Sparta

[The protagonist was a transmigrator, but he had never watched Invincible before transmigrating. After all, Invincible was a relatively obscure comic and animated series in China, so there were many plot developments he could not change.]

[Please note that this book contains passages involving gore, violence, and similar content. This is normal. If you find them uncomfortable, please skip the passage or chapter.]

[No AI tools were used in writing this book. If you spot any typos, please tag me so I can correct them.]

The Viltrumite Empire.

Sparta stood in the Arena, his chest heaving violently and his breathing growing rapid.

The reason was simple.

He had just turned eighteen today, and next came... the approaching "coming-of-age" test.

The Viltrumite Empire had an ironclad rule: every Viltrumite who reached adulthood had to undergo a test of strength administered by their parents.

During the test, the new adult had to win the approval of either their father or their mother while fighting both at once. Only then would the test end.

But if neither approved, the parents could kill their child during the test without facing any punishment.

Ever since Sparta had learned this several years ago, he had not dared slack off for a moment. He worked to improve his strength every day, terrified that he would die on the day he came of age.

Years of grueling training had nearly killed him.

Although his strength had increased dramatically, he still could not suppress the anxiety and unease deep inside.

Sparta let out a heavy breath, lowered his head to look at his hands, and thought to himself.

Eighteen years have passed since I transmigrated, before I even knew it.

Yes, he was a transmigrator from Earth. Unlike those in typical novels, though, the way he had transmigrated was rather bizarre.

He had lit a cigarette while using the toilet, triggering a methane explosion. In the blink of an eye, he had found himself on this planet.

From the beginning until now, he had lived under the name Sparta.

Truthfully, he hated life here. He disliked the people, hated the laws even more, and loathed even his own parents.

Every Viltrumite here was terribly repressed. They had no emotions, each one like a talking block of wood.

While Sparta's thoughts wandered, a man and a woman flew in from the distance and landed in the Arena.

They wore skintight white combat suits, with the emblem of the Viltrumite Empire emblazoned in the center of their chests.

The middle-aged man had a small mustache beneath his nose, a few white strands mixed into his black hair, and a perpetually stern expression.

The middle-aged woman had shoulder-length hair. With her arms folded across her chest, she swept an openly disgusted gaze over Sparta.

These two were Sparta's parents.

Eric and Zoe.

Seemingly sensing something amiss beside him, Eric cast a cold look at Zoe.

Sparta, meanwhile, stood a short distance in front of them, quietly watching the scene unfold.

There was actually a reason for Zoe's disgust.

Eighteen years ago, Eric had defeated Zoe, then forced himself on her. That was how Sparta had been born.

His mother, Zoe, despised not only him but also his father, Eric.

Although it sounded absurd, this was perfectly normal and commonplace in the Viltrumite Empire.

The strong could do whatever they wanted with the weak, even when it came to having children.

Eric turned his gaze away from Zoe, looked Sparta up and down, and said, "Are you ready?"

"Yes."

"Good."

Without another unnecessary word, Eric instantly put on his battle face. He clenched his fists and shifted his right leg half a step back, adopting the fighting stance used by almost every Viltrumite.

Sparta took up a fighting stance as well, his eyes fixed on Eric with his concentration at its peak.

Three seconds later.

"Begin."

As Eric's voice fell, Zoe struck first, vanishing from where she stood.

A sudden rush of wind whistled to Sparta's left, and he instinctively raised his left arm to block.

His left forearm collided with Zoe's sweeping kick with a dull thud.

Thump!

An invisible wave of air rippled out between them.

Pain flickered through Sparta's arm as the kick drove him several meters back, his soles carving two furrows in the ground. Before he could steady himself, Eric appeared beside him and punched him in the face.

Sparta was knocked to the ground and rolled more than a dozen times before coming to a stop.

"Cough, cough."

He climbed to his feet and wiped the small trickle of blood from his nostrils with the back of his hand.

It was not quite what he had imagined. Although they had drawn blood, it did not hurt much. It was all within what he could tolerate.

"If this is all the strength you have, then your only fate is execution at our hands."

Eric frowned, displeased.

"Again. I can still fight."

Sparta clenched his fists once more. From this moment on, he would fight with the resolve to kill Eric and Zoe.

"Hmph."

Eric snorted coldly. A sonic boom ring burst into existence beneath his feet as he charged at Sparta with his fist raised.

Facing the vicious punch, Sparta twisted aside to dodge while shooting his right fist into Eric's ribs.

The punch sent Eric staggering, a barely perceptible flash of surprise crossing his eyes.

"Interesting, but still not-"

Sparta said nothing. He simply stepped forward, his right fist whistling through the air as he drove an uppercut into Eric's chin.

Eric's unfinished words caught in his throat. The blow lifted his feet off the ground, leaving his body arched backward in midair.

Sparta was not finished yet. He swiftly raised his left arm and bent slightly, swinging his left fist like a massive hammer into Eric's abdomen.

Eric's body folded into a V before smashing a crater into the ground.

A perfect two-hit combo.

Unwilling to let this opportunity slip away, Sparta raised his right leg as if kicking a soccer ball and swung it toward Eric's head.

This next hit was going to be vicious.

Smack!

The attack stopped abruptly as a large hand caught Sparta's ankle in an unshakable grip.

"Have you had enough?!"

Eric roared, swiftly levitating upright through a ninety-degree angle.

Thump!

Thump!

Thump!

"..."

At that moment, Sparta became a weapon in Eric's hand as Eric held him by the ankle and repeatedly smashed him into the ground.

Each impact sent dust flying into the air.

After an unknown number of blows, Eric finally stopped. He held Sparta high above his head and watched him calmly.

By now, Sparta's face was covered in blood, his arms dangling limply like those of a broken toy.

Yet even in that miserable state, the corners of his mouth curled upward.

Because... the thought of what he was about to do made him want to laugh.

"It seems you've accepted your execution."

Seeing that Sparta was still smiling, Eric felt puzzled, but did not dwell on it.

As far as he was concerned, the outcome was settled.

"Hahahahaha!"

Sparta finally could not hold it in anymore and burst out laughing.

There was always a way out. As long as he wanted to live, he had plenty of options.

Then he clenched his fist and threw a punch.

This time, his target was Eric's... balls!

Of course Sparta knew it was shameless, but survival meant using any means necessary, damn it!

"Aaaaah-!!!!!"

Eric's anguished howl echoed throughout the Arena, desolate and utterly despairing.

He released Sparta's ankle and clutched his crotch with both hands, his legs giving out as he collapsed to the ground.

Tears, snot, and drool streamed from Eric's eyes, nostrils, and mouth.

Pain! So much pain!!

It was a pain most living creatures could not withstand through sheer willpower.

Looking at Eric's miserable state, Sparta instinctively shuddered, feeling a little phantom pain himself.

Judging by his condition, Eric would not be able to fight for a while, which meant...

Sparta turned his gaze toward Zoe, who stood a short distance away watching the show.