The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse

The plan was simple: if Klaus's team made it to Alpha first, all of them would enter and continue to a point they had selected on the map. He, on the other hand, would stay behind and thin down the number of their competitors.

The second part of the plan was that if they weren't the first to arrive, they would select their strongest members to fight while the weaker links tried to enter. It was the best strategy they could devise, knowing that the other regions would do whatever it took to stop Klaus's team.

Klaus knew that with 100 people traveling with them, he and his friends couldn't run off as they pleased. They would have to function as a team, and so, as a cohesive unit, they moved at a pace that everyone could benefit from.

But the first obstacle had to be dealt with. The next would depend on how capable they were. In truth, Klaus wanted something bad to happen on the other side of the door so that some of the individuals trying to act bossy would straighten up.

They needed to gain experience the hard way. So, despite the reasoning that since they were the first there, they should use the time to put some distance between themselves and the competition, Klaus just wanted to antagonize Ella's team.

His plan was straightforward: he would show them that no matter the alliances they formed, he alone was enough to stop them.

As soon as the Central Region team appeared, he smiled, knowing they were in for trouble.

"Klaus, what are you trying to do?" Max shouted, nocking an arrow in his bow.

Klaus leaned back in his ice chair, an amused grin stretching across his face as he observed the three legacies and the Central Region team. He could tell some of them were tired, probably due to the battle with the Stone Wolves.

"What's the matter, Max?" Klaus taunted knowing Max was the weakest link. "Afraid you won't be able to handle a little competition?"

Max glared at him, his grip tightening on the bowstring. "This isn't a game, Klaus. We all know what's at stake. You're putting your team at risk for what? A cheap thrill?"

Klaus chuckled, unfazed by Max's anger. "Risk? It's called strategy. While you're busy worrying about me, my team is getting a head start. That's what happens when you underestimate your opponents."

The Central Region team shifted nervously, some glancing at Ella, their leader, while others eyed Klaus warily. They had heard the rumors about him and seen what he could do, so seeing him so relaxed, seemingly unbothered by the weight of the competition, stirred something within them—a mix of annoyance and fear.

"Enough of your games!" Ella stepped forward, her voice commanding. "You think you can take us down? You're outnumbered, Klaus. We're not just going to let you sit there and toy with us."

Klaus stood his mood shifting to coldness. "Outnumbered? That's rich coming from you. Look around. How many of your team members are actually competent? You have a lot of bodies, but only a few true warriors."

Hearing this, they all gritted their teeth in anger. Being called Incompetent sure struck a cord in their heart. Klaus of course didn't care about their expression.

Ella's eyes narrowed, clearly both angry and wary of what Klaus might do. Yet a part of her hoped something favorable might happen. Fortunately for her, a minute later, the Southern team, now reduced to 64 members, appeared.

Soon after, the Northern team arrived with 70 members, followed by the Western team with 72 members. Although their numbers had thinned, Ella was more than happy to have her reinforcements present.

However, her happiness was short-lived when Klaus muttered, "The door will close in the next 5 minutes, and since I'm standing in your way, it's only logical to move me. So why don't you all come? I promise to leave 50 members from each team to advance forward."

Hearing this, their anger boiled to the highest degree, and without waiting for any command, dozens from each team dashed forward, ready to take him down.

But it only sped things up for Klaus. A spear appeared in his hands instead of his sword, and without even stepping forward, he spun it, igniting it with flames. He gazed at them with a smile, then slashed the spear forward.
Experience tales with empire

A wide arc of flame cut through the teams charging at him. Klaus then stepped forward, dashing toward the Western team approaching from the side. Within a few swift movements, he killed a dozen before moving on to the next group.

In just a few seconds, he had finished off about 30 people and returned to his original position. However, as soon as he appeared there, an arrow locked onto him. Klaus smiled, knowing that Max had made his move.

Without even turning towards him, Klaus swung his spear, cutting the arrow in half. Max, seeing his arrow intercepted, was quickly reminded of his performance during their duel when Klaus dodged, caught, and cut through all three attacks.

This, of course, enraged Max. In a fit of anger, he unleashed a flurry of rapid shots, each aimed at Klaus's life. But none of them connected.

Klaus effortlessly defended himself, all while keeping an eye on the few who had yet to make a move. Ella and Ethan remained still, and from the other teams, their leaders hadn't moved either.

He knew they were saving their trump cards for later. This, of course, secretly pleased him for reasons unknown even to himself.

Although they were powerful and he could kill them when it came down to it, doing so early would make the rest of the trial dull. So, in a way, he was doing them a favor by thinning down their numbers first.

The quicker the weak ones were defeated, the more intense the competition would become. Klaus, however, wanted to instill in the minds of the legacies—and everyone watching—what he was truly capable of.

While he didn't mind entertaining them, Klaus was more focused on life-and-death matters, not petty conflicts with his peers. Although it wasn't technically a competition, someone of his danger level didn't need to engage in trivial battles with children from the Legacy Families.

He operated on a higher level—dealing with Great Families, Legacy Families, and even the Five Great Clans. Ella and her cohort were merely a bit of necessary fun while it lasted.

Two minutes later, only 200 people remained—50 from each team, just as Klaus had promised. He smiled and said,

"Use the next few hours to think about what you'll do: continue the trial as competitors, or chase me like a bunch of idiots with no understanding of the danger you're playing with." He ran toward the door while effortlessly deflecting Max's endless stream of arrows.

"Later, losers!" he called out, disappearing through the door. Ella gritted her teeth, watching Klaus's handsome back vanish. Once again, she had lost to him.

"Let's go," she said, resigned. With the door closing in three minutes, all they could do was move forward.

***

As soon as Klaus emerged on the other side, he was greeted by the remnants of a recent battle. He scanned the area for a few minutes, probably waiting for the four teams on the other side. After five minutes passed and no one appeared, he sighed.

"Looks like the Academy doesn't want one team carrying another right after crossing an obstacle," he muttered. With that, he dashed forward, running to catch up with his team.