CHAPTER 887: CHAPTER 687: THE LIMIT OF A MORTAL

"Boom boom boom boom boom boom boom boom boom boom——!"

Within the ruins turned into a sea of fire, the torrential rain of flames continues to fall, shaking the earth, shattering the labyrinth, destroying everything in its path, and expanding its roar along with the tremors.

At the edge of the fiery sea, the first-tier adventurers of the city’s two strongest factions confront each other, exuding a fierce atmosphere of gunpowder.

The [Flame Gold Four Warriors] collectively stare at the [Hero], their fellow kin, releasing a murderous aura.

The [Angry Serpent] reacts to this, glaring at the [Flame Gold Four Warriors] while repeatedly trying to charge forward, only to be firmly held back by [Severance].

Meanwhile, the [White Demon Staff] and [Black Demon Demon Sword] are respectfully facing the [Nine Demon Princesses], the royal blood of their clan, while coldly eyeing the [Hero].

In such a situation, the young werewolf known as the [Fierce Wolf] is disgruntled to the point of clicking his tongue, while the [Sword Princess], holding her sword, dares not slack and quietly adjusts her breathing.

If this scene were on the surface, it would undoubtedly terrify all witnesses and make adventurers scream with despair.

The smell of gunpowder is about to rise like smoke, making it unsurprising if either side were to start fighting at any moment.

There’s no denying it; both sides have always been mutual adversaries on the surface.

The Loki Clan and the Freyja Clan, the city’s two strongest clans, have faced off countless times before, have clashed countless times, and now when enemies meet, their hatred is more intense than ever. It’s completely normal for them to dislike each other.

Yet, both sides have shown remarkable restraint.

After all, standing opposite each other are opponents they recognize and fear, thus they understand clearly that if a fight breaks out, the consequences will surely be devastating.

That’s precisely why the white elf Hedine speaks with such certainty.

"You wouldn’t want to fight us here."

"Once the fight starts, your expedition this time will be doomed to failure, unable to continue no matter what."

"If you think it’s fine, then go ahead and take action."

Under Hedine’s calm and rational yet heartless remarks, Finn narrowed his eyes.

"Are you suggesting we stand by and watch as our clan members are ruthlessly ravaged by the leader of an opposing faction?"

One sentence prompted every first-tier adventurer of the Loki Clan to raise their weapons.

In response, Hedine spoke out in extreme annoyance.

"You call that one-sided ravaging?" Hedine retorted with great displeasure, "Look clearly, arrogant human tribe, what’s taking place there is a fierce battle, an unyielding struggle where no sides can intervene. Is that anything you can call one-sided ravaging?"

Hedine shifted her gaze towards the fiery sea, as did everyone else, showing various emotions in their eyes.

In that sea of fire, amidst the ruins, a young swordsman stabilizes his retreating form while simultaneously charging towards the pig-man martial artist along with the fiery rain. He employs unbelievably exquisite swordplay and chanting techniques too swift to ignore, unleashing a storm of slashes and magical artillery toward the opponent, actually suppressing them.

This scene shocked many people.

This scene made many people view the young swordsman in a new light.

Hedine, gripping the twin-bladed longsword, declared expressionlessly.

"The city’s strongest magic swordsman... originally thought it was the usual exaggerated trash talk by foolish deities and ignorant citizens, but now it seems that this human is not entirely unqualified to make such a claim."

Hedine’s words made Hegni beside him grip the black long sword tightly.

Both are magic swordsmen and had never before thought there was another magic swordsman in the city stronger than themselves.

Yet now, they have to admit that the human boy engaged in fierce battle with the pig-man might surpass them, which isn’t the most comfortable realization.

For Hegni, it certainly feels unsatisfactory, and the same for Hedine, who said those words driven by reason but with the fire of rivalry burning in his eyes.

Undoubtedly, both individuals have taken a competitive stance towards Reiger, and now view the boy they previously overlooked as a rival.

"No wonder that foolish cat suffered at his hands."

Hedine spoke a statement that would undoubtedly cause displeasure if mentioned in someone else’s presence, more so making such an evaluation.

"It’s no wonder that certain adult takes interest in him."

This remark was keenly caught by Finn.

"...I see, it’s that Beauty God taking interest in our monster newbie," Finn looked deeply at Hedine and said, "That’s why you all appeared here together, to let Ota test Reiger’s ’capacity’?"

