Izroth was always on a constant mission to improve himself in order to reach the pinnacle of this world. In order to do that, it required that he learned from small and big experiences alike.
However, while Izroth was busy reflecting on his battle and looking for ways to improve if he had to confront his opponent again, Ourami had never set Izroth in his sights. And, even if the pillar did miraculously view Izroth as his equal, he still would not have lingered on that one battle in an attempt to improve himself.
From what Izroth knew about the pillars, Ourami was someone born with both strength and talent. Of course, this was not a bad thing and could be considered a huge blessing. But, there was never a drive present past wanting to maintain his authority. After all, with his strength and talent, eventually, he would reach an even higher stage.
In the end, no matter how hungry one was to succeed, if there was always a feast waiting for them a home, they would never truly know what it was like to starve. It was similar to walking a tight line with a safety net placed underneath. No matter how real the danger seemed, there was ultimately something there to catch you.
Izroth, on the other hand, was someone who walked that tightrope every day with no safety net. And, needless to say, there was no feast waiting for him at home. He only had two options. Either he kept moving forward or fade into obscurity. Of course, the path he chose was obvious.
After his last attack, Ourami swiped out at Izroth, causing him to fall back a few meters to evade the attack. As he created distance between himself and Ourami, Izroth touched the ground with the tip of his Sword of the Storm before swinging it upward in an arc.
Rmmmble!
When Izroth performed this action, a fissure that contained a sharp sword intent opened up in the earth and rushed out towards Ourami. This was caused by his Fourth Sword Form: Dipping Valley.
As the fissure passed by him, Ourami noticed that his movements had suddenly grown slower. However, the damage caused by the sword intent was of no threat, which caused him to inwardly scoff at Izroth’s attack.
“Is this how you were planning to defeat me? Even if you throw a thousand attacks of this level at me, it is useless.” Ourami grinned as he kicked off his back foot and accelerated at an incredible speed.
In less than a breath, Ourami closed the distance and positioned himself right next to Izroth as he struck out with his fist.
Bang!
Izroth’s felt his muscles tighten as he was impacted by Ourami’s blow.
However, despite the success of his attack, Ourami felt that something was off with that blow just now.
The pillar looked down at his hand and saw that it was trembling from the impact.
‘As expected… Even with Flickering Steps active, he can still react to with my current speed.’
Just now, at the last moment, Izroth activated his Second Sword Form: Returning Wave’s Sword Return. In doing so, he countered Ourami’s attack and used his own strength against him.
Unfortunately, Sword Return had its limits and could not entirely counter Ourami’s strike. But, with the aid of his Heavenly Golden Body’s Greater Physique and Earthly Golden Bones, Izroth had little to no trouble dealing with the excess force from Ourami’s attack.
Though Izroth did not grow complacent after landing a few strikes. He was aware that despite Ourami’s weakened state, he was still at a disadvantage. After all, while he was not weakened, some of his more powerful skills like Compressed Lightning Movement were still on cooldown. But, even if it was not on cooldown, Izroth was not certain his current body could handle using that skill twice in one day—even with his Earthly Golden Bones.
‘I need a decisive strike, but…’
In truth, there was one thing Izroth did not possess the current means to counter. Regardless of how many times he went over his previous battle with Ourami in his mind, Izroth had no method to counter Ourami’s precognitive-type skill that alerted him to dangerous situations before they occurred.
Therefore, Izroth knew that if he aimed for a decisive strike, Ourami would most likely see it coming and avoid it altogether. Once that happened, Izroth would have no way to retaliate and be forced to retreat. But, would Ourami just let him go?
‘If possible, I wanted to avoid it. However, it would seem that there is only one path to take. But first…’
All of a sudden, Izroth’s figure stopped flickering as he halted his steps. It was not that the time on his Flickering Steps ended. Rather, Izroth forcibly ended the skill of his own accord.
‘I will have to create an opportunity.’
