CHAPTER 167: B- SUPER SONIC TALENT

Human: Ethan Brandon

Rank: High-Platinum

Talents: Flame Mastery (C+), Super Sonic (B-), Water (D-), Crystal Manipulation (D), Wind(D), Protective Shield (F+), Accuracy Enhancement (F+), Regeneration (D+), Dagger Wield (F-), Mental Enhancement (F)

Transformations: Stalker Panther(Mid-Plat) ,FireFly(Low-Plat),Dark Wraith(High-Gold), Apex Mane(Mid-Gold), Crystal Butterfly(Low-Gold), ...

Level 9

Health Points: 5250 Mana Points:5600

Strength: 515 (+60) Agility: 782(+110)

Intelligence: 560 (+60) Vitality: 525(+40)

Free Attributes: 23

Skills: Mid Fast Steps (Novice- 60%), Swordsmanship (Apprentice - 5%), Mana control (Apprentice - 14%)

After devouring both panthers, his super sonic talent skill had managed to evolve to B- Rank.

Ethan felt a substantial boost in his speed. The differential became higher making his speed increase even further than it was.

...

At the ninth floor, Ethan wasn’t afraid.

He possessed B- rank Super Sonic capabilities, Flame Mastery at C+ grade, and Peak-Platinum combat power through equipment enhancement.

More importantly, Rambo carried SSS-rank talent backed by Peak-Platinum base power, a partnership that redefined combat power in the tower.

"Even if a Diamond rank beast materialized," Ethan said with growing confidence, "I believe we could defeat it, even if it required some effort."

The tower’s challenges had proven insufficient for his accelerated advancement rate. Each floor provided experiences rather than genuine threats, validating his decision to preserve his devouring of the Dark Wraith.

[Floor 9 Challenge Initializing...]

[PEAK-PLATINUM PARAMETERS DETECTED]

[MAXIMUM DIFFICULTY SCALING ACTIVATED]

The beast materialized through dimensional rifts with power signatures that blazed brighter than any previous encounter. To Ethan’s initial dismay yet growing happiness, it was a firefly, but this specimen radiated Peak-Platinum energy that made the arena itself tremble.

Hostile Entity: Transcendent Infernal Firefly

Rank: Peak-Platinum

Flame Mastery Talent: B+

The creature stood six meters tall with wings that created aurora displays across the arena’s ceiling. Internal flames burned with intensity that challenged the air.

"Peak-Platinum firefly with B+ Flame talent," Ethan observed with satisfaction. "Killing it would evolve my fire talent to B- rank, a breakthrough beyond the small stages."

The firefly buzzed with harmonics that shattered stone while its mind assessed the threat levels in front of it through its Peak-Platinum sensory capabilities.

This wasn’t the mindless aggression of previous floors, this was a calculating predator recognizing dangerous opposition.

Ethan looked at Rambo with consideration. "I’ll handle this alone initially. I want to test my new speed talent against Peak-Platinum enemy."

The Blood Dragon chirped with understanding while settling behind. The dragon recognised that his master wanted to try out and get used to his fast growing power.

"Time to discover what Peak-Platinum combat power actually means," Ethan said with barely contained excitement.

[3... 2... 1... Begin!]

As soon as the trial started, Ethan disappeared from his position.

CRACK! BOOM! THUNDER!

A massive sonic boom erupted across the arena as his velocity exceeded sound barrier limitations. Nine hundred total agility combined with C+ Super Sonic talent had achieved what few individuals ever experienced, casual supersonic movement through pure physical capability.

The transcendent firefly’s enhanced reflexes detected displacement patterns but couldn’t track actual movement closely.

SLASH! SIZZLE! IMPACT!

Ethan’s first strike connected with the creature’s armored thorax, his sword carving through Peak-Platinum body while C+ Flame Mastery superheated the cutting edge. The collision produced shock waves that cracked arena foundations.

SCREECH! RETALIATE! PLASMA!

The firefly’s response demonstrated why Peak-Platinum rank represented legendary status. B+ grade thermal projection created plasma storms that filled half the arena while temperature spikes challenged even his constitution.

But superior agility allowed navigation through attacks that would have vaporized lesser opponents. Enhanced Speed carried him around plasma streams while positioning for additional strikes.

BOOM! SIZZLE! EXCHANGE!

For ten seconds, combat raged at velocities that challenged visual tracking. Ethan’s blade work carved through defensive barriers while the firefly’s thermal manipulation reshaped the environment itself.

Each exchange revealed information about Peak-Platinum combat capabilities. The creature’s durability exceeded previous encounters by orders of magnitude while its intelligence coordinated attacks that predicted his movement patterns.

"Impressive resistance," Ethan noted while evading another plasma barrage. "This will require approximately thirty seconds for solo elimination."

His assessment recognized time constraints imposed by record-breaking performance expectations. Thirty seconds would maintain his advancement rate but represented longer engagement than previous floors.

"Rambo!" he called out while dodging thermal lances that carved through solid stone. "Join the assault! I don’t want to compromise our time record!"

The Blood Dragon launched itself from the crystal perch with predatory grace, crimson energy blazing around its compact form as SSS-rank talent prepared devastating techniques.

"Blood Monarch activation!" Rambo’s voice carried harmonics that spoke of power beyond normal classifications.

The firefly’s compound eyes suddenly began expanding as internal pressure increased beyond sustainable levels. Blood manipulation targeted the blood inside the fireflies body.

EXPAND! STRAIN! POP!

The creature’s left eye exploded in shower of fluid while its agonized screams shattered remaining stone. Blood control had eliminated its eye while causing devastating internal trauma.

