Chapter 52

On the high platform, Tang Cheng, as the focus of everyone's attention, now faced gazes that were incredibly complex—full of admiration, worship, gratitude, and shame, and of course, not a few doubts. However, the most prevalent was a shared sense of sorrow. They found it hard to describe this feeling, and their perception of Tang Cheng was also extremely complex.

Tang Cheng looked at the expressions of these people, knowing that the scene was basically under his control. He then began his final speech, making the last move.

"I feel very regretful for humanity, for there are too many selfish and self-interested people in this world. They never wish to change the precarious situation of humanity; they only know how to enjoy a comfortable life. If this continues, humanity will have no future. But at the same time, I am full of hope for humanity, because such people are ultimately a minority. More people still yearn for dignity and freedom. As long as these people do not perish, humanity will eventually take its own steps and move towards the outside world..."

"However, heroes have always been betrayed. Throughout human history, very few heroes have died in battles against external enemies; most have been killed by traitors within their own ranks. I cannot understand what these people are thinking, and I do not even want to consider them as human. I only know that... if such people continue to remain among humanity, spreading their cowardly and incompetent ideas, one day, something like today will happen again!"

What... What is he going to do?

Kiz Wilman was held by Tang Cheng, unable to resist or speak, but he heard every word clearly. At first, although he was afraid, he did not think Tang Cheng would dare to kill him, given his status. This was a crime that a mere trainee could not bear. But now, he felt a strong sense of unease.

Tang Cheng looked at the gazes of the people around him and said firmly, "Today, I am the one suffering from this unfair treatment, but tomorrow it might be you, and the day after, it might be him. If no one stands up to speak, if no one resists this absurd behavior, one day, all of humanity's heroes will die at the hands of these traitors. So..."

As he spoke, Tang Cheng increased the strength in his right hand, lifting Kiz Wilman high, causing the latter to scream in pain.

"Tang Cheng! What are you going to do?"

"Don't be impulsive!"

"You won't survive if you do this. You have a future, don't ruin it!"

Ian and Riko realized what Tang Cheng was about to do, their faces changing drastically as they shouted in warning.

But Tang Cheng ignored them, shouting loudly, "I can die, but my spirit cannot be extinguished! To ensure that future heroes do not suffer the same unfair treatment as we did today, to ensure that humanity can truly move forward, even if I die, I will not allow these traitors to stand in the way of our hope!"

"Right here, right now, I want to tell you all that a hero fears no authority or fear! A hero will eliminate all traitors who stand in the way of humanity's revival! A hero... will never yield, even in death!"

As the word "yield" fell, Tang Cheng suddenly jumped off the platform.

"No!"

"Stop!"

Ian and Riko shouted and rushed forward to stop him, but their actions were already within Tang Cheng's expectations. He had planned everything meticulously, and they could not stop him.

Thus, at the moment they rushed out, Tang Cheng's feet landed, and the head he held in his hand hit the ground with a heavy thud... *Smash!*

Just like the chamber president not long ago, Kiz Wilman's head was smashed to pieces, with brain matter and blood splattering everywhere. Tang Cheng's clothes, arms, and even his face were covered in white and red, and bits of flesh, making him look particularly terrifying, like a demon from hell.

The surroundings were silent.

Tang Cheng's brutal actions completely stunned everyone. Even the experienced soldiers and even those with similar values to Tang Cheng, like Mika, showed some surprise in their eyes.

Eren and Armin, standing beside her, seemed to be scared speechless, their mouths agape in shock.

Ian and Riko were the only two people in the scene, besides Mika, who could still think clearly, but what good was being calm now? Tang Cheng had acted, and Kiz Wilman was dead. This situation was irreparable, and the storm that would follow was easy to imagine.

"It's over, everything is over..." Ian muttered, his eyes wide with helplessness and bitterness.

...

"Damn!" A little further away, the literary youth could no longer suppress his emotions, and his words were no longer as refined, "I thought taking the Garrison's captain as a hostage was crazy enough, but I didn't expect him to do something even crazier. This is like declaring war on all of humanity. What is he thinking?!"

