cerim
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Chapter 573 - Hope it is worth it
🕑 Added 2025-03-11 09:59:26 +0000 UTCI help the Witherclaw break free from another trap set by Leticia, Luna, and their group. As it charges forward, Monte shifts, growing to twice his height. Dark green scales spread across his body while his face stretches into a lizard-like shape, his movements turning sharp and predatory.
I disrupt their attempt to help their tournament winner as Monte clashes against the beast.
Leticia calls out to me in surprise, but I ignore her call and dodge aside as Luna, now the size of an elephant, snaps at me with her teeth. The huge golden retriever continues to attack me while Leticia supports her by spreading a web around the area and attacking from a distance.
During the fight, I tear down the web and deflect projectiles aimed at me. The clash lasts barely thirty seconds. In that time Witherclaw grows noticeably stronger. Its mana expands and it begins to use it much more naturally. It disrupts skills, applies pressure on others with it, and strengthens its body.
Monte in his current form has strength nearly equal to Jean’s. The green scales covering his body resist mana impressively and I can even feel as mana bounces off them. The forest where he and the Witherclaw clash turns into a wreck. Trees are uprooted by shockwaves, and huge holes mark the ground wherever they land. Both the shapeshifted man and the beast display remarkable physical strength.
In the end, it is Witherclaw who wins. The beast grows just a little stronger as its mana surrounds it and it moves faster than before. With a sudden attack it drives its claw through the green scales and Monte’s head falls to the ground.
Then Witherclaw turns to the rest. It passes by me as it heads to attack Luna and Leticia. Its body remains fragile and its eyes empty, but its figure stands taller now as if it has grown during the fight.
Leticia, Luna, and their group die soon after despite all their effort.
So do Baek and his group, and through the fight, Witherclaw learns to control its mana much better and begins using it more in its fighting style.
Klara, who tries to face it alone, manages to wound the beast a few times.
A group of Beyonders attack with rifles and bows from a distance.
Hector with his invisibility and arcane spear gets in one powerful attack and even poisons it. The beast uses its mana to expunge the poison and attacks the man with extreme cruelty.
Maxim, using void energy and creatures formed from his shadow, cuts the beast off from its mana, forcing it to rely only on its physical abilities to track him as he teleports from shadow to shadow. In the end, the beast breaks through the disruption in a way I know I couldn't replicate, tracks him down, and, with a single blurred movement of its arm, sends him out of the event.
Derick and the large group he has collected also fall to the now too powerful beast.
Every time I let the beast fight and only help when really needed. During these few minutes, Witherclaw would have undoubtedly died multiple times without my help—that much is clear. But gradually, I find myself needing to intervene less and less. The beast adapts quickly. Its strength grows, its mana expands, and it uses everything it has far more efficiently.
Just minutes ago, the beast got scared during the fight with Baek and Klara and ran to me for help while letting out those creepy cries. Now it rarely does, slowly realizing its potential and learning to control the immense power it possesses. But at the same time, as Witherclaw grows stronger, it becomes increasingly arrogant and more inclined to torture anyone weaker.
It likes to wound people and watch them die. It likes to bite into them while they are still alive.
We also run into Savant, who stands with an orange light radiating from him. The green dagger Tacita used is still lodged in his side. Sweat beads on his forehead, and I wonder what kind of dagger it is and what effect it has had on him.
But even in the state, Savant is in, Witherclaw hesitates upon seeing him. It sniffs the man surrounded by an orange light and growls.
Savant glances between me and the beast. Absent-mindedly he reaches and touches the handle of the dagger in his side. His expression shows pain from that simple touch.
As if he just confirmed something, he straightens up and looks at me. “Unlike someone, I know when pushing back is useless,” he says.
After that, he disappears into pale blue particles.
Barely six minutes have passed since the beast emerged from the island where Lissandra held it. That means only two minutes remain until I can kill it.
Instead of hunting for more opponents, Witherclaw stops and turns to me. It straightens its tall, lanky figure looming over me and opens its mouth, revealing rows of sharp teeth. Has it already judged that it’s strong enough to kill me?
“So you didn't notice her?” I ask calmly.
The beast tilts its head in confusion and its pupils expand. It raises its arms in front of its chest just in time to block a dagger aimed at the spot where its heart beats.
Appearing out of nowhere, Tacita lets go of the dagger without hesitation and pulls out another. She stabs it into Witherclaw’s leg and leaves it there, then she pulls out another dagger and circles the beast to stab it again.
After initial confusion, Witherclaw reacts quickly and matches her speed. A pale red light glows around its fangs as it clashes with her attacks.
