MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 1112: Handicap

Anthony's gaze shifted to Rider as the latter spoke. "I recall an outstanding favor owed to you. Name your desire, and I shall fulfill it before my departure," he stated, his voice remarkably steady.

"My request will be revealed after our spar. For now, let us revel in the absurdity that is Null Anthony," Rider responded, a discernible note of eagerness coloring his tone.

"As you wish," Anthony replied, a slight shake of his head accompanying his words. "However, I shall impose significant limitations upon myself. Given your group's standing at the King Mana Rank, with Bringer alone at Emperor Mana Rank, I will restrict myself to the entry-level Master Mana Rank," Anthony declared with a confident smile.

The Master Mana Rank sat a full three major tiers below theirs, positioned just beyond the Mortal ranks. Anthony was further limiting himself to level 1, a constraint that would undoubtedly cripple others, but for him, it was merely a minor adjustment.

Did Tiara and the others voice any objections? Absolutely not. Instead, they welcomed the handicap Anthony was readily imposing. If it were possible, they mused with amusement, he should even handicap himself further, perhaps back to the F-rank he exhibited during his school days.

With a silent command to the system, Anthony relinquished his physical attributes and mana. Well, technically, he possessed an infinite wellspring of mana, but Anthony wouldn't be drawing upon that. He would be utilizing mana consistent with what a Level 1 Master Ranker should wield, a self-imposed restriction executed with deliberate precision.

"Ready?" Anthony inquired, adopting a martial stance, a broad smile gracing his features. His posture was relaxed yet exuded a perfect, unshakeable balance.

Without a moment's hesitation, the Storm Brothers ceased their own limitations. Their forms swelled, muscles bulging as they expanded, their skin stretching taut until they towered at twelve feet. Their imposing presence was befitting of true Titans.

Tiara also adopted a ready posture, Bryan's eyes narrowing with intent as they both drew their respective weapons. Their auras flickered subtly, signaling their preparedness for the impending clash.

A small pebble materialized in Anthony's palm. He then tossed it into the air. No explanation was necessary; everyone understood that the pebble's impact with the ground would serve as the signal to commence the battle—a simple yet effective initiation.

The instant the pebble met the earth, all four combatants vanished from their positions. The very ground beneath them fractured as they became blurs, hurtling towards Anthony with speed that violently tore through the air.

Bryan materialized from the flank, a flash of golden lightning announcing his arrival. His sword blazed with aura, further amplified by his golden lightning. Though he had yet to attain Intent, his offensive power remained formidable. With a wind-rending sweep, he unleashed a swift, precise diagonal slash aimed at Anthony's chest.

Tiara emerged from the rear, her sword also wreathed in aura. She augmented her abilities with blood energy, manually accelerating her blood flow to maximize her speed. Her blade sliced through the air with lethal intent, targeting Anthony's neck.

The Storm Brothers attacked from the left and right simultaneously. Their fists compressed the wind, shattering the sound barrier. Their bodies, also enhanced by aura, amplified their strikes to a ludicrous degree, each blow carrying overwhelming destructive force.

Indeed, it was a pincer attack... yet, it proved utterly futile.

Anthony's mana surged, and he immediately channeled the earth element. The ground beneath his feet parted as he vanished into it as seamlessly as a mole. The moment Anthony disappeared, Tiara and Bryan's attacks collided violently with each other. The Storm Brothers' punches also slammed into each other's chests.

With a deafening boom, each pair was propelled backward like rockets, having struck one another instead of their intended target. Their bodies careened into trees, but they recovered instantly. However, it was already too late. Anthony was already in motion, his presence manifesting across the battlefield.

He appeared before Bryan first, who for some reason seemed the most troublesome. Anthony's speed was a blur. Bryan reacted instantaneously; the moment he sensed a presence, he acted. He slashed again, channeling more mana into his lightning-infused strike, but it was ineffectual. Anthony simply sidestepped as if performing the easiest maneuver imaginable.

With that opening, his mana-enhanced fist slammed into Bryan's chin with earth-shattering force. The impact launched him upward, but before he could ascend further, Anthony caught him by the ankle mid-air. He then brutally slammed Bryan into the earth repeatedly, ten consecutive times, as if he were nothing more than a ragdoll. Following this, he unceremoniously tossed Bryan aside without a second glance.

The instant Anthony sent Bryan flying, a colossal foot, sturdier than ancient tree bark, loomed into his sight, hurtling towards his face. Anthony dared not intercept the blow, his body instinctively recoiling; his spine bent impossibly low, making him almost parallel to the ground as he evaded. He could feel the razor-sharp wind pressure graze his features.

The forest behind him was instantly obliterated by the sheer force of the missed attack. Yet, before Anthony could even straighten his bent posture, Tiara materialized from the shadow cast by Anthony’s frame, her timing impeccable. Her blade darted towards his heart from behind with lethal accuracy.

Anthony couldn't help but marvel at their seamless coordination. After their initial simultaneous assault had ended in dismal failure, the four of them had dynamically adapted, striking at the perfect junctures and exploiting every opportunity – a testament to their remarkable brilliance and innate talent.

It was only because Anthony was what he was – a cheater, a fact he readily admitted without a trace of shame – that he made individuals of their caliber seem less exceptional.

Nevertheless, Tiara had fundamentally underestimated Anthony.

Tiara’s sword sliced through Anthony’s back, impaling his heart and erupting from his chest. But before Tiara could savor the momentary triumph of landing a strike, she stiffened, a sharp, unmistakable pain blossoming through her body and mind.

'What just happened?' she questioned internally, observing her sword-wielding hand detach and fall to the ground, severed cleanly at the elbow.

During her attack, Anthony had seemingly phased through the incoming strike. Furthermore, he had expertly manipulated the very shadow from which Tiara initiated her surprise assault, turning it against her. While Anthony seldom employed his shadow abilities, the undeniable truth was his mastery over them, a silent yet potent power.

Tiara retreated into the shadows, her form dissolving into darkness as she fled to recuperate, knowing her vampiric nature would facilitate a swift recovery.

Before Anthony could even react, Bringer, who had previously attacked with a kick, launched another assault. This time, his elbow snapped forward with a concussive force capable of pulverizing mountains, his strike imbued with devastating intent.

Anthony prepared to evade, but in the very next moment, he felt space itself immobilize him, his body held captive momentarily. Tracing the source of the mana, his gaze settled upon Rider. Rider had deployed a skill, acquired from a skill book, to ensnare Anthony, thereby creating an opening for his brother's decisive blow. Their coordination had ascended to an entirely new echelon.