Chapter 60: Fierce Hand-to-Hand Combat, A Grand Serialization!

The crowd watched intently as a radiant light illuminated the duel cage, casting the two figures within as if they were caged beasts.

On one side, Ugo's body shimmered with a mysterious psychic energy. The sheer power of his psychic abilities caused the very space around him to warp slightly. Flames danced upon his frost-covered blade, a testament to the fury of its wielder.

On the opposite side, Hades wielded a simple training scythe, assuming the most basic stance for such a weapon.

At first glance, there seemed to be a vast disparity in their power.

The descendants of Barbarus in the audience couldn't help but feel anxious.

The more moderate veterans of Terra waited in silence, but the subtle beads of sweat on their faces betrayed their inner tension. Emotionally, they didn't want Hades of Barbarus to win, but logically, a victory for Hades would be the best solution to the stalemate.

They had heard of this new recruit who had fought alongside Mortarion. Rumors had also spread within the 7th Company about Hades severing a Type-3 combat servitor.

At the very least, this newcomer had genuine strength and was also quite courteous.

Moreover, some of the veterans had already noticed that Ugo's current state was not entirely normal.

They had sent someone to notify Chief Librarian Fernando, but it would clearly take some time.

As a Librarian, one should never overuse psychic powers, lest they fall prey to the whispers of the warp.

Ugo, although seemingly lucid now, was at risk given his prolonged high psychic energy expenditure. No one could predict what might happen next!

They all hoped for a swift conclusion.

The duel bell rang mercilessly and loyally.

The duel began!

In an instant, Ugo made the first move, sending a psychic flame towards Hades, who swiftly dodged.

Ugo frowned, but immediately followed up with a psychic pressure, causing the space around Hades to distort.

However, Hades seemed to have anticipated Ugo's move. He jumped just before the pressure hit, using the force to propel himself out of the attack range.

"Psionic pressure? I've had my fill of that on Barbarus," Hades thought.

Changing his trajectory, Hades moved towards Ugo with an unpredictable rhythm.

Ugo swung his blade again, flames erupting from its tip.

Thinking Hades wanted to get within the range of his scythe, Ugo smirked. "You think I'll retreat and increase the distance between us?"

"No, I won't."

Ugo, a seasoned close-combat fighter, had never let anyone get close to him before. Before becoming a Librarian, he was a regular champion of the dueling cage.

Ugo intentionally slowed his flame attacks, trying to lure Hades closer.

All of this happened in mere moments.

Realizing Ugo's intentions, Hades smirked. "You want to bait me into a sword fight? Yes, I'll engage in close combat, but not the way you imagine!"

Suddenly, Hades leaped forward, his massive frame hurtling towards Ugo like a missile.

Ugo scoffed. Such a long jump was a clear invitation for an attack, leaving the jumper vulnerable.

But then, a scythe spun towards Ugo's face!

"What?!"

He threw his weapon?!

Madness!

Caught off guard, Ugo raised his sword to block, hastily erecting a psychic shield.

The scythe, with its immense momentum, shattered the shield and struck Ugo's blade.

Ugo tried to sidestep, but as he did, a fist slammed into his face.

Teeth, blood, and saliva flew.

How?!

Only now did Ugo realize he had completely overlooked Hades' psychic signature, making him unaware of Hades' movements.

He tried to gather his psychic energy to repel the newcomer.

However, the next moment, Hades' imposing shadow loomed over Ugo.

Compared to the stunned Ugo and the audience who could only see their afterimages, Hades was eerily calm.

"I'm sorry, I didn't want this."

With less than two feet between them, Hades didn't slow down but accelerated!

He charged into Ugo, using his momentum to send them both flying. Ugo's sword was knocked from his grasp.

"Boom!"

Ugo crashed into the cage's metal barrier, causing visible cracks.

To the audience, all they saw were afterimages, a flying scythe, and then this scene.

Both fighters were clearly injured by the impact, but Hades, being significantly larger than Ugo, was the first to recover. He grabbed Ugo, using his weight advantage to pin him down.

Ugo tried to gather his psychic energy, but to his horror, he found it stagnant. The areas of his skin in contact with Hades felt as if they were being burned.

Damn, is he an Untouchable?

Have there been cases of Untouchables being transformed into Astartes?

Realizing he couldn't use his psychic powers, Ugo tried to break free from Hades' grip, but he was clearly outmatched in strength.

As Ugo struggled, Hades acted. The two giants wrestled on the ground, with Hades using his weight to keep Ugo pinned.

Break free and use psychic powers!

Don't let him break free and use psychic powers!

Their thoughts intertwined as they grappled, their minds singularly focused.

This was a contest where everything was at stake.

Yet, in the audience, most were dumbfounded. The usual cheers and gasps that accompanied duels were absent.

Everyone stared, transfixed by the unusual duel unfolding before them.

Is... is something off?

On the grand throne, the Primarch's massive form remained still.

"?"

Mortarion slowly typed out a question mark.