Chapter 341 — The Trial of the Great Valor (and His Announced Fall)
Liora swept the room with her gaze.
Silence fell.
Well… almost.
— Valen. Already back? she asked.
— How did it go?
Valen shrugged, relaxed.
— Honestly? Not too hard.
— I erased that guy who claimed to be the incarnation of the Primordial Flames.
He waved his hand casually.
— You should've seen his face.
— Pure fear.
— He had never seen anyone extinguish something like that.
A pause.
Liora frowned slightly.
— And Valor?
— He didn't stop the monster?
Valen slowly turned his head toward him.
— Oh, he did.
— He claimed he didn't want to eliminate him too quickly because "if he really was the incarnation of the Primordial Flames, it would've caused problems for all of creation."
He smirked.
— But we all know he mostly did it to flex and look stylish.
— BLASPHEMY! Valor cried, arms wide open.
— How dare you say I think about style in the middle of battle?!
— The Great Valor was thinking of US.
— Of CREATION.
— Of COSMIC BALANCE!
Arelis coughed.
— You were mostly making dramatic pauses.
— SILENCE, OLD MAN PLAYING CHILD.
Liora sighed.
— Arelis.
— Show me the fight.
### Official Viewing (and Public Humiliation)
The projection began.
Total silence.
It showed Valor:
walking slowly
stopping
running his hand through his hair
striking a pose
smiling at an already terrified enemy
launching an attack
striking another pose
The projection ended.
Liora crossed her arms.
— Okay.
— Argument number one: "I was thinking of creation" → rejected.
— Argument number two: "I was analyzing the situation" → you were analyzing your reflection in the flames.
— Argument number three: "I acted with caution" → you spun around completely before attacking.
Annabelle raised her hand.
— Yes but… he was still very classy—
— ANNABELLE.
— NO.
Ethan snapped.
— We need to beat him up.
— Seriously.
— He insults his superiors too much.
— He thinks we're his students or something?
Valor looked down at him.
— Try me.
— Just wait, Ethan growled.
Arthur sighed, arms crossed.
— Watching them bicker reminds me why I prefer staying with Béatrice.
— You're right, my darling, Béatrice smiled.
— I'll shut up, Naël muttered.
— Otherwise a certain sword spirit will nag me again.
Elyonna turned her head.
— Who are you talking to?
— No one, Naël replied instantly.
Liora clapped her hands.
— ENOUGH.
She turned to Arthur.
— And you.
— You don't do anything anymore.
— You're just here to hang out with Béatrice.
Arthur shrugged.
— Let me enjoy life.
— You wouldn't understand.
— I wonder if he put chili in his eyes, Naël murmured.
### The Nova Bomb
Valor suddenly turned to Nova.
— Nova.
Nova barely looked up from his book.
— What.
— Part of Agniryos's story revealed things about you.
Nova sighed.
— I feel a long story coming.
— Hurry up.
— During the catastrophe five years ago, Valor continued,
— you were fifteen when you awakened your powers.
— And you saw an entity.
Nova turned a page.
— Yes.
— That entity was the First Link.
— He transferred his consciousness and part of his power into you.
— He is sealed inside you.
Silence.
Nova closed his book.
— I don't care.
— Long stories about dead people bore me.
Liora rubbed her face.
— Valor.
— For the lives of children and teachers… you acted well.
— But after that, instead of eliminating the threat, you wanted to flex.
She fixed her gaze on him.
— You call that analyzing.
— I call that posing for the camera.
She sighed.
— I'll let it slide this time.
— But next time…
— be serious.
She placed her hand on her face.
— Why is he always like this…
Ethan walked past Valor.
— You're lucky I'm not commander.
— That must be it, Valor replied.
Ethan tried to grab him, but Marie pulled him back.
— Stop.
— You're looking for trouble in front of the commander.
— You're lucky today, Ethan growled.
Lya, still sprawled on the couch, called out:
— Valor.
— Even the commander can't stand you anymore.
— When are you going to change?
— Bold words coming from you, Valor replied.
— Without the commander, I'd have killed you already.
— Try me.
Annabelle grabbed Valor by the arm.
— Come.
— I've got techniques to show you.
— See you later, she said, dragging him away.
Zarion, silent until then, finally raised his head.
— It's been a while, Valen.
— How did it go out there?
Valen smiled.
— You know me.
— I went in…
— and one‑shot Agniryos.
Silence.
Then Valor, from the hallway:
— AND WITH STYLE.
Curtain. 😌🔥
Chapter 342 — When Calm Returns… Too Late
An unusual silence settled in the room after Annabelle and Valor left.
A real silence.
The kind of silence that makes you uneasy.
Liora took a deep breath.
— …Finally.
— Five minutes without Valor.
— A new record.
Arelis nodded gravely.
— World peace has finally been achieved.
Valen sat down on a chair.
— Enjoy it.
— It won't last.
As if to prove him right, a muffled noise echoed from the hallway.
— HAHAHAHA! THE GREAT VALOR HAS UNDERSTOOD!
Liora stood up abruptly.
