Catch Me If You Can 5/5
The boss is awesome!
As a completely rejuvenated Atalanta walked past him, Samael winked approvingly.
However, the Huntress seemed not to see him at all. She walked straight ahead, stepped into the arena, and her aura was as clear and sharp as a mountain spring. She assumed a powerful stance and focused intently on the front.
Soon after, the activated Magic Beam shot straight into the sky and exploded in the clouds.
Atalanta sprinted like an arrow released from a bow, quickly leaving the other competitors far behind and taking a commanding lead.
This is not good! The boss seems to be serious.
Upon seeing this, Samael's breath caught in his throat.
The current situation clearly doesn't match the script we agreed on last night.
So, we have no choice but to get serious?
The ancient serpent first sighed helplessly, then its eyes blazed with fierce flames, and its lips unconsciously curled up, forming a joyful arc.
In an instant, the muscles beneath his clothes contracted and pulsated like a venomous python, and he seemed like a ferocious beast awakening, stamping his feet and running wildly forward.
The howling winds all around stirred up billowing dust, creating a terrifying scene that caused onlookers on both sides to cough frequently, and gasps and shouts came from their seats.
On the stands, Heracles stared at a figure among the contestants clad in sealed armor, his expression strange, lost in thought.
That build... it looks kind of familiar.
The competition unfolded fiercely, with the athletes running wildly outside the city, their hearts pounding with fear and excitement, their faces flushed, and the veins on their bodies bulging like earthworms as they desperately chased after their pursuers.
That's right, to participate in this competition, you have to give it your all to get a ticket.
The land in Greece was limited, and not all Divine Kin were fortunate enough to acquire their own kingdoms and territories. Not all humans were able to break down the social barriers between commoners and nobles.
If they win, they can not only have beautiful wives, but also potentially become the heirs of the Kingdom of Arcadia. For most participants, this is a chance to rise to the top in one step.
Therefore, even though Atalanta's harsh condition was that those who lost would all give up their lives, people still came in droves to challenge her.
Having come to this competition, they are all prepared to give it their all, whether they are confident in their own strength, hoping for a lucky break, or are prepared to fight for victory.
Therefore, this long-distance race was far more intense and heated than the Olympus fought for honor.
In the blink of an eye, hundreds of people had passed the starting line and crossed the capital of Arcadia, rushing towards the next stage of mountains and dense forests.
However, fate is not a synonym for good. No matter how hard you try, sometimes talent is far more important than effort.
Ordinary people who take a chance and take a chance are the first to fall behind.
Some of them tripped and fell, injuring their fascia, crying out in grief and fear; others tumbled down steep mountain paths, breaking bones and tearing tendons, screaming and groaning in agony...
Before the Divine Kin and skilled warriors could even mock the overconfident fools of the eliminated contestants, they soon tasted the bitterness of defeat in the third stage of the competition.
This is a complex terrain combining swamps, dense forests, and mountain streams, inhabited by a wide variety of magical beasts. A moment's carelessness can turn you into a monster's meal.
Some fell into the swamp, experiencing the despair of being swallowed up inch by inch in fear; some were suddenly entangled and strangled by demonic plants, becoming food; some were frightened and hurriedly withdrew from Saiyu, but in their escape, they disturbed the nearby demonic beasts and were torn to pieces, skin and bones...
What makes these participants even more miserable is that, in addition to natural threats, there are also endless traps, snares, animal traps and other insidious man-made obstacles on the course.
Amidst the rising and falling screams, one contestant after another was defeated, covered in dust and grime, collapsing to the ground and wailing.
In just half the journey, more than 70% of the contestants were eliminated. After receiving basic treatment from the teams following behind, they were escorted to the capital to await the victor's judgment.
Meanwhile, having dodged attack after attack and closely following Atalanta, Samael glanced at the miserable state of the participants behind him, his eyelids twitching involuntarily, and he cursed wildly in his heart.
Big sister, to avoid getting married, your race across the dangerous Arcadia Mountains is just too hardcore, isn't it?
This Huntress had lived in the Arcadia Mountains since childhood, and no one knew the environment and terrain better than her.
Choosing this venue wasn't the end of it; to ensure everything went perfectly, she even resorted to traps—it's outrageous!
Only by personally experiencing this legendary event could Samael truly understand how strong Atalanta's determination to protect her chastity was.
The Huntress, far ahead, glanced at the miserable state of those behind her, raised her eyebrows, and gave a haughty snort.
"My distant homeland Arcadia, is a place of rugged mountains and towering peaks. I leap and frolic among the rocks. You think you can defeat me in my area of expertise? Men, ha!"
When Atalanta's gaze fell upon the relentlessly pursuing figure, she slowed her pace slightly until she was level with the person.
"Phew! Big sister, I've finally caught up with you. It's just acting, don't take it so seriously, okay?"
Seeing this, Samael breathed a sigh of relief, turned his head resentfully, and couldn't help but complain.
"Kid, I don't have a habit of breaking promises. As promised before, I'll give you a head start."
Atalanta smiled, but in an instant, the huntress's expression turned cold, and her gaze sharpened.
"Remember, you only have ten minutes. Run! Don't let me catch you. If I win, I won't hold back!"
Before Samael could react, Atalanta immediately stopped and stood calmly in place.
Holy crap, they really changed their minds! What exactly happened?
Samael was completely bewildered and wanted to stop and ask for clarification.
Seeing Atalanta with her arms crossed, lips moving as she meticulously counted, the ancient serpent had no choice but to steel itself and charge forward.
Forget it, let's just win this race first, and ask again after we reach the finish line.
Atalanta leaned against a tree beside Sai, silently counting the time as she closed her eyes for a short rest.
In the blink of an eye, a full ten minutes had passed, and only a few scattered people, panting heavily, rushed past her location and caught up with her.
These fools, blinded by power and beauty, actually dare to challenge nature; how idiotic!
When the time came, Atalanta suddenly opened her eyes, transforming into emerald light and shadow, flashing and moving through the forest as swiftly as the wind.
Hmph, run first, I will turn into a whirlwind and overtake you from behind!
In Arcadia, the hunters of the forest will not lose to any outsider!
The racers who had previously overtaken Atalanta had barely had time to feel smug when they suddenly realized that the distance between them and the huntress was rapidly shrinking.
No matter how hard they tried and pushed themselves to their limits, they couldn't change the situation and could only watch helplessly as the running lioness easily passed by them.
In just a few breaths, one... two... three... caught up with the previous eighth person before the overwhelming momentum eased slightly.
Including that guy, there are two left.
Atalanta glanced at the contestant clad in closed armor, her head held high with a proud smile playing on her lips.
Soon, the female hunter seized the opportunity, using a bend in the road ahead to make a small, agile turn, and was about to overtake the contestant in second place.
Just then, a golden, glistening fruit was thrown from the side and rolled to Atalanta's feet, its rich and alluring aroma possessing a captivating magic.