Genetic Ascension

Chapter 1650 Converging?

Sylasʼ eyes cleared to find many figures looking at him, only for it to blur once again. He found someone who had ironically appeared before him just like this not long ago. But Elbrumʼs expression was far less lofty and unreadable this time.

While to most it wouldnʼt look as though much had changed at all, Sylas could feel the difference... the difference in a man who had lost some of his edge, some of his confidence, and some of his grit.

This wasnʼt a man who was nearly as sure of himself as he had been the first time Sylas stood before him.

There was a subtle acceptance of inferiority no matter whether he wanted to accept it or not.

As for Sylas, his expression was much the same. There wasnʼt the slightest hint of additional arrogance, and maybe it was at that point that everyone seemed to realize where the true roots of Sylasʼ indifference lay... There was too little capable of fazing him.

Even now, he felt unfathomable. They should have already seen all the cards he had to play, but they were no longer so sure. How many things had he shown versus how many things had he still yet to show?

What was he still hiding even now?

Before Elbrum could say anything, though, Ekear appeared by Sylasʼ side. His own momentum was likewise calm, but there was just the slightest quiver in the seven blades of various shapes that rested in a line of rows down his back.

Elbrumʼs gaze flickered with rage for a moment before it vanished. He didnʼt look at Ekear, his gaze remaining rested on Sylas.

”You have surprised me. I have to admit that I had no belief that you would make it so far. Will you participate in the D-tier as well?”

”No,” Sylas replied.

Elbrumʼs gaze narrowed. ”Are you sure?”

”I am sure.” Sylas looked up. ”Iʼm not sure your world will last very long in this state. There probably wonʼt be the formation of a D-tier battlefield in the first place.”

Elbrum had been prepared to speak after Sylas confirmed, only for his pupils to flicker when he heard the latter half of the words.

”You...”

”I am not a fan of the Emperor Sanctum,” Sylas said. ”Iʼd prefer not to continue having this façade of a back and forth if I donʼt have to.”

Elbrumʼs eyes truly seemed to be the most expressive part of him, each one opening wide. There was even the slightest flicker of an amethyst aura around him.

This was purely coincidental, an instinct that flared to life by reflex alone. He didnʼt actually have any intention of attacking directly; he valued his own life far too much. The problem wasnʼt that he feared Ekear, not even remotely. It was the system he feared.

However, to his shock...

”What did you just say to me-?”

Elbrumʼs Scorpion Emperor momentum was wiped out as though it didnʼt exist. He pulled on his Will, thinking it was a fluke, only to find that he couldnʼt muster up any of it at all.

”You...”

Elbrum looked from Sylas to Ekear and then back again, not understanding. Somehow, it felt like they were both suppressing him, but he couldnʼt understand how something like that would be possible.

If the Emperor Sanctum thought that all Sylas had received from their Karma was Gralithʼs release, they were sorely mistaken. Nosphaleen was still right to be angry in small part... but not as much as she thought.

There was still quite a boon to be had, not the least of which was Sylasʼ comprehension of the Scorpion through resonance with Gralithʼs Spirit Beast.

When his own E-Grade Scorpion Warlord Armor was released from its shackles, he was also able to feel out exactly that kernel of Scorpion Will.

And from what he could feel... Elbrumʼs Scorpion was quite weak.

It didnʼt particularly have much of a right to bark here.

Sylas was scanning Elbrum, though, his mind elsewhere.

He wondered... why was Elbrum so eager to get him to participate in the D-tier competition?

He was stalling, but for what purpose? And why in such a clumsy way?

Sylas could tell that Elbrum could feel that something had gone wrong, but he couldnʼt pin down exactly why or how. It was causing him to panic, and seeing Sylas give up when he had a clear road to first place once again only made it feel all the more ridiculous.

The situation was quickly spiraling out of his control, but that still didnʼt explain why he wanted to do this.

Sylas knew that the number of things he had shown could draw attention. But, he had still held back quite a number of cards. Namely, he didnʼt use Gogo, nor did he battle with the Hollow Wing, nor did he even think to use any of their abilities outside of the Hollow Wingʼs teleportation abilities.

He was quite reserved, he believed. But he knew that this reservation wouldnʼt save him completely.

He had reserved his abilities less to avoid trouble, and more so that if anyone came after him, they wouldnʼt have a full scope of understanding of what he was capable of. Even if they overshot it... they wouldnʼt overshoot it by enough.

Something about this was off.

”They believe you are a Convergent,” Ekear said calmly. He didnʼt hide his voice; Elbrum heard him very clearly, and his reaction only confirmed it.

Sylas didnʼt react immediately. He had never heard of such a thing before. But from context clues, he was quickly able to come to a conclusion.

”A Convergent?” Sylas asked. ”Is the Spirit Beast Race an A-Grade Race?”

”Yes.”

Sylas nodded. ”How far from Demi-God are they?”

Ekear raised an eyebrow. ”Quite.”

”Then how would I be converging onto them, exactly?”

Sylasʼ aura flared, the tattoo of a crown etching itself across his forehead. His hair flared with gold, his claws lengthening as his canines grew more prominent.

A radiant might of an A-Grade Race infinitely close to Demi-Godhood rushed outward.