CHAPTER 329: YOUR ETHER TASTES SWEET

Averak crossed his arms and stared at Zain. His voice was calm but firm.

"I don’t start fights like some street thug."

Zain raised a brow. "Really? I thought you were a warrior, not a politician."

"I am Averak," the man said.

"The Apex Guardian. The Supreme Hero. I act with purpose, not pride."

Zain laughed lightly. "Sounds more like an excuse not to fight. Are you scared I’ll ruin your spotless record?"

Around them, some of the heroes frowned. A few beastkin chuckled.

Krovath took a step forward and was clearly entertained.

He smiled, folding his arms behind his back.

"But if this is a battle between Supremes," Krovath said, "it might be worth watching. New blood versus the old pillars."

Zain tilted his head. "That’s what I’m saying. Let’s make it a real welcome."

Averak’s jaw tensed. "Mocking me proves nothing."

Zain shrugged. "It shows you’re bothered."

Then he looked at both of them.

"But if you really want to test if I’m worthy of calling myself a Supreme... why don’t both of you fight me?"

That made everyone go silent.

Averak’s eyes narrowed. "You want to fight both of us? At the same time?"

Zain smiled wider. "Sure. I just want to see how far I’ve come."

"If I lose, I’ll walk away. If I win... you’ll accept that I belong at the top."

Krovath laughed. "Interesting. You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that."

Averak stayed quiet for a moment. Then he looked toward Krovath.

"This is madness."

Krovath chuckled. "It’s Supreme Island. Madness is normal."

Averak finally gave a small nod. "Fine. But this won’t be a war. No killing."

Zain lifted a hand and pointed at himself. "I didn’t bring my army. Just me."

Krovath added, "Three Supremes, one test."

Zain grinned. "Perfect."

And just like that, the island’s balance began to shift.

---

Averak took one step forward.

His white-gold boots pressed into the ground with silent pressure.

The sky above dimmed as a radiant field expanded from his body.

"[Celestial Sovereign Field]," Averak said calmly.

A dome of light covered the area. Everything inside it felt... still.

The killing intent in the air disappeared.

The will to fight faded.

The urge to be violent just... dulled away.

Zain blinked.

He looked at his hand, then clenched it.

"That’s annoying," Zain muttered.

He took a deep breath.

It felt like his body was being forced to calm down.

His heart slowed a bit. His thoughts were quieter. Almost too quiet.

Averak walked closer.

"You are strong," he said.

"But you’re new. You don’t understand what Supreme Rank truly means."

Zain cracked his neck. "I don’t need to understand it. I’ll become it."

He suddenly dashed forward and threw a fist at Averak’s face.

But the moment his attack moved, something felt off.

His punch was slower.

His aim felt slightly wrong.

His body hesitated mid-motion without reason.

"[Sanctified Will]," Averak said, watching without moving.

"All who raise their hand against me... feel doubt."

Zain stepped back, shaking his head. "Damn it. This power is like a stacked debuff."

Averak’s eyes stayed locked on him. "Give up. I don’t want to hurt you. You’ve proven your point. You’re strong."

Zain chuckled and stood up straight again.

He clenched both fists, the air around him twisting.

"I’m not done," Zain said.

Dark red ether began to gather around his body.

Black light shimmered through his veins.

Zain smiled widely and shouted, "[Heavenly Demon God]!"

The air exploded around him.

A pulse of red and black energy pushed against the holy field.

Averak narrowed his eyes.

Zain’s body glowed as if it had become a furnace.

His skin burned with dark power. His aura swirled like a vortex.

Then the unexpected happened.

Zain began to absorb the ether in the area.

Even the ether from Averak’s [Celestial Sovereign Field].

It rushed into Zain’s body like smoke into a vacuum.

"This is... delicious," Zain said, laughing. "Your holy ether is sweet, Apex Guardian."

Averak frowned. "Absorption?"

Zain looked at him, eyes glowing bright red.

"Yeah," he said. "My body eats everything."

Averak’s field flickered slightly.

He stepped back.

Zain’s grin grew wider.

"You wanted to show me what Supreme Rank means?" he asked.

Zain spread his arms.

"Then let me show you what mine means."

The ground cracked under Zain’s feet.

His presence grew heavier.

Averak’s calm expression slowly shifted.

This wouldn’t be as simple as he thought.

But before Averak could move again, Krovath suddenly jumped forward.

"Don’t forget," Krovath said, landing beside him. "You’re not just fighting one of us. You’re fighting both."

Krovath raised his hand. His body pulsed with cold, dark ether.

"[Serpent Domain]," he whispered.

The ground changed.

A wide green and black energy zone spread across the field.

Zain felt it right away.

His movement slowed.

His instincts dulled.

His power... dragged.

"Tch," Zain clicked his tongue. "This zone weakens me?"

Krovath grinned. "And strengthens me."

He then bent forward.

Thin, sharp energy threads shot out from his arms, shoulders, and spine.

"[Neurofang Threads]," he said.

The threads danced in the air like snakes. Fast, quiet, and deadly.

Before Zain could dodge, some of them wrapped around his arms and waist.

They tightened.

"Got you," Krovath said.

"These threads can poison even a Supreme. You shouldn’t move too much."

Averak narrowed his eyes, preparing another ability just in case.

Zain looked down at the glowing threads around him.

Then he slowly smiled.

"You caught me?" he asked.

Krovath raised a brow. "You sound too calm."

Zain tilted his head and smiled.

"That’s because you haven’t seen what I’m best at."

He clenched his fists.

The glowing threads around him pulsed, trying to tighten.

But Zain didn’t panic.

Instead, he pulled.

Hard.

The threads stretched before snapping apart with a sharp crackle of energy.

Bits of poison and energy leaked out, trying to burn or weaken him.

Zain let it flow into his body without resistance.

He closed his eyes for a moment as his aura shifted again.

Then he opened them, brighter, deeper, darker.

His smile returned, sharper this time.

"Ah... really delicious."

The ground under him trembled again.

And for the first time...

The sky above began to ripple.