Chapter 160: Small Gathering of Trialists

Chapter 160: Small Gathering of TrialistsThe Tiger Human was also a third-rank limit breaker, but as a half-beast human, his strength and speed were greater than those of humans at the same level. His claws emitted a powerful and dangerous metallic aura, making his attacks more deadly and powerful and creating significant difficulty for Sol, who struggled to suppress him with his flame life force.

His sword, burning with intense flames, collided with the sharp, indestructible claws of the Tiger Human.

Bang! Bang!

Each clash echoed through the arena, but Sol was pushed back every time. His physique wasn’t on par with his opponent’s raw power, making it difficult for him to hold his ground.

"Tiger’s descent."

"Scorching Sword."

Both of them attacked each other with their best skills to end the battle.

Boom!

With an explosion, both of them were knocked backwards, but clearly, Sol was weaker as the powerful force sent him flying outside the stage and thus losing the battle.

Slowly, Sol stood up and left the arena, feeling a little dejected, but it seemed he had become used to it.

Apollo quickly followed and found him. "Brother Sol, that was a close battle."

Seeing that it was Apollo, Sol smiled and sighed, "Ah, there are too many who are stronger than me, but it’s alright. I never thought I was the best. All I need to do is try my best and see how far I can go."

"Anyways, brother Apollo, how was the Dimension Battle world and genius from outside?"

He changed the subject and asked him, as he was interested and wanted to know his experience.

"Hey, sigh, I lost too," Apollo admitted. "The first opponent I met was incredibly strong. I couldn’t do anything in front of her."

Sol didn’t understand much or how strong the opponent was; he just supported him with some enthusiastic words. After that, they slowly left the Battle arena.

As they strolled and went down, Apollo sensed something off—someone seemed to be following him. The sensation made him instantly alert.

The person following them was skilled, as Apollo couldn’t quite pinpoint their exact location. Rather than alarming Sol, Apollo decided to let the situation play out, intending to catch the person red-handed. Since attacking in Sky City was forbidden, it was clear the individual wasn’t planning an assault. But Apollo couldn’t figure out why they would be following them.

He led the follower towards the small mountain designated area for the trialists, where he could disappear and catch the follower.

"Brother Sol, why don’t you go on ahead?" Apollo suggested, keeping his tone casual. "I need to check something out."

Sol glanced at him, a bit puzzled, but nodded. "Alright, I’ll meet you back at your place."

As Sol walked away, Apollo’s demeanour shifted. He became more focused, his senses heightened as he subtly altered his course, leading the follower deeper into the small mountain area designated for trialists.

Apollo moved swiftly and silently, using the terrain to his advantage. He reached a spot where the trees thickened, casting deep shadows over the area. Without hesitation, he vanished into the darkness, his presence blending seamlessly with the environment.

The follower continued to pursue. But as they approached the spot where Apollo had disappeared, a sudden silence fell over the area. The air grew heavy with anticipation as if the forest itself were holding its breath.

But just as he was going to grab the follower, he was surprised to see her.

"What are you trying to do, hiding like that? Planning to jump on me, the great and mighty king?"

Apollo, stopped in his tracks as he heard the familiar voice. He saw the follower, as it was none other than the annoying Pussy King, who had somehow tracked him down.

"It’s you," Apollo muttered, staring at the Pussy King in confusion. He was certain he had sensed a different aura earlier, one that didn’t match the cat’s.

"What, if it isn’t me, who else could it be?" The Pussy King retorted with a smirk. "Don’t tell me you’ve finally found a girl after coming here and are playing hide and seek here."

"Haha, haha, funny!"

At the same moment, quite far away, a ghost-like figure materialized, barely visible against the backdrop. "Almost got caught," the figure murmured, a hint of admiration in their voice. "How sharp this kid is—he still managed to sense me."

A small smile played on his lips. "But then, I wouldn’t expect anything less from lady’s Brother."

With that, the mysterious ghost-like figure disappeared in thin air, like there wasn’t some person in the first place.

Back in the small mountain area, Apollo shook his head, still trying to reconcile the conflicting sensations he had experienced. He knew he hadn’t imagined the other presence, and the fact that it had slipped away so easily only deepened his suspicions.

Pussy King didn’t seem to care and stretched lazily. "Well, if you’re done with your little adventure, we should head back."

"Yeah, let’s go," Apollo agreed, though his mind was already racing with questions but he didn’t think much.

He took the pussy king with him, and on the way, he also asked what he faced, whether it was different or not.

It was like he expected the cat this time, just like others are trialists, as it cannot fool the Sky Tower. The lazy cat also had to complete tasks before he appeared here.

Apollo didn’t doubt the cat’s abilities; the Pussy King had always been full of mysterious means and hidden strengths. Given its capabilities, completing the tasks set before it wouldn’t be an issue. Even if the challenges were difficult, this cat could handle whatever came its way.

This is also why he didn’t try to find it as if it didn’t want to show up; he cannot do anything about it. It became stronger and more mysterious as it slept for the entire year before he awoke.

Although its look didn’t change, he felt the very strong and mysterious power in it, which, when exploded, he didn’t know what level it would reach.

Both then went to his place, and the lazy cat, as usual, didn’t head to its designated place but lingered nearby. Apollo didn’t bother to say anything; after three years, he had grown accustomed to its presence and peculiar habits.

He concentrated on the changes in his sword domain, immersing himself in his training. Later that night, Sol arrived at his place.

They planned to meet with a group of trialists, as various groups had slowly started to form. The trialists were gradually adjusting to this place, though there was still no news on how long they would remain. Warriors had already begun to band together, forming groups to share intelligence or gather resources.

Apollo, Pussy King, and Sol made their way to the meeting point; the atmosphere between them charged with a sense of anticipation. As they walked, Sol kept glancing at Pussy King, still trying to wrap his mind around the fact that the cat could talk. The realization that Pussy King, clearly a beast, could converse like a human—and with such an attitude—was shocking.

Usually, only fourth-rank Beast Generals and above had the intelligence and ability to speak clearly. But he didn’t feel a powerful beast aura still, given that they were in the mysterious Sky Tower, where the unusual was the norm. Sol decided not to dwell on it.

But he didn’t think much about it as they were in Sky Tower, and he already learned and seen shocking things compared to it; this wasn’t much.

They arrived at a small mountain place where players lived, but it was a little different as it was much higher in place, and it needed to spend more than a hundred points to stay there, which not many can do.

When they arrived, there were already quite a few trialists already there. The air buzzed with a mix of tension and camaraderie as these warriors, each with their own unique strengths and abilities, were sizing each other up.

The group consisted of a mix of powerful figures, all of whom seemed to be either forming alliances or testing the waters with potential rivals. And Apollo and their appearance didn’t go unnoticed as many tried to see through them, changing many present here faces.

They were able to see through Sol, but they were not able to see or understand anything about Apollo and Pussy King, who were drawing many female trialists’ enthusiasm with their appearance.

Apollo also glanced around and quickly noticed a few familiar faces, individuals who had been on the trialist rankings but later pushed out or heard rumours about. Some were deep in conversation, while others stood alone, observing the gathering with sharp eyes.

As the trio approached, they drew the attention of several trialists. Apollo’s reputation as a rising star preceded him, and his presence, alongside Sol and the enigmatic Pussy King, added a new layer of interest to the meeting.

Despite the constant challenges and the fierce competition among the trialists, Apollo was the only one, aside from the organizer here, who had managed to maintain his ranking within the top hundred.