Tacita’s messy blown hair turns her into a blur but the beast matches her. While Tacita shows wild instinct moving her body at high speed, the beast brute forces it with mana.
They clash across the battlefield, each gaining the upper hand at times before the other catches up.
But gradually it becomes clear that Tacita is reaching her limit while the beast keeps getting faster.
After one of the clashes, the mute woman suffers a deep wound. Quick to react, she cuts Witherclaw’s Achilles tendon before leaving. By the time the beast begins to regenerate, she is already gone.
After regenerating the wound, Witherclaw takes a step to follow her when I release my mana.
The beast halts mid-step, turning to me while letting out those unsettling noises, then drops to all fours and unleashes its mana. Even crouched, its head is now above mine.
For the last time, I scan the area. I locate Jean far away and sense no one else nearby. I'm also sure Tacita won't interfere once I start, and I make a mental note to repay her.
Then I connect to the Ley Lines heading toward two floating islands. The crown over my head turns black as I take over the two black spears and absorb all they have into the crown. The inscriptions I have been etching into my skin the entire time I have followed Witherclaw activate. My entire body becomes interwoven with them; each cut runs deep into my skin and flesh.
In slow motion I watch Witherclaw move to attack me. It charges on all fours with its mana blazing around its body.
A small part of me watches the timer tick down as I wait, holding out for as long as I can.
At this stage, Witherclaw is not only stronger and faster than me but also has more mana. In a few more seconds, I’m sure I won’t be able to kill it anymore. This is my only chance.
I do nothing fancy and I don't attempt to use my skills. I rely on my physique, my circuits, [Mana Manipulation], and all the experience I’ve gained from using Mana Cycling.
All that collected mana blazes through my body at once. No other Earth attendee can channel this much. That, I know for certain. When it comes to channeling huge amounts of mana or any other energy I am one of the best. That is my talent and my gift.
In a single burst, much like the ones Lissandra used to train me on the 5th floor but with a vastly greater amount of mana, I unleash everything at Witherclaw.
The blast rips forward, erasing everything in its path. The ground shatters, it ceases to exist, torn down to raw nothingness. The air distorts from the sheer force, rippling outward.
Witherclaw vanishes in an instant, erased without resistance or struggle. It is unable to gather enough mana quickly enough to defend itself. One second, it is there. The next, it is gone, leaving nothing behind. The destruction doesn’t stop with it. The blast carves deep into the battlefield, a raw wound stretching far beyond. Dust and debris fail to rise, consumed before they can even form.
Then there is silence.
All my internal and gathered mana are gone. Even the crown over my head cracks and disappears.
In front of me lies a ruined wasteland. The ground is torn open, jagged, and uneven with deep scars where the blast carved through. What remains of the trees are blackened stumps or uprooted trunks scattered across the devastation.
The air is thick with the fading hum of spent mana.
As I stand there a single thought occupies my mind. I glance at the rankings.
2nd - 37,600 points - Hadwin
And above that is a new placement
1st - 39,001 points - Noname
Standing there even [Focus] deactivates because of my nonexistent mana reserves. These reserves start slowly filling up but I do not bother reactivating the skill. I do not even try to defend myself as constant lightning strikes closer. One of these strikes hits me straight away and, as many attendees experienced previously, turns me into fine pale blue particles.
I find myself outside with these people in our common area, watching the huge screen showing the rest of the event. Not feeling like moving even with my now restored mana reserves in both body and crown, I simply find a nearby bench and sit down.
“C-Congratulations,” the man I sat next to whispers.
It surprises me. I lift my head to face him. “What?”
“You won... so congratulations. I am sorry if I said anything rude.”
I do not speak the word aloud and only gesture it with my mouth. Won. I guess I really did win, but that was always the intention.
“Thanks.”
I notice that the simple answer calms him down and even makes him smile slightly. He is just some guy I have never seen before. I choose not to use my mana senses or try to estimate his level through his movements, so he could easily be someone from Hell or Easy difficulty.
“It was cool as hell, by the way! My son would probably say 'absolute cinema' or some silly thing kids like to say nowadays,” he laughs briefly, gesturing wildly. “It looked like you would steamroll the event and then the rankings appear and your alias is nowhere to be found! What even happened? How is it possible? I even asked around but no one knew that Hadwin guy. Is it someone who stole your points?”
“Something like that,” I confirm.
“What a dick.”
“Indeed.”
“I don't know about you but doesn't that make things so much more interesting? All these twists and people with their own goals.”
“Well, on another day I wouldn't mind it at all. But not during this specific tournament,” I shrug.
