In a Reincarnation Loop: Surviving as the Most Overpowered
Chapter 58: The War Goddess: Erika, The War Goddess Arrives

Chapter 58: The War Goddess: Erika, The War Goddess Arrives

The atmosphere in the arena was intense as Zed and Rael stared at each other, their eyes locked.

In an instant, both of them were separated by several meters, and the distance between them was now, considerable.

Zed’s transformation had changed the course of the battle, and the tides had shifted.

But, neither of them showed, any signs, of panic.

Instead, they were just standing still, and their expressions were calm.

Just a moment ago, Zed, who was struggling to break free from Rael’s grip with both his hands, had become so strong, that he had pushed, Rael’s arm away, with just one hand.

That was not, all, because, at the same time, his strength had increased, so did his speed.

The change in his power, and speed, was sudden, and it was unexpected.

Even, someone like, Rael, who had his stats multiplied, was somewhat amused, by the sudden, transformation.

’This kid is quite, impressive,’

He thought, and his expression was calm.

’He can transform into a demon and enhance, his strength, speed, and power, in an instant,’

His lips curled upwards, and his eyes were shining.

’This is getting interesting,’

Meanwhile, Sera, who was looking at the battle, had a similar thought, ’Impressive,’ She murmured, and her expression was thoughtful.

’Now, I can just relax and see, what you are capable of,’

Her eyes were focused, on Rael, and her lips, were slightly upturned.

’My Demon King,’

’Show me, what you can do,’

"Are you done?"

Rael asked, and his voice was calm.

"Do you want to keep standing, there, and show off your newfound strength, or, do you wanna, actually fight, and finish this match, once, and for all?"

His words were provoking, and his tone was nonchalant.

"Tch," Zed clicked his tongue, and his face was filled, with rage.

’Don’t let him provoke you, and don’t get angry,’

He told himself, and his expression was grim.

’If you don’t control yourself, you will lose,’

’So, calm down, and think,’

Zed closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, trying to clear his mind and regain his composure.

’Alright, alright, calm down, and think,’

He clenched his fist, and his face was serious.

’What is my object—’

"Gah!"

Before he could finish his thought, his stomach was struck, and a pained grunt escaped his lips.

’Wha-?’

A fist had just landed, on his stomach, and it was so fast, and powerful, that it was like a thunderbolt.

It was so sudden, and unexpected, that his mind was unable, to process, what had happened.

And, as for the punch, that had hit his stomach, it was so strong, that his whole body had convulsed.

But, the attack was not over yet.

Just as he was recovering, another punch was delivered, to his face, and it was just as fast, and powerful, as the previous one.

This time, his nose was shattered, and blood was pouring out, from his broken nose.

And, then, a third punch landed on his chest, and it was so strong, that his ribcage was broken.

Boom!

Zed coughed out blood, and his body was thrown, a few meters, into the air.

Crash!

He landed, on the ground, and the impact, of the fall, was so hard, that his bones, were broken.

"Urrrg! Gah! Cough! Cough!"

He was rolling, and gasping, in pain.

Blood was leaking, from his mouth, and his body was covered, with bruises.

"U-ungh,"

He groaned, and his face was twisted, in agony.

Zed was in a terrible state, and he was in a lot, of pain.

"G-guh, g-guy,"

"U-ungh,"

He was wheezing, and gasping, and his vision was blurry.

He could feel, his consciousness, fading away.

’W-what h-happened?’

His eyes were half-open, and his mind was groggy.

’W-where am I?’

’Why is everything, spinning?’

He was confused, and his mind, was hazy.

He was lying on the sand, and he couldn’t move.

He was in a daze, and his eyes were unfocused.

But, just then, loud voices, resounded, in the arena, bringing him, out, of his thoughts.

"Young Demon!"

"Young Demon!"

"What was that?!"

"He got beat up!"

The spectators were screaming, and their voices were filled, with disbelief.

They had just witnessed, Zed, being knocked out, by Rael, and the sight was unbelievable.

