Thank You,
Knight Teir: "Oscar Sandoval"
For Becoming A Member On My Pa'treon. The Emperor Protect.
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All the remaining matchups had lost their heat. No longer were there fiery clashes like the one between Sebastian and Huo Kong that drew the eyes of every spectator.
Once the draw ceremony concluded, matches began at ten-minute intervals, leaving little room for rest. Every participant was frantically studying their opponents, hoping to find even the smallest opening.
Sebastian was no exception, though his situation was unlike the others. Unlike them, he could still adjust the flow rate of Greater Terra itself. This ability gave the Astra Militarum's top officials an invaluable advantage, extra time to analyze and prepare for the Supernatural race they were about to face.
"You're... Sebastian, from the Federation?" The voice was crisp, carrying a faint edge.
Sebastian lifted his gaze. Before him stood a lean youth with fiery red hair that gave him an almost ethereal aura.
"Huo Kong?" Sebastian asked, his tone calm.
"You're talented," Huo Kong replied, his eyes fixed on him. "Word has it that you're the strongest freshman in the history. It'd be a shame if you didn't make it out of this stage."
"Are you so certain?" Sebastian chuckled lightly.
"When you face others, victory comes easily. But unfortunately…" Huo Kong's expression didn't waver. His voice carried the weight of certainty. "You met me."
Sebastian narrowed his eyes, a faint smile curling his lips. "So, you've still got hidden tricks left to play?"
The corner of Huo Kong's mouth lifted into a confident smirk, but he offered no reply. With a silent turn, he left.
Ten minutes passed in a blur and the match began in a flash. The much-anticipated duel between Sebastian and Huo Kong was arranged in the largest arena yet, a coliseum capable of holding one billion spectators.
"This round's contenders: Sebastian from the Federation, versus Huo Kong of the Sky Empire!"
The pleasant voice of the announcer echoed, and in the same instant, both contestants appeared at the center of the battlefield. The arena erupted, the sound rolling like crashing mountains and roaring seas. Voices merged into a single, deafening roar.
"Huo Kong! Huo Kong!" The Sky Empire had filled the stands with their own, and their numbers dominated. Desperate and impassioned, they shouted their champion's name.
But they weren't alone.
"Sebastian! Sebastian!"
"Finish him off, Sebastian!"
Support for the Federation's representative rang loud as well. From the Federation, the Empire, Giant Island, and countless other factions, cheers rose. It was only natural. The Sky Empire had long been too powerful. In facing them, the rest of the world found unity. This was not just a duel. It was a spectacle. The battle had become the center of global attention.
The viewership soared, ratings spiking to the highest point recorded in ten thousand years. And it wasn't only ordinary people watching; even the lofty Level 6 Planetary Lords had tuned in.
Somewhere in the void.
The academies' Planetary Lords gathered, seated before a massive projection screen displaying the battle between Sebastian and Huo Kong. Most appeared relaxed, confidence written on their faces. The Federation had performed admirably overall this year.
"Even if Sebastian loses, the loser's bracket gives him another shot," one Lord mused. "The odds of him clawing back to the end remain high."
"It's not certain he'll lose." The green-robed elder from Shining Light University stroked his beard. "From what I've seen, this boy still holds something back."
"His earlier victories came too easily. The gap between him and Huo Kong isn't insurmountable. He still has a chance."
"You're wrong this time," a purple-robed Lord from Immortal Academy cut in with a smile.
"Oh? And what makes you so sure?" The green-robed elder turned to him, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. The others leaned in as well.
The purple-robed man was known for his close ties with the Sky Empire and often had access to insider information.
"I can't say with certainty," he began, pausing dramatically. "But the rumors suggest Huo Kong's true strength is unmatched; he's the undisputed number one of the Area. Some even whisper he could break into the top thousand of the grand competition itself."
The chamber fell silent.
"Hiding strength this deep?"
