Digitize: Rebirth of the Silver Death God

Nero watched as Delkan glared at him sinisterly while he pondered to himself, 'What's he up to now?'

Elly also grew a bit concerned as though she wouldn't admit it; he was still once stepped above her position in the Ranking List.

'This guy... I bet he's going to try and challenge him to some silly little duel, hmph! Such a darn busybody!' Elly said to herself as she glared him.

The room was silent as the crowd observed, but it didn't take long for Delkan to speak to Nero with a strange smile.

"Mr. Silver, since you refuse to back down, then how about a challenge?"

"Pssh, I knew it," Elly muttered with a look of discontent.

The others looked on curiously, wondering what he was up to; Nero didn't seem to be interested in this fellow and his antics, but as if Adult Nero found something amusing, he spoke, "Accept it."

'Why should I? I have to get to training; I don't need to take part in some this guy's drama,' Nero said with annoyance.

Adult Nero smirked as he spoke, "Just do as I say and accept it, trust me it will be worth your while."

Nero had a suspicious look on his face, but in the end, he sighed and stared at Delkan as he replied, "Fine, but only if the terms are good."

Elly gave Nero a surprised look as she thought he wouldn't even speak another word with Delkan, but Delkan's smile grew wide as he chuckled.

A sinister light shone in his eyes as thought to himself, 'Hehe, I will first break your spirit then make you beg to die...'

Having wrapped up his wicked thoughts, he glanced at Nero with a fake-looking smile and spoke, "Good, so you're a man of spirit, don't worry, this challenge won't be hard. We don't even need to fight as I won't lower myself to bullying a non-ranker. We will keep it simple by doing a fair competition. If you can rank a level below or similar to me, you would have won, but if you can't accomplish even that you've lost, how does that sound?"

When the crowd heard these words, gasps could be heard as many of them looked at him with looks akin to staring at an idiot, who didn't know he was top tier ranker?

"Delkan... you're so shameless! Isn't this competition still beyond the limits of non-rankers? How is this any different from you using your high rank to oppress another?" Elly snapped as she pointed her fingers at Delkan.

Delkan frowned at this; he knew that it was risky, but he didn't have any other ideas; he kept his eyes fixed on Nero, trying to ignore Elly's anger.

Nero remained silent for a moment as if he was pondering, but soon, he smirked and spoke, "Oh, and what prize does the winner get?"

The moment Nero spoke, not only Elly, even Delkan was shocked that he was so ready to accept it. He gave Nero a good look while in thought, 'Huh? Is he just a plain fool? Or is he up to something?'

Delkan made a troubled look before he smiled, thinking that even if he had other plans, he wouldn't be able to do anything.

"It's simple, if you win, I will never bother you again and gift you 50 Silver Coins, but if I win, you must lick my shoes and shout that you will never bother Elisha again; how does that sound?"

The crowd felt this to be ruthless enough and thought that no one would be so reckless to take this bet, but Nero merely stared at him with flickering eyes as he raised one finger and spoke, "100 Silver, you will give me 100 Silver and make a public apology to Elly if you lose."

Everyone who heard those words looked at Nero in surprise, even Elly, who was a bit angry that he made such a choice, looked at him strangely.

Her face turned slightly red as she spoke, "Hey... y-you don't have to take up such a silly bet to do something so foolish."

When Elly spoke, she rubbed her fingers together in a fidgety manner and pouted her lips. A few others who know her personally stared at this side of his wonder.

"Ahh, so even the Graceful Tyrant has a such a side..." One youth said with a smile.

"Mm, indeed, I guess it depends on the type of man, only a fierce tiger can sway the heart of a sleeping dragon..." Another person said with wisdom as he made a cheeky smile.

When Delkan heard the onlookers' words, he gripped his fists tighter as he ruthlessly stared at Nero, but after taking a deep breath, he returned to a gentlemanly smile and spoke, "I accept your terms! Let's begin!"

Not waiting on Nero, Delkan hurriedly jumped from this area towards one of the Battle Rings. He then activated the Ranking Challenge causing his ring to transform as he was shrouded by a hazy mist.