The Young Demon who was known, for his strength, and power, had been defeated, in just a few seconds.

The fight, which had begun, just a few minutes, ago, had already, ended, and the result was obvious.

Zed, had lost, and Rael, had won.

’Huh?’

’What is this?’

Zed, whose mind was slowly clearing, was confused.

’It can’t be.’

He placed his hand, on the ground, and tried to stand up.

’This can’t be true.’

But, before he could even stand, his stomach was kicked, and his body was sent flying.

Boom!

He was slammed, into the wall, and the impact was so strong, that his bones, were shattered.

"Zed!!!" Selene screamed, and her face was pale.

She had just witnessed, her brother, getting beaten, by Rael.

And, the sight was so horrifying, and shocking, that her heart, was beating, like a drum.

Her right hand was gripping her left arm very tightly, and her eyes were watery.

Her legs were weak, and she felt as if she would collapse, at any moment.

Sera was looking at Selene, and her expression was solemn.

She could feel the young girl’s distress, and pain, and she was concerned.

Phew!

Sera let out a soft sigh, and her eyes were soft.

Meanwhile, Zed’s body, was now, lying, on the ground, and his face was pale.

He was struggling, to stay conscious,

His left hand was pressed, on his chest, and his eyes were closed.

He was taking short and quick breaths, and his heart was pounding, like a drum.

His vision was blurry, and his head was spinning.

He wanted to stand and fight back, but his body was not listening to him.

’Damn it,’

He cursed, and his face was twisted, in anger.

’Damn it!’

Even with his demon power, he couldn’t win, and he was, so easily defeated.

’What happened?’

’Why did he suddenly start attacking?’

There were a lot, of questions, running through his mind.

And, the most important question, was, ’Why did he suddenly, start attacking me?’

’Why did he change, his strategy?’

He was puzzled, and his expression, was pensive.

Because, a moment ago, when Rael had many opportunities, to attack, and end the fight, he never did.

’Why did he do, that?’

’Why didn’t he attack me, when he had the chance?’

’Why did he wait, for so long, and then, suddenly, attack me, out of nowhere?’

These questions were, plaguing, his mind, and he was trying, to understand, the situation.

But, before he could think any further, a shadow loomed over him, and a hand, reached, for his face.

Rael’s hand took a firm grip on Zed’s jaw, and the young man’s eyes were blazing, with a cold, and merciless, light.

"Let me tell you something," He stated, and his tone was cold.

"The world is a cruel place, and it doesn’t care, about your strength, or power,"

"It doesn’t care, about your ambitions, and dreams,"

"And, it certainly doesn’t care, about how, much effort, and determination, you put, into something,"

"So, don’t think, that just because, you have the power, and strength, to do something, the world, will always, support, and protect you,"

"Because the reality is,"

"The world doesn’t care, about you, or, what you have achieved,"

"And, even if, you have, the power, and the strength, to do something, that doesn’t mean, that you will succeed, and achieve your goals,"

"Because,"

"Fate is, unpredictable,"

"And,"

"The future is, uncertain,"

"So,"

Rael lifted Zed in the air, and his eyes were cold and distant.

"If you want to succeed, and achieve, your goals, you have, to be ready, and willing, to make sacrifices,"

"You have, to be ready, and willing, to sacrifice, anything, and everything,"

"Because,"

Rael’s gaze, locked onto Zed’s, and his eyes, were blazing, with a fiery passion.

"If you are not willing, to sacrifice, and compromise,"

"Then, you will fail, and lose,"

"And,"

His right hand was closed, in a fist, and he, was ready, to strike, at Zed.

"You will be, just like, a loser,"

Rael’s expression was cold, and his tone was frigid.

’I’m going to die,’

That thought, flashed, in Zed’s mind.

His vision was blurry, and his breathing was ragged but, he could see the punch which soon was gonna hit him.

’I’m gonna die,’

A cold sensation, began, spreading, through his body, and his limbs, were numb.