The gathered Lords were stunned. While the difference between eighth place and first could seem small, the leap to the top three was like crossing a chasm. Those who claimed the number one spot often concealed their power, waiting for the moment to strike.
"I can't confirm it yet," the purple-robed Lord admitted, lips curling faintly. "But soon enough, we'll see for ourselves."
Anticipation flickered across the faces of the other Lords. What hidden trump card did Huo Kong possess to earn such high praise?
On the projection, the battlefield shifted into motion as the planetary channels opened.
Drones streamed through, followed by battalions of the Astra Militarum, swiftly forming a layered defense.
From the opposite passage, Huo Kong's creations emerged. Supernatural species, formidable enough to rank among the top ten. One raced across the earth, while another soared through the skies. Ground and air, strength above and below. It was the kind of matchup every Planetary Lord dreamed of commanding.
Then, thundering footsteps shook the battlefield. A giant bird, over five meters tall, stormed forward. Its silhouette resembled an ostrich, but its feathers gleamed like molten fire, sleek and flowing as though alive with heat. Its eyes burned as sharp as an eagle's, radiating an untouchable pride.
"Flame Ostriches!" Sebastian's eyes narrowed, instantly recognizing it.
This wasn't a mere bird. It was an extraordinarily powerful Supernatural bird, the sole super-civilized race of its kind. The nobility of the bird. Rare, formidable, and nearly impossible to create. In the entire Area, only Huo Kong had succeeded in cultivating such a species.
"Don't underestimate the Flame Ostriches," Clifford said in awe as he and the others observed from their box seats. "Its size may not compare to the Black Flame Giant, but if they fought head-on, the giant would surely lose."
The group murmured in agreement, marveling at the sight.
"The Flame Ostrich's legs are incredibly developed, its leaps terrifying. It's immune to fire, a natural nemesis to both Black Flame Giants and Flame Giants. Against them, it's a predator; they wouldn't stand a chance." Otwin nodded solemnly. "With just this one species, Huo Kong can easily place in the top hundred. And that doesn't even account for his aerial Supernatural race."
Terrell also let out a lamenting sigh.
High above the competition field, a strange wind howled. Then, suddenly, a flock of colossal birds, their entire bodies wrapped in roaring flames, swept in. Each bird's wings stretched more than five meters across.
And there were not dozens, nor hundreds, but over 3,000 of them surged forward. They came one after another, blotting out the sky. Compared to some other flying Supernatural beasts, their size wasn't exceptional. But what set them apart was shocking. Their bodies were not clad in feathers like ordinary flaming fowl.
No. Their "plumage" burned as real, living fire! These blazing birds were even more feared, more renowned than the flame chickens themselves. Their appearance alone stirred a storm of cheers.
"Flame Bird!" Their pupils tightened.
The Flame Ostriches were already a terror in their own right, comparable to creatures like the Black Flame Giant and the Demon Ape. At least those beasts kept their feet on the ground. But these Flame Birds, soaring aloft and wrapped in fire, unleashed devastation from the skies. They were precisely the threat the Astra Militarum feared most.
"Sebastian." Huo Kong's voice carried directly into Sebastian's ear. "You are one of the rare few I respect. To show that respect, today… I will unleash the true might of both my units!"
"I hope so," Sebastian replied, eyes glinting with anticipation. If this display was nothing more than surface tricks, then it wouldn't pose much of a challenge to the Astra Militarum.
"Flame Ostriches and Flame Birds, a seamless combination. I wonder… how did forge such a force?" High above the void, Level 6 Planetary Lords murmured with interest.
"In every past match…" Another Planetary Lord added, "Huo Kong relied solely on the Flame Ostriches to claim victory. The Flame Birds haven't even shown their true strength yet!"
"If his words are accurate, then these Flame Birds aren't nearly as simple as they appear," one observed.
"It's fascinating…" The entire gathering of Planetary Lords felt their curiosity sharpen.