Ethan immediately capitalized on the opening, his velocity carrying him through the creature’s blind spot before the fireflies defensive capabilities could compensate for irs lost vision.

SLASH! PIERCE! CRITICAL!

His blade found gaps in armor weakened by his constant attacks, the strike penetrating deep into vital organ systems.

The firefly didn’t allow him to roam free, thrashing and moving, trying to avoid fatal damage.

"Again!" he commanded while repositioning for a new optimal striking angle.

Rambo’s second blood manipulation targeted the remaining compound eye. SSS-rank talent operated on principles that rendered conventional defenses meaningless.

EXPAND! BURST! BLINDNESS!

The firefly’s second eye exploded in identical fashion, leaving the Peak-Platinum creature completely blind while internal hemorrhaging compromised its life support systems.

Now truly helpless, the transcendent firefly could only writhe in agony as its once powerful, large eyes became liabilities without sensory input to guide defensive responses.

SLASH! PENETRATION!

Ethan’s final strike drove his sword through the creature’s primary neural cluster, ending its suffering.

The arena returned to relative silence as the Peak-Platinum firefly collapsed among cooling plasma while its B+ grade talent awaited consumption.

You have devoured Peak-Platinum ferocious beast, Transcendent Infernal Firefly

You have evolved Flame Mastery (C+ → B-)

+14 Agility

The evolutionary advancement to B- grade Flame Mastery represented a good breakthrough that transcended his previous in-stage breakthroughs entirely.

His fire manipulation now was much more powerful.

"B- grade Flame Mastery," he said with deep satisfaction as new capabilities integrated with his body.

The core consumption followed immediately, providing additional enhancement that pushed his velocity even higher.

+7 Agility

[Floor 9 Complete]

[Record Broken!]

[New Record: 7 seconds - Set by Ethan Brandon]

[REWARD DOUBLED!]

"7 seconds to eliminate such a powerful monster, not bad considering that Rambo merely took a supportive role. Had he taken an offensive role, it would have ended in less than three seconds," Ethan noted with satisfaction.

"Nine floors completed with consistent record-breaking performance," he announced while the tower prepared advancement protocols. "Ready for whatever challenges the tenth floor provides."

The ascent toward ultimate transcendence continued.

...

The merchants and vendors gathered around the tower’s base had witnessed something unprecedented. What started as routine curiosity about another Platinum-rank challenger had transformed into collective disbelief that challenged their understanding.

This can’t be real. They all had that same thought.

When the tower’s surface first blazed with golden light, announcing a Floor 2 record break, conversations had paused with mild interest.

"Someone beat Lady Seraphina’s time?" Marcus the weapon vendor had chuckled while polishing enchanted blades. "Impressive, but records get broken eventually."

The crowd had nodded with acknowledgment. Territorial lords occasionally achieved breakthrough performances when perfect conditions aligned with exceptional preparation.

But then Floor 3’s announcement erupted across the tower’s obsidian surface.

[FLOOR 3 RECORD BROKEN]

[NEW RECORD HOLDER: ETHAN BRANDON]

"Wait," Sarah the information broker had whispered, her memory processing implications faster than conscious thought. "That’s the same name. Same challenger."

Conversations died as hundreds of observers processed the impossibility. Two consecutive record breaks by identical challenger? The probability approached zero.

Two floors. Two records. Same person.

Then Floor 4’s golden display shattered their remaining skepticism.

[FLOOR 4 RECORD BROKEN]

[NEW RECORD HOLDER: ETHAN BRANDON]

"Again?" Thomas the armor crafter had dropped his hammer, the metal clanging against stone with resonance.

The crowd pressed closer to the tower’s base, their individual expertise recognizing achievement that transcended normal advancement curves.

This isn’t possible. No one advances that quickly.

Floor 5 brought stunned silence.

[FLOOR 5 RECORD BROKEN]

"He’s... he’s climbing faster than anyone in recorded history, not only that, but he’s also breaking all the records," Elena the potion seller had breathed, her knowledge about how the tower should be approached completely crumbling.

Veterans who had observed tower challenges for decades found themselves questioning fundamental assumptions about development.

Every floor. Every single floor.

By Floor 6, panic had replaced curiosity.

Who is this Ethan Brandon?

Floor 7’s announcement triggered mass communication across territorial networks.

Floor 8 brought awe.

[FLOOR 8 RECORD BROKEN]

[NEW RECORD HOLDER: ETHAN BRANDON]

[TIME: 13 SECONDS]

"High-Platinum opposition in ten seconds," Father Benedict, a visiting territorial chaplain, had made protective gestures while his theological training struggled with witnessed impossibility. "This transcends mortal limitation."

Some observers had begun kneeling, their understanding of individual capability expanded beyond recognition. When someone eliminated legendary challenges with casual efficiency, worship became rational response.

*Legendary. Transcendent. Revolutionary.*

But Floor 9 shattered every remaining assumption.

[FLOOR 9 RECORD BROKEN]

[NEW RECORD HOLDER: ETHAN BRANDON]

[TIME: 7 SECONDS]

"Peak-Platinum creature," Lord Frederick, a visiting territorial ruler, had spoken with voice that carried decades of military authority. "S-Seven seconds against Peak-Platinum...how, he is getting faster clearance as he goes up the tower, was he holding back initially?"

The crowd stared at the tower’s surface with expressions mixing terror and anticipation. Nine consecutive records meant someone was ascending toward heights that legendary figures like Lady Seraphina and Lord Magnus had never achieved.

What happens when he reaches Floor 20?