"Now, you are worthy to face me in combat!"
These words, coming from the supreme being [Ares], were in themselves an honor. For any other young, hot-headed individual, such a statement would likely have set their blood boiling, eager to engage in battle immediately. However, Mike remained composed and countered, "Can we not fight?" After all, we're all on the same side here, and fighting among ourselves can be quite damaging to relationships! More importantly, you, at level 199, have already undergone three class changes, picking on me, a level 26 mage—how is that fair? If it's possible, Mike would rather avoid a fight.
"Oh?" Ares found this young man before him increasingly interesting and asked, "Why not fight?"
"Supreme beings have always been my idols..." Ares interrupted, "Your classmate's idols." "Mine too!" Mike insisted earnestly, his face sincere, making his fib seem almost truthful. "How could I possibly strike at my own idol?!"
"Well said." Ares pointed to the ashes on the ground, "I've helped you strip away the demon god's mark and completely removed the lineage restrictions from the Inhibition Orb." "As per our earlier agreement, I will give you a melee skill book. If we spar, regardless of the outcome, I'll give you another skill book."
Mike appeared troubled, "It's not about the skill books, it's just that..." Ares laughed, "I could have someone craft a melee weapon for you, though you'll need to provide the materials yourself." Mike earnestly responded, "I've long wanted to learn from the swordsmanship of supreme being Ares, please enlighten me!" His motivation wasn't just for the skill books and equipment. He genuinely wanted to learn from a supreme being.
"I'm flattered, but it wouldn't be fair for me to directly combat you, as my projection is over a hundred levels higher than you." Ares pondered, "You attack first, I'll let you make one move, and after that, we'll decide life or death."
At this moment, Mike's demeanor was no longer casual; his expression was dead serious. If he really were to fight Ares's projection, with a level difference of over 160, Mike would undoubtedly be annihilated instantly! In that case, their combat would be meaningless. Letting Mike make one move, Ares was not only testing Mike's ultimate output but also giving him a chance! One move—if Mike could defeat Ares's projection with it, then it would be considered Mike's victory. If the projection survived, the outcome would be self-evident.
"Agreed." Mike nodded, accepting the challenge. "I'm ready whenever you are." That was exactly what Mike was waiting for. "Wind Fury!" "Thunderclap Strike!" Without any hesitation, having already stacked 30 layers of Charge Up, Mike initiated with Wind Fury followed immediately by Thunderclap Strike. The terrifying red lightning struck once more, aiming directly at Ares's head.
In the entire space, the mist churned, and time seemed to slow down, everything moving as if in slow motion like in a movie. In reality, everything happened very quickly. Bang— Just below a meter above Ares's head, the red lightning exploded violently, the lightning with destructive strength lighting up the sky like a grand fireworks display.
Yet, Ares stood still, unmoved, not even glancing at the lightning. "Wow—" Mike gasped in awe, unable to help but exclaim, "Supreme being Ares, you truly are formidable!" After one move, Ares was unscathed, clearly establishing the superior combatant. Mike quickly retreated, creating distance between them, buying time for another round of Charge Up.
Ares, however, remained where he was, his gaze on Mike subtly shifting. "It's been about ten years since I last used my innate abilities...That strike just now should have reached hundreds of millions in damage, touching the realm of a Battle Chief." Ares hadn't expected Thor's output capability to be even more terrifying than he had imagined! At level 26, surpassing even the Battle Chief in burst damage. Even Ares himself couldn't have achieved such a feat in his day!
As Ares was about to make his next move, his figure suddenly became translucent and began to fade. "Heh, energy depleted." In the last few seconds, if he had chosen to strike, Mike likely wouldn't have been able to dodge. However, as a supreme being, even just a projection, he maintained his dignity. In Ares's heart, since Mike had forced him to use his talent, this combat was Mike's victory.
Before the projection completely dissipated, Ares spoke, "Thor, the items I promised you will be delivered to you. So far, you've done well. This world is far more dangerous than you imagine. Hide your identity as best as you can, don't let others know you are Thor, and focus on strengthening yourself..."
Ares's voice echoed in the space, the mist slowly dissipating, and Mike found himself back in the Combat Power Test room. It felt like waking from a long dream, still too stunned to move.
Mike cautiously surveyed his surroundings, wary of any further surprises. Meanwhile, in the Combat Power Test monitoring room, Shadow Nine stared intently at the now static-filled screen. In fact, when the projection of the supreme being appeared, the monitoring had been blocked.
Shadow Nine saw nothing; he was merely waiting for the final outcome. "A tier nine Battle Soldiers test might be too tough for Thor, considering he's only been in the Tower of Truth for three days." "Hard to say, SSS-tier talent isn't something that can be measured by ordinary standards!"
Shadow Nine, as one of the strongest forces in [Guardian Shadow] and ranked ninth, his position alone spoke volumes. Even for a tier nine Battle Lord like Maxen Stoneheart, Shadow Nine could assassinate him with just one move. There are levels even among Battle Lords!
The Star rankings change every year, and new Lone Wolves rise through the ranks. But within [Guardian Shadow], the rankings are the result of generations of consolidation; for a hundred years, no one has been able to shake Shadow Nine's position!
And a supreme being, transcending Battle Lords and comparable to deities, is far beyond what Shadow Nine could match. Three hundred years ago, Shadow Nine was a classmate of supreme being Morpheus! This secret, even among the upper echelons of [Guardian Shadow], is scarcely known.
Having once experienced supreme power, he knew better than anyone just how terrifying a supreme being could be!
The monitor flickered and then returned to normal. Shadow Nine's eyes widened, not missing a single detail. When he saw Mike bouncing around alive, his eyelids twitched uncontrollably. "How is this possible!" The [Guardian Angel] buff on Thor hasn't disappeared, which means... Thor didn't die!
This thought startled Shadow Nine. A tier nine Battle Soldiers test, a projection of a 199-level supreme being, even at just one-tenth of its strength, and Thor had survived! This was a miracle in itself!
"This young man has the makings of the strongest!" It was only at this moment that Shadow Nine was thoroughly convinced by Thor. He had witnessed the rise of supreme being Morpheus, and frankly, the feats Thor had achieved now might even surpass what Morpheus had done at his peak.
"Given enough time, Thor will surely achieve the position of the strongest!" Shadow Nine's body was enveloped in swirling black mist, nearly uncontrollable with his emotional upheaval, indicating his excitement.
"My human race is about to birth its fourth supreme being, the dawn is near, the light is about to break through!" As Shadow Nine was caught up in his fervor, he caught a glimpse of scrolling text at the bottom of the screen.
"Battle Soldiers test tier nine, passed..." Like a bolt from the blue, Shadow Nine stood frozen, his expression blank, his body lifeless like a withered tree. Thor had passed the tier nine Battle Soldiers test?! He hadn't just survived under the supreme being's projection—he had defeated it?!
At that moment, Shadow Nine felt his entire understanding of the world had been turned upside down.