’I’m going to die’

He felt as if, his body, was floating, and his mind, was fuzzy.

’I’m going to be killed.’

At that moment, Zed felt a sense of helplessness and despair.

’I can’t escape,’

’I can’t fight back.’

He could only watch, as his opponent, tightened his grip, on his jaw, and pulled, his head, towards him.

’It’s over,’

Zed thought.

’I’ve lost.’

’I’ve failed.’

His thoughts were chaotic, and his mind was a mess.

The punch was coming, and it was gonna hit his face and destroy his head.

He shut his eyes tightly and braced for the inevitable.

’This is it,’

He thought.

’This is the end,’

’I’ve failed,’

But, then, just as the punch, was about to connect, Zed heard a voice.

"Enough,"

It was the voice, of a woman and the punch which was supposed, to end, his life, never came instead, a shockwave of air, rushed toward him, and he felt, his hair, being blown, by the wind.

’What happened?’

He slowly opened his eyes, and a blurred image of a fist which was going to hit his face, appeared, in his vision.

"You have already won,"

The female’s calm, and soothing, voice, said.

"There is no need, to go this far,"

’This voice,’

The voice was familiar, and it was also, quite comforting.

’Guild master!’

That was the first thing, that came, to his mind.

He could feel his consciousness, returning to him, and his mind was clearer.

He could now, see the figure, of a woman, and her hand was grabbing Rael’s arm, stopping him, from finishing his attack.

"You have already proven that you are worthy of becoming a member, of our Guild,"

She stated, her voice, was calm, and her tone, was reassuring.

"So, there is no need, for you, to do this,"

"Your opponent, has already, accepted his defeat,"

She said, and her voice was gentle.

"And, I know that you are not a ruthless, and cold-hearted, person,"

"So,"

"Let him go,"

Her words were filled, with confidence, and assurance.

And, they were also, very convincing.

Rael was looking at the Guild master’s face, and his serious expression was slowly fading away into a smile.

His gaze, then, moved, to the hand, which was gripping his arm, and he could see, the strength, and power, in her grip.

She was not using, her full strength, but he could feel the power, and the force, in her grasp.

And, if she wanted, she could easily, break his arm, or even, crush it, to dust.

She was strong, and her strength was formidable.

"Alright," Rael said, and his voice was calm.

"As you wish, my Lady,"

His expression was relaxed, and his smile was faint.

He then released, Zed, and the young man’s body, fell, to the ground.

He coughed out, some blood, and his breathing, was heavy.

He looked, at the Guild master, and her appearance, was blurry.

But, as he, began, to regain, his focus, he could see the expression, on her face, and the sight was breathtaking.

’Woah,’

Her eyes were mesmerizing, and her beauty was stunning.

"Are you okay?"

She asked, and her voice was soft.

Zed could not speak, so he, just nodded his head, in response.

"I see," She replied, and her tone, was understanding.

"That’s good,"

She said, and her lips were curved upwards, in a smile.

Her smile was beautiful, and it, was also, very soothing.

"Take care of yourself," She added, and her voice was warm.

She then, turned, to face Rael, who now had his both hands, dropped to his sides, and was standing, with a relaxed posture.

"And you,"

She started, and her tone was soft.

"I hereby declare you as an S-class member, of the One Guild,"

"S-class?"

"The guild master herself is declaring, his rank?"

"Is he, that, powerful?"

The spectators were astonished, and their expressions were full of disbelief.

They had just witnessed, an intense, and ferocious, fight, between two powerful, and strong, individuals, and now, the Guild master, herself, was declaring, his rank.

This was unexpected and shocking, and their reactions were varied.

Some were silent, and some were whispering, to each other, and their faces, were full of confusion.

They were wondering, and speculating, about the situation, and they were also curious, about the identity, of the young man, who was standing, in the arena.

Who was he?

How was he able, to fight, an A-ranker, and almost win?

