Celestial Bloodline

The demon sneered at Kyle and promptly landed on the stage, but the silver-haired man remained suspended above the stage, casting a glance at the illusionary figure.

"Just a minute. After all..."

He glanced at the demon staring at him with an amused expression.

"... there's no rule preventing me from taking my time outside the stage."

The illusionary figure looked at him with a speechless expression, even though it was made of energy, it had a consciousness to understand Kyle's intention.

Also, it realized there were truly no rules stopping the human from spending time outside the stage where he would fight.

The demon, having just heard his words, shouted at the illusionary figure in protest, and it looked at Kyle, urging the man to land on the stage so it could start the battle. But Kyle looked away and glanced at a distant stage where Alec had just encountered a transcendent rank individual.

'I have observed everyone else's fighting style, but his is the only one I haven't seen. Since he wields a sword, a minute should be enough to gauge his mastery level.'

Kyle's eyebrow arched as he watched Alec wield the sword effortlessly, executing a sequence of complex strikes that culminated in a masterful final blow, leaving the transcendent man incapacitated. Alec's strikes were precise, each movement meticulously crafted.

"That sword..."

His eyes narrowed at the large sword in Alec's hand, and only then did he notice the sword was enveloped in a subtle yet pure golden glow. A sudden realization dawned on him that the sword resonated with joy in the hands of its wielder.

"Just how long has he been using that sword? Most weapons wear out over time, but the sword's seamless compatibility in his grip suggests he has wielded it for years. His mystery over his weapon is quite good too."

Of course, it was somewhat lower than Kyle's usual standards, which were so high that even Hubert, his master, was somewhat displeased... as the sword was a weapon he could confidently declare no one could surpass him with.

He had reached a point with the sword where just holding it was enough to make the air around him tremble.

Unfortunately, he changed his weapons often in the No Mana Land, so he doesn't have a weapon that had spent many years with him, only if he didn't include the sword and spear he stole from Hubert. So, he was somewhat surprised when he saw Alec displaying such remarkable compatibility with his weapon. The illusionary figure floating beside Kyle tapped his shoulder to remind him he had a battle to attend... but the human paid it no mind.

Kyle's lips curled upward when he witnessed Alec using his sword art. The blue-haired man quickly channeled his divine energy into the blade in his hand, creating a vortex of power.

As his sword arced through the air, it emitted a harmonic hum and left behind a trail of shimmering energy, causing a shockwave to ripple outward. The force generated from the strike was so immense that even though the stage beneath him was powerful enough to withstand the impact of a transcendent rank attack, a huge scar appeared on its surface.

'Ah... impressive. I suppose Yue was correct in stating that you are the most powerful among the group. It's evident you surpass Carcel in strength. Therefore, I trust you will be the last person to receive the array power alongside Carcel.'

He chuckled, but the illusionary figure beside him was finally fed up and told him that if he doesn't land on the stage to fight his battle immediately, he would be eliminated from the Gladiator Arena. Kyle clicked his tongue as he glanced down at the demon staring at him.

'What's the point? I would be kicked out of the Arena once the array activates.'

He landed on his stage to fight his battle, but the demon who was gazing at him with an angry and sinister smile began screaming the moment their battle started when he disappeared from his spot and grabbed the latter's neck.

Kyle gazed at the man clawing at his arm as he tightened his grip on the latter's neck. A soft sigh escaped his lips.

"You can't injure me with your nails alone. My skin can normally withstand most attacks without a single scratch. An enemy needs a sharp weapon to harm my body... but I wonder why you are so desperately trying to injure me? Hmm?"

He tilted his head and suddenly recalled the two words he had somehow caught after lip-reading the shadow general who was conversing with some demons.

"Oh, don't tell me the shadow general asked you to get my blood?"

Kyle's eyes chilled when he saw shock in the demon's eyes. A cold smile appeared on his lips as he loosened his grip on the man's neck and slapped his face.

"How about you tell me why? Maybe I will let you live a little longer."

But instead of replying to him, the man shouted toward the illusionary figure.

"I admit-!"

Kyle clamped his other hand over the man's mouth, and the man's white slit pupils widened in agony as intense pain surged through his entire body.

"It's okay if you don't want to tell me. I already know the shadow generals want my blood. So, I will figure out the rest later when I am fighting them both."

He swiftly separated the man's soul from his body and flicked his fingers to conjure water, cleansing the blood from his hands. The illusionary figure floating outside the stage landed beside him and declared him the winner with a hint of incredulity in its somewhat monotone eyes.

Meanwhile, Alec, having just defeated his opponent and now able to catch his breath, scanned his surroundings with a perplexed expression because during the fight, he felt an odd stare fixed on him.

It was a keen, evaluating gaze, not threatening but more like someone sizing up his skills. However, he scratched his head upon realizing that nobody seemed to be observing him closely except a few audience who were watching his battle.

"Did I make a mistake?"