“ It is a girl, right?” he asks immediately with a smile while looking at me with an unexpectedly honest expression.
Everyone else around us is focused on the screen watching reminders of people trying to collect more points. Mainly Jean, who as always looks super impressive. Many people even talk to each other, and it feels as if the two of us have been forgotten.
“Girl?” I ask.
“People as young as you usually have two problems. Money and girls.”
“I don't think I'm that young. I believe plenty of people have different problems now,” I gesture toward everything around us. “The tutorial, the tournament, all these floors, powers, pairings, skills, rules and more.”
“So it's not a girl?”
“I mean...”
“I knew it! Want to hear some unsolicited advice from me?”
“Why the hell not? Go on.”
“Most things are not as serious as they feel in the moment.”
I exhale slowly, letting my head rest against the back of the bench. The guy says nothing for a while and just watches the event play out on the massive screen.
Then he chuckles. “Damn, I sound like an old man.”
“You do.”
He glances at me. There is something in his expression, perhaps curiosity or something else. “I am guessing you are the kind of guy who takes everything on himself, huh? Even when you do not have to.”
I do not answer, and I do not need to. He just nods.
“Well, good luck with that.” He grins and stands up, stretching. “Hope it is worth it.”
With a goodbye, he leaves to find his son, who he says went to bother some Hard difficulty guys he admires.
***
Comments
Brotato
Never before in my life have I so rapidly gone from being annoyed at a new character's existence to absolutely fucking loving them
A B
Edit suggestions: in the state, Savant -> in the state Savant
Sauce Master
I think this was a joke not misogyny I hope.
Dual.
True, but really wholesome, i find myself liking him lol.
Ivan Jelenić
I think he was talking about Tess, not Liss.
DocSmitty
Oh trust me, you have.
im Panda
She could feel it slowly get stronger as time went, it was probably the only apex monster that was getting stronger. She could probably Intuit most of the info, but I'm assuming she's so OP she has some system access we don't see, we've seen that the Vices can interact with it somewhat
Johnny
Man idk what happened. I’d planned on saving up 2 chapters and next thing I knew I’m reading Nat’s convo w/random old guy. Cerim is using dark magic
Zaim İpek
That's an interesting way to look at it. Technically yes, he would have earned that much if given all his points. It's much more impressive looking at it that way.
Johnny
Most are men? Ouch. Casual misandry at work
Zaim İpek
I have not once expressed my opinions or attitudes towards women, men, or any other people group in the comment section of this story. Sooooooo. . . . what are you even talking about? Maybe collect your thoughts and try again.
DocSmitty
I’m not commenting on Cerim’s work, I’m commenting on your attitude towards women.
Youkai-sama
This mans got 76,601 points! BRUH!
Erebus
Really annoying cause I neeeed to increase the number. :(
Erebus
Liked your comment.. and then read more, and unliked it. Lol
Erebus
I’m, sorry.. what?
Rocotrap
Ok Nat, it was a well deserved chat, but the event's ending soon, it's time to pull yourself together #OneMoreTime
Rocotrap
He does deserve the help
Rocotrap
He should be called normthaniel
Abhishek
Brilliant! Old guy at the end was hilarious
Rocotrap
She said that first, but we all know we appreciate a proper apology, and when he tried, she didn't accept his, said its wasn't good enough
David McCreight
How did Lissandra know that the system would give increased points for a later Witherclaw kill? It feels like a small but important detail. Otherwise her motivation for Nathaniel wouldn’t have worked.
Zaim İpek
I think you might be taking this fantasy story too seriously. Cerim isn't a philosopher commenting on sociopolitical theory. He is just a dude who likes magical explosions.
P K
How... how did you interpret it like that...
Zaim İpek
Yes, many of them.
Madje Tobi Marc'Avent Tchona
She said she already forgave him a long time ago though
Moon Winchester
Hmmm less women and more all powerful Grandma of mass proportions. Gives me Turbo Granny mixed with Granny Seiko Vibes (dandadan characters)
WhiteLeeopard
After the 1st and 2nd events, is there a single tournament winner Nat hasn't killed either by first or second hand? Maybe that Hector guy? As an aside, round 5 seems the most dysfunctional of all, Tacita and Savant are great representatives of how Nat is super normal next to them.
DocSmitty
My take is more that men cause themselves trouble over money or women, and to the elder’s point, usually for unimportant reasons. It’s not the women causing problems, it’s the men.
DocSmitty
“That guy at the end explains why Liss is such a problem. . . because she is a woman.” Ahh, nothing like casual misogyny. Has nothing to do with her being a woman, everything to do with her being an egotistical asshole. You may note that at least on this planet, most of them are men.