And, why did the Guild master, herself, come, here, and declare his rank?

There were many questions, floating, around the arena, and the atmosphere was filled, with confusion, and uncertainty.

It was too much for them to take, and they could not process, the situation, quickly.

And, in this situation, Zed, who was still recovering, from the pain, and injuries, he had suffered, was the one, who was most shocked.

He could not believe, what he had heard, and he was having, a hard time, accepting the truth.

’S-class?’

His mind was a mess, and his heart, was pounding, like a drum.

’Did she say, S-class?’

The thought was swirling, around his head, and his eyes were wide.

’She’s not joking, right?’

He asked, himself, and his face, was pale.

’What the fuck?’

’S-class?’

’What is that? Why does it look like they already knew each other? Is there something going on between them? Is that the reason, why she declared, his rank, herself?’

These questions were running, through his head, and his eyes were filled, with disbelief.

He couldn’t understand, what was happening, and his mind was in a haze.

His face was twisted, in confusion, and his eyes were unfocused.

The shock, of hearing, his opponent’s rank, and the pain, of his injuries, was affecting, his mind, and his thoughts, were in disarray.

"Miss Sera," Suddenly, a voice, was heard, and it, was coming from, the entrance of the arena.

Both Rael and the Guild master turned, their heads, and looked, in the direction, where the voice had come from.

A figure was approaching, them, and it was home other than Leo, the assistant.

"What is it? Leo," Sera asked, and her tone was inquisitive.

"Well, Miss Sera,"

Leo started, and his voice was calm.

"You are needed, elsewhere," His voice, was soft, and his tone, was low.

"What happened?"

Sera questioned, and her tone was serious.

"Well," Leo began, and his voice was hesitant.

"Miss Erika, who is also known as The War Goddess,"

"is here, and she is asking, to meet you," he concluded, and his tone was uncertain.

"The War Goddess?"

"Why is she here?"

"Isn’t she supposed to be someone who rarely meets other players?"

The crowd’s attention was drawn, to Leo, and their voices, were loud.

All of the previous surprises, and the unexpected events, had already, disappeared, from their minds, and their focus, was now, on the conversation, between Leo and Sera.

"Erika is here?"

Sera repeated, and her tone was surprised.

"Yes, Miss Sera,"

Leo confirmed, and his expression was serious.

"She is waiting, for you,"

"Waiting?"

Sera murmured, and her face was thoughtful.

"Yeah, she said she needs your help with something,"

Leo replied, and his voice was calm.

"I see,"

Sera murmured, and her tone was contemplative.

"Well then," She started, and her voice was confident.

"Let’s not keep her waiting," She stated, and her tone was firm.

"Of course, Miss Sera,"

"I will accompany you," Leo added, and his tone was understanding.

"You too come with me, Rael. Mother has told us to come home early today. So, we will leave after, I meet with Erika,"

Sera told him, and her tone was soft.

"Mother has sent us a message, to come back home early?"

Rael’s question was filled with curiosity, and his expression was puzzled.

"Yes," Sera answered, and her voice was solemn.

"It seems that she wants to introduce you to some relatives,"

"Oh," Rael exclaimed, and his tone was thoughtful.

"I see,"

His expression was calm, and his tone was casual.

All three of them then walked, towards the exit, leaving Zed, who was still lying, on the ground, and Selene, who was standing, a few meters, away, alone.

"What was that conversation at the end?"

"Why would the Guild Master’s mother want to introduce Rael, to some relatives?"

"What’s going on?"

The crowd’s reaction was similar, and their questions were the same.

They had heard, the conversation, between the three, and it was enough, to create, more questions, than answers.

And, as for Selene, who was watching, the entire scene, unfold, her face was filled with complete sadness and disappointment.

’Sera and Rael? What a sweet couple,’

That was her only thought, as she looked, at the two, who were leaving, together.

Instead of worrying about her brother, who was in a very serious condition, she was thinking, about the love story, of a random guy, whom she had just met.

’Rael...’