Chapter 91: Death of a Peak-Silver Rank

Indeed, the creatures’ earlier domination had evaporated with their Silver-rank leaders’ deaths.

“Pursue and eliminate,” Zhao commanded. “Leave none alive to regroup.”

Her forces spread across the district with confidence, hunting down isolated monsters with ease.

Victory was finally within reach.

…

The battle between Ezekiel and the monkey had escalated beyond human comprehension. Buildings collapsed under the pressure of their clashing auras, buildings unable to withstand their power.

The monkey’s extended staff struck from multiple angles with fluidity. Each blow carried enough force to level city blocks, yet Ezekiel met them with his axe.

Both are approaching Gold-rank. Not quite there, but close enough to be dangerous.

Ethan observed from multiple positions, using his speed to maintain optimal viewing angles while avoiding the destruction radiating from their combat. Every exchange taught him something new about their powers.

The monkey’s staff caught Ezekiel across the ribs, cracking the armour. The City Lord’s retaliatory strike shattered the ancient weapon’s tip, sending splinters of wood flying like shrapnel.

They’re wearing each other down. Good.

Blood flowed freely from both combatants now. The monkey’s fur was matted with silver fluid, while Ezekiel’s armor showed multiple breaches where the staff had found flesh.

Then the tide turned.

Ezekiel’s axe found its mark in a moment of perfect timing, carving through the monkey’s left shoulder with devastating efficiency. The creature’s arm separated completely, staff tumbling from nerveless fingers.

That’s a critical injury. The monkey’s finished.

Yet the creature fought on with terrifying determination. Its remaining arm wielded the shortened staff with desperation, each strike aimed at vital points despite overwhelming disadvantage.

This monkey is impressive. But not enough.

Ezekiel pressed his advantage ruthlessly, axe work becoming a silver blur that carved through diminished defences. The monkey’s blood painted broken stone as wounds accumulated beyond what it could endure.

Almost over. It’s time to make a move.

Ethan began his approach, his enhanced speed talent carrying him closer to the combatants while maintaining concealment. His target wasn’t Ezekiel, it was the lazy monkey.

The monkey will grant me a transformation. A Peak-Silver one.

The creature’s golden eyes met his across the battlefield, intelligence flickering with what might have been recognition. It knew what was coming.

Good. Let it see death approaching.

Ezekiel raised his axe for the killing blow, his silver energy condensing around the weapon until it blazed like a star. The monkey raised its shortened staff in futile defense, its golden eyes reflecting approaching doom.

The axe descended, but before it could land, Ethan struck.

His speed, combined with Wind manipulation, launched him across the space at incredible speed. His iron-enhanced fist punched through the monkey’s chest cavity, fingers closing around the creature’s still-beating heart.

The monkey spat out a mouthful of blood. Despite its guaranteed death, the monkey smiled.

“Mama will be…very..angry…”

Its body drooped as life escaped its body.

<You have killed Peak-Silver, Lazy Monkey>

With his arm still buried in the creature’s chest, Ethan activated his Devour talent immediately.

The monkey’s essence flowed into him.

<You have devoured Lazy Monkey>

<+10 Agility>

<You have gained the Lazy Monkey(Peak-Silver) transformation>

Peak-Silver transformation acquired. Significant agility boost.

His Agility had jumped to 168, approaching the threshold where quantity transformed into qualitative change.

Ezekiel stared at him with narrowed eyes, axe still raised from his interrupted strike. Blood dripped from the weapon’s edge, mixing with monkey gore to pool around their feet.

“Why did you do that?” The City Lord’s voice carried dangerous undertones. “Did I ask you to?”

His tone was filled with anger and wounded pride. It was expected.

Ethan withdrew his gore-covered arm from the monkey’s chest, meeting Ezekiel’s gaze without flinching. “I was waiting for the chance. We got the chance. What matters is that it died.”

Ezekiel stepped closer, he had a feeling that the anomaly had acted with a clear purpose beyond simple assistance.

“The kill was mine.”

“The kill was necessary.” Ethan’s tone remained level despite the tension. “Would you prefer it escaped?”

The City Lord walked to where the monkey’s corpse lay, kneeling beside the body to extract its core.

“This belongs to me,” Ezekiel stated, pocketing the prize without ceremony.

The transformation alone was worth more than any single core could provide.

“Of course.” Ethan’s agreement came easily. “You did all of the work.”

Ezekiel studied him, blood still dripping from his axe.

“How did you kill the behemoth?”

The question hung in the air like a blade. Ethan’s expression remained neutral.

“Coordinated assault with the generals. We targeted weak points.”

“Weak points?” Ezekiel’s voice carried scepticism. “A High-Silver’s weak points that two injured Mid-Silver can’t possibly exploit?”

“Experience helps.”

“Experience.” The City Lord stepped closer, silver energy crackling around him.

Ezekiel’s eyes narrowed. The non-answers were starting to irritate him.

“I’ve been monitoring this city’s awakeners for decades. Never seen you before tonight. Yet you display capabilities that rival…me”

“People advance at different rates.”

“Not that fast.” The City Lord’s aura flared slightly. “And certainly not with that many talents.”

Here it comes.

“I counted at least four distinct abilities during your fights. Speed enhancement, crystal hardening, fire manipulation, wind control.”

Ethan met his gaze without flinching. “I’ve been fortunate.”

“Fortunate?” Ezekiel’s voice rose, patience finally cracking.

This is not good, he is becoming aggressive. Why doesn’t he just go back to advancing to gold rank and leave me alone?

“Some people are naturally gifted.”

The dismissive response was clearly the wrong choice. Silver energy exploded around Ezekiel, pressure forcing nearby debris to scatter.

“Gifted?” His voice carried dangerous undertones. “You appear from nowhere during a coordinated monster assault. Display unprecedented talent diversity. Kill two Mid-Silvers and one High-Silver in a single night. And your explanation is natural gift?”

Ethan’s silence only fueled the City Lord’s growing fury.

“Who are you really?” Ezekiel demanded. “What city sent you? What’s your true objective here?”

He thinks I’m a spy…shit, that makes sense.

“I’m exactly who I appear to be. I’ve been in this city my entire life. Look, I don’t want trouble, we have barely survived the attack from the beasts, why don’t we become friends?”

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