◇Meanwhile, Okinawa

Somehow, Sophia was still living, her life prolonged by healing magic. However, recovery was almost non-effective, she was only marching towards death.

Sophia: “This place… brings back memories. Reina, do you remember? You weren’t born yet… but we came here at least once every year afterwards.”

Reina: “Yes… I remember. Now, I can clearly remember the times spent with Mom.”

Reina unsealed her memories. From her usual emotionless tone, now, every word carries some kind of emotion. One can only imagine how many emotions would surge upon the return of the memories that were sealed for decades.

Sophia: “That person… promised here, to protect me for life and rang this bell. I was so happy… He used to say it every year, right here. After you were born, it changed to the family…”

Reina: “I remember. Dad’s face when he said it, looking so shy…”

Sophia: “That person just now, could he be… your boyfriend?”

Reina: “I… don’t know… why is he helping me?”

Sophia, with memories from a short while ago still intact, pointed that out while laughing about being punched by Kai.

Sophia: “I see… Kai… he’s similar to that person. His eyes are so… straight…forward. Reina, Kai is fighting… for you.”

Reina: “Why… for someone like me…”

Sophia: “…Hehe, I hope you realize… someday.”

◇Meanwhile, Tokyo

Arnold: 『Come on boy.』

Kai: “─Lightning.”

Their words crossed each other. These words signaled the beginning of the fight.

Kai was ready for the battle.

Even if he couldn’t defeat Arnold, if he could at least make him unconscious, the Healing Disruption could be lifted, and Sophia might be saved.

So, he would bring down this strongest foe right here. The world’s strongest, the tyrant, even if it’s just out of ego.

Arnold: 『HAHA! If you can do it, go for it!』

Arnold laughed as he swung his fist.

A blow from the incarnation of destruction targeted Kai. One hit and it’s over, the undefendable, strongest punch.

That punch was aimed at Kai. However, it was dodged by Kai’s teleportation ability from Lighting.

Arnold: 『Damn… I can’t follow him with my eyes. Lighting… is this a rare ability─!?』

Kai: “Haa!!”

From behind, Kai’s full-strength kick attacks Arnold.

−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−

 

Name: Kai Amachi

Condition: Good

Job: Awakened Knight (Lighting) 【Awakened】

Skills: Eye of God, Access Authority Lv2, Mirage, Lightning

Magic Power: 251,185

Attack Power: Reflection Rate▶75 (+30)% = 263,744

Defense Power: Reflection Rate▶25 (+30)% = 138,151

Agility: Reflection Rate▶50 (+30)% = 200,948

Intelligence: Reflection Rate▶50 (+30)% = 200,948

Equipment: • Dragon King White Sword = Total Reflection Rate +30%

 

−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−

A world top-class hit, exceeding 260,000. Even Arnold could not be left unscathed by such an attack, one would think.

Arnold was blown away by the shock, blowing away a building in the process and causing debris to flutter around, dust clouds stirring.

Arnold: 『Can you hear me?!?! Piece of shit brat!!』

But the attack had no effect on Arnold. He was thrown off, but there were no signs of injury. The monstrous magic power armor overflowing from him couldn’t be pierced by Kai’s strength.

Ignoring the dust and debris, Arnold lets out a beast-like scream. The debris and dust dance even more fiercely than when they first collided, and from there, Arnold charges towards Kai.

Once again, Arnold swings his fist, but Kai whispers,

Kai: “─Lightning.”

Zap!

Kai dodges at the speed of lightning. In an instant, he takes refuge in the nearby shadows, a skill that allows him to escape even when his opponent closes in on him, as experienced during the promotion exam.

Regardless, Arnold’s fist of destruction cuts through the air. Exceeding the speed of sound, the air explodes, causing a sonic boom. Just the wind pressure shatters the nearby glass intensely. The impact alone could potentially kill someone, it held a destructive power like a typhoon.

New Caster: “Kyaaa!”

The announcer filming from the sky screams as the strong wind shakes the helicopter. Yet, the camera does not stop because the sight is too riveting.

Cameraman: “This is bad! We already won, right?! We should stop now!”

New Caster: “No way! Keep filming! A battle involving Arnold Alteus isn’t something you can film often! A battle, not a massacre!”

