Atticus's Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground novel Chapter 1056

Pride.

It was an emotion felt by all. Every sentient being, no matter their race or origin, carried it in some form, be it quiet self worth or inflated ego.

Some pride came from simple dignity, the unwillingness to be cheated or disrespected. Other times, it stemmed from a belief of superiority, a conviction that one stood above all others.

But pride, like any emotion, could be broken.

And when broken, it gave birth to something else, dread, shame, fear.

Yet, to shatter pride, one had to be willing to get their hands dirty.

Most balked at that.

But Atticus had no such qualms.

Carius’s hand trembled as he pushed himself off the ground. The truth was now clear, he knew exactly what Atticus was trying to do.

"You’re wasting your time—"

But Atticus vanished again.

CRACK!

Another open handed slap exploded across his face, sending him tumbling once more. Dust erupted with each crash, stone shattered beneath his weight.

Blood and spit spilled from his mouth as he coughed and turned his head, breathing ragged.

Then he looked up and saw those eyes.

Cold. Detached. Disdainful.

The way Atticus stared at him, it wasn’t with hate. It wasn’t even with anger.

It was apathy.

As if he wasn’t even worth a sword. As if he was beneath notice.

Carius gritted his teeth.

"I’ll gouge out those eyes," he growled, staggering to rise again.

But before he could even find his footing;

CRACK!

Another slap. Another detonation. Another violent tumble across the field.

This time, his vision blurred. He shook his head, trying to clear it. But Atticus still walked toward him. Still silent. Still looking down on him.

’Those infuriating eyes…’

Carius’s fist clenched harder. Rage surged through his entire being. He tried to rise again;

WHAM!

Another open palm crashed into his face, hurling him through the air again.

"Ugh!" he groaned, landing on the earth. His cheek throbbed, and as he reached for it, he saw it was now grotesquely swollen.

Still, he forced himself up, blood dripping from his nose and mouth.

Atticus was approaching. Still silent.

Suddenly, Carius chuckled before he laughed, broken, wild. His swollen lips turned in a crooked smirk.

"You think you can humiliate me?" he rasped, the words sounding weird due to his battered mouth.

"I am Carius! I’ve turned civilizations to dust! Slaughtered millions! Entire nations kneel before me!"

He pushed himself upward, wobbling.

"I am—"

CRACK!

Another slap thundered across his face, cutting off his words mid sentence, sending him crashing to the earth once more.

This time, the world fell silent.

Eletantron’s eyes were glued to the scene, his jaw clenched, knuckles cracked beneath the pressure of his grip.

Atticus’s message rang loud and clear.

Carius wasn’t the only one being humiliated.

He was the Dimensari Apex. Their pride. Their sword. Their symbol of supremacy.

And now he was being reduced to trash.

It wasn’t just Carius being shamed, it was the entire Dimensari race.

The space around them warped violently, clouds thickening as killing intent bled into the heavens.

Teeth clenched. Hearts pounded. Rage simmered beneath their skins.