Chapter 41: The Summit of Sovereigns

Chapter 41: Chapter 41: The Summit of Sovereigns The world watched. And the world stirred. The live broadcast of China’s Grand Arena Duel had barely concluded when social networks, hunter forums, government defense agencies, and magic academia across every continent erupted with headlines of disbelief and awe. A single man—Evon Wang—had stood undefeated against China’s top 40 elite Hunters. More than that, he did it with a calm, controlled display of power far beyond traditional classification systems. He wielded forces people had only ever described in myth. It didn’t take long before the ripple became a wave. GLOBAL REACTION Asia– South Korea’s International Hunter Bureau HQ "A second awakening with divine resonance is biologically unproven." —Chief Strategist Joo Hwan, K-IHB Internal Brief "He didn’t even look like he was trying." —Popular streamer ’NightTank’ on HunterNet Live Europe – Vienna Magic Ethics Council Announcement "We cannot accept mythological-level power without global oversight." —CH. Lucia Denholtz, public response to the duel footage North America – Union States Arcane League (USAL) "He overrode a national system... with elemental resonance. That kind of systemic alignment hasn’t existed since the Eclipse Age." —Dr. Pearson Teem, Lead Systems Analyst Africa – Central Sahara Hunter Guard "The Blade of Fate glowed with five essences. Not elements—divinities." —High Shamaness Imari Laku Oceania, South America, Antarctica enclaves... Even neutral territories issued internal alerts. And yet... "Until we see it with our own eyes—until he faces the true sovereigns—we cannot confirm supremacy." —Argus Val’Rane, Grandmarshal of Europe (SSS-rank) ### ANNOUNCEMENT: ’SUMMIT OF SOVEREIGNS’ The International Hunter Bureau (IHB), headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, released the following global statement: [OFFICIAL IHB NOTICE: GLOBAL TRANSMISSION | VERIFIED AUTHENTIC] > In light of the unprecedented rise of China’s Evon Wang and his demonstrated usage of powers beyond traditional Hunter systems, the Seven National-Level Hunters—the sovereigns of our seven continental zones—have agreed to participate in a public ceremony and duel, joined by this newly emerged contender. Event: The Summit of Sovereigns > Location:Seoul, Republic of Korea > Date: [72 hours from Evon’s China duel] Program: 1. Opening Assembly of Sovereigns 2. Duel of Blades: Evon Wang vs The Seven 3. Commencement of Planetary Seal Investigation, Phase I Attendance by sovereign leaders, arcane observers, and diplomatic corps is authorized. This is a neutral, global event. ### ARRIVAL IN KOREA Seoul – IHB Event Headquarters, 3 Days Later Twin airships descended upon the glass-lined hangar atop Mount Namsan Sector 3. The sky shimmered with layered rune screens. Behind it, nearly a hundred elite forces of each continent’s archmage divisions stood on standby. The seven National Hunters had arrived. Evon Wang was the last to come. A quiet arrival, private transport. His coat unmarked by rank. Blade sheathed. Flanked by no guards, no entourage. But as he stepped through the threshold of the IHB Arena Complex, silence followed. The crowd outside the gates—thousands strong—murmured in stunned fascination. "That’s him?" "He’s taller than I expected..." "He looks like a scholar, not a warrior." "Why is he alone?" "He doesn’t need anyone." ### MEDIA BARRAGE – WORLD FEED SNIPPETS CNH World Feed Anchor (China): "Evon’s presence in Korea marks the beginning of international alignment under a new chain of command." SkyAsia Global (English/Korea): "He has no guild, no military rank... yet today he stands equal to seven apex hunters of the world." EuroArc Magitech Broadcast: "Seven nations. Seven weapons. One duel that may shape the rules of future dimensional warfare." THE SEVEN SOVEREIGNS: 1. Fang Jihai – Asia – Earth-bond and Void Suppressor, current Chairman of China’s Hunters Association 2. Argus Val’Rane– Europe – Sword-Saint of the Eclipse, the longest-standing active SSS-ranked hunter 3. Rosa Leclair– North America – High-speed mechanica subclass, wielder of Chrono-Arsenal 4. Imari Laku – Africa – Shamaness of the Sandstorm Covenant, manipulator of soul storms 5. Zeph O’Tanaki – Oceania – Skyborn beast-symbiote user, controls flying Leviathans 6. Lucia Denholtz– South America – Dual-element crystal channeler, top defensive field tactician 7. Kael Sova– Antarctic Enclave – Psy-mage from the Vault of Silence, master of dimensional pressure They stood together on the high dais within the arena. Calm. Weathered by wars. Their eyes bore no arrogance—only the cool analysis shared by apex predators. Across them, Evon stood alone in the center of the combat field—expression unreadable, sword lowered, faint flame drifting from his aura. THE SUMMIT BEGINS The ground activated. Circles of ancient sealing magic formed, each one tuned to suppress or amplify specific powers, designed