Chapter 1264: Survived

"You have successfully slain the king of the Somnera world. You may not kill another. You will be transported to the waiting room in a moment."

The words made Atticus frown. While it was true that there was no point in killing another king now that he had slain the Somnera king, he didn’t like this. He didn’t like leaving loose ends.

He glanced at the Amazonian archer, her face twisted in anger and hate. He could see it in her eyes, they screamed, this is far from over.

Atticus tore his gaze away from her, shaking his head. He was practically the god of her world now. What the hell could she possibly do?

He turned just as Magnus and Aric arrived in streaks of light, landing before him.

"You okay?"

Atticus smiled and nodded at Magnus, then at Aric, whose eyes bore the same question.

"It’s over now. I killed a king. We’re being transported to the waiting room."

A smile spread across Magnus’ face, and Aric nodded. Atticus could tell they were pleased. Another scenario cleared. One more, and the Virelenna would be theirs.

"Ozeroth and Zenon?" Atticus asked.

Magnus gestured toward the direction they came from. It was a long way off, but nothing Atticus couldn’t cover if needed.

His eyes locked on Ozeroth, who appeared to be enjoying himself far too much, spanking a woman whose face said it all: humiliation.

"Of course."

Atticus sighed and shook his head just as a blinding glow began to envelop them.

"This isn’t over! I’ll make you pay!"

Atticus, Magnus, and Aric turned toward the Amazonian archer, who now pointed at him, fury filling in her voice.

Magnus and Aric raised an eyebrow. If not for their stoic natures, they might’ve burst into laughter.

Atticus didn’t bother replying. He averted his gaze. There was no point.

The light engulfed them, and the trio vanished from the cavernous hall, reappearing in the waiting room they all knew.

"Ahh! Not again!"

Ozeroth’s scream was the first thing that hit them.

"Why are you screaming?" Atticus asked.

Ozeroth stood up from his crouch, his eyes burning.

"You did it again, bond. You interrupted the lesson I was trying to give!"

"First of all," Atticus began, face flat, "what makes you think it was me? And secondly, I saw you... spanking her. I think she’s learned enough, don’t you think?"

Zenon nodded from the side. "Her buttocks were seconds away from catching fire. If that’s not enough of a lesson, then I don’t know what is."

He seemed genuinely shaken, and Atticus couldn’t blame him. Only Ozeroth could turn a fight with a world’s champion into a life lecture from an overzealous elder.

But Ozeroth waved off their words. "I’ll be the judge of that!" he snapped. "I could still sense a hint of defiance in her eyes. If you’d given me a bit more time, I’m sure she would’ve submitted to my greatness!"

"Submitted... how?" Atticus tilted his head.

Ozeroth paused, then cleared his throat.

"She would’ve agreed to join my harem..."

Atticus stared at him, flabbergasted. After a few seconds, he shook his head.

"And you wonder why you’re still a virgin."

Ozeroth froze.

"Wait... what!? Is that true!?" Zenon blurted, clearly shocked. Given everything he’d seen from Ozeroth, that was a revelation he never expected.

Zenon’s reaction seemed to snap Ozeroth out of his daze.

"Wh-what the hell are you talking about, bond!?" he turned to Zenon, then to Magnus and Aric, who were now giving him weird looks. "Bond doesn’t know what he’s talking about! He’s lying! Yes, he’s lying!"

But from the expressions he was getting, it was very clear, none of them believed him.

He shot Atticus an accusatory glare, clearly blaming all this on him. But Atticus chuckled and backed off.

"This is more your fault than mine," he said, settling down onto a couch.

But Ozeroth’s glare only got fiercer.

"Besides, it’s not as bad as they’re making it seem. I’m a virgin. And I’m sure Zenon here is too."

Zenon quickly shook his head. "Actually... I have grandkids, so..."

All eyes in the room turned toward him, surprised. Zenon scratched his head awkwardly.

"Yeah, haha," he said. "I’m an elder of the Evolari after all. My son is above a century old."

Silence.

"Wow." Atticus finally broke it, followed by Ozeroth.

"Hmph."

Atticus turned to see Ozeroth settling into his seat, turning his annoyed gaze away from the group. He smiled, shaking his head. There was no satisfying that spirit. He turned toward the others.

"Great job out there, you guys. We’ve successfully passed the second scenario. Which means, one more to go and this is all over."

The champions all nodded their heads. Their expressions shifted from excitement to seriousness.

Atticus nodded. "I suggest we all get some rest. We need to prepare for the next scenario."

With firm nods, they each settled down into their seats and began meditating, trying to regain their energy and mana in preparation for the upcoming battle.

Atticus did the same. And as silence descended, soon enough, a bright light ignited in the middle of the room. The group opened their eyes to see that Quiet Flame had once more appeared.

"I hope you don’t have any more surprises," Atticus went straight to business.

Quiet Flame smiled and quickly shook his head. "There are none," he said. "I only came here to congratulate you all for your win and also commend you for a great job well done."

Zenon was the only one who smiled. Magnus and Aric acknowledged his words with a nod, Atticus maintained a calm expression, and Ozeroth blatantly ignored everything.

"That said..." Quiet Flame continued after a moment, "you may have passed this scenario, but the last scenario is always known to be full of surprises and challenges. I wouldn’t let your guards down."

Seeing the serious nods he received, Quiet Flame smiled.

"Who survived?" Atticus suddenly asked.

"The Vortharion god."

Atticus narrowed his eyes. ’So the god of Drazmael lost?’

"How was the fight?"