— …I take back what I said.
Ethan burst out laughing.
— He's literally incapable of staying quiet.
— It's a passive skill, Nova muttered.
— Permanent nuisance aura.
Zarion looked at the door, thoughtful.
— Have you noticed?
— When he's not here… everyone breathes easier.
Naël nodded.
— Even the air feels less arrogant.
Elyonna smirked.
— Impossible.
— His arrogance is probably still floating in suspension.
Arthur took a sip of tea.
— That's why I stay out of the way.
— Peace, Béatrice, peace.
— Exactly, my darling.
### Back to Aeris's Group
Meanwhile, in an alley…
Aeris walked calmly, hands behind his head.
— Honestly, Llan…
— You've made huge progress.
Llan looked away.
— I just… held on.
Nyra chuckled.
— No.
— You actually managed to scare off a rank B without lifting a finger.
— Which is almost insulting for him, Vareth added.
— Imagine going home and explaining that.
Llan grimaced.
— Stop…
— He's still stronger than me.
Aeris placed a hand on his shoulder.
— Maybe.
— But now he's afraid.
He smiled.
— And fear…
— Is the first step toward defeat.
Nyra tilted her head.
— And the first step toward stupid choices.
— Exactly, Vareth confirmed.
— He'll be back.
Llan clenched his fist.
— Then I'll be ready.
Aeris looked at him sincerely.
— You know…
— No matter how long it takes.
— As long as you move forward, you're already winning.
Nyra rolled her eyes.
— There he goes again with his inspiring speech.
— I can cry if you want, Aeris replied.
— Try it and I'll hit you.
— Deal.
### Meanwhile… Elsewhere
In a dimly lit corridor, Brakk clenched his teeth.
— …They're all mocking me.
His fist slammed against the wall.
— That kid…
— He's changed.
A silhouette slowly emerged from the shadows.
— Fear is a weakness, Brakk.
Brakk flinched.
— Who—?!
— Or an opportunity, the voice continued.
— It all depends on what you choose to make of it.
Brakk narrowed his eyes.
— What do you want?
The silhouette smiled.
— To help you.
— Crush those who humiliated you.
A silence.
Brakk smiled back.
— …Talk.
### Back in the Main Hall
Liora suddenly sneezed.
— …Someone's plotting, she murmured.
Valen nodded.
— Or Valor is thinking really hard.
— Impossible to tell the difference, Arelis replied.
And far away, very far away:
— THE GREAT VALOR HAS RETURNED!
All together:
— …Damn.
Curtain. 😌🔥
Chapter 343 — The Invisible Market
The being was not visible.
No clear aura. No form.
Just… a presence. As if the air itself had decided to speak.
— I'm here to help you.
Brakk froze.
— …Oh yeah? And I'm the Emperor of the world, he growled. Seriously, what exactly are you planning to do?
He clenched his fists, eyes dark.
— It's not that little bug Ilan who terrifies me. Him, I can still handle.
But his companions…
They're not normal. The aura they give off… it's like each one could crush me without effort.
Silence.
Then the invisible being appeared… partially.
Arms crossed. A blurred silhouette.
A smile more guessed than seen.
— I know exactly what you mean, he replied calmly.
And don't worry.
I'm here to help. Come closer.
Brakk stepped back.
— No, wait… this is how people die in stories, you know?
"Come closer," "trust me," and poof, no more Brakk.
— You talk a lot for someone trembling inside, the being said with amusement.
Brakk gritted his teeth.
He thought.
Did he really need this?
He was sure he could keep bothering Ilan for a long time.
But… against the others?
Did he really have to go this far?
Accept something from an invisible stranger, probably shady, clearly unhealthy?
The being tilted his head slightly.
— You're still hesitating…
But you should remember.
His voice grew softer. Crueler.
— The moment they mocked you.
When they saw you run.
When your name became a joke.
Brakk felt something tighten in his chest.
— Don't you feel anger? the being continued.
Don't you want to pay them back?
To watch them fall… one by one?
— …Shut up, Brakk muttered.
But his hand trembled.
— You must take revenge on them, the being concluded.
Come closer.
A long silence.
Then Brakk slowly extended his hand.
— …Just to be clear, if I turn into some weird monster, I'll haunt you.
The being laughed softly.
At the moment their hands touched—
A brutal pain shot through Brakk.
Not physical pain.
Something deeper.
As if his shadow had turned against him.
Memories he had never lived.
Battles.
Defeats.
Stolen victories.
Then… a power imprinted itself in him.
**Ability acquired — Aura Usurpation: Unjust Mirror**
**Description:**
Brakk can now partially copy the aura of an opponent he has observed or fought.
But it is not a perfect copy.
👉 He distorts the aura.
👉 He exaggerates it.
👉 He makes it unstable… but more brutal.
**Effects:**
- The more confident the opponent is in their power, the more violent the copied aura becomes.
- The usurped aura creates mental pressure, making it seem like Brakk is "on the same level"… or even above.
- Against groups, the effect stacks slightly, creating a false illusion of overwhelming superiority.
