A considerable amount of time had passed since Asem and I initiated our combat.
During our previous battle in the Underworld, I had managed to fully draw out the unstable power of EXA by docking with the Oppaizer—the Breast-Power Stabilization Auxiliary Device custom-built by Professor Azazel. Unlocking that trump card allowed me to hold my ground against Asem... but I could feel that the current Asem was vastly stronger than he had been back then.
Power, speed, technique—he surpassed his former self in every single aspect. In my standard EXA form, reaching him in his current state would be virtually impossible.
"Hah!"
I threw a straight right punch.
Asem dodged my fist by a hair's breadth and immediately countered with a right straight of his own in retaliation. I used my left hand to deflect his fist, letting the momentum slide past.
Though both of our fists swung through empty air, the sheer force of the shockwaves thoroughly obliterated the stone floor beneath us. Having absorbed the collateral damage of our relentless exchanges over and over, what was once a solemn, grand hall had now been reduced to a mere pile of rubble.
While parrying my attacks, Asem spoke up casually:
"I went through all that trouble to build this place, and now there's hardly a trace left. Do you mind if I bill you for the repair costs later?"
"You're the one saying that after turning the entire world into a mountain of debris?!"
"Woah, hold on! Apophis and Azi Dahaka were the ones who did that. I wasn't involved in that at all, you know?"
"Then who was it that fired that massive bombardment at all the factions?!"
"Ah... that was me. Ahaha♪ Well, it was just for dramatic flair, so forgive me, okay?"
He was as infuriatingly flippant as ever. Annoying in a completely different way from Rizevim.
Yet, contrary to his lighthearted banter, his eyes were dead serious—more so than I had ever seen before. Every punch and kick he threw was heavy, laden with genuine intent to kill. The sharp, piercing glint in his eyes was enough to strike terror into anyone who looked upon it. Even if that someone were a god.
As our intense hand-to-hand combat raged on, Asem asked:
"Now then, Hero-kun... when are you going to bring it out?"
"Bring out what?"
"Isn't it obvious? Your full strength."
As if by mutual agreement, our arms collided, and we both flipped backward through the air to create distance. Stopping a few meters apart, our eyes locked.
I opened and closed my hands a few times to test my grip before finally speaking.
"Full strength, huh... But aren't you still just testing the waters yourself? If you want me to go all out, you'd better come at me with everything you've got, too. That couldn't have been your absolute limit just now, right?"
"Ahaha♪ Who knows? But if you don't unleash your full power, I can't very well show mine either. After all, you're the challenger here."
A challenger... huh?
It was true; considering everything that had brought us to this point, it wasn't wrong to say I was the one challenging Asem.
Both Asem and I knew from our exchanges that neither of us had been fighting seriously. We both wanted to see the absolute bottom of the other's potential—to absorb it completely and then bring the opponent down. Otherwise, this battle would end as nothing more than a cheap farce.
...Alright then.
"...So you're coming at me at full power, then."
Seeing me cross my arms in front of my face, Asem murmured softly.
As I braced myself and channeled power throughout my entire body, a rainbow-colored radiance surged forth from within me. The overflowing light flickered like a roaring flame, illuminating our surroundings. Countless sparks crackled fiercely around the rainbow flames, manifesting the sheer intensity of my aura.
The moment I released my fighting spirit, the entire space began to tremble violently. Rubble rolling on the ground lifted into the air, and the solid earth beneath my feet began to sink under the weight of my power. As I controlled the qi in my body with the Chaining Qi Power Technique and raised my power step by step, both the rainbow flames and the crackling sparks grew exponentially more intense.
I lowered my crossed arms and met Asem's gaze. Asem merely wore a smile as he watched my power swell out of control.
...I've already far surpassed the level of gods and transcendent beings, though. Normally, anyone would turn pale or break out in a cold sweat seeing this... Does this mean he possesses power equal to or even greater than mine?
Well, whatever. It doesn't change what I have to do either way.
I'll put everything I have as an Awakened Innovator into this—!
"Ghaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
I aimed my fist toward the heavens and roared!
In that instant, a monumental force was unleashed and exploded outward! The rainbow flames engulfed the entire stone chamber, completely filling the space—
"—This is the current me."
The brilliantly glowing rainbow flames wrapped around my body. It burned quietly and so divinely that even I found it beautiful. This was my power—the power of Issei Hyoudou.
Watching me clad in that light, Asem let out an admiring sigh.
"Heheh... Now this is getting interesting."
With those words, Asem clenched both of his fists. He took a deep, heavy breath, and his eyes snapped wide open.
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!"
Asem let out a ferocious battle cry! I had fought him many times, but this was the very first time I had ever heard him scream like that.
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