Chapter 1253: Ambush

"These rotten bastards!" Ozeroth’s voice came out as a roar that shook the caves.

While others looked at him with baffled gazes, Atticus looked at him with a gaze filled with pity.

He could barely blame the man. From what he had just felt, the penalty had taken 40% off his total power. And by saying power, Atticus was talking about everything, his will, abilities, everything had been reduced by 40%.

’It didn’t affect me...’ This was what baffled Atticus the most. Although he had anticipated it, it was still baffling.

They were bonded together, soul to soul. What affected one, affected the other. It was odd that the penalty affected only Ozeroth.

After a thought, Atticus shook his head. It only went to show just how much power the stars held, how boundless they were.

"Stop whining," Atticus said after a second, earning a glare from Ozeroth. He ignored it and turned to face the others.

"Ozeroth’s power has been reduced by 40%."

The others sucked in a cold breath.

"That’s a lot..." Zenon muttered in disbelief.

"Yeah, no shit, brainiac! We didn’t realize. Maybe you should take control over the thinking of the group!"

Zenon cleared his throat and held back his sharp retort. The man was going through a lot.

"It doesn’t matter, man," Atticus cut in, voice never once wavering. "You’re Ozeroth. You always claim that people weren’t even half the man you were. Well, this is your chance to prove it."

Atticus watched as Ozeroth scowled hard, staring at him like he’d been wronged. He didn’t have a word to retort.

Although their world and lives were on the line here, Atticus couldn’t help but admit, he loved pushing this spirit’s buttons. It gave him a sort of satisfaction that was hard to explain.

"Alright. We’ll choose a random hole and step through. I’ll be a free card and look for one of the opposing kings to kill. While I do that, the rest of you should stay with Ozeroth and back him up as others attack."

The group nodded, and Ozeroth gritted his teeth. Atticus being a free card sounded like the ideal job, he would seek gods, battle, and show his dominance to the world.

Ozeroth couldn’t help but stare at Atticus again with gritted teeth. He had tricked him.

Atticus flashed him a smile and nodded to the rest of the group. "Let’s go."

They soon set off and entered one of the pathways on the right. Atticus just felt like it was right.

He had given it much thought and had scrutinized the words of the voice for any hidden meanings, but found none.

Entering the pathway covered in inky blackness, the group was slightly surprised to find it well lit, only that it was more like a large continuous hall than a pathway.

There were large, soaring pillars littered across the hall, and their footsteps echoed through the large, quiet space.

Ozeroth was not the sort of man who would agree to be protected, which was why Atticus had used the term "backup" instead.

Giving the rest glances, Atticus made sure they knew not to treat him like some fragile thing that needed protection, even if he currently was.

Ozeroth, despite his weakened state, was not a person who would admit to fear, nor would he show it. His hands were crossed behind his head as he whistled, walking without a care in the world.

The others followed closely behind, gaze scanning the area. It was odd, no matter how they saw it, that Ozeroth was leading the group. If he fell, they would lose everything.

They had wanted to surround him initially, but Atticus had stopped it. To him, there was no easier way to make the spirit erupt than that.

They had to settle for following behind him. Still, they doubled their efforts and made sure to scan for threats.

According to Atticus, this scenario was akin to the first one, only that their beacon was a living, moving one.

Which meant other groups could see their location when they were in sight. It was this fact that made them all tense. An attack could come from anywhere, any place, and at any time. They had to be ready.

"This is getting tiring, bond!" Ozeroth bellowed. They had been walking for a few minutes and had not encountered even one person.

"You’re centuries old," Atticus said, not bothering to turn to him. "Try patience."

Ozeroth clicked his tongue but didn’t say anything else.

’I can’t see any kings.’ A plan had formed in Atticus’ mind about how he wanted to proceed, but for this to happen, they had to meet a group first.

But it hadn’t happened yet, and Atticus was already starting to get worried.

’This round is a bit tricky.’

The problem Atticus had determined about this scenario was that there were five contenders, five groups.

With the goal being to kill a king to ascend, if the first four battled and two came out victorious, the last one would have lost without being able to try. There was no more painful loss than that.

Atticus stilled his thoughts and focused. He was sure a change would come.

The walk went on for a few more minutes, the edge never quite leaving the group.

"Wait."

Atticus’ word brought the group to an abrupt stop. But his next words made them tense.

"They’re coming."

The words that followed Atticus’ alert immediately chilled the hearts of the group and caused eyes to narrow.

"Soundless Order."

"Hollowed Chorus."

As it echoed, the things they could all hear, the sounds of heartbeats, the distant echo of their steps, even Ozeroth’s relieved "finally", vanished.

Zenon’s mouth opened to shout, but no sound escaped. The area fell into an eerie silence.

The next event happened just as fast.

With sound gone, the group turned to perception, only for their eyes to widen. They had felt them.

Only, rather than the five or four contenders they had been expecting, more than a thousand swarmed them from all directions.

Their eyes darted around in shock. Their perception told them about the army surging towards them, but the hall was utterly clear. Not a single figure in sight.

Their eyes shot toward Atticus, only to narrow again.

He was already gone.