Ringo observed Hunting Blade's shocked expression, he easily grasping his hand. His body reacted far more readily to his energy than Black Spider could, his resistance to the pugilistic flames reached an insane level in that brief moment. It was as if the energy completely passed through him without damaging him, retaining only the kinetic energy of Hunting Blade's fist.
Even with all of Ringo's enhancements, this type of kinetic damage was laughable to him. If he transformed into his nightmare form, he could even stand still while letting Hunting Blade hit him, but unfortunately Hunting Blade wouldn't stop using the pugilistic flames, so he would still consume evolutionary energy to dodge the damage.
In any case, Ringo didn't wait for Hunting Blade to act, in the next instant, he grabbed Hunting Blade by the wrist and released his spear, using the now free hand to punch his stomach.
Hunting Blade snapped out of the shock and just as quickly as Ringo parried his punch, another explosion rang out as the tremendous force of two Grade A Supers clashed, the earth vibrated, and the rain was thrown away.
Hunting Blade became furious the next moment, unleashing a series of rapid punches while Ringo defended and punched back on his own. An ordinary observer wouldn't even be able to see the speed of their movements, punches and kicks flew everywhere, it looked like a blur.
The battlefield didn't get any better, trees were being thrown far away, the ground was giving way, mud was rolling... the pair moved so fast that the fight already spanned several kilometers, each step seemed to open a crater and the air resistance was as hard as cement.
If it weren't for this planet being extremely large and durable, they would probably already be causing large-scale earthquakes.
Hunting Blade grew increasingly shocked as they fought, but his excitement also grew, after all, even though he didn't look like the other muscle-bound Pugilists, it was because he focused on speed.
Black Spider could keep up with him, which shocked him so much that he almost thought Black Spider was like him, a Pugilist focused on speed, but the fact that Ringo didn't have Pugilist's flames made it clear that he wasn't one.
Therefore, he could only assume it was some kind of Esper power for physical enhancement, judging by the fact that his flames barely hurt him, he could only assume that the energy emanating from "Black Spider" was some kind of defensive ability.
Ringo was slower than Hunting Blade, much slower, but he had learned from Li after all, his life energy, Chi, enveloped his fists as he not only moved, he anticipated, he sensed, each of his strikes was full of possibilities, forcing Hunting Blade to concentrate on each one, or he would be hit.
It had been a long time since Ringo stopped training with Li that he had felt such great excitement in a fight. Compared to Li, Hunting Blade had very poor technique, but his powerful physique and astounding speed made up for it.
For a moment, engrossed in his amusement, he completely forgot that he was supposed to be testing Umbra Alba, it wasn't until he felt the vibration through the connection between them that he remembered it.
Of course, Hunting Blade took advantage of that moment of carelessness, sending Ringo flying with a punch to the face.
Ringo broke several trees in his path as he was thrown far away, eventually ending up embedded in a high hillside.
He sighed, feeling that punch had really felt good. He saw Hunting Blade approaching him unhurriedly, his lips pursed in excitement, he was clearly enjoying the fight too.
-Black Spider, isn't it? At first I wanted to tear off some of your limbs for making me search for you all over this planet, but your strength... surprised me. The tyrant sent you an invitation, come and join us!- Hunting Blade even ignored the stage of taking Ringo back and asked right there.
It became clear that Hunting Blade really appreciated Ringo.
Ringo smiled slightly and with a burst of strength, he carved a hole in the hillside where he was perched, falling gently between the rocks and the rain onto the stony ground.
He didn't answer, but raised his hand to the side. The next moment, Hunting Blade heard a noise coming from the left. Shocked, he saw a spear flying at high speed before turning to lie horizontally, perfect for landing in Ringo's hand.
-Save that kind of invitation for after the fight.- Ringo smiled, gripping the spear in a double grip, he lowered his torso and pointed the spear's tip downwards in a diagonal stance. -Besides... we're only just getting started.
Hunting Blade narrowed his eyes and clicked his tongue, but smiled, so he would stick to the original plan, strike him first.
The next moment, Ringo lunged forward, a sideways slashing motion nearly striking Hunting Blade's neck as his eyes widened, Ringo's speed had increased!
Looking closer, he noticed the energy of the void enveloping Ringo, space seemed to distort with his movement.
-I see, that spear looks very good, it'll be a nice spoil after I defeat you.- He jumped back as he spoke.
Ringo scoffed and Umbra alba also vibrated with irritation.
The next moment, Ringo advanced again, but this time he activated the distortion. Before Hunting Blade's shocked eyes, the entire space around him was as if placed in a centrifuge. His cry of pain was heard as Ringo didn't stop, pointing the spear directly at him and activating the Void Jet.
A dragon's roar was heard as a powerful grayish-white orb of energy formed from the tip of the spear in a fraction of a second, the next instant, all the energy was sent forward in a straight line like an energy laser.
Hunting Blade, still airborne and suffering from the effects of the Void Distortion, took the direct hit. He used all his strength to protect himself with his pugilistic flames, greatly increasing his defense.
Even so, when the jet of void energy, as thick as a baby's arm, hit his shoulder, it still tore a deep hole, making Hunting Blade scream in pain.
Ringo was surprised, it seemed Umbra Alba's power was even greater than he had expected. Of course, there was an element of unpredictability present, but even so, the power was tremendous.
That distortion of the void, even he would have suffered greatly from it, the Void Jet was even stronger, opening a hole in Hunting Blade's chest. If it weren't for Ringo's reluctance to kill him, it could have destroyed his head or heart.
Hunting Blade completely lost the ability to fight and was left in a near-death state.
He breathed heavily, lying on the floor, clutching the hole in his shoulder and using all his strength to stop the bleeding, yet his pale face showed that he had already lost a great deal of blood.
All the blood was lost amidst the mud and rain.
He raised his head with difficulty, glancing at Ringo with irritation, but his gaze finally returned to the spear, a longing in his eyes.
-You're going to regret this.- He finally turned his gaze to Ringo.
-Why? Is Fosters Slott coming next time?- Ringo asked curiously.
Hunting Blade's eyes darted erratically, he sensed that even his commander would have difficulty dealing with Ringo, especially with that strange spear.
He spat on the ground and glared at Ringo before speaking. -The Tyrant doesn't take "no" for an answer.
But before Ringo could answer, a black figure glowing with green light appeared before him, and, seeing Hunting Blade's shocked eyes, Ames looked at him indifferently.
Hunting Blade couldn't believe his eyes, the Dragon Emperor had appeared in person?!
Ames didn't care about Hunting Blade's thoughts, instead, she spoke. -Tell Heber, if he wants, I can take this all the way.
Her words were gentle, but the authority in her voice was evident.
Hunting Blade swallowed hard, sensing that death was literally just a few meters away.
He could only nod with difficulty before watching Ames and "Black Spider" move away slightly before disappearing completely into the heavy rain.