Chapter 1481 (1/2)

Based on my observations of Randidly Ghosthound, we have three distinct advantages, Mrs. Hamilton had written at the beginning of the extensive report they had all been given in preparation for this. The first lies in the rather brutal compulsion to improve that the Ghosthound routinely demonstrates through his training habits. Perhaps he doesn't think of it that way, but we can rest assured that he is training himself with a rigor that will eventually produce a vulnerability we can take advantage of. It is simply his nature.

He knows little of rest.

Huang Li was blurring sideways into his assigned position as the words seemed to echo in his head. Although his System boosted Intelligence let him memorize the report from almost a single glance, he had still carefully pored over every word in the last five days, careful not to miss anything. After all, they would only have one chance.

Huang Li drew his sword and his mind continued to run through the words of the report. Secondly, it is clear from that values emphasized by the Order Ducis that there is a large hole in Randidly's experiences. Perhaps other than the occasional monster, Randidly Ghosthound has not often been ambushed. The Order Ducis only speaks of self-improvement, never preparedness or vigilance.

There are a few easy explanations for this strange understanding of the System dominated world. First, the Ghosthound's Perception is far beyond typical human limits. There is even no anecdotal evidence of someone being silent, camouflage, or fast enough to get the jump on the Ghosthound. The one exception is the use of Donny's Bodyguard Skill, which used against Randidly Ghosthound's second fight against Donnyton as a whole. As such, I believe Randidly will notice quickly, but it is the best method available to us.

Plus, you need to consider that since the beginning, even before he had a class, Randidly Ghosthound was stronger than all but the highest Level monsters on Earth. As such, with the scientifically proven sensitivity monsters have toward Aether usage, they have probably avoided him instinctually.

Another explanation is one that is largely extrapolated from second-hand accounts and observations of the Ghosthound’s companion Helen. The other world where Randidly spent quite a bit of his time, Tellus, was one dominated by spear users. There, a barbaric sort of chivalry governed the battles. Perhaps entirely by accident, Randidly has been primed to believe that a target wouldn't bother to ambush him for a shred of an advantage. Quite frankly, Helen routinely talks, when prompted, about how everyone thought Randidly was quite weak until he proved them all wrong.

No one took him seriously enough to ambush him until it was too late. We won’t make that mistake.

The third advantage is the most unpredictable, because its application in Randidly’s battles has been… haphazard. But it cannot be denied that he will occasionally be overwhelmed with battle lust. It doesn’t truly cloud his judgment, not as you would hear with the berserkers of old, but he often practices self-denial in those fights. He stubbornly refused to switch to a better answer to his opponent in order to sharpen a certain set of Skills or images.

With these three advantages… I believe it is very possible for the current Earth to inflict serious damage on a surprised Randidly Ghosthound.

”It's an assassination attempt. Sunstrike.” Alana announced, using a sign they had agreed upon beforehand to indicate that she could sense the Ghosthound’s image was in a weakened state. Rather than launching herself forward and attack as the Ghosthound twisted rapidly to face her, Alana struck the ground in front of her with her spear. The burning stroke threw up a spray of dirt and pebbles to screen the Ghosthound's vision. Huang Li settled his feet and raised his sword. His heart was pounding harder than anything he could remember, except that moment where he had lost against Paolo and Kayle. But now those powerful warriors joined him in surrounding the Ghosthound. And yet...

There's something in the air, Huang Li realized. He barely suppressed a shiver. The air around him is... thick. The surprise that he had briefly been able to detect from their quarry had vanished. And in its place… some as oppressive as a sky filled with massive iron-grey storm clouds settled over the underground area.

Huang Li had heard the rumors, had seen the Ghosthound from afar, but it was different now as they aligned themselves as foes against him. The hitherto ambivalent energy around the Ghosthound now grew hostile. It pressed over Huang Li’s mouth, making it difficult to breathe. But he forced himself to remain focused and study their foe.

He was a young man, perhaps in his late twenties, his arms, shoulders, and waist thickening with potent muscle that showed through his loose clothes. He had short black hair and bright emerald eyes. His left arm was entirely metal, apparently forged by the Ghosthound himself. From afar the Ghosthound had even appeared skinny, but up close he possessed all the raw and primal presence of a jungle cat.

His eyes flicked almost contemptuously around at them as the screen of dirt fell and hit the ground. At that moment, Huang Li began to understand what it meant to be the strongest person in the world.

Bang!

Hank's bullet was the signal for their offensive to start in earnest. To follow up, a half dozen of Glendel's monstrous spirit followers charge to swarm the Ghosthound. Their eerie cries echoed incessantly in the small, underground space. Behind the specters, Paolo, Kayle, Lucifer, and Tykes swarmed forward to be prepared to smash the Ghosthound if he made a single mistake. Huang Li stood in the secondary encirclement, with Giuliana, Donny, Dinesh, Alana, and Lyra joining him. They were there to reinforce if any of the front four that Randidly attacked.

Beyond them, Huang Shou, Glendel, and Stan waited to address any further issues that emerged. Ancho, after being summoned, was rapidly cantering back toward the entrance to the underground training area. Huang Li wondered if the horse had the sharpest instincts out of all of them. Aside from Wivanya, who Alana stated wouldn't agree with this course of action, every one of the tournament top 8 duos was present.

All to bridge the gap between themselves and Randidly Ghosthound.