"[Ragnarok!]"
With Fron's low chant, flames entwined with crimson lightning erupted from his body with a thunderous roar. In an instant, the fiery current surged down his arm, enveloping his staff.
Body and weapon were wrapped in magic, his performance pushed even further, faintly touching the limits of Level 6.
Power burst forth from every corner of his body, and within that roar, his speed surged once again.
The onlookers seemed to hear the explosive crack of the sound barrier breaking.
Facing such a fierce assault, Asterius reacted in a fraction of a second. His bull-like eyes widened, and he swiftly raised his weapon in defense,
Clang!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Before anyone could even react, Fron shot forward like a meteor and collided head-on with Asterius. The deafening clash of steel against steel exploded like thunder, shaking the eardrums of everyone around.
For seasoned adventurers or those of higher level, the impact was bearable, they merely narrowed their eyes, watching the shockwave burst forth from the cloud of dust.
But the ordinary spectators… weren't so lucky.
With Fron's current stats and Asterius' raw potential, their clash alone was enough to make the entire city tremble, enough to shake several districts without a doubt.
...
A few blocks away from where Fron and Asterius fought fiercely,
The executives of the Freya Familia, blocked at various choke points by enemy forces, felt the quaking ground and the distant rumble. Their gazes were all fixed in that direction, not blinking for a second.
Yet, unlike their goddess's usual rivals, none of them looked serious or worried. Instead, they looked… amused, almost as if they were enjoying the show.
Still, in strict obedience to their goddess's command, none of them spoke.
Except for one, Ottar, Freya's follower, standing opposite Finn.
Originally, the goddess's plan had been going perfectly. Everything was set, the one-on-one duel, the stage, the actors, and the audience. All that was left was for the grand play to begin.
And then, Fron appeared out of nowhere.
Finn's expression had turned dark when Ottar blocked his path. That alone could be seen as a declaration of a Familia War.
But before Finn could even speak, Fron's sudden arrival turned the entire situation on its head.
Ottar's face tightened, though he still maintained his composure and the dignity of a warrior.
"Now, Ottar. What use is there in stopping me anymore?"
"..." Ottar remained silent.
Yet the storm Fron had stirred was unstoppable. Having broken free from the Evilus's interference, Freya's Familia had no spare manpower left to restrain him.
What, send the famed healer corps? They'd only get devoured whole by that monster.
...
Clink,
A wine glass fell, shattering on the expensive carpet, spilling deep red across the floor.
A slender figure turned away, walking toward the door.
It was clear, the goddess's mood was foul.
"Seems like… in some matters, I'll have to agree with Loki this time. Heh."
...
"This is the stage play you arranged? Not bad, a wonderful script. As your follower, I must say, I'm proud of you."
Asfi clapped her hands for her god, admiration shining in her eyes.
Hermes, however, standing under the burning gazes of every heretic around him, looked utterly mortified.
If embarrassment could kill, his toes could have dug a villa-sized hole in the floor.
"Ah, ahem, yes, well, that was… unexpected! A total accident, Asfi, you know that!"
"Hehe."
"..."
Hermes's face cycled through a dozen colors, twisting in discomfort.
Inside, he was fuming, had it not been for his need to maintain the image of a refined gentleman before both his Familia and the outsiders, he would've already been shouting curses.
What do I do now?! Damn that Fron! Where the hell did he come from?!
His mind was in chaos. The situation was already spiraling far beyond his control.
...
Fron's appearance had drawn a flood of mixed reactions from all sides, some gleeful, some despairing, some pale with fury.
But whatever anyone thought, none of it could affect the battle raging between Fron and Asterius.
As for Bell Cranel…
As the one closest to the battlefield, he had been blown away by the first shockwave of their clash.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
The heavy sword and the spear-staff collided again and again. The initial advantage Fron gained from his surprise assault quickly vanished, Asterius, with his monstrous strength that defied reason, began pushing him back, each strike heavier than the last.
Even though Fron parried every blow, the sheer force sent him staggering backward, step by step.
This fight, was nothing like the one in his memory.
Facing Fron, a top-tier Level 6, Asterius was unleashing his full power, two hundred percent, holding nothing back.
Feeling the pressure in every strike that traveled up through his weapon, Fron's arm trembled faintly. Yet, within the thunder and fire cloaking his body, he smiled, a low, sharp grin.
...
"So this is it? Is this all you've got? Not enough… not nearly enough!!!"
With a flash, he deflected Asterius' greatsword, throwing the Minotaur off balance. His eyes gleamed,
The spear-staff swept upward in a blazing arc,
Shhk!
A deep wound tore across Asterius' torso, flesh splitting open.
"Mooo!"
The beast's roar of pain didn't slow his movements. In that instant, his muscular arm swung wildly, smacking Fron away before he could strike again.
Zzzzt,
The wound sealed shut almost instantly under the heat of his burning blood. Asterius breathed heavily, his massive frame heaving. Clearly, even that brief clash had drained him tremendously.
Realizing Fron's intent, he crouched low, four limbs braced against the ground, muscles coiling like drawn steel.
"So this will be the deciding blow, then."
Fron, already drained from his previous battles, could feel the exhaustion weighing on him despite his rapid recovery. His body screamed in protest.
"Hah, "
Exhaling a deep breath, the young man's eyes sharpened. His left foot stepped forward, right leg braced behind him; he leaned low, left hand pressed to the ground, right hand gripping his spear behind him.
The stance of a predator ready to strike,
Both warriors' auras flared to their fullest.
Even the air itself began to twist and distort between them.