The other three were speechless, as they shared the same feelings. After a long pause, the ordinary youth finally said, "Regardless of what he is thinking, his courage is worthy of the five-star rookie rating. Only someone like him deserves such an evaluation."

The other three exchanged glances, and though they did not speak, they agreed in their hearts.

As challengers who could only enter two-star dungeons, they had never seen a five-star challenger besides Tang Cheng, but not seeing did not mean they were unfamiliar with the five-star rating. In fact, the standards for a five-star rating in the cycle space were not a secret; any experienced veteran could know them.

Potential, this is indeed one of the criteria for a five-star rating. Only those with extremely high potential have the qualifications to be rated five-star, but it is not the most important, or rather... it is not the core.

Many four-star challengers have potential that is not much different from five-star challengers, and their strength and rate of improvement can compete with some five-star challengers, but they have never reached the five-star level. The reason... they lack the most important thing—courage!

Take the current strongest challenger in the Eastern Court, known as the Queen, for example. It is said that in the "Lord of the Rings" dungeon, she single-handedly faced thousands of powerful orcs, killed the Ringwraiths, and defeated Sauron, exuding a powerful aura... At that time, she was not the strongest challenger in the dungeon, but she was the only one who dared to do what others dared not.

Her courage is what most people lack.

The current situation, of course, cannot be compared to facing thousands of powerful orcs, but Tang Cheng does not have the Queen's strength. In terms of the situation, one is facing the Dark Lord Sauron and his army, and the other is facing all of humanity. The dangers they face are not much different.

In fact, Tang Cheng's situation is even more dangerous, as this world has Titans.

The worst-case scenario is that Tang Cheng will not only be at odds with the Titans but also with all of humanity... In other words, he will be alone in the world!

Those who can make such a speech, they do not think Tang Cheng did not consider such a situation, but even so, he still did it. Such courage... Who else could be a five-star if not him?

Of course, potential is potential, and courage is courage. In the current situation, how Tang Cheng will solve the impending trouble is a huge challenge. At least for the four of them, facing such a situation would almost certainly mean death.

They were waiting for the answer, and soon, the answer appeared before them, but it was not given by Tang Cheng.

The silence was broken by the sound of footsteps. Accompanied by a dozen Garrison soldiers, an elderly bald man walked to the center of the crowd.

"Commander!" Riko and Ian immediately went forward to meet him, their tense expressions slightly easing at the sight of the man.

The bald old man's name was Dott Pixis, the highest commander of the southern Garrison, a true big shot in the military. Although he was an old general, his strength was extremely powerful, and he was known as a "monster" outside. Most notably, he was skilled at using talent.

If there was anyone who could handle the current situation, it would be him.

Tang Cheng, of course, had already seen him arrive. In fact, he had already adjusted his hearing before this, judging by the nearby footsteps, and deliberately controlled the timing of killing Kiz Wilman to accurately welcome Pixis.

In this way, the last move of the first round and the first move of the second round could be perfectly connected.

"Commander, I am very sorry, we..."

Riko's face showed deep shame, but before he could finish, Pixis waved his hand to stop him, his gaze falling on the headless corpse not far ahead, a hint of sorrow in his eyes. He sighed, "Yes, Wilman is gone. This man, who had the courage of a giant but the delicacy of a deer, died in a truly regrettable way."

"Commander?" Riko's expression was strange, not understanding the meaning of his words.

"The situation here has been relayed to me by fast horse. I understand the general situation. I thought I was always a punctual man, but I was still a step too late. Ah, old age is inevitable."

As Pixis spoke, his gaze turned to Tang Cheng.

He looked at him and nodded, "A determined gaze, an unyielding expression, an unwavering will, and a faintly released indomitable fighting spirit. Indeed, he is an excellent young man. I haven't seen such an outstanding talent in many years."

Pixis did not hide his admiration for Tang Cheng, but his tone was filled with regret.

...

Please give me a recommendation... Also, who was so mean to give me a three-star rating? Step forward, I promise I won't hit you!

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