William Johnson
Hadoken! Thanks for the chapter!
FlawlessMovement
I hope he throws that guy an item or training aid, he helped with no ulterior motives
Mark Bullock
Absolutely Cinema!!!! Thx
blimko
I love being reminded Nat's build is mobile artillery
jax rammus
Used black mana spear to absorb their mana then he absorbed the mana from the spears briefly for a one time burst
Rocotrap
I can say... it was worth it... and yes sir, the girl is with it, Nat still needs to apologize, there's no way he's letting her die before that, imagine all the core it would be to bring her back just to know if she forgave you?
Zaim İpek
It's just Cerim's self-insert trying to spread his philosophy that women are inherently problematic. 🤣
Woojoe
No foreshadowing here. None at all.
Zaim İpek
THAT MOTHERFUCKER RAN AWAY AGAIN!!!!! I'm getting really tired of Savant and his running away from fights right at the most interesting moments. Literal the worst character for a story. Just nothing but blue ball. That guy at the end explains why Liss is such a problem. . . because she is a woman. I like that we got to see a bit of how Tacita has developed even just over the course of this tournament. Her abilities against the Witherclaw already seem better than just a few hours earlier when she sneak-attacked Savant.
Poutine Au Syrop d'érable
Nat cast: *Fuck you and your general direction* Also, he pulled the mana from 2-3 heart maintaining islands?
JTP
Absolute cinema
Ansordia
Naaah he would have to have joined the tournament during the begining... Like there was a timer ticking down to accept... So I would guess not... Also if yes, then he would have an even more busted stealth ability then Tacita considering he was able to evade everyones attention in the castle.
Ansordia
Exactly... I am beyond scared what Thursday will have for us... Also wonder what Cerim was editing untill the very last minute.
RingoSeto
he has channeled it on 5th floor when working with the bastion just not with lines... same concept as his duplicanthiel
RingoSeto
boom? .... kaboom!... I see, Kaboom!
Funny guy
Danks fur da chappie! Amazing chappie!
Arnon Parenti
This anti cliff has me worried.
Woojoe
Fantastic Chapter. And it’s nuts that Witherclaw was still 11 minutes from Champion. Nat still has a long road ahead of him.
Arnon Parenti
BOOM, I say BOOM, shake up the ROOM let's all say BOOM and shake the ROOM!
Arnon Parenti
Lol meeting Channeler's dad out of nowhere was a treat.
Bob
First beyonder?
Gio
50/50 on if that guy at the end is a Ruler :p
Bartlomiej Głowacki
Absolute cinema
BlackRazaras
Thanks for the chapter
Ford Engstrom
Ohhhh good chapter, ty
Venno
Brilliant. That was just perfect.
Andrew
Thank you!
Max Vidal
Great writing, cerim, one of your best one yet. The sheer humanity in those few last lines is really moving. Great work, amazing chapter.
jj
This is the first time we've seen Nat exhausted enough to not even train. Nice touch.
Oaktree
Sir enemy is that direction. Copy erasing that direction.
Death56
I really hope we get the pov of some people who watched that
Faris Hadhrie
truly cinema
im_among_you
Yay
zoarian
Man, it really feels like Nat's reaching his breaking point. So much pressure... At the same time, this is when he's at his best. Back against the wall, win or die. This'll be a crazy period of growth. Is it the first time we've seen him absorb mana from lay lines?
Peter Stawiarski
Nice one!
Konrad Pagacz
I absolutely adore these chapters. They are such a treat. Since you started describing the environment a bit more in the latest chapters, they are brimming with energy. They are full, they are viscous, they feel real. Here's an example: "Then there is silence... ...In front of me lies a ruined wasteland. The ground is torn open, jagged, and uneven with deep scars where the blast carved through. What remains of the trees are blackened stumps or uprooted trunks scattered across the devastation. The air is thick with the fading hum of spent mana." This is pure cinema. I can actually feel the desolation here, I can feel the air, the atmosphere is thick. And you did this by describing the sounds, the visuals and the "vibe" - the air is thick with the fading hum of spent mana? That's fucking nice writing right there. :) The only thing I am missing - I still don't know how spent mana tastes on the tip of Nat's tongue, I can' smell it. If you add that - pure orgasm. I am excited to see what else you have.
Blackfyre
Tftc
Cazqa
I like that old dude he talked to, hopefully we see him again soon
Ryan H
Loved the conversation at the end. Nice to see a stranger talk to Nat like a human rather than the walking WMD that he is.
vEnviouz
TFTC!!
mitchell kaiser
10/10 chapter!
Browx
Thanks for the chappie
