Chapter 174: 174: The First Strike [1]

Chapter 174: Chapter 174: The First Strike [1]

Chapter 174 – The First Strike [1]

The pain was overwhelming—sharp, instant, and gone in a blink.

Because the moment Noah struck him with that spatial blade infused with pure killing intent, Elijah didn’t even get a chance to resist.

He died.

Just like that.

A death so pitiful it insulted the word “Champion.” A death not fit for the so-called lover of a goddess.

However,

How unfair, truly—how damn unfair divine love was, after all—

<Ding! Conditions have been met.>

<+100 stat points awarded. SSS-rank armor received.>

<Reviving…>

Noah took a casual step back as Elijah’s body began to glow. It then vanished into pure light, taking Foxy along with it.

Noah just stood there, hands behind his back, and smiled while shaking his head.

“Of course you wouldn’t die that easily,” he murmured.

But really, killing him had never been the point in the first place. It would have been too easy for him to die like this.

Noah’s goal was to copy everything.

And oh… what a feast he got.

“Elijah… you’ve been hiding quite the collection.”

“Phoenix’s Fire… Light Holder… Teleportation… and…”

Noah’s eyes gleamed.

“An EX Unique-rank talent—Blade of Gods?”

He let out a soft chuckle. “Since when did that bastard get his hands on something this powerful?”

But he wasn’t mad. No.

He was thrilled.

A low, wicked laugh echoed around him.

“Hahahah! What an unexpected gift.”

Without hesitation, Noah activated his Copycat talent, instantly duplicating Elijah’s gifts—but better. His quality wasn’t x10,000 like his own system… but x1,000 still worked just fine.

More than enough to add some nice sub-skills to his Omnipotent’s talent. .

And eventually, with enough power, he’d surpass even his own system.

One day.

He grinned as his system chimed:

[You have gained new talents:]

• Phoenix Dominion Flame (SSS++ Rank)

• Beacon of the Dawnlord (SSS Rank)

• Spatial King’s Steps (S+++ Rank)

• Divine Severance (EX Unique+ Rank)

Noah smiled as he looked through them. He noticed the plus signs. A new indicator—meaning even x1,000 wasn’t enough to fully elevate some of these skills.

How inconvenient.

But not for him. This is just fine.

“Fortunately, I’ve already shared light and fire affinities with Solaris,” he muttered softly.

Fate was clearly on his side.

Without wasting another breath, Noah vanished in a flash of white flame.

…

Elijah reappeared in the center of the world. He collapsed to one knee, trembling—not from pain.

From shame.

From rage.

He couldn’t breathe for a moment.

How the hell was he supposed to face his goddess now?

He’d been killed the second he stepped back into this world. No fight. No display. Just—obliterated.

‘How… how is he that strong?’ The question haunted him.

His mind raced.

He’d trained for ten whole years. Ten fucking years of blood, sweat, and suffering.

And Noah still cut him down like nothing?

Doubt crept in.

Despair tried to claw its way through.

‘Can… can I even win against—’

A soft system prompt cut into his thoughts. No—this wasn’t just the system.

It was Justicia.

Elijah raised his head slowly, eyes vacant, like a man drowning.

<You can win, my love.>

“R–Really…?”

<Yes. I believe in you. You have the power. You always had it. He has no divine backing. I am with you. Always.>

<So rise. Rise, my love. And take this world—for me.>

A long pause.

Then, Elijah began to rise.

Slowly, deliberately.

His muscles trembled with each inch, but his eyes started to burn. Literally.

Golden rays radiated out of them. His fury was solar. His rage—divine.

The ground cracked beneath him. His fists clenched so tightly they turned bone-white.

“How many stat points do I have left?”

<500.>

“Put 200 into strength. 200 into constitution. 100 into speed.”

<DING! Allocation complete.>

His body cracked.

Muscles expanded. Tendons hardened. His core strengthened with each second.

Finally—

“Equip the armor.”

A golden light exploded around him. When it faded, the armor was there.

Perfectly fitted. Forged to match his soul.

On the chestplate, the crest of a woman surrounded by blades—an image eerily close to Justicia herself.

As Elijah stood tall in that armor, he felt it—speed, resilience, raw power flowing into him like a divine river.

His confidence came trickling back.

Not much. But enough.

He sat, calm and silent, on a throne of flame and gold.

There was no need to chase.

After all…

The battle would come to him.

…

Noah reappeared in his realm.

All his women turned toward him, their eyes narrowing with curiosity.

“I just wanted to say hi to our dear Elijah,” Noah said with a shrug, like it was nothing.

Sophie narrowed her gaze. “Wait—you saw him? How did you even know where he was?”

Noah smirked. “I have my ways, ladies.”

Then, he changed the subject.

“Are you all ready?”

Every woman grinned.

They were more than ready.

This wasn’t just about a battle anymore. This was conquest.

Owning a world.

A whole damn world for them and their future bloodline.

That kind of legacy?

It demanded victory.

They all turned to Noah as he stood there, arms crossed, silent, his gaze distant.

“How confident are you in us winning?” Alice asked gently, her voice warm, dangerous.

Noah didn’t even hesitate.

“I have no doubt.”

No arrogance. Just cold, unshakable certainty.

“But how we win matters,” he added. “Because this battle… this will be our official introduction to the higher universe.”

He let the words linger.

“If we win, we’ll no longer be hidden. The factions will see us.”

A pause.

“We’ll be targeted.”

He smiled darkly.

“But who gives a fuck?”

“We weren’t born to be hidden. Our bloodline isn’t meant for shadows. We were made to rule. To crush. To dominate.”

His grin widened—devilish and wild.

“So, ladies—let’s win. But let’s win in a way that makes them despair.”

Then he turned toward Yuki.

Her orange blade-like eyes burned with anticipation.

Noah’s voice dropped to a low, lethal whisper.

“As my sword… make the first strike.”

“Go, my love. Start this battle with dominance.”

And suddenly—

The air snapped.

Something shifted in the fabric of reality itself. The entire world felt it.

The moment had come.

All the other factions had already teleported to the battlefield—the center of the world.

Only Noah’s team was missing.

Not for long.

Yuki stood up slowly, her presence blooming like a blade unsheathed.

She grinned.

“As you command, my husband.”

And then—

She vanished.

—End of Chapter 174—