Our clash sent violent waves of thunder and lightning across the arena.
The barrier trembled, barely holding back the storm we unleashed — though even it couldn't stop the cracks spreading through its surface.
Renji stood before me, cloaked in an aura that crackled with blue electricity. His once-black eyes now glowed bright blue, his hair longer, his nails sharper — like a beast fully awakened. A crimson jewel shone on his forehead, pulsing with energy.
This must be his beast resonance form… I thought, remembering what Sam had said. Not everyone achieved a second awakening — it required impossible conditions unique to each person. Yet here he was, transforming before my eyes.
His scales shimmered like tempered metal, absorbing my lightning strikes. I noticed something strange — his veins glowed red-hot, like molten fire coursing beneath his skin. He's adapting? No… he's absorbing my attacks.
"Renji… what secret are you hiding?" I murmured under my breath.
I dodged his next punch easily — but suddenly, he hit me. It wasn't a strong blow, but the fact that it landed made me grin wide. "Yes… yes! Keep going!"
The tempo changed. No more dodging. No more dancing.
We stood our ground and traded blows like titans.
Every strike birthed a storm — blue and gold lightning intertwined, flashing with earth-shaking power. The arena rumbled beneath our feet, air screaming from the force.
Renji roared, raw and unyielding. I couldn't stop grinning.
Father once told me that true warriors push beyond their limits — and in that moment of danger, they enter something called the Zone… Could this guy be in that state?
My pulse raced with excitement.
"I'll use nineteen percent," I declared, my voice booming across the arena.
Golden lightning surged from my body, my right arm blazing like divine wrath. The audience gasped as I stepped forward, my aura swallowing the world in light. "Let's end this, Alpha Killer!"
I swung my fist — the air cracked — and then I froze.
Renji wasn't moving. He didn't even try to dodge.
His eyes were closed… yet he was still standing.
My lightning halted mid-strike. Slowly, I lowered my arm.
His beast resonance flickered once, then shattered like glass — scales fading, the red jewel dimming.
Silence fell.
The storm above cleared, sunlight piercing through the broken clouds.
Renji was unconscious… but still on his feet.
He hadn't fallen.
I stood there, staring at him — and smiled.
"Is this what it means to have a rival?" I whispered. "Someone who keeps you sharp… who reminds you why you fight?"
I thought of my father's words — pride comes before the fall.
I had let my power blind me, thinking awakening as an S-rank made me untouchable.
But this boy — this F-rank nobody — had faced me head-on and refused to kneel.
I clenched my fist, my grin widening. "I should be ashamed of myself."
Then I spoke, my voice carrying across the hushed arena.
"Well done, Alpha Killer. You're strong."
The referee's trembling voice followed:
"Winner — Denji!"
But I didn't leave him lying there.
I stepped forward, slid an arm beneath his legs, and lifted him into a princess carry. Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"I'll personally take him to the infirmary," I announced. "From today onward… I acknowledge him as my rival."
The silence shattered.
The crowd erupted in thunderous cheers.
"Alpha Killer! Alpha Killer! Alpha Killer!"
He might have lost the fight… but he'd won the hearts of everyone watching.
As I carried him off, I smiled to myself.
You've inspired me, Renji. Maybe… you'll be the one to change this world.