**Limitations:**
- Brakk's body cannot sustain the copied aura for long.
- After use, he suffers intense fatigue… and sometimes hallucinations.
- He can only copy one aspect of the aura, not full techniques.
Brakk collapsed to his knees, gasping.
— Damn… he breathed.
Feels like I swallowed a dragon without chewing.
He rose slowly.
The aura around him… had changed.
Unstable. Twisted.
Almost disturbing.
— Oh…, he murmured.
This… is new.
The invisible being smiled.
— Use it as you wish, he said.
Frighten them. Break their confidence.
Make them doubt.
He turned away, already fading.
— But don't forget one thing, Brakk.
His voice grew heavier.
— You owe me something now.
Brakk grimaced.
— Great…
I just signed a cosmic contract without reading the fine print, huh?
A light laugh echoed in the void.
Then silence returned.
Brakk remained alone.
He clenched his fist.
— …Alright.
Ilan.
Let's see if you'll still laugh.
Chapter 344 — Full‑Scale Test (and Almost Cardiac Arrest)
Brakk walked.
He kept moving.
Step after step.
— Well… either this power is a cosmic scam, or I just became a public menace, he muttered.
He finally sensed a solid aura ahead.
Not monstrous.
But stable.
A group of hunters stood gathered, clearly on a mission.
At the center, a broad‑shouldered man in heavy armor, stern gaze fixed forward.
— …Rank A, Brakk estimated.
Perfect.
He drew a deep breath.
— I'll test this power here. Safer.
Because that invisible guy… he could've totally scammed me.
He focused on the lead hunter.
**Garik.**
A rank A hunter, specialized in defensive vanguard.
A human wall.
🛡️ **Specialty:**
- Telluric aura manipulation
- Extreme body reinforcement
- Team protection
A man who didn't hit the hardest, but almost never fell.
— Okay… solid, but manageable, Brakk murmured.
He closed his eyes.
— Aura Usurpation… *Unjust Mirror.*
### Activation
Garik's aura was hooked, ripped by an unseen claw.
But instantly—
It warped.
It stretched.
It grew too heavy, too dense, too aggressive.
The aura now radiating from Brakk was crushing…
But unstable, trembling, almost sickening.
The air vibrated.
The hunters around Garik paled.
— …What the hell is this…?
— I can't breathe…
— My legs… they're shaking.
Garik frowned.
— What kind of monster is this…?
He fixed his gaze on Brakk.
— Is he… rank S?
An invisible pressure weighed down on them.
— I feel like I'm being crushed…, Garik growled, teeth clenched.
Brakk stepped forward.
Then another step.
He smiled.
Far too confident for someone screaming inside.
— I'll count to ten, he said calmly.
And you leave.
Silence.
— One.
No one moved.
— Two.
A hunter swallowed hard.
— Three—
Brakk suddenly stopped.
— Boo.
— AAAAAAH!
The group exploded in panic.
They bolted, dropping even a weapon in their rush.
— RETREAT!
— HE'S NOT HUMAN!
— I SIGNED UP FOR GOBLINS, NOT THIS!
Garik tried to stay dignified…
For exactly two seconds.
Then he backed away too.
### Further Away
Once at a safe distance, Garik leaned against a wall, gasping.
— I… I thought I was going to die…
He looked at his group.
— How can such a monster exist… and I don't know him?
A hunter whispered, still trembling:
— It's… the most terrifying aura we've ever felt.
Garik clenched his fists.
— We don't talk about this to anyone.
Everyone nodded frantically.
### Back to Brakk
The aura collapsed suddenly.
Brakk nearly fell to his knees.
— Hah… hah…
He breathed like he'd just run a marathon uphill with an anvil on his back.
— Damn… exhausting…
Killing, even.
He wiped his face.
— Imagine if I'd tried this on hunters stronger than Garik…
His legs still shook.
— The fatigue… this feeling…
It's clear: this ability drains me every time.
He laughed nervously.
— Actually… it's not a combat power.
It's a bluff power.
He struggled to stand.
— And even then… a super risky bluff.
He thought.
— Seriously… what if the guy in front hadn't been scared?
If the aura effect hadn't worked?
He blanched.
— I'd have been wrecked.
Clean. Simple. For nothing.
He clenched his teeth.
— Damn…
That invisible guy took me for a fool, didn't he?
He ran a hand through his hair.
— Good thing I didn't charge straight at Ilan's group…
He pictured it.
— Okay, I'd have traumatized Ilan, sure.
But the other three?
He grimaced.
— They'd have caused me serious problems.
He chuckled bitterly.
— This power… in that situation…
It would've even put me at a disadvantage.
Silence.
Then.
— …Wait a second.
His eyes narrowed.
— That guy…
Is he trying to sacrifice me?
He clenched his fist.
— Give me a suicidal power, watch if I die, and that's it?
He inhaled deeply.
— Fine.
A dangerous smile spread across his face.
— Just wait.
I'll talk to him.
He lifted his head.
— He'll hear me.
Because giving me powers this stupid without warning…
He cracked his knuckles.
— …That has a price.