Atticus’s Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground - Chapter 1555

Capítulo 1555: Risk

Evading multiple attacks while countering, Atticus reached out to the air molecules and released a blast, but it had no effect. The other elements fared no better.

An idea struck him suddenly, and he reached out to Solvath’s fragment, feeling a reaction almost instantly. The dust recoiled from him as though he were an abomination.

Atticus felt the fragment’s power repairing his will immediately.

‘I can use this.’

He was about to move when the ground suddenly beneath him buckled. He vanished and reappeared in the distance, watching as a massive root burst from the ground where he’d been standing.

The root reached for the skies before surging toward him.

Streaks of silver filled the air as Atticus cut through it with ease, but he narrowed his eyes as black dust burst from the severed remains. It latched onto Solvath’s energy instantly, and Atticus frowned as his purple light flickered.

‘They affect Solvath’s energy?’

Atticus vanished and created distance immediately. More roots surged from the ground toward him, but this time he evaded.

‘Is it?’

He released Solvath’s power and frowned as the roots froze midair, then sank back into the ground as though nothing were amiss.

“Do you understand it yet?”

Atticus narrowed his eyes at Ordan. The battlefield had transformed. Many Marquis lay dead below, and the ones still standing watched him with trembling eyes.

Still, Ordan’s aura remained calm. He hadn’t even bothered to equip an armor. Whether that was utter arrogance or pure confidence remained to be seen.

At Atticus’ silent stare, Ordan slowly nodded.

“A shock, isn’t it? To learn none of this was ever in your control.”

Ordan had clearly planned everything. He must have figured out that Raziel would go after Anorah and predicted exactly how Atticus would act.

He’d ignored the chance to challenge him in the last round and had Dravek rein in his anger as well. Getting the other Marquis to band together must have been easy. After all, Atticus was an anomaly, something the Verge did not understand. A threat.

Every single thing had been orchestrated to bring about this moment.

Now, Atticus stood surrounded by Marquis with trembling yet murderous eyes. Unknown technologies countered his strongest powers. The situation was bleak.

Ordan let out a small laugh.

“Your mistake was believing you stood a chance once I set my eyes on you. You’re done, Atticus Ravenst—”

“You’re afraid of me.”

The sudden words froze Ordan mid sentence. He stared at Atticus with widened eyes, then burst into laughter.

“That’s why you went through all this trouble. Why you won’t face me yourself.” Atticus calmly continued.

“You’re afraid of me.”

Ordan’s grip tightened around his staff as his laughter died. He stared at Atticus in silence for a moment.

“No.” He said, then hit his staff on the ground. “Finish him.”

Atticus watched as the Marquis slowly closed in. Dravek, who had been silently observing, stepped forward to join them.

Killing the Marquis would deplete his will. Using Solvath’s energy would do the same.

The battle was reaching its climax.

‘There’s no choice.’

Atticus glanced at Raziel dangling in his grip. The man had gone silent, but Atticus knew he still lived. Whatever the fragment would do, he would have to take the chance.

His grip closed with a sharp snap, and Raziel’s body went limp. The Marquis paused, staring cautiously. Ordan narrowed his eyes.

A moment later, Raziel’s body detonated in a violent explosion that slammed into the Marquis and hurled them back.

Atticus felt an overwhelming force engulf him as Solvath’s power tore through him. Four distinct fragments hovered before him, radiating such power that the world itself seemed to pause.

Logoth shattered instantly. It felt as though his mind were being torn apart as the fragments shot into him.

‘W-what is this…?’

His fear had come true. He could feel it. The will of Solvath, along with the wills of the other bearers, was trying to take control of his body. They clashed against his will uncontrollably, threatening to break him. Atticus fell to his knees instantly.

‘I… I can’t hold them…’

This wasn’t like consolidation. These were the wills of other geniuses, other Solvath fragments. They were going to break through.

“Atticus…”

A sudden, familiar voice jolted him. Was that..

He scanned his mindscape. One fragment hovered calmly while the others battered relentlessly against his will.

Did he dare believe it?

‘A-Anorah…?’

‘I’m here…’

A maelstrom of emotions surged through him, but he deadened them as Anorah moved.

“Hold on… let me in!”

She erupted in blinding light, reinforcing Atticus’ will. The hammering impacts waned almost instantly, becoming bearable.

‘You have to activate your fragment!’

Atticus gritted his teeth and reached out to the fragment. The surge of emotions threatened to wreck him, but he slipped back into Logoth and forced the energy to encompass the other fragments.

Their trembling diminished until they grew docile, assimilating into him.

‘Are… are you alive?’

‘Honestly, I’m not sure. I feel alive…’

Atticus swallowed. He hadn’t lost her forever.

‘What… what now?’

Before the words had fully settled, Anorah shot out from his mindscape and appeared before him in reality.

Atticus’ eyes trembled as flesh wrapped around the fragment, forming Anorah completely.

What was happening?

He caught her before she fell. She shakily opened her eyes slowly, and smiled warmly.

“I’m sorry… about before…”

Atticus clenched his teeth until blood pooled in his mouth and brought his forehead to hers.

“…I’m glad you’re safe.”

Anorah fell unconscious almost instantly. Atticus wrapped her in a blanket of fire before lifting his gaze.

The light had dimmed. The haze cleared. The Marquis all surrounded him, eyes riddled with fear.

Dravek stared in silence. Ordan’s eyes glowed brighter than ever, his arms around his staff trembling.

“Don’t hesitate. Kill him. Now!”

There was no trace of calm left in Ordan as he shouted. Though hesitant, the other Marquis still slowly advanced, weapons bared.

But despite everything, there was zero emotion on Atticus’ face as he slowly stood.

He’d always been careful all his life. Training like a maniac, wanting to be ready for anything the world might throw at him. Risk had never been something he liked taking.

But the current events had shown him the truth. Sometimes, risks were necessary.

The air grew still as Atticus reached for his katana. The world slowed as his consciousness was drawn into its realm.

It was time for the fifth art.

Enjoy!