socalfunplaces Chapter 405 - 354: An Audience with Great Elder "Gu" and Residency Rights in the Giant City-State
Chapter 405 - 354: An Audience with Great Elder "Gu" and Residency Rights in the Giant City-State
Kado’s heart tightened, and he immediately activated his Domain Power.
The Gravity Field around him warped, and his body shifted half a meter to the side at an impossible angle, narrowly dodging the seemingly unavoidable blow.
BOOM!
Boer’s palm slammed into the ground, making the entire arena tremble. A clear Hand Seal was left on the hard rock surface.
"Oh?"
For the first time, a hint of surprise surfaced in Boer’s otherwise impassive eyes.
"To think you can integrate Domain Power with Combat Techniques. Very impressive."
Kado didn’t answer. His expression was more solemn than ever before.
From that brief exchange, he had already sensed the immense gap between them.
"But you’re still too young. It’s over," Boer said flatly.
He gave a sudden, heavy stomp.
RUMBLE!
With Boer as the epicenter, an even greater and more oppressive power erupted in an instant.
Kado felt his body suddenly grow heavy, as if a great mountain had been dropped on his back. His speed plummeted.
Kado’s expression changed. He pushed his Gravity Domain to its limits, trying to break free from the restraint.
But before Boer’s Domain, which was as immense and heavy as a mountain range, his own Domain Power was like a stream crashing against a dam—easily crushed and suppressed.
Boer walked toward him, step by step. With each footfall, the pressure on Kado intensified.
"You have great talent."
Boer gazed down at Kado, who was forced to one knee, desperately resisting.
"A pity you ran into me."
As soon as the words left his mouth, he raised his fist.
His fist was shrouded in a dense, earthy-yellow light, making it look like a real meteorite.
Kado looked up, his eyes holding no fear, only unyielding defiance.
He let out a furious roar, mustering every last bit of his power into his arms and crossing them in front of him to block.
BOOM!
A deafening crash.
Kado’s defense was shattered in an instant.
He was sent flying by an irresistible force of Giant Strength.
Boer retracted his fist and quietly watched Kado as he was flung away.
The entire arena fell deathly silent.
The battle, from start to finish, had lasted less than a minute.
Kado, the tournament’s biggest dark horse, had been utterly crushed by an absolute advantage in power and level.
Kado struggled to prop himself up on his arms and coughed up a mouthful of dark blood.
He had lost, completely and utterly.
The referee stood stunned for a long moment before finally announcing in a loud voice.
"The winner: Boer of the Mountain Rock Tribe!"
After a long pause, scattered applause finally broke out from the crowd. The Giants looked at Boer with awe, but their gazes toward Kado held both sympathy and respect.
Kado wasn’t dejected. He staggered to his feet, gave Boer a nod, then turned and walked, step by step, back to the high platform.
"Carlo, I lost."
His voice was subdued.
"I know."
Raylo’s expression was calm. He clapped him on the shoulder.
"But you already did a great job."
Raylo looked at Boer, the mountain-like Giant in the arena. ’As expected of a Giant at the Domain Level Peak,’ he thought. ’He really is powerful.’
’This loss isn’t a bad thing for Kado. It will help him understand that while technique is important, absolute power is still the foundation for one’s standing in this world.’
Ultimately, Kado had to face the other Giant who had lost in the semifinals to compete for third place.
Perhaps it was because losing to Boer had relieved him of all pressure, or perhaps the crushing defeat had deepened his understanding of power.
When Kado stepped back into the dueling arena, his aura was completely different. There was less finesse and more grim focus.
The moment the fight began, Kado lunged forward like a tiger descending a mountain, giving his opponent no chance to react.
Dodge, close in, elbow strike, takedown!
The series of moves was as fluid as flowing water, a display of the brutal aesthetics of power.
His opponent, a Giant renowned for his defense, steadily lost ground under Kado’s stormy assault. In less than three minutes, Kado caught him in a vicious shoulder throw, slamming him hard onto the ground and completely neutralizing him.
"Winner of the match for third place: Kado!"
The clean victory brought Kado’s journey in the Giant fighting tournament to a satisfying, if not perfect, conclusion.
As the final match concluded, the clamor of the fighting tournament gradually died down.
Ug and the others gathered around, clapping Kado heartily on the shoulder and congratulating him in their own simple, earnest way.
Ug was practically bellowing.
"Kado! You really did us Hill Giants proud! That Boer fella is over three hundred years old! There’s no shame in losing to him!"
Kado grinned.
Just then, a Giant Warrior made his way through the crowd and walked straight up to Kado.
The surrounding din quieted instantly, and the Giants looked at the warrior with expressions full of reverence.
He was one of the Great Elder’s guards.
"Kado."
The Giant Warrior’s voice was deep and powerful.
"The Great Elder wishes to see you."
"The Great Elder?"
Kado froze for a second, then his heart began to pound uncontrollably in his chest.
Ug, standing beside him, was even more excited. He grabbed Kado’s arm and shook it enthusiastically.
"Oh my gods! It’s the Great Elder! The Great Elder wants to see you in person! Kado, this is the highest honor! You’re so lucky to have a chance to receive his guidance!"
In the mind of every Giant, the Great Elder was a godlike figure.
Kado’s breathing grew ragged, and immense joy flooded his mind. He was about to subconsciously follow the warrior away.
But after taking just one step, he stopped abruptly and turned back to look at Raylo.