Ottar stood at the doorway. Rain streamed down his face, pooling at his feet.
Even drenched by the downpour, the mighty warrior maintained his imposing presence. His tall frame stood perfectly straight in the cold, rainy night.
The twin great swords on his back cast an ominous gleam, while his resolute gaze carried a murderous intensity that kept others at bay.
An unwelcome guest. Everyone's hearts tightened — especially Adam's. This ultimate weapon of Orario wielded strength far beyond what they could currently match.
Adam positioned himself in front of Bell, swiftly moving to shield his companion from the warrior's gaze. He had no intention of inviting this renowned Adventurer inside — if anything, he wished this unwelcome guest would simply turn and leave.
He had miscalculated. He'd assumed it was that fool Ares, God of War, who had taken Hestia by force. But now that seemed unlikely.
"If possible, I truly wish you weren't the one appearing here."
The words were utterly sincere. Compared to that muscle-headed Ares, the relentless Goddess of Beauty Freya posed a far greater threat.
Worse still, her subordinates were all exceptionally capable.
"So, what brings you here, Lord Boaz?" Adam's tone carried deliberate mockery.
This was unusual for him — he typically showed respect to the strong.
But this time was different. Ottar's arrival made him uneasy. Unable to discern the warrior's intentions, Adam took on the role of antagonist, hoping to provoke the ultimate weapon into revealing his purpose.
"…"
Yet Ottar remained unmoved, showing neither anger nor rage. He stood like a pillar, his expression cold and emotionless, silently watching Adam.
Sizing me up? Adam wondered if he was being paranoid.
Maintaining his flippant attitude, he smiled at the serious warrior, "Surely Goddess Freya hasn't found us so bothersome that she'd send her Familia's strongest member — Orario's ultimate weapon — to eliminate us?"
This was no joke. Hestia still hadn't returned, and now Freya's right-hand man, who never left her side, had appeared here. This had to be the Beauty Goddess's doing.
Was she planning to move against Bell? That must be it.
But isn't this too soon? Adam found himself in a thorny situation.
He had reached Level 4 with maximum proficiency — advancing from Level 1 to 4 in just two months. This was unprecedented in Orario. More remarkably, each time he leveled up, he achieved SSS proficiency in all attributes, breaking limits with transcendent abilities!
The benefits were clear. While it normally took 5 or 6 Level 4s to match a Level 5, Adam could handle more than 10 of them alone!
Yet despite these impressive numbers, he could only reliably handle Level 5 Adventurers. Against Level 7 Ottar, the Boaz King, Adam wasn't certain of victory — the true extent of Ottar's strength remained unknown.
After all, who wasn't a genius here?
Though Adam had SSS in all attributes, Ottar possessed S-rank proficiency in everything except magic, where he scored 0! Like Bell, this Boaz warrior was truly exceptional.
The level difference made their relative abilities hard to gauge. There was no clear way to compare their strength.
True, Ottar had one weakness — he was a Muggle. But even with Last Hope as his trump card, Adam's confidence felt shaky.
"I have come to deliver a message from that person."
"A message?"
An answer both unexpected and logical.
A message from whom? Who was "that person"?
While Bell and the others were confused, Adam grasped the meaning behind Ottar's words.
This confirmed it — Freya was pulling the strings behind the scenes. The Goddess was finally making her move.
"I see. Then, please give me the message." Adam extended his hand, his gesture making it clear they didn't welcome Ottar's presence.
But Ottar remained motionless.
"Is something wrong?"
"The message is with me, but I won't hand it over so easily." Orario's supreme warrior fixed his intense gaze on the Hero, "If you want its contents, you must duel me — and win!"
With that declaration, he strode into the courtyard as rain pelted his armor once more.
His stance made his intentions clear — he had come to face Adam in battle. This duel seemed to be Ottar's true purpose all along!
"So you really came looking for a fight... what a headache." Adam pinched the bridge of his nose.
The situation had taken an unexpected turn, leaving him puzzled. If Freya Familia truly wanted to eliminate the troublesome Hestia Familia, why not launch an overwhelming assault with their full force?
Why send their warrior alone to issue a one-on-one challenge? Was this meant to keep Adam in check?
Or was the Beauty Goddess orchestrating something more devious?
This felt less like a message and more like a declaration of war. One thing was now certain — Hestia's delayed return was no accident. She had been kidnapped, and Freya was behind it all. Yet her true motives remained a mystery.
But regardless, Adam had no choice but to duel Ottar. Because he knew that to understand all the coming clues, he would have to defeat that Boaz.
"Adam, are you really going to fight him?!" Bell anxiously blocked his path, "That person is Orario's strongest man — even if you're a Hero, at Level 4 you can't possibly beat him!"
