Apocalypse Baby-Chapter 275: Sylen vs Brakka

Spirit Body was the only explanation.

The passive skill wasn't flashy or dramatic, but it was always active, always working, absorbing Emi, even when Alex was doing absolutely nothing, and that had led to him getting the required Emi needed to level up.

It also helped that he was in the resting room, and it was saturated with a thick concentration of Emi. Every second spent here was a chance to absorb more.

Alex realized that wasting that would be stupid, so he decided to actively absorb more Emi.

But there was a problem.

He didn't want to close his eyes and meditate right now.

The fight between Sylen and Brakka was about to start. And the winner? That's who he'd be fighting next. He couldn't afford to miss anything.

So, he came up with a plan:

Using a clone.

He would let the clone do the meditation.

Let it absorb all the Emi it could.

Even better, he'd leave it here—keep it working while he was out fighting.

He'd only dismiss it once the selection rounds were over.

And when he did? He'd gain the Emi his clone had collected.

But he had to be smart about it.

No one could see what he was doing.

Summoning a clone and having it absorb Emi in secret could raise suspicion or draw unwanted attention if anyone noticed. He had to remember that this was a high-stakes setting, and if others realized he was using a hidden clone to passively gain advantage, they might interfere,

So, Alex activated Doppelking, and without wasting a moment, he had it cast Void Shroud, wrapping its body in a layer of darkness that bent light and erased presence.

The clone appeared in a flash and vanished just as quickly, Void Shroud practically making it invisible to the naked eye. Not a shimmer, not a shadow. It was like the clone never existed.

Alex subtly turned his head toward Vess, curiosity in his eyes.

Did she notice anything?

She narrowed her eyes at him, tilting her head slightly, like he'd just said something strange. Then she looked away, unimpressed.

Not once did her gaze shift toward the hidden clone standing right beside him.

Perfect. She couldn't see it.

Alex took a quick glance at Malik and Grugrim.

There was no reaction from either of them.

The clone quietly moved to a corner of the room and sat down cross-legged, slipping into meditation. Emi flowed into it like water into a sponge—fast, clean, constant.

Meanwhile, Alex kept his eyes locked on the arena.

The match was about to start.

A loud, clear signal for the fight to begin rang out from the proctor.

The crowd erupted—a wave of cheers and raw energy shaking the walls.

Brakka didn't waste a second.

The towering beast-man roared, snatching up his massive spiked mace, red lightning crackling across the weapon like it was alive.

With a savage grin, he lunged forward, raising the weapon over his head—

And slammed it down in a brutal arc.

BOOM!

The impact was explosive, shaking the arena floor and sending a shockwave of dust into the air.

But the blow hit nothing.

The elf—Sylen—had already moved.

He'd leaped out of range in a blink, landing gracefully a few meters away.

Brakka charged again, his heavy footsteps pounding the arena floor like drums of war.

In response, Sylen calmly pulled out his bow.

He nocked an arrow. Drew back. Released.

Thwip!

A streak of silver sliced through the air toward the massive Kruckle.

Thwack!

The arrow hit—but bounced harmlessly off Brakka's thick, armored hide.

Sylen didn't react to his attack being ineffective.

He fired again.

Then again.

Thwack!

Thwack!

Thwack!

Releasing arrows after arrows.

Each arrow hitting clean—but each one bounced off like toy darts against a tank. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

Brakka sneered, closing the distance.

"Is that all you got?"

With a growl, he swung his spiked mace sideways—Sylen backstepped, narrowly avoiding the blow. He kept firing arrows, hoping to find a weak spot—

But none of them worked. No damage. No slowing him down.

Suddenly, Brakka let out a thunderous roar.

The sound echoed across the arena like a beast awakening.

And just like that—

Sylen froze.

His muscles locked. His limbs stiffened.

It was as if invisible chains had wrapped around him.

Sylen's eyes widened.

A movement restriction skill?

He hadn't expected that.

Brakka grinned widely, raising his weapon high to smash the elf into the floor.

"You're finished," he growled.

But just as the mace came crashing down—

Sylen broke free.

In a flash of motion, he twisted out of the way, flipping backward just before the attack hit. The mace slammed into the ground with an earth-shaking boom, spraying dust and debris.

Close call.

Brakka snarled in frustration.

"What is this? You're so boring. Is shooting blanks the only thing you've got?"

Sylen didn't respond.

Then the crowd began to boo.

Yelling at the fighters for talking instead of fighting.

Brakka frowned at the lack of reaction and continued with his taunting.

"Seriously...the human would've made a better opponent!"

Sylen said nothing, his face still unreadable, calm like still water.

Without a word, he raised his bow again. His fingers pulled back the string, an arrow resting against it. But he didn't let it fly. Not yet.

The arrow began to glow—faint at first—then brighter. A soft hum of energy vibrated through the air.

He was charging it. Filling it with Emi.

From across the arena, Brakka scoffed.

"Another one of those pathetic arrows?" he growled, baring his teeth.

"Is that the only trick you've got?"

The Kruckle started charging again, red lightning crackling around him like a storm made flesh.

But Sylen released the arrow.

FWOOOM!

The arrow shot forward, glowing like a comet, then...

BOOM!

It hit dead center in Brakka's chest and exploded on impact, a blast of energy ripping through the air.

The force pushed the massive juggernaut backward, his heels skidding across the arena floor.

"What the…?" Brakka grunted, stunned.

He hadn't expected the arrow to carry that kind of power.

Shaking it off, he tried to charge again—but a second arrow was already slicing through the air.

Then a third.

Then a flurry.

BOOM!

BOOM!

BOOM!

Each arrow struck home, each one charged with Emi—each one pushing Brakka back, staggering the brute step by step.

The crowd gasped with every blast.

Alex, who was watching, leaned forward, eyes narrowing in curiosity as he muttered to himself.

"How is he..."