The Monster is Coming

Chapter 449 Highlights: Everyone's a God of Magic!
The audience outside the venue were cheering for their favorite guild warbands or the warbands representing their own race.

After the first round of competition concluded, a highlight reel went viral across various platforms, both inside and outside the game.

The video was made by a meticulous player from the Explorers' Poetry team.

The video begins with a line of text appearing against a black background:
"are you ready?"

The scene shifts, and the video opens with a side view of the God-King standing atop a giant black serpent with his arms crossed.

The camera pans around the God-King from a free-view perspective, revealing the grim members of the Divine Hall Warband after takeoff.

The view from above is captured here.

A line of text appears on the screen: What is power?

Immediately afterwards, the music suddenly became more intense, and the scene cut rapidly, condensing the dazzling bursts into a small space.

On battlefield number 3219, players roared into battle, their battle formations piercing through the enemy lines like red-hot irons.

The shockwave from the impact of the giant shield shook the dust into a ring, and the sharp blades pierced through the air, creating a deadly metal storm.

The leader, wielding a giant sword, swept across the battlefield, simultaneously sending three enemies who had activated their defensive stance flying. The overwhelming power almost shattered the light barrier.

The text reappears on the screen: What is a trial?

The camera zooms out to the sky above the Thousand Mountains Battlefield. Members of the Skywing Guild simultaneously unfurl their wings of light. In the next moment, countless spears of light fall vertically like meteors, covering the entire battlefield. In slow motion, the light and blood shields erected by enemy guild members on the ground shatter like glass, then vanish into the endless spears of light.

Another line of text pops up on the screen: What is elegance?

The words dissipated like mist, revealing a scene of a dark woodland.

The camera slowly zooms in, focusing on a tall, slender young man.

He had short hair as blue as the deep sea, a delicate but expressionless face, and held two strangely curved silver short blades in reverse in his hands. He stood quietly in the center of a clearing under the dappled moonlight, like a work of art.

Suddenly, he moved.

The figure blurred suddenly, like a thin mist blown away by the wind.

The scene shifts to the young man leading the Mist Legion in an attack on the enemy's flank.

Slow motion mode activated.

The boy was performing a dance of death, his movements incredibly fluid.

He sidestepped the dense, scorching fireballs, and before his clothes could even fall, his left-hand short blade flashed like a viper's tongue, precisely slicing across the magic-based player's throat, drawing a sliver of blood.

With light footsteps, he glided towards another heavily armored warrior like a ghost.

The warrior roared and swung his giant axe with tremendous force, but only managed to strike an afterimage.

The boy had somehow leaped onto the axe, using the momentum to launch himself into the air. With an elegant somersault, he thrust his right short blade downwards, precisely piercing the gap between the warrior's helmet and shoulder armor.

It landed silently, without even stirring up a speck of dust.

He continued forward, the double blades seemingly coming to life in his hands, each swing drawing a gleaming silver arc.

Parry, dodge, engage, finish... all the actions are performed in one smooth motion, without a single superfluous movement.

The enemy's attacks were always a step behind him; the dense battle formations were like a courtyard he could walk through at will.

Wherever it passed, the enemy fell silently like harvested ears of wheat, turning into wisps of mist and dissipating.

Finally, he stopped and stood in front of the opposing chairman.

Just as the leader of the rival guild raised his warhammer, the young man flashed forward, sheathing his blade and turning his back to the camera, a gentle breeze ruffling his blue hair.

Behind him, the enemy guild leader froze, several fine red lines appearing on his neck before dissipating into mist.

The image freezes on the boy's back as he sheathes his sword and turns around, exuding aloof elegance.

Above his head was the famous game ID: Mist Legion Commander.

The scene shifts again, and the text appears: What is the wrath of nature?
From an overhead view, flames spread through the forest.

The next second, countless emerald green vines burst forth from the ground like giant pythons, entangled and strangled.

The burning trees transformed into fiery tree-men who roared to the sky, and the newly formed forest grew wildly at a visible speed, completely engulfing the enemy battle group.

The screen continues to jump: What is a horizontal push?
The appearance of the Collapse Star Guild earned them the longest solo shot in the highlight reel.

The scene follows the perspective of a giant beast charging forward, with the mages on its back chanting in unison, meteors and lightning clearing a path ahead.

The colossal beast trampled across the land, sending enemy soldiers flying like bowling balls. Accompanied by earth-shaking sound effects, the combination of power and magic was vividly displayed.