Faced with Finn’s questioning, Hedine again showed an unhappy expression.

"If that were the case, I would feel more comfortable," Hedine snorted coldly, "At least it’s preferable to dealing with a brainless and untrainable fool of a rabbit. It’s a hassle for us to make such a fuss, but for someone able to match the savage pig in this manner, I would be more pleased."

"...What does this mean?"

Finn furrowed his brows.

The answer came from the four warriors of the small human tribe.

"It means that kid was just incidental."

"We’re here to block you, but that muscle-bound pig is not."

"His mission is a trial for some brainless and untrainable fool of a rabbit."

"He’s meant to stop anyone getting in the way, and that kid just happened to catch the interest of the goddess, that’s why that adult sent us here, to prevent you from disturbing them."

One sentence after another shared by the small human tribe warriors, they collectively said one more sentence.

"In other words, you all are just a side of a side, understand?"

This disdainful remark nearly made Bert and Theone go berserk.

"...It seems like you really want to die. Fine, come over here. See if I don’t kick you to death."

"Don’t stop me! Theona! I’m going to beat these four bastards to death!"

"No! Things will get very troublesome... though I really want to go too!"

Bert’s forehead veins bulged as he walked out, while Theone struggled desperately, causing Theona to shout in frustration.

"Stop." Revilia persuaded the crowd, saying sternly, "They are right. No matter what, we are still on an expedition."

Upon hearing this, Bert and the others could be put aside for the moment, but Ais exchanged a glance with Finn, as if silently asking whether it was really not possible to take action.

In response, Finn did not give a reply but turned to Hedine.

"I won’t guess the God’s intention, but I won’t keep watching anymore either."

This was something Finn would never compromise on.

Not only because Reiger was their companion but also because, in Finn’s view, facing Ota was still too early for Reiger.

Finn cast his gaze towards the sea of fire and ruins.

There, Reiger continuously launched attacks on Ota with astonishing sword skills and magic, though Ota seemed to be at a disadvantage, it was not so in actuality.

As an old rival who had been in opposition for years, Finn knew very well the extent of the strength of the city’s most powerful "warrior."

Others could only see his status as the city’s sole Lv.7 on the surface, yet did not know that Ota was not an existence that could simply be described in a few words.

He not only led Finn and the others by a step but also was the first to reach the level of Lv.7 and continued to pursue progress.

Although the exact information could not be obtained, according to Finn’s judgment, Ota had absolutely honed his abilities to the current stage’s limits, reaching the utmost possible extent.

That was indeed the case.

......

Ota

Lv.7

Strength: S999

Endurance: S999

Dexterity: S991

Agility: S989

Magic Power: D566

......

This is Ota’s current ability status.

The four basic abilities of "Strength," "Endurance," "Dexterity," and "Agility" all reached the highest S stage, either having already reached the limit of 999 proficiency or being extremely close to it.

This is truly reaching the utmost extent, not because his potential is exhausted like others, but because he has touched the pinnacle of abilities and the limits of divine grace, unable to advance further.

Except for cheats like Reiger who can break through the limits, Ota is the most extraordinary being in the lower world.

With all four basic ability parameters at S, this already is a super-specification ability configuration that can frighten both gods and mortals.

Yet, Ota is unwilling to stop at this.

Even when he reaches the limits of those from the lower world, touching the barrier of divine grace, he has never been complacent, always researching how to become stronger.

If he can’t raise his ability values, he raises his skills.

If he can’t hone his body, he hones his mind.

Upon getting permission from his most revered main god, allowing him to wager his life to challenge great achievements, he persistently continued self-training to progress and become stronger in a manner that might even seem stupid.

Thus, he formed that kind of combat style, constructing the exaggerated "complete defense" strategy, using techniques and tactics to prevent anyone from reaching his body.

"This guy Ota, must be extremely close to Lv.8 by now."

He’s not merely the sole Lv.7 of Orario but is about to step into a new realm, touch the level of male god (Zeus) and female god (Hera), reaching Lv.8, a level yet to be touched by anyone else besides them.

Facing such an extraordinary opponent, even Finn and others, who are part of the strongest clan, often feel powerless.

"For Reiger to shake Ota’s position now, it’s still too early."

Finn made such a judgment.

And as if to confirm his words, within the sea of fire, amidst the ruins, the battle situation suddenly changed.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa...!"

The orc’s roar erupted with force, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.