Ultimate Level 1-Chapter 463: Round 3: Max

Chapter 463 - Round 3: Max

It’s funny how Tanila’s plan has gone perfectly so far.

You chose well. I’m quite certain she is smarter than you.

Max chuckled as he did not doubt that Bob was right.

His opponents were in their spots, and he stood there, weapon and shield in hand, ready for a match that was specifically designed for him.

Part of me wonders what they must think after watching what they witnessed. I mean they know one of them has to win. We lose if we don’t, and with Tanila forfeiting, they probably think we used our strongest one, hoping for two wins in a row.

I’d hold off on the cocky side at first. Don’t forget what Dagon taught us. Every match is a fight to the death, and at least one of these has done it multiple times.

He knew Bob was right, and forcing himself to focus took a little effort.

There was no outline at all where the Aasaura was supposed to be, and he doubted the Naiad he was facing would be much of a problem. She looked a little larger than the one Fowl had faced, but after watching the first two fights, he was certain he could kill that one easily.

I know. We’ll stick to the plan.

When his name was called, the merfolk crowd went wild, cheering and shouting louder than for the other two fights.

Tell me… do you think she’ll be able to handle it? The change?

From how she appeared from the moment you saved her until we walked out here, Tanila has managed to control that part of her well. The way she stands and talks hasn’t changed even though her whole body is coursing with power unlike before.

He nodded to no one, recalling how she did act the same even though she wasn’t. While the outside might look different, he knew the woman he loved was still the same on the inside.

“The time has come to determine this tournament winner! Prepare for a fight unlike all the rest!”

Max frowned as the side where the Aasaura were sitting erupted.

I mean… do they actually get to see the fight?

Probably the ones from that race can. Then again, does it matter as long as your side wins?

Twirling his sword a few times, Max waited. The time it took for the match to begin was killing him.

Finally, the gong sounded, and the moment it did he was gone.

Running at full speed, he rammed into the Naiad and drove her into the wall, crushing her between his shield.

Blood poured from her mouth and created a design along the wall as he turned to find his real opponent, glad for the rush of cold that told him that the first task was done.

“Come out and play!”

His taunt did nothing, and a part of him was almost saddened that no reply had come.

It’s smart enough not to respond, knowing you could locate it possibly that way.

Just a few yards from the wall and the crumpled corpse, Max’s sword vanished. A chair appeared, and once it was set down on the sand, he sat in it. He then pulled his sword back out.

Sitting there with a shield and sword casually hanging from his hands, he waited.

The crowd seemed to hate and love the taunt he was throwing out, some shouting for blood and others calling on the Aasaura to not be a coward.

Seconds ticked by, and nothing appeared on his sonar after half a minute. Max sighed.

It’s never easy is it.

Again, this opponent is smart. He saw you move and knows you’re fast. For a predator like it, this isn’t a race. It’s a game of waiting for the right moment.

Then, I guess I’ll have to make that moment appear like I told Stacy.

Standing up he stored the chair and faced the wall he had used to end the Naiad’s life.

“One chance. Take it before it’s gone forever.”

Tapping his foot, he waited, trying to appear relaxed and unprepared yet completely ready to move in a moment.

When no strike came, he shrugged and faced the entire arena floor.

Do it.

The sand began to rise, and an inch-thick layer of it hovered about three feet off the ground for a hundred yards around him.

Go.

Jogging, he started to sweep around the arena, changing directions as the circle of sand followed him. He began moving faster and faster, hoping to spot what he was looking for.

Nothing appeared and his frustration grew and he paused in the middle of the arena.

Wait… Once I start to move, make it three layers, thinner, and seven, fifteen, and thirty feet high. These walls are thirty-five feet tall, and if what you said is true…

It may be sticking to one above our current layer. Well done.

Darting forward, Max watched as Bob did as he asked. The sand separated, forming smaller layers of the shimmering white material. It only took him three seconds to find the disturbance in his new approach, and as he moved in its direction, his sonar sensed the incoming barrage of attacks.

A thirty-foot-tall outline appeared, sand impacting its shape as it darted around the arena, tossing invisible daggers of ice at him.

Each one struck his shield, easily blocked as his ability to sense them negated their surprise attack.

A single howl came from the beast, and he knew it had to have realized it wouldn’t win this fight.

He was closing in on it, just a few seconds away from reaching it, knowing what it would say.

All the sand fell to the ground as Bob cut off the flow and he entered stealth.

[ Blink ]

[ Berserker ]

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[ Ultimate Form ]

[ Rampage ]

[ Magical Strike ]

[ Ghost Strike ]

[ Power Strike ]

His move had caused it to stop. The words it had been about to utter halted.

Dagon’s lessons paid off.

There was no point in holding back, hoping his strength alone would be enough to end this thing's life.

He would only get one shot, and he was going to take it. Max could now end the tyrannical reign of these fighters, who devoured those unfortunate enough to pick the wrong side.

His blade struck where the head was, still invisible and unable to be seen, but his sonar knew exactly where it was.

All three strikes weren’t needed but they were used, taking off its head at the neck and slicing off its right shoulder.

