I Became The Mafia Boss Inside The Novel

Chapter 73 Garuda vs Six Prodigies (1)

The atmosphere was tense and silent.

Garuda was quiet and still, but everyone could feel the suffocating pressure he continuously emitted. His eyes were dark red, brewing with rage.

He was like a predator disturbed from its slumber, eyeing the rest as though they were insects—prey to be devoured.

After a few seconds, Garuda sighed and muttered lightly.

"Ha… It was my first mission of a hundred years, I never expected to be disgraced like this after coming out of hell…"

Hearing that, every participant felt the pressure thicken. If his appearance was not enough evidence, then his words certainly were.

"Hahahahahaha, most importantly… the reason I failed is because of a bunch of brats? A bunch. Of. Brats."

Garuda couldn't help but chuckle in disbelief over the situation. He had thought of the possibility of failure, but he never imagined it would come from mere brats.

"If I dare… to report this kind of failure to the higher-ups, they'll revoke my noble title. Heheha, hehe…."

After that, he would return to his former 'unblessed' status and be one of the prey amongst the predators of fiery hell.

Forget about being mocked for his failure, he was certain to die if his baron title were ever to be revoked.

He had made too many enemies in the past centuries. It was to the point he couldn't even count them anymore.

Thinking about it, Garuda felt his anger rise as his body incessantly trembled. He tightly clenched his jaw.

Garuda was a Demon of Pride—he symbolized and wielded the sin of Pride itself. The fact he was going to fail because of some brats…

And to add insult to his laughable failure, during this mission, he even willingly let his pride down for Lance to infiltrate the academy easier…

And yet, he still failed.

Garuda could only smile helplessly. Then, he laughed.

"Hehe, haha, hehehe hahaha! Hahahahaha! I have never been this angry ever since centuries… The rage. The sheer humiliation…! I'm gonna—"

Before Garuda could finish speaking, a sharp flash suddenly flickered. It was fast. Unreasonably fast. Only a second later did everyone see it was a sword.

Swoosh!

Rain's pupils dilated. The sword in his hand managed to land, but…

Garuda looked at where he was attacked. Slightly above his waist, the sword was there—seemingly stuck and unable to cut through his flesh.

It could only let down a small wound, an ant bite at best and a paper cut at worst. It cleaned and regenerated itself right after.

'Absolute Sword Strike 'didn't even cut through?! Just how…'

While Rain was thinking, a blur suddenly appeared beside his head and slapped him away like he was a bug!

"Since I failed my mission anyways... I'll just kill all you brats! I'll start with you… who caused me to fail my mission. I'll kill you, cut your limbs, and devour you. That's the only way to satiate my anger!"

Garuda growled. Without hesitation, he turned into a blur as he dashed in towards the direction Rain was blown away.

In a split second, Garuda was before Rain's body.

"Rain!"

"Violetstar"

Sumi Aethereal and Elizabeth Truensoest were the first ones to react.

Elizabeth's eyes were crystal clear. She softly raised her hands, and several white tiny figures floated in the air as they guided Rain to somewhere.

Before Garuda could attack, Rain was suddenly carried away by a sudden gust of heavy wind. While the demon was slightly pushed away.

"Huh… Wind Spirits, I haven't seen one since fifty years ago when we ravaged that summoner world. It seems summoners still exist even now."

Garuda looked at the white spirits calmly and didn't resist. He smiled before turning his gaze to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth looked back with hardened eyes, filled with resolve and determination. He couldn't help but think she was particularly attractive.

'Hm? What's this? A charming skill, perhaps..? How devious.'

Garuda knitted his brows. It reminded him of a horrible species in hell. While he was reminiscing, a flickering sound resounded.

Swoosh!

He raised his arm and caught a flying arrow with his bare hands. The arrow was imbued with frost, freezing his thumbs.

At that moment, Sumi's eyes flashed a green light. Blood suddenly came out of her pupils, trailing down her cheeks.

Facing the recoil, she couldn't help but stagger in disbelief.

