Chapter 717: Halmuts Desperate Escape (1/2)
The crowd of cosmicians was in awe of the rare battle they were able to witness. Everyone got excited, wondering who would come out on top and when the Sicabor twins would step in to steal the visitor's rewards.
But the Sicabor twins were nowhere to be found. This led most to believe they were secretly plotting to strike at the right moment, possibly to take on both draconic combatants to gain the most rewards possible. However, those thoughts would need to wait as the crowd grew more invested in the grand battle taking place before their eyes.
Skaryn's onslaught of attacks was horrifying for the many one-stars to watch. They trembled to imagine such attacks landing on themselves. Halmut's resilience and natural healing astounded them just as much, proving that Halmut could still fight against Skaryn though he struggled to hit Skaryn with his increased speed.
That was until Halmut roared in pain, nearly losing his eyes as they almost popped out of his skull in shock.
”AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHhhhh…” Halmut didn't look behind him, no longer willing to look away from the copy of Skaryn he believed was the real deal. He didn't need to look behind him to confirm the loss of his tail. The fact that his body was hurriedly trying to heal and repair his missing limb was enough to put him on edge.
”What's wrong?” Skaryn chuckled. ”Afraid to attack first?”
As Halmut focused harder and refused to comment, Skaryn laughed harder, ”Shall I keep playing with you, like you've done to me and the others? I think you'll make a great toy…”
A slash of dark, spatial, lightning, and fire energies rushed forward from Skaryn's greatsword, followed by a second slash with dark, spatial, earth, and water energies. He skillfully swapped between energies with each strike, forcing Halmut to pay the utmost attention to each attack and counter everything properly or face the consequences.
The Sun Dragon managed to counter both strikes but failed to anticipate the hand that gripped his head.
”Cerebral Collapse!”
Halmut twitched and darted away while spewing his hottest flames.
”Hmm… So that still doesn't work against you…” Skaryn clicked his tongue in disappointment. ”What's in your head to stop that? I thought you refused to become someone else's tool, not to give up your mind and body just to defeat me? You've fallen that far?”
”You--”
Halmut didn't finish his shout, turning to attack the sneak attacking copy of Skaryn. He didn't dare let Skaryn get any closer without a proper fight.
Those around them were still either trembling from excitement of the spectacle or shock that Skaryn was able to use not only Moranti's but Eedaj's personal skills. They had greatly underestimated the power of the Dark God, forcing all Kartonian gods to wonder how Halmut ever managed to defeat Skaryn in the first place.
”Try again!” cackled Skaryn, sending more copies of himself at Halmut.
As Halmut guarded his mind more fervently than anything, Skaryn began to understand something. Based on what Jack had hinted from his past match against Skaryn and the desperation that Halmut showed now, Skaryn deduced that attacking Halmut mentally would be the most effective and entertaining strategy. Seeing Halmut, the man that was formerly Skaryn's greatest ally and now his most despised enemy, show gazes of true fear convinced Skaryn of that more than anything.
”Cerebral Collapse!” Skaryn shouted as one of his false selves grabbed Halmut in a ploy to scare him. The test confirmed just how jittery Halmut was under his tough facade.