Nero didn't even seem to pay Delkan any mind; his attention fixed onto Elly, who was acting cutely. He then shook his head after recovering from his momentary daze, he tried to hide his previous action as he spoke, "Don't worry, I'm not only doing for you but also myself, I could use the extra coins..."

When Nero said this, his eyes seemed to be replaced with Silver Coins as he licked his lips, it appeared that he had already believed that he would be the victor.

'Che! I just knew it...' Elly thought with a slight look of disappointment, but as she recalled his words state she was a part of the reason, she felt a little better.

Nero didn't waste a moment; he walked over to the other Battle Ring and prepared to start his Ranking Test.

Elly wanted to go and test, but she decided to watch and see the results because this event was concerning her.

The onlookers watched him with curious eyes as they wondered what kind of rank he would get; even Bramble Child, Crazy Blade, and Thunder's Daughter were observing with keen eyes.

"Haha, the show's about to get started, it sure took long enough... who do you think will win?" Crazy Blade said as he looked at Thunder's Daughter.

"By all rights, it will be Rampant Ax, but I can't help to expect unusual things from that fellow."

Thunders Dauther replied with curious eyes, her lips curved into a smile.

Crazy Blade also nodded in agreement; he thought Nero was quite interesting.

At this time, Nero had already mounted the empty Battle Ring; the moment he stood on it, a notification sounded in his mind.

____

Ding!

[Welcome Digitizer Nero!]

[Please Choose A Battle Mode:]

[1 - Duel]

[2 - Ranking Challenge]

____

As Nero saw the details, he spoke, "I choose the Ranking Challenge!"

Following his words, the system soon after replied with its mechanical voice.

____

[Mode Requested!]

[Initiating Ranking Challenge in 3, 2, 1!]

____

The instant the countdown finished, a hazy mist enveloped the Battle Ring, shrouding Nero's entire figure from all outside eyes.

Nero smiled at this as he stretched his palm to his side and called out his scythe, a green light flashed as he spun the scythe that formed and lowered his posture adopting the Mowing Twist stance. With sharp eyes he glared at the mist, as the notification once again sounded in his mind.

____

[Ranking Challenge has initiated!]

[Commencing the First Stage, defeat your opponent to proceed to the next level!]

____

As the notification ended, a part of the mist before Nero cleared, revealing a familiar silhouette, a small rounded shaped creature that was even smaller than his knee. Yet, the looks in this creature's eyes were one of ruthlessness as if it was looking at an enemy he hadn't met in a long time.

"Is you!" Nero shouted in alarm as he saw the entity, his grip on his scythe growing firmer as a dense killing intent came from his body.

Adult Nero had a sneaky smile on his face as he watched from afar, his pupils reflecting both Nero's figure and the rounded shaped entity.

'Huhu... I said that you should take the challenge, but I didn't say it would be easy, nor that you wouldn't encounter old adversaries...'

Following his thoughts, the creature's figure became more revealed; it was the Tyrant Slime with its blue jelly-like skin and cute little eyes glaring at Nero.

Suddenly, the Tyrant Slime snickered in a cute tone as its body transformed into Nero's; it adopted a similar posture and faced one arm forward that beckoned him to attack with a smug look.

Nero's eyed boiled with rage, but after taking a breath of fresh air, he calmed himself down while thinking, 'Why am I so worked up? Even if he's back again, I've defeated him before, and this is only the First Stage, humph! From this point, I'll crush him until I reach the Eight Stage, I'll make it so that he will never look down on me again!'

Nero's magic power once more erupted as a murderous will enveloped the entire Battle Ring with those thoughts in mind. His hair rose above his head as his eyes shone in dim red lights.

The Tyrant Slime that had a smug look soon had a change in expression as it saw Nero's shift. A stern look came in its eyes as it knew his former punching bag had grown even more formidable.

It prepared itself to lose a few times before they could have their decisive battle, as the air within the Battle Ring between boy and monster grew tense by the passing of each second...