Chapter 42: Fighting the Silver!
Cohen ignored the buzzing discussions echoing through the arena.
His gaze, sharp as a biting blade, was fixed straight upon the DuPont family's box on the second tier.
His instinct told him with absolute certainty that the culprit behind the attack was none other than the DuPont family.
No matter how foolish the Second Young Master of the Southern Territory might be, and no matter how deep his murderous intent toward him ran, Sandro would never dare to strike in broad daylight.
They had just lost a direct heir's arm and a high-ranking legend in Florence!
To still act with such arrogance in Florence now would simply be wishing for death.
That left only the DuPont family.
He did not need evidence; he only needed to make an example of the chicken to frighten the monkeys.
Tier 4?
What kind of combat capability could a Tier 4 in his thirties possibly possess?
Cohen felt a surge of hot blood rushing through his veins. His experience points were rapidly approaching the critical threshold for advancement.
He would use this Tier 4 as a whetstone to officially advance to Tier 2!
...
Inside the DuPont family box, Theodore’s expression flickered with uncertainty.
Failed?
The fool!
Even with a Gold-peak warlock making a move, they still couldn't take him down!
He had been too careless!
Although he had repeatedly overestimated his opponent, the scene unfolding before him still caught the usually composed Theodore somewhat off guard.
Borgus, standing nearby, heard Cohen openly challenge him in front of so many people.
His face flushed alternately red and pale.
He felt both intensely humiliated and consumed by fury.
A mere Tier 1 upstart actually dared to challenge a Silver-tier? By what right? Whom was he looking down on?
He was on the verge of rushing out directly to give this bastard a thorough thrashing.
Yet, the thought that even a Gold-tier had failed to kill him filled him with a sudden, nagging sense of insecurity.
Though it was impossible for him to lose to a Tier 1—no matter how formidable the boy was, he was still merely Bronze and could never break through his "Silver Body."
What if...
What if the dignified Second Young Master of the DuPont family were to lose to a sixteen-year-old Tier 1 youth?
If that happened, he would never be able to hold his head high again for the rest of his life!
While he still hesitated and wandered in indecision, Theodore’s chilling voice rang in his ear:
"What are you panicking about? This is precisely the time to keep your composure!"
Borgus forced himself to regain his calm, though his tone still betrayed a trace of panic:
"He... why is he calling me out by name? Could he have discovered something..."
"What is there to be afraid of? The only ones who had conflicts with him these past two days are you and that second young master from the Southern Territory. Sandro is nothing but a playboy who hasn't even broken through to the Bronze tier. He's only calling you out to establish his dominance!"
"Then should I go?"
"Are you possessed by a pig's brain? Why would you go to a challenge where you gain nothing if you win, and humiliate yourself if you lose?"
However, before Theodore’s words had even faded, two powerful legendary-tier auras rose menacingly outside the box.
Mr. Morte and Raymond simultaneously unleashed their pressure directed straight at the DuPont family's box.
Theodore’s expression shifted abruptly. In Ephin, no noble dared to underestimate the combined pressure of the Transcendent Arena and the Pale Wings.
In the cabinet box, this chain of events momentarily caught even the seasoned Prime Minister slightly off guard.
Baron Gore, the Lord Chief Justice, spoke up:
"Is it truly appropriate to pressure our viscount family like this right within Florence?"
Earl Middleton immediately retorted:
"Does the Lord Chief Justice intend for the Prime Minister to step forward and appease the wrath of the Pale Wings and the Transcendent Arena on behalf of a viscount family?"
"They aren't even making things overly difficult for the DuPonts; they merely asked their so-called heir to step down and fight a match."
"Surely a Silver-tier isn't afraid of a Tier 1? If he refuses to accept the challenge, wouldn't that spread and disgrace the nobility of Ephin?"
The ministers murmured amongst themselves for a moment.
The Prime Minister gave a light cough and said:
"Since such a major incident has occurred, some kind of explanation must be given. Since this 'Lord of Shadows' has chosen this method, why should we interfere?"