After a series of exciting highlights, the words reappear: the decisive moment is in the millisecond.

The following highlights unfold through a series of rapid-fire edits.

Gangpo calmly and precisely opened the "Oath Space" in front of the assassin's dagger and body.

The members of the Tidebound Chapter simultaneously unleashed "Vortex Cage," a perfect coordinated attack that trapped and killed the entire opposing chapter.

An unknown priest from a small guild seized a fleeting opportunity on the verge of a wipe, raised his right fist, and unleashed a group healing spell that turned the tide of the battle, instantly raising the health bar.

These moments earned applause no less than that of top-tier guilds.

The highlight reel ended by showing the leaders of many popular guilds or the flags representing their guilds, before finally focusing on the "Great Flame Demon Lord," the battle formation illusory image activated by the Veterans in this round of the competition when facing a formidable opponent.

The words appeared one last time: A constellation of stars, who will reach the summit?

The short five-minute video instantly ignited the enthusiasm of all the viewers.

The posts on the in-game and out-of-game forums are refreshing at a speed that is almost imperceptible to the naked eye:

[That elegant blade is too much for me!!! Three seconds, I need all the information on that blue-haired guy!]

[A rational analysis: Is the steel torrent of the War Symphony unsolvable? Can the Colossus Guild's absolute defense stop it?] The technical analysis post quickly gained a huge following, with supporters on both sides arguing endlessly.

[The Collapse Star Guild pioneers a brand-new tactical system; mounted casting may become the answer in this version.]

Can the God King defend his title? Place your bets now!

In real-world pubs, plazas, and even in game-related resorts like Rainbow Coast Resort and Dream Island Casino Resort, excited arguments and predictions can be heard everywhere.

Every shot in the highlights was analyzed frame by frame, and the style of each guild was discussed repeatedly.

However, the atmosphere in the chat channels of all the participating guilds was completely different.

After a brief highlight reel, they began analyzing data and tactical scenarios for other popular guilds.

"Record the magic resistance data of the Collapsing Star Beast and analyze its weakness in coordinated spellcasting."

"We need to find ways to control high-speed single-unit bursts."

"The optimal solution for simulating a direct impact of a war symphony..."

The passion to witness the legend burns in the hearts of the audience, while the cruel elimination mechanism weighs on the shoulders of every contestant.

They knew perfectly well that this amazing compilation was merely an appetizer before the main course.

The brilliance captured by the camera is both a jewel in the crown and a target of criticism.

A completely transparent viewing experience makes it easy for potential opponents to study one's own tactics.

The more famous it is, the more thoroughly it is studied.

The real battle has only just begun.

Each subsequent round will be an even more brutal elimination tournament, with only stronger opponents to face.

Hidden cards will be forced to be revealed one by one, and stockpiled tactics will be squeezed to the limit in round after round of confrontation.

In the star-studded night sky, only the most brilliant star can reach the pinnacle and become a unique legend.

After the battle, the major guilds became even busier, knowing that only by knowing themselves and their enemy can they win every battle.

The one-hour break ended quickly.

[Challenger's Note: The second round of the Summit of Stars competition has begun, and teams are being matched with opponents...]

The prompting tone rang in the ears of every contestant, and the wheel of fate turned once more.

At this moment, whether it's a top guild aiming for the championship or a rising star guild intending to make a comeback as a dark horse, everyone is waiting for their fate to be decided.

The wait was short, but it felt incredibly long.

"Match complete!"

The moment the challenger notification sounded, the match list in the spectator mode refreshed like a waterfall, unfolding with a roar.

The new matchup chart quickly became the focus both inside and outside the game.

At this moment, all the participating guilds were enveloped by teleportation beams and entered the arena.

【Shoals of Bones - Battlefield】

As the teleportation light faded, a battle group of less than five hundred people appeared.

Compared to those well-organized large guilds, they seemed out of place.

The leader was a young man wearing a moon-white robe.

The robe was embroidered with intricate patterns in silver thread, which shimmered faintly in the dim, shallow water.

He had long, silvery-white hair like a waterfall, a handsome face that was almost otherworldly, an indifferent expression, and an otherworldly air that seemed out of place on the battlefield.

The members of the warband standing behind him changed drastically, dressed in equipment that looked like it had been pieced together from different eras. Some sported exaggerated afros and wore leather armor studded with rivets, while others wore futuristic mechanical exoskeletons with runic battle axes slung over their shoulders.