On the ground, the Astra Militarum braced themselves. This was their first true air-and-ground battle since the campaign began. Tension climbed to its peak.
Guardsmen tucked themselves into their vehicles, which had already proven their worth. Even against medium-class missiles, these machines could endure a strike, thanks to their hulls clad in dense, deformable alloy plating.
Yet, when the Flame Ostriches and Flame Birds arrived, they did not attack immediately. Instead, they arrayed themselves in perfect order. The Flame Ostrich thundered across the ground while the Flame Bird wheeled through the skies.
Not a massive army by numbers. But then, this was the eternal weakness of every powerful Supernatural beast, their limited ability to reproduce. And perhaps it was better this way. If such creatures multiplied like ordinary humans, the world itself would be swallowed in chaos.
"All units, scatter!" Huo Kong's command rolled out like thunder.
At once, the ground force spread wide, each Flame Ostrich keeping no less than thirty meters from the next. Above, the Flame Birds mirrored their order.
Seeing this, the Astra Militarum generals frowned. Yes, earlier enemies had also spread out to mitigate missile damage… But never this wide.
"When we fire our missiles," a scientist muttered, "we'll be lucky to kill one Flame Ostrich with each strike."
"Exactly. Perhaps a few more at best," an older scientist agreed.
This was why heavier weapons were kept in reserve. Supernatural creatures were too swift, too reactive. Missiles were the only reliable countermeasure. Shells and cannon fire scattered too easily, their shockwaves and shrapnel rarely delivering fatal blows to such resilient beasts. Only armor-piercing rounds had any consistency.
"Their tactics are tailored precisely to counter us. Very cautious," Lando remarked gravely. "We'll need to tread carefully in this battle."
"But they do have a weakness," Cyrus pointed out. "Their numbers are limited. Other Supernatural swarms number in the tens of thousands. These… far fewer."
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The battlefield erupted. The Flame Ostriches scattered across the enemy line suddenly charged. Their powerful legs tore into the ground as they stormed forward like living storms. The speed was staggering. So fast the human eye struggled to follow.
To Sebastian, they were red Ferraris streaking across the field.
"Fire!" Lando gave the order without hesitation.
From the Scarab, Guardsmen raised their electromagnetic rifles, already locked on target. No matter how quick the Flame Ostriches were, they were not faster than bullets. Especially not spiked armor-piercing rounds.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh,
A storm of firepower poured down, bullets blanketing the air like a metallic rain.
Poof! Poof! Poof!
One Flame Ostrich, charging harder than all the rest, was riddled with thirty rounds in under a second. The spikes tore through its body mercilessly, ripping it into a ragged hive. The impact broke its stride, slamming it into the dirt. It tumbled and rolled, lifeless before it even hit the ground.
"I expected as much," Huo Kong muttered, more reflective than surprised.
"The Flame Ostrich's defense… roughly on par with a Black Flame Giant once stripped of its black flames." The observing scientists quickly confirmed the analysis, "But its speed is far more troublesome. That alone makes it deadly."
Yet, the next instant, the battlefield changed. The remaining Flame Ostriches, seeing their fallen kin, suddenly leaped. One by one, they hurled themselves skyward. Like gliders, they rose higher and higher.
Thirty meters.
Forty.
Fifty.
The strongest among them soared more than eighty meters into the air!
The scientists were dumbstruck. By all previous measurements, Flame Ostriches could leap no higher than fifty meters.
"What power…" Sebastian blinked, awe flashing in his eyes.
The display drew a roar from the billion spectators watching live. Their voices howled like wolves: "Flame Ostriches! Hoo!"
The Sky Empire spectators were ecstatic.
On the Astra Militarum's side, ground defenses held steady, but against the skies, gaps were inevitable.
"Time to switch tactics," Cyrus urged.
Lando made his decision at once. The Flame Ostriches' overwhelming jumping power had shattered expectations. Conventional strategy would no longer be enough.