"Are we really expected to let the two legends of the Pale Wings and the Transcendent Arena personally interrogate the nobles present and unmask the real culprit?"
The Prime Minister's voice deepened:
"My lords, prestige and dignity are built upon strength!"
With the matter thus settled, the ministers ceased their arguments.
The Prime Minister shifted his tone, saying:
"Furthermore, aren't you the least bit curious whether this 'Lord of Shadows' has simply lost his mind from rage, or if he genuinely possesses the confidence to defeat a Silver-tier?"
...
Theodore’s expression changed rapidly before he finally made up his mind:
"Fight to a draw, and let him vent his spleen!"
Borgus’s expression shifted slightly. If word of this got out, how could he, Borgus, ever show his face in public again?
A Silver-tier in his thirties fighting to a draw with a teenager at Tier 1?
Glancing at Borgus’s sullen and uncertain face, Theodore said coldly:
"Feeling humiliated? Unreconciled? Then cultivate harder!"
"Her Majesty the Queen is even younger than you, yet she can suppress legends with a flick of her hand."
"If you possessed her strength, who would dare to pressure you today?"
Borgus managed to conceal the resentment on his face quite well, though it remained unclear how much of his uncle's lecture he had actually taken to heart.
At last, Borgus stepped out of the box and walked onto the arena stage, which had already been reduced to a massive crater.
Cohen let out a cryptic chuckle and said slowly, voice unhurried:
"Young Master DuPont, before we begin, let me inform you of something."
Borgus DuPont had already regained his composure.
After all, born to the nobility and influenced since childhood, he still knew how to maintain outward propriety.
He flashed a sincere smile:
"Please speak, Lord of Shadows. Our DuPont family has always been most willing to make friends with young talents like yourself. Yesterday was merely a moment of rashness on my part..."
Cohen laughed heartily, cutting straight through the other man's hypocritical rhetoric:
"It's nothing major, really. I simply heard that someone completely lacking self-awareness secured some sort of betrothal with my Nephthys."
"I expect that engagement to be null and void as of this moment!"
As his words fell, Borgus froze for a fraction of a second, and then a blazing fury surged from the depths of his heart, causing his lowered hands to tremble slightly.
The bastard!
He was deliberately provoking him!
His uncle's admonitions were completely cast to the winds; his mind was now entirely consumed by a single thought:
In front of everyone watching, he would fiercely beat and humiliate the bastard who had dared to steal his fiancée!
Boom!
The Silver-tier aura erupted instantly.
Borgus's muscles bulged aggressively, a massive battle-axe appeared in each of his hands, and his hair suddenly lengthened, looking like a roaring flame.
His eyes were bloodshot, revealing an endless frenzy and a desire for slaughter.
Tier 4 [Berserker]!
The refined and cultured direct heir of the DuPont family had actually advanced into the extraordinary class of [Berserker].
No wonder he always felt like the man was missing a screw in his head.
When the opening whistle blew, Borgus lapsed into a state bordering on delirium, letting out a high-pitched roar as he stomped heavily onto the ground, sending a violent tremor rippling outward:
Berserker class skill, War Stomp!
Cohen activated Ghost Crab, leaping lightly into the air to evade the crowd-control effect of the War Stomp.
As he vaulted high, a long, broad two-handed sword materialized in each of his hands.
They gleamed with a chilling light under the sunlight.
Having missed his first strike, Borgus charged forward with heavy, thunderous strides.
A Berserker's combat style possessed no technique whatsoever—only pure strength and unbridled, ferocious venting.
Facing the incoming twin axes, Cohen crossed his blades in front of his chest.
Counter Attack Storm!
Absolute Defense!
Clang!
The 50% damage negation allowed Cohen to rely on his dragon-transformed Bronze body to withstand the full-power strike of a Silver-tier!
Counter Attack Storm, Phase Two!
Stun Spell!
The formidable casting power plunged Borgus directly into a state of dizziness!