Chapter 259: The Thunder God Temple
The newly formed ice cubes were once again melted into vapor by the scorching air.
Cold air and hot air intertwined, creating swirling vortexes in the atmosphere.
Eric , holding his long spear, swept it horizontally through the empty space. His figure suddenly disappeared from where he stood, reappearing at Esdeath's side.
The red glow in his eyes flashed, and Esdeath, having activated her Observation Haki to its extreme, was already prepared. She raised her western sword to block the sweep of Eric 's spear.
"Your intention to attack is too obvious, try again!" Esdeath, like a demonic instructor, swung her sword with terrifying force, continuously slashing at Eric .
Although their attributes were similar, Eric couldn't compare to Esdeath in terms of combat experience, willpower, and instinct. As soon as the battle began, Eric found himself at a disadvantage.
The sound of metal clashing echoed across the battlefield, the intense sound reverberating in the area. Esdeath, along with her western sword, became an unparalleled weapon, striking Eric again and again, forcing him into constant defense.
Whether blocking or shattering the sword energy, shards of broken sword qi flew out in all directions from the center of Eric and Esdeath, creating massive cracks in the ground.
The clash of Conqueror's Haki generated countless arcs of electricity that crackled, and their fierce exchange shattered the floating clouds above them.
"Keep going, keep going!" Esdeath shouted angrily. "Your potential isn't exhausted yet, don't just defend, attack me!"
Two figures, one white and one blue, tangled together on the battlefield, their sword blades sparking with each clash, blue and white currents of electricity coursing through the air.
In just a few dozen seconds, the two had exchanged blows no less than five hundred times.
Eric 's body transformed into lightning, pushing his speed to the maximum his body could achieve, yet he still remained at a disadvantage.
The aftereffects of their combat had everyone on the sidelines holding their breath.
"Hey, is... is he okay?" Miku asked worriedly from the side. Though she hadn't experienced many real battles, it was clear that the man who saved her was currently being pushed back.
"…Esdeath is testing his skills," Kurumi explained with displeasure. "Even if their strengths are similar, Eric is losing in experience, the application of his abilities, and his battle instincts."
'It's unfortunate that my own power isn't enough. I have to leave this to her…' Kurumi thought bitterly, wanting to bite her handkerchief, 'Damn it!'
Miku asked anxiously, "What do you all do? Am I supposed to join in this fight too? This is terrifying!"
"..." Kurumi didn't want to answer Miku's question, ignoring her inquiry.
The storm-like exchange of attacks continued for over ten minutes, causing the attributes inside Eric 's body to gradually merge with his physical abilities.
The knowledge brought by his attributes became techniques in his body, transforming into strength during the battle.
This was a battle of power, speed, technique, and Haki!
This kind of confrontation would last thousands, even tens of thousands of rounds, and the intense battle would leave an imprint on the body's memory.
The sharp sword strike was faster than thought, and immediately Eric raised his Fire Spike to intercept. The moment their weapons collided, they quickly separated, and Eric swiftly launched his next strike.
"Good! Your body has already memorized the battle!" Esdeath laughed. "Eric , you've always bullied the weak, I thought you would only get weaker!"
"Only by fighting strong opponents can one become stronger!"
"Ooohhh—!" Eric shouted loudly, twisting his hands in two directions. His Fire Spike split into two, one spear stopping the incoming western sword, and the other sweeping forward to attack Esdeath.
"Good!" Esdeath was even more excited. She raised her left hand, a thick ice shield forming around her arm. The scorching purple flames melted the ice shield, and Esdeath quickly formed a new one.
Her fair left hand raised, and sharp ice blades formed, slashing at Eric .
Even though the ice blades were constantly melted by the flames, new ones continued to form. The two were locked in a battle with dual spears and dual swords.
Even though she had fought Scáthach many times, it was always a friendly spar. They never dared to use real weapons in the training room aboard the ship. But this battle was far more intense than the one with Katakuri, making the combat-loving Esdeath even more exhilarated.
If close combat couldn't win against Esdeath, then Eric could only think of using his abilities.
"Bzzzt!"
Several electric currents surged from Eric 's back, looping around him and wrapping around Esdeath, shooting toward her back.
"Crack, crack, crack."
Under the absolute zero domain around Esdeath, the violent electric charges gradually stopped moving and were frozen in midair.
"Clang!"
The weapons collided violently again, creating a shockwave that shattered the ice frozen in the air. Both of them took a step back.
"Is... is it over?" Miku quietly asked again, afraid of drawing Esdeath's attention.
"En~en." Akame shook her head this time. "If we're really going to determine a victor, it will take two or three days."
"Two, three days?" Miku exclaimed in disbelief. "Are they even human?!"
The others all rolled their eyes. The youngest, Wendy, explained to Miku, who didn't know much about this world, "Their physical abilities far exceed that of ordinary people. They belong in the 'superhuman' category; calling them 'monsters' wouldn't be wrong."
"But it shouldn't take that long," Akame said calmly. "I have a feeling the winner will be decided soon."
Esdeath's full chest rose and fell as she caught her breath from the intense battle.
Eric 's breath was more disordered, with large amounts of air being drawn into his lungs, his throat making a hissing sound.
His slightly burned throat made him feel thirsty.
Esdeath grabbed the brim of her hat, swaying it left and right to adjust her appearance, as if the fierce battle just now had never happened.
Powerful, beautiful, combative, bloodthirsty. This—was the true Esdeath!
"What will you do next, my dear Eric ?" She flashed a dangerous smile, like a predator discovering prey.
'This bad woman, but— I like her!'
"Hahahaha!" Eric laughed loudly. "We really need to determine who's on top and who's on the bottom next time!"
"…(laugh)" Esdeath's smile grew wider than before.
Eric pointed upwards and said, "Esdeath, I don't know if you've noticed, but look above."
"That's—thunderclouds?!" Esdeath looked up, her brows lightly furrowing. "When did you do that…"
"I've been melting your ice, creating steam, which formed the clouds," Eric explained. "Even if the shockwaves are strong, the high-temperature steam will still accumulate upwards." (Don't ask too many details; Sasuke and Itachi can easily create thunderclouds in battle, referencing this scene.)
"Let the thunder roar across the sky—"
"Boom!" Countless thunder snakes rolled within the thunderclouds.
"——The Thunder God Temple!"
(END CHAPTER)
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