Even more extreme, some wear fluffy mascot costumes, revealing only a pair of gleaming eyes.

Upon entering, the members of the battle group displayed various postures; some lazily yawned, while others excitedly looked around, exuding a strong non-mainstream vibe.

At that moment, their opponents appeared on the other side of the shoal.

The fluttering banners identified them: the Dragonblood Knights.

A highly disciplined and resolute elite guild of 5,000 members.

When the guild leader "Blood Dragon" saw the group of strangely dressed opponents, a hint of surprise flashed across his resolute face. But when his gaze focused on the silver-haired figure at the head of the group, his pupils suddenly contracted.

At this moment, the battle group commander beside him stepped forward:

"Boss, I have good news and bad news."

"The good news is that the opponent has very few people, less than five hundred. We have an overwhelming advantage in numbers. The bad news is that the opponent's leader is the God of Magic, the current record holder in the Ancient God Arena, the former top scorer in the newbie challenge, the owner of the Destiny Casino, the fastest-growing player on the forum... and one of the candidates for the strongest player. One person is enough to defeat a thousand troops."

"I'm not blind, I can see it." Blood Dragon glared at the commander, then looked up again at the front.

Silver hair, silver eyes, and a signature indifferent expression—he had naturally heard of the name "Throat of Rebellion."

He is hailed as the strongest mage in the forum and is the idol of all magic-based players.

Even within their guild, there are many fans of Nimingzhihou who have learned a lot of practical knowledge from his forum live stream classes.

This time, they've drawn a tough opponent.

Although the opponent has a small number of players, the strength of the Throat of Rebellion is overpowered.

In this round of confrontation, we're likely to get blown up.

Blood Dragon took a deep breath, turned around and glanced at the five thousand brothers who were standing by in battle behind him, then looked at the silver-haired figure on the other side of the shallows, a resolute look flashing across his face.

He opened the guild chat channel, and his voice clearly reached the ears of every member:

"Brothers, it seems our luck isn't so good. We've run into a brick wall... You all know who's standing on the other side."

A moment of silence fell over the channel.

The name "Throat of Defying Fate" itself is a source of pressure.

"But!" Blood Dragon's voice suddenly rose, carrying an undeniable firmness:
“There are countless eyes watching us now, mocking us for how we should face this God of Law. We will probably be defeated very soon.”

"Losing is not terrible. We, the Dragonblood Knights, are a battle group that fought our way out of the monster world's mountains of corpses and seas of blood. What haven't we seen? If we are afraid before the battle even begins, we will only lose the backbone and fighting spirit of the Dragonblood Knights."

"Today, victory or defeat is no longer important. We want all the spectators, and even the Throat of Destiny himself, to remember the name of our Dragonblood Knights. With our charge, we will tell them: the Dragonblood Knights may be defeated, but they will never retreat without a fight."

"Everyone has it!"

Clang!
Blood Dragon abruptly drew his blood-red blade from his waist, pointing it diagonally towards the sky. Sunlight reflected off the blade, and he roared with all his might:

"Charge with me, let's fight with spirit!"

A brief pre-battle declaration instantly ignited the fighting spirit of all members.

The roar of five thousand people instantly dispelled their dejection and transformed into a murderous aura that soared into the sky.

The players who had taken damage rushed to the front of the battle, ready to charge, and the support players promptly provided buffs.

The next moment, the steel torrent began to flow.

The Dragonblood Knights abandoned tactical confrontation and poured all their strength into this charge.

Their combat boots crushed the bones and gravel on the shallows, the earth roared, and the entire shoal trembled under their charge.

Like a surging tide of metal, they charged fearlessly toward the silver-haired figure and the group of quirky players behind him.

They wanted to uphold the dignity of the Dragonblood Legion in front of this Archmage.

Faced with the overwhelming torrent of steel that surged like a landslide and a tsunami, the indifferent expression on the face of the Throat of Destiny remained unchanged.

The silver pupils calmly watched the approaching Dragonblood Legion.

Just as the vanguard of the Dragonblood Knights was about to step into the 500-meter threshold, the Throat of Destiny softly uttered a single word:

"Come on."

The next second, the five hundred members of the Dragon Sparrow Battle Group, each with their own distinct style, moved.

A member of the Fate Clan dressed in a mascot costume was the first to act, pulling out a seven-colored magic wand from his spatial bag and playfully tapping it at the charging knight.

"Raise the stage."

