■ Tyrant □
What I had thought was an evenly matched fight between the two turned out to be a battle where Gav had held back.
It’s awkward even calling him a ‘Four Heavenly Kings level’ fighter, because among all the Four Heavenly Kings I’ve encountered so far, not one has exuded as overwhelming an aura as Gav does.
I don’t know how he compares to the Demon King or Walter Leonhart, who is said to be the strongest of the Four Heavenly Kings, since I haven’t fought them. But one thing is certain: Gav is incredibly strong.
So much so that I can’t even guarantee a win.
After the match ended, Ozma, who had been eliminated in the semifinals, walked down the corridor with a dazed expression on her face.
Gav had gone the opposite way, so they probably wouldn’t run into each other along the way.
When our eyes met, she let out a defeated laugh and bowed her head.
“I’m sorry, Caldlasth. It seems I won’t be able to keep our promise of meeting in the finals.”
Then, she brought her trembling hand to her chest and muttered under her breath.
“I’ve been foolish. I acted like I’d won everything without properly gauging the skill gap between me and Gav.”
I nodded.
“It’s not exactly bad luck… Given that you’ve already fought 35 matches, you’ve done enough.”
“…You’re right. It was just my own delusion. This should have been enough for me to catch up.”
Surprisingly, Ozma readily admitted her insufficiency.
“But today, I realized something. There’s an unbridgeable gap between me and Gav. That guy is strong. He will undoubtedly become the next Demon King.”
Her words carried a tone of resignation. I asked her:
“Are you giving up?”
“Yeah. To be honest, I’m tired. Continuously confronting someone unbeatable is exhausting.”
I stared at Ozma intently.
What made her lose her nerve?
Actually, it wasn’t hard to figure out the reason without overthinking it.
The technique Gav demonstrated after having his arm severed by the Hellfire Slash.
He simply took a step forward.
But that single, simple action overwhelmed everyone present in the arena at the time.
An overwhelming presence akin to ruling over all creation.
That great step imprinted in the minds of the weaker ones the undeniable fact that Gav was an overwhelmingly powerful being.
I looked directly at Ozma standing before me.
“Then, would you like to make a bet with me?”
“…What kind of bet?”
“If I beat Gav, then next year, Lady Ozma, you’ll challenge him again.”
At this, Ozma looked at my face as if I were speaking some incomprehensible language.
“Why do you care so much about me? What do you gain from this?”
I smirked upon hearing that.
“Because you’re my only disciple.”
“What?”
“Didn’t Lady Ozma call me ‘Master’? While I wasn’t initially keen on it, now that my disciple, who learned magic from me, is disheartened, I must show some dignity as a teacher.”
Saying this, I flicked her forehead with my finger, catching her off guard.
“Clack!”
“Ahh!”
In pain, Ozma clutched her forehead, her eyes slightly tearing up as she looked at me.
“Just watch the final well. I’ll show you something impressive.”
With that, I patted Ozma on the shoulder and started walking toward the stadium, our paths crossing.
I could feel her intense gaze on the back of my head, but I deliberately ignored it.
Sometimes, showing through action rather than words carries more conviction.
The final match was set to begin about 30 minutes after the semifinals concluded.
It wasn’t enough time for injured participants to fully rest, but the organizers didn’t seem to care.
Well, the audience’s time is probably more important than the participants’, isn’t it?
Since there wasn’t much to do in the contestant waiting room anyway, I decided to wait near the entrance of the stadium.
From afar, I could see Nick Iron sitting in the VIP seats on the second floor of the stadium.
Around him sat elderly members of the Demon Tribe, likely the distinguished guests attending this exchange conference.
I wanted to locate Camilla’s seat, but regrettably, it seemed she was seated somewhere inside the entrance that couldn’t be seen from here.
I put the Orichalcum Knuckles, which had performed admirably throughout this tournament, into my bag, and pulled out Stormbringer from my backpack.
Considering the upcoming fierce battle, I figured it was best to try everything within my current capabilities.
After fitting the white handcuffs onto both arms and checking their fit by clenching and unclenching my fists, I found them perfectly tailored to my hands, fitting snugly without any discomfort.
Unlike Gav, who suffered critical injuries as a martial artist, I finished the semifinal relatively unscathed.
