A Novel Concept - He Who Eludes Death Chapter 283: The Last Hero of the Hoplites

Standing before the raging sea, the hoplite ditated. Eyes closed, he was synchronizing his heart with the waves reaching the shore. A mass of water crashed violently onto the sand. He could feel the tremors deep in his lungs and the foam kissing his feet. The ocean was both harsh and gentle.

Opening his eyes, he watched the pattern unfold before him. Every seven seconds, a new wave rose, and before it slamd down, it was easy to dive beneath it—Priam had even ntioned the possibility of surfing it. The lesson Kazuki took from this was that water welcod those who respected it but crushed fools who dared challenge its power.

A gust swept through, carrying the ocean salty spray with it. The jealous wind rose, eager to remind everyone that for all its power, water couldn’t touch it. Kazuki smiled. He didn’t share Priam’s deep love for the sea, but he acknowledged its grandeur.

“Sorry for the delay,” ca a voice from behind.

Kazuki turned, surprised. Apart from Jasmine, few could get this close to him without his Concept alerting him. Yet the wind remained silent, as if confused by a rival it couldn’t understand.

He has grown stronger. Priam’s fiery hair had changed color, but the shift went deeper. Kazuki’s Domain struggled to scan his friend, and the titan inside him was behaving strangely. Moreover, none of it seed related to the Achievent he had heard an hour ago.

Hyshana thought Priam embodied adaptation, but Kazuki wasn’t so sure. Adaptation was reactive, while his friend was a force of action. Like a juggernaut, Priam was forging his own path.

That suited Kazuki just fine. With a rival like Priam, he would never grow complacent.

“No worries,” Kazuki replied, pushing aside the stray thoughts. He was here to face his Tribulations—everything else could wait.

“How are you feeling?”

Priam’s eyes were so intense that the question felt anything but casual. Kazuki looked inward, then smiled.

“Impatient to get it over with.”

“You’ll win,” his friend encouraged, giving a thumbs-up—a human custom.

“Of course.”