Though Zald had only been using power comparable to a Level 5 adventurer, he couldn't hide the flicker of surprise in his eyes. This young, untested newcomer was holding his ground.
And not just surviving—matching him blow for blow.
So Alfia didn't lie after all…
Zald's thoughts briefly drifted to her earlier words. He narrowed his eyes, locking onto Akira's composed expression, unshaken even under his fierce onslaught.
"Heh. Not bad at all, brat." Zald bellowed, his voice filled with savage glee. "Let's see just how long you can last."
With that declaration, his grip on the hilt tightened. His bulging muscles surged with power as he funneled more strength into his next strike. A strike capable of cleaving through anything.
It's coming!
Akira's instincts flared, warning him in the blink of an eye.
The moment Zald lifted the sword, Akira's body moved like lightning—dodging to the side with incredible agility.
BOOM! BOOM!!
The massive blade smashed down into the floor, shattering the stone beneath.
The entire chamber trembled as a deep, jagged fissure opened up on the ground, snaking across the floor like a dragon's maw and tearing through the wall.
With a thunderous crack, a section of the wall gave way and collapsed, raining down boulders and dust.
Now!
Akira didn't let the chance slip.
Just as Zald's strength reached its peak and had yet to reset, Akira launched his counterattack.
Boom—!
His ice greatsword ignited with jet-like bursts of flame from its hilt—rocketing forward with explosive propulsion.
A blur of speed.
With the sword in hand, Akira thrust like a human missile, aiming straight for Zald's chest.
But the old warrior's instincts had long been tempered by countless battles. His eyes sharpened, and his greatsword swung—meeting Akira's deadly thrust just in time.
CLANG!!!
Another earth-shattering impact echoed through the room.
The already shattered ground caved in further, unable to withstand the raw power of their exchange.
In the chaos of that clash, Akira's grip on the sword subtly shifted. His left hand locked onto the hilt but his right hand, it burned with power. Blazing flames surged up from his arm.
In the blink of an eye, his entire right fist was engulfed in raging fire, the heat so intense it warped the very air around him.
Elemental Blaster's full force—unleashed.
"Flame Fist!"
With a shout that echoed across the room, Akira let go of his sword and appeared before Zald in a blur—his speed exceeding even the Overlord's ability to react.
Boom!
His flaming fist crashed down upon Zald's weapon.
"Ahhhhhhh—!!!"
Zald's expression twisted in shock.
The impact exploded in a burst of fire, creating shockwaves that hurled out in both directions. The wave of heat and power was overwhelming.
Caught off guard, Zald's blade was forced against him—slamming viciously into his chest. His massive frame was flung backwards like a cannonball, crashing into the distant wall with cataclysmic force.
KRA-KOOM!
The wall didn't stand a chance. It collapsed instantly, sending debris flying and a massive dust cloud surging outward.
Akira stood at the center of the destruction, flames dancing around his arm, his breathing steady as he slowly shook off the heat.
The walls beside him had been scorched black, and molten rock flowed down like crimson tears from the sheer heat of his strike.
Akira called out, voice casual, "Hey, you still alive over there, old man?"
From beneath the mound of rubble, a groan sounded.
Then—movement.
Zald emerged, legs slightly bent as he slowly rose to his feet. His knees popped audibly, a sharp crack-crack echoing from his battered body. His joints screamed in protest, but he moved regardless.
With both arms, he shoved aside a slab of stone and staggered upright.
"Kh…!"
A heavy cough escaped his throat. He wiped the corner of his lips with the back of his hand. A smear of bright red blood painted his rough palm—stark against his skin.
But instead of anger or frustration… he grinned. A strange, delighted grin spread across his scarred face.
"Heh… ha… What the hell was that?" He rasped, still grinning. "Did the poison mess with my nerves? That punch—damn, I didn't even block it properly."
Despite the hoarseness in his voice, the thrill was unmistakable.
That hit had stunned him. Completely.
In Zald's mind, Akira was just another promising brat—talented, sure, but still just at Level 4. He hadn't expected this kind of explosive force.
Zald cursed his own carelessness but deep inside, a long-lost fire rekindled. For the first time in ages, he felt alive.
Orario still has monsters like this…
Compared to that Ottar, the boy in front of him was ten times more exhilarating.
Zald rose fully, his eyes scanning through the dissipating dust.
Akira stood there, casually rotating his shoulder, looking at ease.
And Zald—he looked at him not as an opponent anymore, but as prey. The grin on his face turned predatory.
"…You're better than I expected, kid." He said, voice low, gravelly. "Seems Alfia was right about you after all."
He rolled his shoulders, bones popping like firecrackers. Then, slowly, he bent into a combat stance. His massive greatsword gleamed coldly under the flickering dungeon light.
Zald's eyes sharpened, locked onto Akira like a beast sizing up its target.
"Don't die."
Akira frowned slightly, sweat clinging to his brow. From Zald's gaze, it was obvious—
The fight was far from over.
"…You still want to keep going?" He muttered, his body clearly trembling from the toll of their intense clash.
Despite that, Zald lowered his center of gravity again, stepping into another offensive stance. His aura surged with burning fervor.
Akira inhaled deeply, steadying his breath. Though labored, it grew rhythmic as he forced calm back into his body. The magic within him stirred once more, surging like a raging tide.
"…Tch, don't worry. I'm not going down that easily." He muttered, a helpless smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
He gripped his sword tighter. The flames on his fist had long faded, but the heat lingering in the air made it feel like the atmosphere itself was simmering.
Ever since arriving in this world, his so-called "immortality" had never once been triggered.
If Zald managed to make it activate today… then frankly, he deserved the title of 'monster'.
Zald's eyes were ablaze with a warrior's madness. Without warning, he let out a feral roar and charged forward again like a berserk beast loosed from its cage. This time, his speed was even greater, his killing intent even heavier.
As he swung down the massive blade, black shockwaves burst from the edge—slicing through the air like demonic crescents.
Akira's figure darted to the side, weaving in a rapid Z-pattern.
The enormous blade slammed into the ground just meters away, erupting with a deafening boom. Cracks spiderwebbed across the floor, and chunks of earth exploded upward.
The recoil of debris and air pressure assaulted Akira like a sandstorm. Without pause, he rolled and leapt again—evading another sweeping strike by mere inches.
Zald's pressure was rising. Faster. Stronger.
One misstep, and Akira would be turned into a crater.
The instant his feet touched the ground again, Akira teleported backward and extended his arm.
"Let's cool things down a bit."
Dozens of fireballs and crackling lightning spheres formed at his fingertips, then blasted forward like a magical Gatling gun.
BOOM—BOOM—BOOM!
A massive inferno surged across the chamber, flames bursting into the air and consuming everything ahead. Heat waves billowed, crackling thunder boomed, and a miniature firestorm erupted.
But Akira wasn't done. With a flick of his hand, hundreds more spheres lit up the sky—thunder and fire raining down like a divine punishment. A brilliant meteor shower of destruction engulfed the space before him, painting it in crimson and gold.
It was a tide of magic, a barrage that could rival large-scale wide-area spells but it wouldn't be enough. Akira knew that well.
(End of Chapter)
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