Clear liquid gushed like a geyser from the wounds and Max landed on the ground, reappearing before a crowd that hadn’t made a sound.

A cold wave of power washed over him, and he smiled, knowing his job was done.

“Well??! They’re dead! Play the sound!”

The ringing of the gong took place twice, with no delay between them, and the merfolk side went wild.

Flicking his sword to clean what little liquid had a chance to adhere to it, he stored it and walked to the gate where his friends were.

***

“You three… no wonders you had defeated Jalnig Nuk!” Nereid exclaimed. “To see such a solid victory! And… you did as you said you would, defeating the champions that caused us so much pain.”

Tears rolled down her cheeks as the woman looked up at them from the floor where she had kneeled.

“We are happy to help friends,” Tanila said, smiling softly and trying to pull the woman up. “So please, stand with us, and let’s celebrate with the rest of your people.”

The councilwoman nodded, laughing and crying as she discussed what this victory could do for their people.

“You seemed to have not held back,” Fowl said as they followed at the back of the group. “Dagon would be impressed.”

“Please… you’re the warrior who took down two alone. If you aren’t careful, I’ll start hearing badly sung songs about you in the local ale houses and have to set them straight.”

His friend laughed and punched Max in the side. “Today feels good… I mean… really good. For once, I believed I carried my own weight. Which, as we both know, is a lot.”

Resisting the urge to comment on their warrior's waistline, Max nodded. “I still can’t believe you won that game of Donkey, Dwarf, Beer. You never seem to beat me.”

“That’s cuz you cheat! We both know it!” their warrior exclaimed.

Laughing so hard it caused the others to look back, Max winked at his friend.

“I knew it! I knew you lied when you said you weren’t cheating! Bah, you ogre humpin, warrior! I can’t even enter a drinking contest without wondering if you’ll steal it from me.”

“Please… the only thing I have to worry about now is needing to take a piss,” he replied. “We both know neither of us is going to get drunk.”

Max enjoyed the entire walk with Fowl, and they were each glad to have a moment to celebrate the successes of what had occurred.

***

“You five have earned a place within our hearts and our stories,” Riletta said as she drew a red line on each of their foreheads. “Know that the ones who are able to return home shall spread the story of you five. Do not doubt that our King will hear of your kindness and, if your paths ever meet again, will give you a feast worthy of such an accomplishment.”

Coburn stepped up after her, his finger making a new mark with yellow next to the first.

“Many come to the tower and choose the path they walk. You have swam with us and provided us with food and safety. As such our children will be taught your name and some may even carry it all their lives.”

“Poor kid,” Cordellia whispered. “Look, it’s Fowl.”

Chuckles came, and the councilman cleared his throat as he finished making the last mark.

Nereid’s cheeks were still wet, and she dipped her finger in the small jar she held and smiled.

“This last mark is one of kinship. You shall be part of our family. Any merfolk who meets you will know you as a brother or sister. Our homes shall always be open to you.”

Max watched as she did Tanila’s forehead first, and the paint glowed before vanishing.

That appears to be similar to the mark you were given.

Should I reject it?

Bob hesitated a moment as Nereid did Batrire next.

No… you’re not making a pact or promise, so you should be fine. I can imagine this brings blessings and curses, but turning it down would be problematic. Remember what that being told us. Our choices will have long-term effects.

Which means there may be merfolk out there named Fowl.

Yes… a pox on generations to come.

When Nereid reached him, she dabbed her finger against a fresh tear.

“You, Max Hoste, I offer something special. While some might consider what I am about to do a dangerous decision, I have witnessed a man who stood against our King and bears his armor. Not only that, you defended us, and even more, I saw a love most could only dream of displayed for the one you call Tanila. As such, take this.”

She bit her lip and dabbed the spot of blood that formed on her finger.

“My line is your line.”

Gasps came from around the room, and Coburn started to shout as Nereid's finger touched his head and made a mark.

[ Bloodline Granted ]

[ Merfolk Status Granted ]

[ Calculating ]

[ Bloodline is Currently 60% ]

He felt warmth flood through his body, and Nereid sagged, his arms catching her as she fell.

“What did you do!”

“Leave her!” Riletta shouted, grabbing onto the councilman as he moved toward them. “This was her choice!”

“What… what’s happening?” Max asked as he watched the woman in his arm begin to age.

“Protect your people and mine. I finally found one worthy of my life.”

A gentle breeze came, and the councilwoman turned to dust instantly. Her clothes became flat, and some fell to the floor while a few hung on his hands.

“No… she…”

Max glanced around the room to see all the merfolk except Coburn and Riletta had fallen to their knees, heads bowed.

“She has made a choice, and we must accept it. Perhaps one day you and I will find another worthy of such a thing.”

Slowly, the councilwoman moved to Max and held out her hand.

“Stand, Max Hoste. You have been marked and granted access to a bloodline. One day, may you grow strong enough to seed an entire race.”

“Uh… what in the gods just happened?” Fowl asked.

Max could see Tanila shaking even though she smiled. “He’s… evolving.”

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