"That's right, Lord Adam!" Lili spoke up to stop him, "I think we should avoid this fight!"
Welf rushed forward, "I agree with Lil' Bit! Wasn't it you who taught us 'Running away is shameful but useful'?"
The boisterous Monica couldn't contain her worry, "Hey, you're not really going to fight him, are you?"
"Lord Adam..."
"Adam..."
Cassandra and Haruhime watched with concerned expressions.
But then they noticed Beatrice, sitting calmly on the sofa and elegantly sipping her red tea, completely ignoring the commotion before her.
Her demeanor stood in stark contrast to the others.
"Beatrice, aren't you worried about Adam? He's your contractor!" Welf said bluntly, his words carrying a note of criticism.
"Hmph, so what?" Beatrice showed no remorse, responding with clear irritation, "No matter how much you try to persuade Adam, that man won't back down. Stop this pointless chattering — instead of wasting breath on futile arguments, you should be cheering him on."
Her words were harsh, but they rang true.
As his Spirit, Beatrice knew better than anyone — once her contractor set his mind on something, he never wavered.
Rather than trying to stop him, she chose to trust in Adam. She firmly believed her contractor wouldn't lose, even against the strongest of opponents.
It had always been this way. Adam made the impossible possible, achieving feats beyond imagination. And these feats, without fail, brought her hope.
So this time too, she would believe in him.
Adam nodded, affirming her faith, "That's right, that's right — you all know my strength. I can handle this warrior."
He flashed them a reassuring thumbs up.
Everyone remembered how Adam had single-handedly destroyed Apollo Familia with his world-destroying magic, proving his incredible power.
Now at Level 4, his increased strength meant he could hold his own even against Level 7 Ottar.
"Then you have to win, Adam!"
"Of course!" Adam replied.
As he turned to leave, Haruhime spoke up, "Lord Adam, if you'd like to use my Magic..."
"No, but thank you." Adam declined her magical support, "I sense that Ottar wants an honest one-on-one duel. I won't use any tricks, though I appreciate your kindness, Haruhime."
Indeed, he could feel Ottar's desire for a pure contest of strength — no holds barred, but completely fair.
As both a King and a Hero, their warrior pride demanded nothing less than accepting this challenge.
"However, fighting here would put all of you at risk." Adam turned to the Spirit seated elegantly on the sofa, "Betty, I need your help. Use your spatial magic to transport us to the plains outside Orario."
He couldn't cast the spell himself — he needed to preserve every ounce of strength for the coming battle.
Space transfer magic would drain too much mana to use before the duel. Beatrice was his only option.
"I understand. The plains outside Orario, correct?"
Adam had previously taken Beatrice beyond the Labyrinth City to establish transfer coordinates.
These coordinates were originally meant as an escape route in case Freya attacked — a precaution that would now serve a different purpose.
"Yes, I'm counting on you." Nodding to Beatrice, he turned to Ottar, who still stood in the rain, "Is that acceptable, Mr. Ottar?"
"I don't mind." Ottar remained motionless, eyes closed, seemingly centering himself.
"Then…"
◈ Spatial Transference ◈
Through Beatrice's magic, Adam and Ottar vanished from everyone's sight.
After sending them away, she gazed toward the plains outside the labyrinth city where she had teleported the two men, her worried expression betraying her true feelings.
This proud Spirit wasn't as composed as she pretended to be — she was deeply concerned for Adam.
"Please come back safely, Adam." She whispered.
Her soft words hung in the silence of headquarters. The arguments had ceased, replaced by silent prayers for the Hero's safe return.
✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧
The rain intensified into a downpour.
The city streets lay empty, not a soul in sight. Even travelers had abandoned the city gates, seeking shelter inside.
In this torrential rain, the earth fell silent.
Suddenly, a pillar of black light pierced the empty plains.
In its wake stood two figures, face to face.
Adam spoke first, "Hey, Mr. King, before we duel, may I ask you something?"
"What?"
"What beliefs drive you to fight?"
"None." Ottar's tone was mechanical, devoid of emotion, "As long as it's Lady Freya's order, I'll do anything. Everything is for fulfilling that person's wishes."
"My, how cold — truly worthy of being Orario's ultimate weapon. But you know, those words already reveal your beliefs." Adam drew Immortal's Edge from his waist, "The Goddess's orders are absolute, her will guides the blade — that's quite an admirable conviction, isn't it?"
Come to think of it, he had always wanted to duel Ottar.
Since arriving in the Labyrinth City, he had dreamed of crossing blades with Orario's strongest warrior.
Whatever Freya's intentions might be, Adam would claim victory!
"Well then, here I come!"
Drawing his long sword, Adam charged at Ottar with imperceptible speed, thunderous cracks echoing as trails of dazzling lightning followed in his wake.
