16 Insidious Attack

Vik sprang into action.

His body moved with heightened speed as he deftly evaded Triple G's seemingly random punch. With precision, he aimed for Triple G's left oblique, channeling all his determination into that strike.

Engaging with Metas was not something Vik had actively sought in the past. The risks outweighed the potential gains, and he had always been cautious about provoking their wrath. But this time, winning was paramount, regardless of the cost or how he might be perceived.

Boldly leading the charge, Vik pushed forward, despite his lack of knowledge about the extent of a Meta's powers. He strategically utilized the group of five challengers, instructing Tory to move accordingly. Vik's reaction time was impeccable as he executed his attack, connecting with Triple G's oblique. However, that was where his success ended.

Vik's punch felt like striking a solid limestone wall. Triple G's enhanced physique allowed him to withstand even the strongest blows from ordinary individuals. Furthermore, a protective layer of mana rendered by Oasis Online shielded him from most normal attacks, making it even more challenging for the non-Metas to harm him.

To Vik's dismay, he realized that the back of his hand, which connected with Triple G's oblique, caught fire. The flames were different from an ordinary fire, burning with greater intensity and speed. Vik couldn't help but curse as he retreated, desperately trying to extinguish the fire that clung to his hand. His pants were at risk of catching fire if he didn't find a solution.

Meanwhile, Triple G laughed, reveling in the show he was putting on for the viewers. It was evident that he was merely toying with the non-Meta challengers, prolonging their suffering for the sake of entertainment. He occasionally unleashed fiery punches, manifesting them into flying fists that struck the other participants, causing them pain and forcing them to retreat.

All five challengers now bore burnt wounds on their bodies, while none had managed to inflict serious harm upon Triple G. Vik exchanged a stoic nod with Tory, their unspoken agreement evident. It was time for a new plan of attack.

Vik took off at full speed, circling around Triple G, aligning his timing with Tory's. As Tory charged from the opposite side, Vik focused his gaze on the Meta before him, determined to fulfill his assigned task by any means necessary.

Tory swiftly altered his pace and direction, strategically positioning himself. He allowed the three remaining challengers to charge past him before suddenly accelerating again.

With a resounding impact, Tory used the force generated from his charge to strike the participant running ahead of him, delivering a powerful blow with his right shoulder. Simultaneously, he employed his legs to execute a well-aimed kick on another participant who had just realized something was amiss in their united charge.

Triple G witnessed the turn of events unfold before him, momentarily caught off guard. He hadn't anticipated the challengers turning against each other. It took him a moment or two to realize that this was not an internal conflict; rather, the attacked participants had served as decoys.

The first unaffected participant, fueled by anger at Triple G's dismissive attitude, launched a fierce attack with all his might. But Triple G effortlessly countered, delivering a round kick to the man's gut, sending him hurtling through the air to the sidelines, where he remained for the duration of the match.

Just as Triple G's leg was about to touch the ground, another challenger charged at him uncontrollably. Reacting on instinct, Triple G abandoned the limits set by the organizers, unleashing a close-range fire punch as the second participant hurtled towards him with full force.

The fiery punch connected with the second challenger's abdomen from a low angle, propelling him into the air before agony consumed him. Screaming and writhing in pain, he flew away from the Meta, his clothes igniting in flames.

Although the injuries in Oasis Online were not real, the pain receptors faithfully mimicked the experience, causing the participants to endure the effects of pain as if it were genuine. The limits of this mimicry existed, but the sensation of pain and waking up with sore limbs was far from pleasant.

Caught off guard by the rapid sequence of events, Triple G found himself vulnerable once again. In a moment of opportunity, Vik swung his right leg upwards, positioning his foot between Triple G's legs from behind—an underhanded and taboo move, even among combatants.