CHAPTER 328: THE THIRD FORCE RISES

Averak raised one hand.

A wave of golden ether pulsed from his body and spread across the battlefield.

It didn’t attack or hurt anyone. It simply stopped everything.

All movement froze. Skills vanished. Blades lowered. Silence followed.

Krovath, from the other side, stepped forward.

His cold eyes scanned the field of battle.

"That’s enough," Krovath said.

Brangur, covered in dust, looked over. "But we still haven’t finished—"

"You will finish nothing today," Krovath interrupted. "The real opponent is about to arrive."

On the other side, Hextor blinked. "What are you talking about?"

Averak turned toward his team. "This match was not pointless."

"But it is no longer needed. All of you... Conserve your strength."

Seraine wiped the blood from her cheek. "Who is coming?"

Krovath looked at the sky. "Someone we’ve been waiting for."

Quavira frowned. "You mean... the third party?"

Krovath nodded. "His aura is rising. Stronger than before."

Belvyr took a step forward. "Who is he? A new faction?"

Averak turned to face the others. His voice was steady.

"No. He’s been here the whole time. Hidden. Quiet."

The battlefield fell quiet again.

No one asked further questions. Even Hiera, normally calm, looked tense.

Skeroth narrowed his eyes. "This pressure... It’s already at Supreme Rank."

Yural tilted his head. "So the bug finally broke out of its shell."

Averak walked toward the center of the field. Krovath joined him.

The two giants of A-Zone stood side by side, facing the horizon.

"He’ll come here, right?" Krovath asked.

Averak nodded. "He wants them all to see."

Varnus walked next to Belvyr. "Are we really going to wait?"

"We don’t have a choice," Belvyr replied.

The Brood stood still. The Heroes stood still.

Enemies for years... now simply waiting.

Waiting for someone stronger than both sides.

Averak closed his eyes for a moment.

Krovath cracked his knuckles.

And above them, the sky began to shift.

A storm of ether slowly circled.

He was coming.

The third party had risen.

And both sides, for once, stood as one, were watching and waiting...

---

Zain walked calmly across the open field, hands in his pockets, his coat swaying slightly with each step.

His crimson eyes scanned the area ahead.

The battlefield was silent, but heavy.

Dozens of powerful fighters stood still.

Heroes on one side and beastkin brood on the other.

All eyes were on him.

He had already told the girls to stay behind.

"This isn’t a real war," Zain had said to them.

"No need for all of us to move. I just need to say something."

Savra frowned. "Sure, it’s not just to show off?"

Zain smirked. "Maybe a little."

And now, here he was, walking right into the elite meeting point.

The moment he entered, energy flared.

Averak Kyros, the Apex Guardian, raised a hand without saying a word.

A holy light pulsed outward.

[Celestial Sovereign Field]

It covered the entire zone instantly.

The violent tension dropped like a stone.

Hate, rage, even fear. Everything was dulled. The effect was immediate.

Several brood members took a step back.

Even the heroes blinked, like a fog had entered their minds.

But Zain?

He only smiled.

He looked around, then stepped forward and spoke clearly.

"So this is what keeps people from killing each other in your territory, huh?"

Averak studied him carefully.

"This ability ensures order. I control all violent urges inside my zone."

Zain nodded slowly, still smiling. "Impressive. You’re the Apex Guardian, then?"

"Yes. And you are?"

Zain shrugged casually. "Zain. Or, if you prefer... the Heavenly Demon."

A murmur rippled through the heroes.

Several frowned. Others looked confused.

But on the other side, Krovath let out a low laugh.

"Heavenly Demon, huh? Bold to name yourself something like that. Especially in a place like this."

Zain tilted his head. "Why not? The name’s already attached to me."

Krovath chuckled again. "You’ve got some nerve, I’ll give you that."

Averak, however, remained serious.

"No sane person calls themselves a demon. Especially not here."

He narrowed his eyes.

"Do you intend to provoke both factions at once?"

Zain took a slow breath. His lips curled slightly as he tilted his head.

"Provoke?" he repeated. "Not really."

He walked forward, step by step, as the weight of Averak’s [Celestial Sovereign Field] pressed down on him.

But he didn’t even flinch. His boots stopped at the center of the field.

"I just came to make one thing clear."

He raised his hand and pointed upward slightly.

"I’ve reached Supreme Rank. And I’m telling you all: heroes, beasts, whatever, you better remember my name."

Zain lowered his hand and smiled.

"I will become one of the behemoths of this Supreme Island."

Both Averak and Krovath shared a look. They didn’t speak right away.

But the slight crease on their brows said enough.

Krovath stepped forward, tail swaying slightly behind him.

"So," he said slowly, "you destroyed the Flame God Cult’s base..."

Averak followed up. "Was it just to call us here? Just to say you’re aiming to rise above us?"

Zain nodded without hesitation. "That’s right."

The field was still active. The pressure didn’t seem to bother him.

Krovath chuckled once. "How bold. Most people hide first. Build power in the dark. You? You just show up."

Zain grinned. "I’m not like those cowards."

Seraine frowned nearby. "So you really think you can stand beside the strongest here?"

Zain turned to glance at her. "No."

Then he smirked wider. "I think I’ll stand above them."

There was silence again. The kind that wasn’t awkward, but heavy.

Even some of the beastkin shifted their feet.

Averak finally spoke. "Do you really think we’ll just let you do whatever you want... after saying all that?"

Krovath stepped forward beside him, arms crossed and gaze cold.

"Even if you’re Supreme Rank now, so are we. And we’re not the only ones."

Zain tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowed with a smirk.

"Then what? You want to stop me?"

He slowly raised his hand, calm and fearless.

"If it’s a fight you want..."

He smiled wider, eyes sharp and ready.

"...then I’ll be more than happy to give it to you."