Simply looking at physical condition, I’m in much better shape.
However, Gav surely has a hidden ace up his sleeve, and the Qi Technique he displayed at the end was nothing short of revolutionary—whether I can block it remains uncertain.
Even if I wanted to conduct indiscriminate aerial bombardment, it’s difficult since he has wings.
During the waiting period, I spent my time devising various strategies and simulating scenarios.
Eventually—
“Alright! Thank you for your patience! Here we are at the long-awaited final match! Two warriors who have overcome countless opponents finally reveal themselves!”
The voice of the host on stage snapped me out of my thoughts and brought me back to reality.
“It’s all or nothing.”
If Master were here, she’d probably tell me to just go ahead and win the championship since I’ve come this far.
While I think it’s good to earn some renown since I plan to work for the Demon King’s Army in the future, whether I can actually defeat Gav remains uncertain.
‘Still…’
I did make a promise to Ozma, so I should at least give it a try.
Even if I lose, I don’t want it to be because I didn’t give it my all.
Smack!
I slapped my thighs to steel myself.
Then I placed a mask over my bare face.
It was time to fight.[#]
As I walked out from the entrance wearing my mask, a thunderous roar of cheers greeted me.
“Wowwwwwwww!”
“Partarth! Partarth! Partarth!”
The stadium was absolutely electrified.
Despite realizing that I’ve mostly been ending fights within five minutes, making them less exciting, the audience’s reaction wasn’t negative.
Or perhaps they’re excited because a monstrous rookie has appeared in this high-level martial arts competition.
Given that demons generally have long lifespans and prolonged physical primes, generational turnover tends to be quite slow.
I showcased some showmanship by waving my hand appropriately as I ascended the stage.
Once my entrance concluded, Gav, my final opponent, emerged from the opposite entrance.
His wounds from the fight with Ozma hadn’t healed completely, yet he confidently strode onto the stage.
Upon meeting my gaze, he grinned and raised his hand.
“Hey, we finally meet.”
I shrugged.
“That’s how it turned out.”
Apparently pleased with my demeanor, Gav burst into laughter and discarded the cloak draped over his shoulder.
“To the sincere Ozma, I apologize, but the person I wanted to fight in this tournament from start to finish was you and only you.”
I glanced sideways at the wound on his forearm.
“And yet you’ve taken quite a nasty injury for someone saying that.”
At this, Gav scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
“I never imagined that strange sword could pierce through my Qi Circuits.”
Frankly, I agreed with that sentiment.
Had I not been wearing the Stormbringer during sparring, my wrist would have been cut clean off.
Anyway, after unexpectedly finding common ground, we shook hands in the middle of the arena before stepping back to create distance.
“I’d like to talk more, but we don’t have the time.”
“After this match, let’s continue over a drink.”
“That sounds good. I’ll listen to the loser’s lamentations while drinking.”
“Isn’t it going to be Mr. Gabriel delivering the lamentations, not me?”
We gripped our fists tightly, taunting each other.
Truthfully, fist-to-fist combat is quite rare in the Western Continent.
Qi Techniques originate from the Eastern Continent, and only a select few can master them. Moreover, wielding a sword or spear is often stronger when not fully trained in Qi Techniques.
“Hmmmm-”
“Coooohhhhh──”
Mana surged violently within my imaginary Magic Circuits.
I slowly swung my arms and extended both fists straight forward.
Spell Armament – Whirlwind Blade Bone
A fierce whirlwind enveloped the Stormbringer around my fists.
Watching my preparations quietly, Gav smirked and said,
“I wish I could counter with the same Qi Technique, but…”
Unfortunately, my arm is in this state, so it’s impossible.
“Huh?”
Before I could ask what he meant, Gav’s muscular body began to glow.
Gav’s body rapidly expanded in size, undulating dramatically.
Finally, the creature that revealed itself possessed a majesty worthy of its name, Celestial Dragon.
Its massive jaw.
Sharp tail.
Menacing teeth.
Thick legs.
Short arms.
…Short arms?
Something felt off by the time I realized it.
The blue reptile-like creature that stood before me wasn’t what I expected at all.
Precisely speaking, it was the T-Rex, known as the strongest terrestrial organism, roaring right before my eyes.
“No way, this is cheating!”