Indeed, as the announcer says, it was undoubtedly a battle.

Arnold’s storm-like chase blew away and destroyed everything around. He was like a natural disaster, the strongest creature which surpassed human knowledge.

One hit, and it would be over, his lethal punch wouldn’t even allow recovery.

Even so.

Arnold: 『FUCK! You’re slipping away too easily!』

The lightning couldn’t be caught.

Kai: (Focus… Dodge everything.)

Kai continued to evade without averting his eyes. He moved relentlessly into the surrounding shadows while running his brain at full speed, continuing his hit-and-run strategy.

Kai: (It’s coming. Surely, at some point…)

Kai was waiting.

For that opportunity that would come someday.

Arnold: 『Damn it!!』

Kai continues to dodge the strongest, naked blade. Just by a hair’s breadth, yet it doesn’t touch him. His Eyes of God shone golden, never averting his gaze from the embodiment of destruction.

The offense and defense lasted for a few minutes in real time. But it stopped time for all those watching.

Holding their breath. Forgeting to breathe. The intensity of the battle made their hands sweat and heartbeats race.

Chairman Kagetora: “What a battle… it’s unstoppable.”

Neither the chairman nor Tendou could interfere in the fight between the two. If anyone tried to approach, they would be swept up and killed. Such was the intensity of the attack and defense, the fierce clashes. But as with everything, an end would come.

And it came suddenly.

A momentary gap. A fraction of a second created by Arnold.

Kai didn’t miss it.

Kai: (…It’s here!)

Lightning flashed behind Arnold.

Chairman Kagetora: “Kai-kun!”

Tendou: “Kid!”

Everyone thought this would be the decisive moment. A blind spot in Arnold, even the world’s strongest would be certain to receive an unguarded blow.

Arnold: 『HAHAHA…your eyes really are sharp.』

But it was not as they thought.

Arnold had turned his upper body at the exact same moment, winding up his fist.

It was a trap. A trap set by Arnold in a fraction of a second. A small gap he thought Kai would notice.

In a sense, it was synonymous with Arnold acknowledging Kai.

Arnold: 『I’ll commend you for making me use my head!!』

It was bait, which Arnold laid out to lure Kai who he found difficult to capture. A gap so minute that only an master could detect, a trap so subtle that even magic power was diluted and baited him.

Kai, who had been skillfully lured, had teleported behind Arnold, and the mightiest punch was barreled at him.

The perfect timing indeed.

Everyone inadvertently closed their eyes. The next thing they expected to see was the sight of Kai’s upper body being blown away. Unbearable to watch, everyone turned away their gaze.

Everyone closed their eyes.

Except for,

Kai: “I know, magic power can’t lie. So–”

The Eyes of the God, glowing golden.

Kai: “–Lightning”

Arnold: 『!?』

Kai saw with the Eyes of the God. He knew the earlier gap was a trap set by Arnold, and that people are most careless when they think they have defeated their opponent.

So, he intentionally took the bait and sprung the trap. He teleported behind Arnold, and just before he was hit, he touched Arnold and teleported both of them using 『Lightning』.

Taking Arnold along, to the shadows nearby. With the reversal of heaven and earth due to teleportation, the ground Arnold had been stepping on disappeared. Arnold’s full power punch, which was supposed to crush Kai, instead shattered the ground.

Moreover, Kai had teleported again. To the shadow behind Arnold.

Arnold: 『What!?』

Arnold, surprised by this phenomenon, opened his eyes wide. Arnold, who hadn’t felt such a surprise in a long time, was shaken by the sudden sensation of teleportation.

When the heart is shaken,

Kai: “You’re flustered.”

Magic power also wavers.

Arnold: 『Hah–!?』

Unconsciously, Arnold turned towards the voice behind him. Because he had been facing the ground, he ended up looking directly up towards the sky.

Arnold turned around, squinted as the sunlight was momentarily dazzling.

Kai’s fist was coming right at his face. A punch charged with hope, wrapped in lightning.

All he needs is a moment, just one moment for him to fall.

To the parent and child who are still holding hands, waiting for my victory.

And to Reina, who has closed her heart.

I want to bring her smile back.

The punch carrying such a wish, surely, could reach even the peak.

Kai: “Haaa!!”

The hand reached.