by the IHB to ensure global safety protocols. Evon’s sword floated briefly, then lowered again into his hand as he took a breath. Fang Jihai stepped forward. "This duel is symbolic," he said. His voice, calm yet commanding, echoed across the arena’s magical amplifiers. "But we do not fight without cause." His gaze swept the arena installations—then locked onto Evon. "You dare stand here. Alone. Against seven sovereigns." "I do," Evon replied plainly. Kael Sova, the Antarctic psy-mage, added next: "You seek command without title. Leadership without legacy." "I don’t seek it," Evon corrected. "I require it. Earth is not ready for what is coming. And if I cannot match each of you, I stand no chance against the one who devours worlds." Lucia Denholtz lifted a hand. "Then earn it. Defeat us, prove yourself that you are the chosen one." Argus Val’Rane commanded "Then shall we start" Evon respectfully agreed "YES!" THE DUEL – FIRST MOVEMENTS The air tensed. Zeph of Oceania moved first—high into the sky on feathered plasma wings. Below, Imari Laku summoned a whirlwind of ancestral spirits, whispering in tongues lost to time. Evon’s eyes glowed silver. He did not move. Then suddenly—Naia’s water veil burst around him, corroding and purifying psyche pressure from Kael Sova’s initial probe. At the same time—Veyra’s cyber-shells spun out, forming a kinetic shield. Naia’s pure immortal water shield corroded and purified all pressure and attacks, the purified energy then absorbed by the cyber shells ready to unleash the accumulated impact. Fang Jihai clashed first—ground rupturing beneath his feet, obsidian bursts chasing his strike. Evon backstepped once—parried with Sythara’s dragon fang edge, slicing upward through the incoming seismic trigger. The clash ended in equal force. SYSTEM READING – INTERNALLY BROADCAST HUD: ✦ Power reading: multi-source active ✦ Elemental signatures confirmed: 5 ✦ External spiritual resonance co-active ✦ Destiny thread manipulation: active field engaged Observers gasped as the readings streamed in. "He’s managing five elemental frequencies at once..." "Wait—that’s not harmony—that’s dominion." "He can overpower even synchronized attacks...!" ESCALATION ROUND Argus Val’Rane: "Enough play." He stepped forward, sword drawn, coated in light-eating edge. A single slash came—dissonant in sound, ripping spatial balance apart. Evon used Destiny Prison. But this time, differently. Not around himself. He split the layer between dimensions, not people. This the result he got after mastering his powers. Argus’s blade vanished in midair, as if swallowed. The destiny prison erased that attack from destiny itself as if Argus launched any attack. "I didn’t expected that my attacks can be erased like that... ," Argus said, stepping back into position. The mood in the arena shifted. Lucia Denholtz raised both hands, casting dual-layered fields of crystalline restraints. They fell upon Evon like mirrored walls. A trap. He closed his eyes. Lyria’s True Fire ignited. Silent. No smoke. No light. Just heat. Radiant and pure. The barriers melted like paper in sunlight. FINAL SEQUENCE: EARTH DECIDES Rosé Leclair activated Chrono-Rush and teleported to Evon’s back—only to find herself already intercepted. Around her, time slowed. Evon’s eyes shimmered once more—Eyes of Fate showing her approach three seconds ago. With gentleness, he touched her shoulder and pushed her away mid-motion, disarming her drive with no violence. Then he shoot one of those previously charged cyber shell towards her. Bam! With a slight boom the shell burst and the impact slammed Rose to the ground. Kael spoke quietly now, psychic voice echoing. But Evon didn’t have him chance to cast as another shell blasted him. Now to end the duel Evon fully activated destiny resonance. Five coloured aura blazing around him. And along with Silver Gold Eyes of Fate, destiny resonance fully activated. THUDD! The air at the arena changed violently and everyone present there felt the pressure, the overwhelming power left them unable to act. Argus muttered "He really is beyond defined rank." And at last—after an hour of high-speed clashing, elemental suppression tests, and tactical duels within the duel—they stopped. No one said the words. But it was clear. Evon had crossed the threshold. He didn’t just defend. He led without command. DECLARATION OF UNITY High command announced: "Evon Wang is to be appointed Sovereign General Commander of Global Rift Defense Response effective immediately. Reporting directly to the IHB Council. His authority will override rank divisions during Gate War periods." And then, Fang Jihai approached him. "You’ve earned it." Evon nodded. "Now let’s begin the search for the seals." Fang raised a hand. "We already have something. A gate anomaly appeared in Mongolia. It carries ancient Divine Resonance." Evon’s expression didn’t change. But his blade shimmered. "Then we start there." ______________________