything at all. His blood was relaxed, his heartbeat steady, his muscles almost dormant.

But one scene after another played out in his mind. As his tail swished from side to side, a violence was bubbling up in his bones, causing the Runes around him to practically spontaneously combust.

BANG!

The stage shook—a Bear Warlord disciple had landed, directly bypassing Alex. Honestly, Alex didn’t even try to stop him. He knew he didn’t have the strength to, and knowing Sylas, he probably already expected this would happen.

”I am ranked 78th, my name—!”

BANG!

Whatever they would have thought to say was cut off. Sylas didn’t even open his eyes, his telekinesis slamming into the disciple’s chest with the force of a mountain.

The Bear Lineage disciple was sent flying into the distance, his body practically shattering against the leaderboard that hung high above.

He slipped down slowly, coughing out mouthfuls of blood that held shredded flesh and thickened clots.

Sparks of emerald lightning continued to flash around Sylas, his eyes still closed.

”Well,” Alex cleared his throat again, ”as you all can see, he doesn’t have the best temper. So if you’re not on the list, it’s probably because you aren’t strong enough. I don’t really know how dumb you have to be to put your head on a platter like that without being called out first.”

Those of the Bear Lineage rushed to help the young man up as the crowd’s commotion reached a new peak.

Slowly, a woman with short-cut hair formed into wild spikes moved forward. She hardly wore much at all—her lower half covered by a pair of spandex-like short shorts that barely covered a quarter of her thighs, and her chest wrapped in a beast-skin band. A rippling set of glistening abs flashed between the both of them, while a pair of long canines flashed through her grin.

Despite her wild choice in hair and dress, she was the sort of beauty a mortal might see once in a lifetime.

Deng. Deng. Deng.

Slowly, her Ape Warlord Armor snapped into place as well as she stepped onto the stage.

”I hear I was called here by you, handsome?” Her grin became wild to the point she almost seemed feral, her canines lengthening even more.