“Hm? What is he up to?” Ourami thought to himself as he narrowed his eyes and observed Izroth’s strange actions closely.
“Neither of us has anything to gain from this battle,” Izroth said unhurriedly.
“What? Have you finally chosen to beg for mercy? Well, it’s too late.” Ourami responded coldly.
“Beg for mercy? You’ve misunderstood. It’s just that if I’m being frank, you are much weaker than I remember.” Izroth stated as he held his hand with an open palm.
He then continued, “Five moves—that is all it will take to defeat you.”
The instant Izroth finished speaking, several veins could be seen bulging out from Ourami’s temples as his killing intent exploded outward.
Five moves? Even the Son of Thunder, Astratis did not dare make such a bold and ridiculous claim. Arrogant! Ignorant! Conceited—these were just a few of the words that crossed Ourami’s mind as he imagined tearing Izroth limb from limb.
“Good…! I want to see how you defeat this lord in five moves..!” Ourami spoke through his teeth as he tried to restrain his anger.
The pillar understood that the instant he let his anger take control, his present condition would only worsen. And, with enemies still inside the Fourth Heart of the World, as well as the other pillars constantly looking for a chance to gain more power, Ourami could not afford to grow any weaker. So, even though he was absolutely livid, Ourami did not immediately lash out at Izroth.
“Then, how about we make a bet?” Izroth said nonchalantly.
“A bet? You think too highly of yourself. Do tigers make bets with pigs?” Ourami mocked.
He then went on and said, “Anything of value that you possess will naturally belong to me once I dispose of you. Besides, what can an insignificant being like you have that this lord possibly desires? The treasures in my store room are well beyond the imagination of your small mind.”
Of course, Ourami had no idea that the room he mentioned had been completely cleaned out by Izroth and Hakros not long ago.
In terms of wealth, at the moment, even those of the ancient races possessed more than him! Though Izroth had no intention of correcting Ourami.
“And, here I thought you knew how to grasp the bigger picture.” Izroth released a small sigh.
He then continued, “Have you already forgotten about the portal that leads out of this world? Right now, I am the only one who can tell you how to access it.”
Ourami narrowed his eyes as he seemed to ponder Izroth’s words. However, his expression changed as if something had suddenly dawned on him.
“Before you get any strange ideas, I should tell you now that the others are no longer around here,” Izroth said with a carefree smile.
His words seemed to strike a chord as Ourami’s expression shifted once again.
For Ourami, having an entire world to himself ripe for conquering was too tempting to pass over. No longer would he have to share his authority with the pillars or that old monster. Instead, he would become the Protogenos of the world and mold it into his likeness!
“Regardless of whether or not his companions have already fled, I have no way of confirming it at the moment. For now, killing him is too risky. But, leaving him alive… How can I endure this humiliation?” Ourami internalized.
‘It looks like he’s hesitating. Then, shall I give him one final push?’
Ultimately, while Izroth was not technically lying to Ourami, he was still stretching the truth of matters.
The others who came to the Secret Realm with him were already taken care of earlier except for Hakros and Sychia. However, both of them were nowhere around the immediate vicinity for Ourami to confirm their presence.
As for him having information on how to access the portal, naturally, Izroth would obtain it from his Realm Fragment when his time in the Secret Realm was coming to an end. Therefore, he truly was the only one who could grant Ourami’s wish.
After thinking for a moment, Ourami appeared to have reached a decision.
“Very well. Since you are so eager to bet, then let us bet.” Ourami said as his killing intent subsided.
“No matter what the bet is, I can always kill him after he shows me how to access the portal.” Ourami thought to himself.
Izroth inwardly grinned as soon as Ourami agreed to entertain his bet.
‘He’s probably thinking about disposing of me as soon as I reveal to him the location of the portal—how naive.’
Izroth saw through Ourami’s intentions like an open book.
‘Unfortunately, this will be the last bet you make.’