Rumble!
Directly in front of the Dragonblood Knights' charge, a large area of ​​the shallows of bones suddenly rose up and folded, like a scroll being kneaded by an invisible giant hand, instantly forming a twisted wall tens of meters high, covered with jagged bone spikes, forcefully cutting off the arrow of their charge.

"Break through head-on, take the damage and get through it!" Blood Dragon roared in the guild channel.

"Space, folded."

A player with an afro from the Fate race made a squeezing motion by pressing his hands together.

On the right, a section of space began to distort and fold like a mirror. The injured players, who had been trying to break through from the front, were surprised to find that instead of advancing, they were being pushed back rapidly.

“Mirror image, corridor.”

On the other side, the runic battle axe on the shoulder of the player wearing a mechanical exoskeleton floats up, the axe blade spinning at high speed, cutting through the air and creating shimmering spatial rifts.

Some tanky players charged headlong into the fray, only to be instantly thrown out from the other side of the battlefield, their formation completely scattered, and they collided with the players in the middle.

But the Dragon Sparrow Squad's performance was not over yet.

"Gravity, reversed."

Behind the Throat of Rebellion, a girl wearing an exaggerated wizard's hat lightly jumped up and then hovered half a meter off the ground, head down and feet up.

"biu~"

Make a firing signal towards the Dragonblood Legion ahead.

As she moved, a large array of spirit patterns rapidly drawn with mental energy rose from the ground in the core area of ​​the charge.

Players affected by the massive formation found themselves freed from gravity, uncontrollably floating into the air before crashing heavily into their companions.

"Phase, teleportation, the show begins." A member of the Dragon Sparrow Clan activated a teleportation portal.

Those seemingly lazy members of the Dragon Sparrow Battle Group entered one after another and began to show their unique skills.

Protected by elemental shields, they traverse the skies above the Dragonblood Legion, unleashing wide-range elemental bombardments at close range.

There were no brutal clashes throughout, only complete domination and toying.

The Dragon Sparrow Battle Group, consisting of five hundred members, utilizes their incredible abilities to manipulate space, gravity, and elements, transforming the battlefield into a dazzling stage for a grand performance.

The tragic charge of the five thousand Dragon Blood Battle Group players became the backdrop for this performance.

Spatial magic, which players need to spend years, or even more than a decade, to master, is like clay in the hands of the Dragon Sparrow Warband, easily twisted, folded, cut, and reversed.

The Dragonblood Knights possessed immense power and unwavering courage, yet they struck at nothing every time.

The momentum that had been building up was dissipated by the absurd trickery.

Like a giant beast caught in a spider web, struggling desperately, yet becoming increasingly powerless.

Throat of Rebellion remained standing still throughout, its silver hair fluttering in the turbulent airflow.

He looked ahead calmly, as if everything was part of his script.

This mismatch between the two sides ended much faster than anyone expected.

As the last Dragonblood Chapter player, suspended in mid-air, was tormented by the reversal of gravity, collided with his pet mount, and vanished into mist, the challenger notification sounded immediately afterward:

[Challenger's Announcement: Battle Over: Dragon Sparrow Legion wins!]

After a brief silence, the spectator channel exploded.

The barrage of comments flooded the live stream screen like a tsunami.

"Holy crap! What kind of god-like team is this? They completely crushed the opponent. Five thousand people were treated like toys by five hundred people. It's so amazing it makes my scalp tingle."

"That girl who reversed gravity is so cute, but also so scary. She kills people so casually."

"Spatial folding? Phase teleportation? How can they use these spatial spells like they're throwing cabbages around? I've been studying spatial spells in the library for almost two years, and I can barely manage short-distance teleportation. Are they even human?"

"All of them are now confirmed to be powerful. Where did the Throat of Rebellion find so many monsters? They are terrifyingly strong."

The comments section was filled with amazement, admiration, and disbelief.

The Dragon Sparrow Battle Group proved their strength with a victory that could only be described as an exhibition match.

But how the Throat of Rebellion assembled such a terrifying fighting force, whose members were all proficient in profound magic, became the biggest mystery in the minds of all the spectators.

The teleportation beams began to envelop the Dragon Sparrow Battle Group.

The Throat of Rebellion took one last look at the somewhat chaotic battlefield, then turned around, its moon-white robe tracing an elegant arc before disappearing into the light.

The members behind him high-fived each other or made various funny gestures, and then turned into streaks of light and disappeared.

After the match ended, viewers in the live stream moved on to other popular live streams to continue watching the game.

(End of this chapter)