Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord-Chapter 395 - Domain Within a Domain

"I know there is at least one lord among your side who has an ability similar to this," the enemy lord continued.

Atlas guessed the man was referring to Tessa, the one who could apply absolute rules within a battle. Those rules could restrict anyone caught inside them, stripping away a major advantage and weakening enemies on a large scale.

But what Atlas was facing now was different. He was standing inside a domain where only two people remained upright. Himself, and this enemy lord.

"But maybe mine is a bit better. Or a lot better," the man went on, raising both of his hands as if proudly presenting something.

"I have three system abilities. I am sure this is the first time you have heard something like that, Atlas."

Three system abilities? Interesting.

"Three SS-Rank abilities that I can switch freely before a battle begins. That is what makes me a lord with extreme versatility. I can crush anyone depending on how I choose to face them. Now, you may show that amazed look, Atlas. Is this not incredible?"

"Three SS-Rank abilities is certainly impressive," Atlas replied calmly. "No wonder you have never lost a battle before. And I will admit, I am slightly scared, honestly, after hearing that."

Atlas was clearly provoking him on purpose. He wanted this overly confident lord to keep talking, to keep seeking validation by revealing his own power, even though the battle had not truly begun.

"Look around you," the man continued. "This battle between us can only be settled inside this smaller domain, between you and me. Anyone outside is useless. All they can do is watch as their beloved lord gets beaten down in humiliation by his enemy."

"Do you mean your subordinates will watch in shame as I beat you later?" Atlas replied.

"You are truly overconfident," the man snapped. "Where does that confidence even come from? I am level 180," he said loudly and firmly.

"In terms of level alone, I am above you. And you have no idea what will happen to you here. Because I am the one in control. I hold the reins. And right now, you are completely within my grasp, Atlas."

"Interesting," Atlas answered, a slight smirk on his face. "Level 180. That is not too far from my own level. I hope I have enough luck to win this."

Atlas tried to piece everything together. There were two domains at work here.

The larger domain covered the entire island, stripping everyone outside of their power and forcing them to crash down to the ground.

Then there was this smaller domain, locking Atlas and this lord inside it alone.

Whatever was happening outside, Atlas had no way of knowing. The moment he was pulled into this place, all communication with anyone beyond it was completely cut off. That was bad. Very bad.

Still, if this smaller domain was designed as an arena for a one on one duel, then there had to be at least one specific rule binding both of them. A single rule that restricted them equally. And if Atlas could read that rule and truly adapt to it, then the reality was simple. Both of them were under the same influence.

Even though Morvain clearly had a massive advantage by fully understanding the rules, and by starting from a far more favorable position.

In the end, only after the battle truly began would Atlas know how far he was restricted, and how much those rules would shape the outcome of this fight.

Atlas immediately summoned the Legendary grade Wavebreaker Spear. At the same time, an aura of water and golden lightning wrapped around his body.

Not bad. At the very least, Atlas confirmed that he could use all of his items again, and all of his skills had fully returned to normal.

"I see you are really in a hurry, huh?" the enemy lord said calmly. "You do not want to drag out the little time you have left to live? This might be your last chance to breathe easily before you experience the overwhelming destruction of my power."

Atlas did not delay even for a moment. He clenched his teeth hard and burst forward, the distance between them closing in an instant. He dashed across the wild grass and sharp thorns that covered the ground around them. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

A sharp glint flashed in Atlas’s right eye. A massive shadow spilled out from it, spinning violently before shooting behind him. The shadow wrapped itself around his back, forming a tattered mantle that fused with his Nightfall Sentinel Armor Set. His eye returned, now bearing a red pupil with a thin vertical golden line running through it.

Atlas gritted his teeth as lightning surged around his body in that same moment.

The enemy lord quickly took a stance, planting his feet firmly and clenching both fists into a solid martial arts posture.

So this lord fought without any weapons. He was only wearing torn, messy shorts, nothing more.

Interesting.

Atlas gripped the spear tightly, and in the next instant he was already right in front of the enemy lord. He moved with blinding speed and brought the weapon down in an overhead strike. It was brutal and fast, as fast as lightning itself.

The enemy blocked it with his right hand.

A massive burst of energy exploded at the point of impact, shaking the entire domain in a single, violent moment. The shockwave slammed into the transparent walls surrounding them.

Two immense forces collided, yet neither of them was thrown back.

Atlas felt the recoil travel up his arms, and in that instant, he understood one thing clearly.

This lord was incredibly strong.

Atlas moved again. He followed up with a sweep, then a thrust, then another thrust. Yet the enemy lord did not move from his spot. He simply raised his hands, calmly deflecting every single attack.

The overhead strike was stopped with a twist of the wrist. A spear thrust was slapped aside effortlessly. At times, the enemy even caught the spear itself with his bare hands.

Everything happened at terrifying speed.

Then the lord suddenly stepped in, closing the distance and entering Atlas’s attack range. He appeared right in front of Atlas and, with a sharp and precise motion, drove his palm straight into Atlas’s chest.

A heavy impact landed.

Atlas felt his ribs shatter under the force of that single strike.

A thunderous boom echoed through the domain as Atlas was blasted backward. His body flew across the ground, rolling over and over at high speed, unable to stop himself.

At the final moment, Atlas twisted his body and forced himself into a seated position, bracing himself with his right knee as he skidded to a halt.

Atlas’s heartbeat thundered in his ears, his gaze sharpening into something intensely focused in that moment. He tightened his grip on the spear and formed a thin smirk as he wiped the blood from his lips with the back of his left hand.

This enemy lord had truly deflected and blocked every one of Atlas’s attacks as if they meant nothing at all. And worse than that, the man was fast. Incredibly fast. His strikes were terrifyingly powerful.

Had Atlas already caught a glimpse of the rule being applied to both of them, the one that made all of this possible?

Why did his opponent seem many times stronger than he should have been?