Rise of the Crusader

151 Tower Finale

“You may now go in.”

Once the twenty contestants were called out, they proceeded into the tower.

And as Raphael stepped into the tower, he didn’t move onto the first level as the others did. Instead, he stared at the surrounding he was in before taking a step forward.

The first level, then the second, the third, and within the blink of an eye, he was already at the seventh level.

“How can this be possible!”

“I know right... It’s almost like he is taking a stroll in the park. This makes no sense.”

The student who had experienced the terror and pressure that was contained in the tower exclaimed as they saw Raphael’s movement.

He made it so easily that it was as though those who were covered in sweat and blood were faking it.

People began to doubt if the pressure in the tower was still the same as the one they experience.

.....

However, seeing other students struggling to get to the next level, it made them convinced that Raphael was the weirdo there.

“Hmm” Teresa’s eyes twitched as she saw Raphael on the same level as her.

Even Teresa had to admit that Raphael’s pace was something else. And as he got to the seventh level, he only glanced at her before moving to the eighth quickly.

The pressure in the tower didn’t seem to have any effect on Raphael, and after moving to the eighth level, he got to the ninth level.

Aliyah had been the one in front, but even she was unable to keep up with Raphael’s pace.

They arrived at the tenth level together, but as he moved towards the eleventh level without a second thought, she had to slow down a little.

“He is a monster.” Audrey, who was on the fifth floor, blurted.

There was a nod of agreement from the others after she spoke.

No other words could explain what any of them were witnessing. Raphael was moving past the levels as though it were very easy whereas it wasn’t.

Raphael arrived at the eleventh level and stared at the surrounding.

Unlike how he had treated the other level, he didn’t step to the twelfth level right away. He placed his hand on his chin and was in deep thought.

“He has finally slowed. I guess he isn’t completely a monster then.”

The young woman had just uttered those words out of her mouth when Raphael advanced to the twelfth floor.

Her mouth opened wide, and she couldn’t help but place her hands on her head.

“Oh... My god!” She exclaimed.

Whether it was the people in the tower or the ones outside, they were shocked beyond boundaries.

Even if Raphael wasn’t able to pass the twelfth level, he had broken the record for being the fastest student to ascend onto the twelfth level.

This was simply inhuman.

And among the people in the domain, the group who were in blown away by Raphael’s stunt was the bet faction.

The members were sweating from all over their bodies.

Those who believed in god and those who didn’t begin to pray that Raphael fails the twelfth level or else they would suffer a fate more cruel than death itself.

“Bro, I know I have never believed in you, but if you grant this prayer of mine, I will sing praises to you every day and night.”

“Please... Let him fail to pass the twelfth level.”

They were on their knees as they prayed for Raphael’s downfall.

Before the odds were made, they had analyzed all the students based on aptitude, skills, and even strength, yet none of them were said to be able to pass the twelfth level.

It was ridiculous to think any would, the eleventh was the limit.

But, seeing how Raphael had moved so easily, they were beginning to doubt the analysis they made.

And if Raphael was to pass the twelfth level, the loss they would suffer wasn’t something they could never recover from.

It was enormous and could as well be said that Raphael winning was shutting their business down.

“Please, let him fail!”

The prayers just kept coming out of the bet faction member’s mouth, one after the other.

Meanwhile, Raphael stood in the same place Jeremy was with his hands folded across his chest.

He was extremely vigilant and as he heard the sound of footsteps, a stern expression appeared on his face.

The gorilla-like appearance beast with gold horns and huge black wings appeared in front of Raphael.

“Roaarrrr!”

As the beast let out a feigning roar that was filled with power and killing intent, Raphael knitted his brows.

He then glared at the beast with a bit of anger evident on his face.

This time around, it was the beast who was dumbfounded. It stared at Raphael and after a few seconds that cold voice of it rang out.

“Are you not scared of death?”

Responding to the beast, Raphael shook his head.

“Of course, I am,” Raphael replied. “Only a fool won’t be scared of death.” He said.

“Then why aren’t you scared of me?” The beast asked.

“Why should I be scared of you,” Raphael said.

The beast paused, “I can kill you with a flick of the hand, that’s more than enough reason to be terrified.”

“You can’t,” Raphael stated right away.

Even though he was standing in front of a six-foot-tall beast who seemed to possess unfathomable power, Raphael was absolutely confident in his words.

“Oh, really,” The beasts said in a sadistic tone.

It then moved closer to Raphael, and as it stared at Raphael from above, there was a devilish grin on its face.

Raphael smirked, “Don’t waste your time. We both know you aren’t capable of laying a finger on me, the least you can do is roar out loud.” He said.

“Y-”

“You’re confined, aren’t you? The academy uses you for many purposes, and one of which is to test the mind of the students.” Raphael said.

“Your powers are already sealed, so I see no reason why I would be afraid of you.” Raphael paused, “And not make you assume I’m confident because I know you can’t do a thing to me.”

“Even if you were at your peak form, you still wouldn’t be able to harm me. Not even in the slightest.”

The beast peered into Raphael’s eyes as he spoke, and what it saw was something it had never witnessed before.

For some reason, it didn’t doubt any of what Raphael said.

“Now, have I passed this, or do I have to prove to you that you can’t lay a hand even if you regain your strength.”