CLEAVER OF SIN Chapter 808: Ominous [GT Ranking Bonus - ]

Asher turned around to look at the devastation that devoured a four hundred meter radius. Truly, there were many unique things in the world; truly, no one would think that such a small and seemingly weak Golem Monster possessed enough power to cause destruction on such a scale, nor would they expect it to possess such vast reserves of Astra energy.

Although Asher had made it look easy, he knew that many students might have died facing that little Golem. Just the attack that erased the earth beneath his feet was enough to deal with most people. Then there was its rock manipulation, its ability to detonate stone, and even its capability to mask its presence through the ambient Astra energy. Surely, almost no one would catch the real Golem if it decided to hide for good and allow its opponent to believe it was dead.

Asher’s bracelet beeped as he received four thousand (4000) points. Points that were even higher than the amount he had received from the Grave-class Lizardfolk Monster.

Which meant even the Inter-Empire Competition understood the destructive power the Golem possessed. And if Asher had allowed it to fight properly, it could have demonstrated exactly why the Inter-Empire Competition’s point system considered it stronger than some Grave-class Monsters.

Asher shook his head, deciding not to think too much about it. With a thought, he levitated into the air and then shot forward with a booming sound as he crossed the distance in a couple of seconds. The moment he left the destroyed four hundred meter radius, he slowed down and continued his search for students and Monsters.

A couple of hours blurred by, and it was already 4 p.m. in the afternoon. Throughout that time, Asher had spent it fighting one Monster after another. The most surprising part was that he had encountered Gargoyles, although he had dispatched them with calm ease as well.

Asher had decided to stop letting the Monsters come to him. Instead, he used Star Sense to fish every single little creature out from its hiding place.

Cave? Cavern? Alcove? Rock shelter? Tunnels?

He appeared within each and every one of them and painted them in blood before he left. It did not matter if they were below the Viel-class and granted zero points; as long as they were alive, they died the moment he laid eyes on them. He was basically doing the same thing he had done in the swamp forest, and the swamp forest was not even as large as this grand dry canyon.

Those who were watching could only stare in amazement as Asher displayed one skill after another, manipulating each affinity with utmost efficiency. What shocked them the most was his sensory ability, which allowed him to find anything that was alive. Although they did not know what the ability was, they were thoroughly amazed by it.

The Star Sense ability could cover kilometers, and with Asher’s current Star Energy control, the range had increased while its sensory capabilities had become even more pronounced.

It was not only that. Aside from the girl and the boy he had encountered earlier, Asher had encountered ten other students. And out of the ten, four had tried to fight him for his points, something Asher had been ruthless about as he took two limbs each, an arm and a leg, as compensation. As for the remaining six, the moment Asher had said his name, they immediately turned on their heels and made a run for it, even augmenting their speed with Astra energy.

Asher did not chase them. He was simply amused and flew away, at least admiring their survival instincts, unlike the other four who had still dared to fight him.

At least it was refreshing to know that not everyone was stupid.

Asher was not surprised that he had encountered numerous students within the grand canyon and none at the poisonous swamp forest. After all, that forest was no different from a hell level start, as many might not even realize they were breathing poisonous air and would have continued inhaling it like idiots.

And also, the grand dry canyon was large enough to contain many people. And of course, during times when he had nothing to do, Asher would simply float in midair and watch students fight amongst themselves. It was a great source of entertainment and a pleasant sight, as he got to witness various types of abilities and weapons.

Truly, everyone was talented, but alas, only fifty were going to qualify. Yet everyone still wanted to leave their mark in people’s minds and hearts.

Asher could be seen flying through the air at the moment, his Star Sense flickering through everything around him. But then, suddenly, his senses picked up on something ominous ahead. With that, he increased his speed as he raced toward it, and within a couple of seconds, he arrived, his feet meeting the ground with calm ease.

Before Asher was a huge pit. No, calling it a pit was more of a compliment. At this point, it was no different from an abyss, as nothing but darkness emanated from it, not a single shred of light in sight. But that was not the most concerning part. No, Asher could sense something ominous below, the same thing he had sensed before arriving, but now it was far stronger.

’A Negative Zone,’ Asher thought to himself as he came to a conclusion... but this particular Negative Zone seemed to be open, as though it were announcing itself to the world.

Asher’s eyes shifted toward the ground surrounding the abyss-like pit. He could see various boot prints. Some showed that daring students had jumped into such a place, while others revealed that certain students had sensed whatever lurked within and had wisely turned away.

’A Rank 7 being? Or maybe Rank 8?’ Asher thought to himself as his purple eyes flickered with contemplation.

He remembered the commentator, Thomasinho, never stating the ceiling for the enemy power system they were supposed to encounter during the four-day Qualifying Round.

Although he could take on a Rank 7 Emovira or Crown-class Monsters, anything above that was in a completely different league.

A week ago, he had joked that maybe he would be able to take on a Dust Voidstar Life Ranker, but that was then and this was now. It had merely been a thought, one he could not prove. And Asher was not exactly someone who enjoyed courting death, so he was not prepared to test such thoughts with his life. He was a cautious person by nature.

Besides, this was a Negative Zone, and according to his understanding, Negative Zones could even cost him points or deduct them for seemingly no reason. Asher was already imagining a scenario where he jumped in and was instantly struck by a Negative Zone effect that reset his points to zero. It seemed outrageous, but it was very much possible.

To jump or not to jump.

That became Asher’s existential question. Half of his mind burned with curiosity, while the other half blared with cautious warnings and alarm bells.

After thinking about it for a moment, Asher turned and walked away from the abyss-like pit.