"Be careful everyone…! This demon has the strength equivalent to a genuine C rank Ranker… No, perhaps even stronger!"

Hearing that, everyone's expression immediately changed. There were different definitions of C rank strength.

For example, beast emperors were known to have 'C rank strength' because a normal D+ ranker would not be able to deal with them easily.

However… that was merely a false generalization.

The true 'C Rank strength' was beyond that. It was unbeatable and so powerful that it surpassed common sense.

Even fifty D rankers might not be able to kill a C Ranker.

A C Ranker was in a completely different spectrum. In human terms, true C rankers could be equated to "real superhumans" that can destroy towns and villages.

Mutated beasts were usually unable to reach this level of strength or evolution, unless they were born with a strong bloodline and become a beast god.

In contrast, humans with their potential can access this level of power—C Rank—more easily with fewer restrictions.

Through fulfilling the rank progression, humans can achieve qualitative evolution of life order and become above others.

However, this kind of 'evolution of life' only occurred after stepping into the next rank after the advancement.

Otherwise, even if the Ranker were to have attributes or strength that surpassed their rank, they would not be able to show the extent of their power.

It's unknown if such evolution happens to other species as well. Although some signs point out that other species also evolve, their methods remain elusive for humanity.

That's why although mutated beasts far surpassed humans in population, humans still reign supreme in the remnant lands.

The difference in qualitative strength was massive.

If Garuda had the equivalent strength of a C Ranker or more, then there was almost no chance for them to win.

"We're dead…"

Andrea and Juris, who were watching everything unfold, trembled and fell to the ground in fear. They could do nothing but wail in despair.

…

While everything unfolded, Lance was looking at Garuda emptily. His pupils were callous, and deep, as though void of any emotions.

'Once again, my mistaken trust failed me and led everyone to danger… there's always the twist in the end, foolishness, Lance.'

He looked up at the sky with a sigh. He shook his head, before imbuing Noble Lights to himself and his spear.

At that moment, he was embroidered with golden light. His figure shone in heaven's glory, attracting everyone's attention to him.

With a disinterested tone, Lance let out a tired sigh.

"I'll… finish what my incompetence started. I should've known this was eventually going to happen. Back off, everyone."

Everyone couldn't help but be in disbelief at his words. The feelings were amplified much more by Andrea and Juris. Their impression of Lance was a cold arrogant piece of shit.

Like any other noble.

But…

Regardless, they had to run. Andrea and Juris, without thinking about it anymore, heeded his words and decided to quickly escape the place.

Garuda keenly noticed them and snapped his fingers.

[Incomplete Territory — Pride]

Then, as though the descent of evil, a devilish aura suddenly rose beneath his feet and extended throughout the battlefield.

Shadows. A dark substance with a glistering scarlet hue, mixed with the bottomless color of the dark abyss, gathered and extended to everyone.

Although Juris and Andrea tried to run, the dark red shadow substance crept up to their back and suddenly grabbed their feet.

Unable to move, Juris and Andrea panicked even further.

Then, Garuda moved towards them and turned into a blur.

Swoosh!

But just as he arrived, a flicker of light appeared before him. It was a golden-haired man with shining yellow pupils.

Lance raised his spear and thrust the spear imbued with Noble Light.

Tshak—!

Garuda's eyes widened in surprise. He originally dismissed the attack as nothing, but as the spear landed on him, he felt pain.

A searing pain coursed through him. Burning, it felt like. He was being burned—excruciating pain—it was as though the spear of light was the nemesis of his existence.

Garuda stared at Lance approvingly.

"I see, I see… I thought you were nothing but an egotistical fool who accomplished nothing in life yet reveled in pride. But… it seems you have the strength to back it up,"

However, Lance wasn't paying attention to him. But towards behind him. It took Garuda a second to learn why.

An immense, indescribable pressure rose suddenly behind him. It was a familiar presence. But the person had changed massively.

Without turning around, Garuda smirked with anger flowing through his body.

"Since when were you standing there… you damn brat?"

Behind him, Rain stood silently with cold eyes.