CHAPTER 227: Contagious smile
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Soon, Dante noticed his fatal injuries had vanished as if they had never existed in the first place.
He ran his hands over his body, feeling smooth, unbroken skin where gaping wounds had been moments before. Overwhelmed with disbelief, he looked up at Jay, his voice trembling as he asked, "How am I still... alive?"
Jay extended a hand, his eyes steady and reassuring. At Jay's subtle gesture, Dante instinctively lifted his arm, feeling the strength and steadiness in Jay's grip as he was pulled to his feet.
The world spun slightly, but Jay's hold kept him grounded. Jay didn't mention anything about the skill
He wrapped an arm around Dante in a firm but comforting side hug, a gesture so uncharacteristic it left everyone watching stunned.
"You can thank your Innate Talent for that. Welcome back," Jay said, his voice filled with a warmth that matched the genuine smile spreading across his face.
Dante was taken aback by Jay's unexpected display of affection. He stood there, rigid for a moment, before relaxing. He didn't resist the embrace and returned the hug.
The sudden change in Jay's demeanour wasn't just surprising to Dante; it sent ripples of shock through the Earth's Alpha Chosen, who stood nearby. They exchanged bewildered glances, their expressions giving way to surprise.
They had never seen Jay exhibit such a genuine smile. It was a smile that radiated warmth, relief, and a rare glimpse of the person hidden behind the cold exterior.
Akor widened his eyes and whispered to himself, "To think Liege has such a contagious smile."
Meanwhile, Felarial was just as astonished as the others, if not more. His surprise, however, stemmed from a completely different source.
He had regained consciousness only a minute ago, his eyes widening in shock as he discovered the gaping hole that once stretched from his chest to his waist had vanished. He ran his fingers over his now unblemished skin, struggling to comprehend the miracle before him.
Not only was he physically restored, but even more astonishing was the repair of his terminally damaged Spirit Pool.
Felarial had spent years searching for a remedy, enduring countless disappointments, and now, in an instant, it was resolved.
He was no longer confined to the lower ranks of Tier-4; the prospect of reclaiming his prime and surpassing it now seemed within reach.
His initial surprise quickly gave way to even greater astonishment as he felt a surge of power coursing through him. His Innate Talents, both Fire and Wood, had leapt from Grade-7 to Grade-10.
It was a feat that defied all logic, something he had never dared to imagine. His understanding of these elements deepened profoundly, making the once-distant goal of achieving Stage-10 Mastery for both a tangible reality.
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Although it might take him time to reach such heights, the potential to become more powerful than a typical Tier-10 lifeform was now within his grasp.
The path to becoming a Sovereign lay open before him, illuminated by the newfound strength and potential of his talents.
The Unique Innate Talent he had acquired through Inheritance had offered him a sliver of hope to reunite with his wife and child. Yet, everything changed with the acquisition of two Grade-10 Innate Talents.
Felarial's heart swelled with anticipation as he envisioned power-leveling his way to Tier-7 and then advancing to Tier-10.
He couldn't fathom the existence of someone capable of bestowing such extraordinary abilities, but his gratitude for being on the receiving end was boundless.
Felarial's mind raced with possibilities and a renewed sense of purpose; each breath he took filled with a mixture of disbelief and elation.
His amazement was short-lived, however, as he noticed Dante's Fortune Path turning translucent—a clear sign of impending death. Shocked, Felarial struggled to understand how Dante, the Holy Son of Fate, could meet such a sudden and grim fate.
Before he could process it, Felarial's gaze shifted to Jay's Fortune Path. To his astonishment, there was none. Not a single trace of its existence. Felarial had never encountered such a phenomenon.
Every living being, even the deceased, possessed a Fortune Path. But not Jay. It was as if Fortune itself had no governance over him.
Numb with disbelief, Felarial watched as Dante defied death, recovering completely in less than half a minute.
Despite his extensive knowledge of the universe and the hidden realms, Felarial couldn't make sense of the miracles unfolding before him. The events of the past hour felt like a surreal dream.
Meanwhile, Kasim rushed to Dante, enveloping him in a bear hug, tears streaming down his face. "We thought we lost you there... sob... sob..."
Dante struggled to breathe under Kasim's tight embrace. Despite his discomfort, he understood Kasim's relief.
Besides Jay, Dante was closest to Kasim, who had taken his near-death experience the hardest. Though more reserved, the others couldn't hide the joy on their faces.
On the other side of the battlefield, Jay approached Olivia, who stood still, guarded by Sergei and three of MJ's corpse-integrated monsters.
He sensed Olivia was on the verge of achieving Stage-4 Mastery and gave her a push as he joined her in comprehending Soul Mastery.
From experiencing the memory of Kay's advancement to Stage-4, Jay had a gist of the process.
Their combined efforts doubled the speed of comprehension. Within ten minutes, both Jay and Olivia opened their eyes; their irises glowed with a golden hue.
A surge of mental power radiated from them, washing over everyone within a kilometer radius, overwhelming them.
Everyone, except Felarial, felt vulnerable under the unconcealed soul pressure. It was as if Jay and Olivia could end their lives with a mere thought. Sensing the unease among them, they quickly withdrew the overwhelming aura.
The new power-up was a useful addition for Jay, making him more well-rounded and a formidable counter against Urzo's 'Possession'.
Olivia, on the other hand, was overwhelmed by the qualitative leap in her power. The transition from Stage-3 to Stage-4 wasn't just a step; it was a giant leap from Minor to Major Mastery.
After taking a moment to assess her enhanced abilities, Olivia delved into Sergei's memories, absorbing everything that had transpired in her absence.
Learning of Jay's feats, she was just as awe-stricken as the others. Her enlightenment had rendered her immobile during a critical moment, leaving her feeling guilty.
She mentally apologized to Jay, 'Sorry, I wasn't there when my presence was needed the most.'
Jay waved off her concern, 'Don't dwell on it. Everything fared well in the end.'
With the situation under control, Jay's mind wandered to the end of Day-10. He wondered if the Tournament rewards would rise corresponding to the difficulty of the unforeseen situation.
His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by two streaks of fire piercing the atmosphere, hurtling directly toward the Tournament Island.
Jay's eyebrows furrowed as he watched the fiery trails blaze through the sky, realizing these were no meteors.
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