◈ Divine Convergence Breathing, Thunder Style ⫸ Thunderclap and Flash ◈
The earlier question had bought Adam precious time. Now, with both Slayer Mark and Transparent World activated, he could clearly see his opponent's movements and internal structure.
An intense sense of danger coursed through him. Even Last Hope had awakened. So far, he held the advantage!
But his lightning-fast slash, too quick for mortal eyes to follow, was effortlessly blocked by the King. Not even a hint of panic crossed Ottar's face.
The Boaz warrior drew his great swords from behind with blinding speed — faster than even Adam could react to — crossing them to catch the blade aimed at his neck.
Clang!
Sparks scattered through the air as their weapons clashed, brilliant against the rainy night.
Being blocked was expected. Adam never thought he could defeat this man so easily.
"Hmph!"
Ottar's dual great swords thrust upward with overwhelming force, making Adam lose his footing and hurling him into the air.
In that vulnerable moment, Ottar seized his chance. The great swords whistled downward, aiming straight for Adam's exposed chest.
"Tch." Adam adapted instantly.
Still airborne, he twisted his body and rotated his sword, blocking the great swords a hair's breadth from his chest.
Clang!
Steel met steel in a thunderous clash as he parried the strike.
But Ottar's strength was overwhelming!
As a Level 7, his raw power dwarfed Adam's. The savage force behind his great swords drove Adam downward, blade and all.
Boom!
An earth-shattering roar echoed as spider-web cracks spread across the ground. Adam dropped to one knee at the impact's center.
This was Ottar's true might — and he wasn't holding back!
Adam realized with crystal clarity: this man meant to kill him.
Acting on pure instinct, he redirected the crushing force, deflecting the great swords that threatened to split his skull.
Boom!
Another thunderous crash rang out as the great swords slammed into the earth, carving a fresh crater into the battlefield.
While Ottar was still reacting, Adam launched a swift counterattack!
The two warriors exchanged a flurry of strikes!
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Adam's blade targeted every vital point — throat, neck, chest, brow, waist, and shoulders!
Though Adam's sword strikes far surpassed the speed of great swords, Ottar wielded two blades with masterful skill, blocking each fierce attack.
They reached a stalemate as continuous clashes drained their stamina. Victory seemed destined for whoever possessed greater endurance.
But Adam had other plans. He feigned exhaustion, gradually slowing his strikes to deceive Ottar.
The Boaz warrior increased his force, seeking victory through raw strength alone — no magic, pure physical might.
His eagerness became his undoing.
Adam deliberately missed a strike, avoiding the great swords entirely. Then he reversed his momentum, smashing Ottar's blades into the ground.
With a dull boom, the great swords carved a deep crater.
Now!
Seizing his chance, Adam used Insect Breathing to lighten his body. He stepped onto Ottar's sword blade, closing the distance to launch a precise thrust at his opponent's brow.
◈ Divine Convergence Breathing, Water Style ⫸ Drop Ripple Thrust ◈
Whoosh!
The long sword sliced through the curtain of rain.
Lightning fast — no ordinary warrior could hope to dodge!
But Ottar was far from ordinary. Drawing on vast combat experience, he twisted away at the last instant, receiving only a slight cut on his cheek. A thin line of blood trickled from the wound.
His eyes narrowed; he had tasted death's approach.
Yet this was merely a feint!
Adam knew such tactics alone wouldn't defeat the King. His true strategy lay in his next move!
◈ Divine Convergence Breathing, Water Style ⫸ Transformation of Time Rain ◈
This was his killing move — a technique that had never failed!
This self-created ultimate technique could restrict enemy movement, suppress breathing, and even freeze consciousness — making it absolutely reliable. By forcefully channeling water attribute magic, it could slow and bind any enemy, provided enough magical power was available.
The technique was particularly effective against Ottar since the King possessed no magic. With his center of gravity disrupted and reactions delayed, he would be rendered helpless by Adam's ultimate move.
But Adam wasn't finished! To ensure victory, he prepared to deliver the finishing blow with his newest creation — a technique combining three breathing styles!
Channeling his inner divinity, he communed with heaven and earth. Lightning, water, and wind bent to his will in this rain-soaked battlefield. Thunder cracked as lightning surged down, attaching itself to Immortal's Edge's blade.
Spinning rapidly, Adam became the eye of a tempest, drawing all the elements into his sword. Wind, water, and lightning merged into a single divine force — a strike to pierce both heaven and earth. Enhanced by divinity, it rivaled the might of the gods themselves.
The sword light pierced the sky before crashing down with unstoppable force, striking the King's body with devastating impact.
Take this!
◈ Divine Convergence Breathing, Flowing Storm Style ⫸ Hurricane Stream Pierce ◈
✧✧✧
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