1369 The World Is A Stage

< Life Spirit > was a path that focused on essence. They weren't like < Life Force Controllers > who could wave their hands and just drain out all life energy out of a planet.

But every bit of their life essence was dangerous and much more potent compared to a < Life Force Controller >.

The race that Maximus belonged to had a special talent called 'disperse'.

Like a plant using the natural factors like wind to spread its seeds, this race would generate tiny specks of their essence from their wings and use it in their attacks.

Compared to other <Life Spirit> users, they wouldn't have to worry about spending too much life essence or too little. They didn't even need to concentrate on taking out the life essence. It's all instinctual and virtually effortless.

So, the expected short-term battle turned into a long one.

Varian wasn't just playing around in the fight. He actually suppressed his strength to the point he had to struggle. 

Even though he had a scary combat sense, fighting a mid rank 7 from a step lower was exceedingly difficult.

'I can kill this bastard with just two more paths, arghhh!' Varian groaned in frustration as he rolled to the side.

But only when he got from the ground did his keen senses notice a speck of green under his elbow.

'Fuck!'

The power drilled into his arm and Varian's arm quickly morphed into a green-shaped vine, ready to explode and take down half of his body with it.

"Don't even think about it!"

Without any hesitation, Varian sliced off his own arm and kicked it to the little fairy maximumus.

"You crazy bastard!" Maximus yelled as he gave his best to stop the explosion at the last moment.

Typically, an awakener would try to suppress the attacking life essence in his body at first and then slowly eliminate it.

Even though it's a risky tactic, Maximus had never seen anyone advocating chopping off their own arm as an alternative.

"I'm not crazy, you are!" Varian's body blurred forward and the red aura surrounding his sword flared, like flames that were fed fuel.

Maximus tried to escape but ended up getting devoured in Requeim's fiery aura. His body burnt into ashes in a blink.

In a corner of the arena, a light flashed and Maximus began to regenerate from a drop of blood he left there.

"Y-You! What is that sword?"

Requiem was an ancient artifact that contained the powers of life and death. Even the <Life Spirit> whose absolute advantage was in seemingly endless 'ressurections' had great difficulty coming back to life after being hit by the sword.

'I was waiting just for this chance!' Varian adjusted his posture, turned to the camera and showed off his sword. "This is my natal treasure! Requiem!"

"It's not a normal treasure! It is blessed by the power of life!" Varian boasted in front of the camera. "I can feel myself growing stronger every second! Hahahaha!"

"…"

Miss Calamity pursed her lips and wondered if she should turn off the broadcast. Clearly, this bastard was trying to do something. Or maybe he's just narcissitic?

"You idiot!" A voice sounded behind Varian and before he could turn around, three green starlights pierced his chest.

"You should never assume a <Life Spirit> is down. We can fight a full year." Maximus' voice was serious but there was a smug smile on his face.

Even though getting 'killed' a few times was normal for a <Life Spirit>, he couldn't digest dying to someone like Telor.

So, he decided to cripple Telor for a few months and confine him to bed as punishment.

But—

"Don't think you're the only clever guy!" The Requiem in Varian's hand disintegrated into pieces of aura—it was a fake!

Maximus' eyes widened and he turned around to run. But Requiem appeared over him and slashed down.

"Fuck!"

The giant sword pierced the little fairy, ending his life once again. Maximus resurrected once again, in another spot of the room.

But when he did, Requiem was already rushing towards him.

"How?"

"I told you. My sword has the power of life."

And that was the third death.

Varian wasn't in a position to move due to the three attacks. They sucked half of his body dry. He was't even able to move properly for a few seconds. So, he focused on healing himself and suppressing the life essence.

Requiem, on the other hand, continued its hunt. Like a military dog that's let loose, it chased after the enemy with unmatched ferocity and kept killing.

The audience neglected 'Telor' and got immersed in watching the valor of the sword.

Varian's intention was to show off his sword anyway. So, he was happy with the situation.

"Sixth death."

With each death, the strength, speed and stamina of Maximus began to shake.

Tenth death.

The tenth death caused him to grow slightly timid. He gave up attacking and tried to escape as much as possible.

Twentieth death.

When the sword hilt crushed him, Maximus started crying.

"Arghh, stop! Stop it already! I admit defeat! I admit it!"

Maximus eventually gave in.

Varian nodded lightly before 'fainting'.

Miss Calamity stepped forward and pointed a finger at him. Varian, still unconscious, floated in the air.

"Then we'll take the leave." She gave the little fairy a wide smile and walked out.

"What?!" Maximus's jaw dropped.

The live broadcast was about to end. So, the little fairy rushed to the camera and yelled. "H-He was barely holding on. I could've gone for another ten deaths! I would've won! I'm the actual winner!"

His words only elicited chortles and sneers from the audience.

Miss Calamity didn't take Varian to the dorm but instead to a quiet garden.

"Stop the act."

Varian opened his eyes sneakily and looked around. After confirming that no one was nearby, he started running to his dorm.

"Hey, stop!" Miss Calamity yelled in frustration and chased after him.

'That ending was perfect, wasn't it? The hardworking genius who held onto till the end! I can already see myself getting famous! Hahahaha!'

As expected, his fame exploded.