Return Of The Strongest Player

"Come at me," Aryan spoke in an intimidating tone, waving his sword around as if it were a toy, patiently awaiting the assault of the newbies. The newbies glanced at each other, uncertain of what to do.

At that moment, a gust of wind swept by, representing Jenny's body as she rushed towards Aryan. The latter revealed a toothy grin, welcoming her approach by assuming a stance to contest it.

Aryan's longsword shot towards Jenny's face, but was parried by a light swing of her sword. The two exchanged blows rapidly. It was obvious that Jenny was struggling, even though the two were on par in terms of strength and speed.

Aryan had restricted the power of his body as well as his mana output. 

"What are you guys doing?" Aryan inquired, glancing at the other newbies, who jolted awake as they heard their instructor's voice. "Come at me. All of you, at the same time. You can use mana, too."

Using mana during a battle with pure swordsmanship….

Arthur cracked a smirk. 'He's quite bold.'

If someone restricted his power output to that of a newbie faced by other newbies who had access to mana, even a Ranker would eventually fall. A player's power was based on their body and magical capabilities.

The soul was involved, too, but Rankers did not have access to such power.

As the newbies processed the situation, they rushed towards Aryan. Mana spilled from their weapons as they clashed with Aryan, who either deflected their attacks with ease or simply evaded them.

Aryan was like a stray cat, unable to be caught by even the masses. He was agile, and could find an opening even in the most closed spaces.

"Hey, you attack from the left, I'll take the right!"

"No, I'll take the right!"

"You dumbasses don't know how to cooperate and coordinate a battle! Listen to me, you fucking bastards!"

"Why're you getting so angry?"

"Just shut up and follow me."

"No."

"Um… guys, can I take the rear. I don't want to be on the frontlines."

"Are you scared? We don't need someone like you, anyway!"

Arthur shook his head, watching from afar. He was simply observing Aryan's movements and fighting style, allowing the other newbies to exhaust the Ranker. Eventually, he would succumb to his weak body's capabilities.

That was when Arthur would strike. 'But, can these guys even wear Aryan down?'

Their coordination was absolute shit. Not only couldn't they decide which position to take, they were hacking away continuously, refusing to think about where Aryan was most vulnerable, and what position to force him in.

'This is why Aryan was so confident,' thought Arthur. 'He realized this.'

Most people were incompetent… but that didn't mean everyone was. There were some who were well-versed in such situations, and were trying to assemble the other newbies, trying to rule.

'Jenny, and that guy named Oliver…' Arthur stroked his chin. 'Those guys are the only people who are not only somewhat powerful, but also realize the immensity of Heaven and Earth. They aren't trying to rule over the others, and are simply hacking away at Aryan using their own critical thinking.'

Not that that was working, either.

Suddenly, Aryan's gaze fell on Arthur. His smirk deepened, and he wagged his index finger, as if daring the crimson-eyed man to come forward. Arthur didn't react for a few seconds before shaking his head.

He finally unsheathed Skofnung. As crimson energy swirled around the sword, it exuded a faint corrupted aura. Jenny's gaze fell on the approaching Arthur, and her eyes narrowed in response. 

'Cold,' thought Jenny. A cold aura was approaching. Her skin prickled as Arthur approached, his entire existence drowned in mana. 

"All of you," Arthur spoke in a deep voice. The newbies turned to face him, and their expressions of confidence crumpled as they stared into his flashing, crimson eyes that seemed to be the epitome of authority. "Behind me."

"Why should we?"

"Yeah, who are you to order us?"

"Fuck off."

Arthur simply revealed a gentle smile. "Behind me. At the count of three," he spoke once again, and the aura surrounding his eyes thickened.

The newbies swallowed before hesitantly lowering the intensity of their attacks. Then, they escaped the battlefield, lining up behind the crimson-eyed man. There were some who didn't comply, but Arthur couldn't care less.

"Those who are currently fighting, continue," said Arthur. "All of you that are behind me, surround Aryan, but do not engage. Even if you get hurt, do not lay a finger on that man. However, do not allow him to escape the encirclement."

The newbies who were behind Arthur nodded, although with indignation. They quickly surrounded Aryan, who immediately tried to escape. 

However, he wasn't allowed, no matter how much he hit the newbies. They simply stood there, tanking the attacks with rage vivid on their faces. They were unconsciously bowing their heads to a mere newbie.

But that newbie, at that moment… his aura seemed more ferocious than that of Aryan.

'What the fuck…' Aryan muttered internally. He couldn't escape. Not only was he confined, the ones who didn't comply with Arthur's orders continued to chase after him, leaving him defenseless for a few moments.

At that moment, shivers shot down his spine, and his head turned to face the approaching calamity.

His eyes were like that of a devil's, yet his expression was like that of an angel.

This was the Lord of Sins.

Boom!

Before Aryan could blink, Arthur closed the gap, swinging Skofnung and the swirling mana storm around it. His footsteps were soft and practically undetectable, and Aryan's reduced perception abilities did not help.

Aryan's expression crumpled, and he quickly parried Skofnung. However, the falchion wasn't one to allow its prey to escape. With a quick slash, it delivered a shallow cut to Aryan's face, drawing first blood.

Suddenly, as Aryan was about to attack, Arthur widened the distance between them.

It was only after a few milliseconds that Aryan realized what the latter did.

'The others… I forgot about them.'