The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse Chapter 1424: Going Out With a Bang

[Minutes prior to the showdown - Klaus vs Blue]

Following the bracket reveal, knowing exactly who he would face thanks to the intelligence gathered by Icon, Klaus began methodical preparations for every possible contingency.

His initial move was to task his loyal Icon with surveilling the Executioner, as there was no clear reason for the sudden pairing against Crimson Inferno.

Despite her extensive efforts, Icon failed to uncover any concrete evidence.

Faced with a dead end, Klaus prepared for the worst and reached out to his ally, Blue, who was lounging in his hotel room while keeping a close eye on the proceedings.

As a Supreme, Blue’s movements went entirely unnoticed, even by those fixated on Klaus.

"Buddy, I need to call in a favor."

Blue offered a smirk and replied, "What do you need? Just don't ask me to help you finish off some snacks. I'm a Supreme now, so show me some respect."

Klaus grinned but refrained from insulting his friend; knowing Blue's inherently shameless personality, he let the comment slide. "I just need you to apply that technique on me."

"You want me to conjure an afterimage of you? What for?"

"I’m not entirely sure yet, but I have a gut feeling someone might betray me during this battle, and I intend for that afterimage to absorb the strike."

"I follow you. Don't sweat it, I'll activate it the moment the fighting starts. Just be ready to vanish before anyone catches on."

"Leave that part to me."

With the arrangement settled, Klaus waited for the conflict to commence, fully intending to resolve two problems with one strategic strike.

---

[Seconds before the counter-attack]

Suspended mid-air with a dagger driven through his chest, Klaus hung in the void, a faint smile gracing his features.

He humored the moment, waiting for the expected words, and then, he initiated his maneuver.

The crowd went deathly silent as Klaus materialized out of thin air, his spear thrusting through the Executioner’s back.

The weapon pierced the man's heart, rendering him as good as dead.

Undaunted, and wanting to guarantee the demise of an Immortal Lord, Klaus flicked his wrist, summoning eight additional spears to puncture the body repeatedly.

The grip on the version of Klaus held by the Executioner slackened. As the figure dropped, it shattered like fragile glass, revealing the truth: it had been an afterimage all along.

Spectators were left baffled, questioning how such a feat was even achievable.

"I’ve certainly never witnessed an afterimage utilized in such a manner before."

"Me neither. One has to wonder, how many heaven-splitting techniques does he actually possess?"

"I ask myself the same thing. Since his debut in the blood tournament, he has constantly unveiled one startling revelation after another."

"It is no wonder that idiot Supreme pitted him against the Renegade Hunter and even the Paragon. He clearly has the capability to stand toe-to-toe with figures of their caliber."

"I am curious to see exactly how high he will climb within the Criminal Underworld."

Amidst the murmurs of the crowd, Klaus utilized his Spirit Master abilities to hoist the Executioner into the air, showcasing him to the entire stadium.

"One thing that you or your foolish Supreme will never comprehend is that even if he arrived here personally, killing me would be an impossibility. I cannot be slain, because I’ve already taken every precaution to ensure my escape." He offered a slight, knowing smile.

Inside the VIP booth, Lord Varkos grew agitated. The sudden reversal of fortune triggered his panic. However, bound by his previous inaction during the attack on Klaus, he found himself paralyzed and unable to offer any rescue.

He could only watch on, praying that his secrets died along with the Executioner.

"You know, when your pathetic Supreme targeted me for reasons still unknown to me, I anticipated a stunt like this. Before arriving, I secured this favor from a friend."

"Essentially, you lack the power to kill me. My goal is to become the most formidable criminal this universe has ever seen. The path is chaotic, but I am committed to making it a reality."

"Naturally, to ascend to the apex of the criminal world, one must achieve something grand—something massive that cements one's name in history. My initial plan was merely to defeat the Renegade Hunter, since he was everyone's favorite target."

His expression hardened with purpose. "I still plan to. But now, I have a new crusade. Because of your actions, the Warrior Temple is now my sworn enemy. Here and now, I, Blood Sword, officially declare war on all warriors."

"It might sound like a joke to some, but if I could uncover their spies buried within our own ranks, there is no telling what I can accomplish once I begin hunting them in earnest."

A collective chill swept through the audience. Realizing that Blood Sword was the entity behind the expose on the Warrior Temple spies completely shifted the public's perception of him.

"You losers insisted on branding me a legend without my consent. Now, sit back and watch... By the time I am finished with you, even the Paragon will seem like a mere joke."

With a sudden snap of his fingers, Klaus engulfed the Executioner in crimson flames, his agonizing cries echoing throughout the arena. Within a mere minute, only ash remained.

Turning slowly, Klaus fixed a smile upon Lord Varkos before, to the shock of all present, announcing his resignation from the tournament.

"I’m finished with this farcical tournament. If someone we all held in high regard is willing to collude with the Warrior Tower to ambush a contestant, then this competition has lost all meaning."

As if signaling the climax, video files were broadcast to everyone present, documenting the clandestine meeting between Lord Varkos and the now-deceased Executioner.

The revelation that a bribe was accepted to sabotage Blood Sword against Crimson Inferno sent the stadium into an absolute frenzy.

Lord Varkos seethed with fury, yet before he could react, he realized Klaus had already vanished from the arena.

Recognizing the window to eliminate him had closed, he fled toward his personal docking bay, followed by his five enraged bodyguards.

With their leader's safety as their sole directive, they hustled him onto an SS-class vessel, which launched immediately, disappearing into the heavens.

Betrayal by colluding with the righteous faction to harm one’s own is the ultimate taboo in the underworld. His actions were unforgivable, and his only option was flight.

Following his departure, the tournament ground to a halt. With Blood Sword also missing, the remaining combatants proceeded to vacate the area.

In the span of sixty minutes, Blood Sword had dismantled a cartel and ignited a conflict with the Warrior Tower.

Even Blue felt the weight of shock upon hearing Klaus’s final declaration.

Yet, while this drama reached its peak, deeper forces were stirring in the shadows, poised to rattle the foundations of the entire universe.