Chapter 72
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Translator: Xrecker
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: Tyrant
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I had thought their fight was an even match, but it turned out Gav had been holding back.
I couldn't simply label him as “on the level of the Four Heavenly Kings.” None of the Heavenly Kings I had met so far had exuded such an overwhelming presence.
I hadn’t fought the Demon Lord or Walter Leonhart, who was said to be the strongest of the Four Heavenly Kings, so I couldn't say for sure, but one thing was certain: Gav was incredibly strong.
Even I couldn’t guarantee a victory against him.
After the match, Ozma, having been eliminated in the semifinals, walked down the hallway, her expression vacant.
Gav had gone in the opposite direction, so they wouldn’t run into each other.
She met my gaze and smiled sheepishly, her head bowed.
“I’m sorry, Kaldrash. I couldn’t keep my promise to meet you in the finals.”
She clutched her chest, her hands trembling.
“I was a fool. I underestimated the gap between us. I acted as if I had already won.”
I nodded.
“It wasn’t just bad luck. Thirty-five times is more than enough to learn your lesson.”
“…You’re right. I was deluding myself. I thought I had finally caught up.”
Ozma surprisingly admitted her own shortcomings.
“But today, I finally understood. There’s an insurmountable gap between me and Gav. He’s strong. He’ll be the next Demon Lord.”
I asked Ozma, a hint of resignation in her voice,
“Are you giving up?”
“Yes. To be honest, I’m tired. Tired of challenging an opponent I can’t defeat.”
I stared at Ozma.
What had made her so afraid?
It wasn't hard to figure out.
Gav’s final technique, after his arm had been slashed by the Hellfire Katana.
He had simply stomped his foot.
But that simple action had overwhelmed everyone in the arena.
An absolute presence, as if he ruled over all creation.
That one step had imprinted the fact of Gav’s overwhelming strength onto the minds of the weaker demons.
I looked at Ozma.
“Then how about a wager?”
“…What kind of wager?”
“If I defeat Gav, you challenge him again next year.”
Ozma stared at me, as if she couldn't comprehend my words.
“Why do you care so much? What’s in it for you?”
I chuckled.
“My only disciple is discouraged.”
“What?”
“You called me your master, didn’t you? I wasn’t particularly thrilled about it at first, but I can’t have my disciple sulking. I have to show her what I’m made of.”
I flicked Ozma’s forehead, who was staring at me with a dumbfounded expression.
Flick!
“Ouch!”
Ozma clutched her forehead, her eyes watering.
“Just watch the finals. I’ll show you something amazing.”
I patted Ozma’s shoulder and walked past her towards the arena.
I could feel her intense gaze on my back, but I pretended not to notice.
Sometimes, actions spoke louder than words.
***
The final match was scheduled for thirty minutes after the semifinals.
It wasn't enough time for injured contestants to fully recover, but the organizers didn't seem to care.
The audience’s time was more important than the contestants’ well-being.
Having nothing else to do, I went to the arena entrance early.
I spotted Nick Iron sitting in the VIP section on the second floor.
He was surrounded by elderly demons, likely other dignitaries attending the exchange.
I tried to find Camilla, but she seemed to be sitting in a section that wasn't visible from the entrance.
I put my orichalcum knuckles, which had served me well so far, in my bag and took out Stormbringer.
This would be a tough fight. I had to use everything at my disposal.
I put on the white gauntlets and flexed my fingers.
They were custom-made and fit perfectly.
Unlike Gav, who had been seriously injured, I had ended the semifinals without a scratch.
Physically, I was in much better condition.
But Gav must have had a few tricks up his sleeve, and his Ki Arts were incredibly powerful. I couldn’t guarantee I could block them.
And since he had wings, a bombardment from above would be difficult.
I spent the remaining time planning and simulating various strategies.
And then—
“Ladies and gentlemen! The moment you’ve all been waiting for! The final match! The two warriors who have fought their way through countless opponents will now take the stage!”
The announcer’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.
“All or nothing, I guess.”
If my master were here, she would have told me to go for the win.
And she would have been right. Building a reputation within the Demon Lord’s army would be beneficial. But I couldn't be sure if I could defeat Gav.
But…
I had made a promise to Ozma. I had to at least try.
Even if I lost, I didn’t want it to be because I hadn’t given it my all.
Slap!
I slapped my cheeks, steeling myself.
I put on my mask.
It was time to fight.
***
As I walked out into the arena, the crowd roared.
“WAAAAAAAAAAH!”
“Patrasche! Patrasche! Patrasche!”
The atmosphere was electric.
Despite having ended most of my matches in under five minutes, the audience didn’t seem to mind.
Or perhaps they were excited to see a monstrous rookie in a tournament filled with veterans.
Since demons had long lifespans and their physical prime lasted for a long time, there wasn’t much generational change.
I waved to the crowd, playing along, and stepped onto the stage.
My opponent, Gav, emerged from the opposite entrance.
His wounds from the fight with Ozma hadn’t fully healed, but he walked with a confident stride.
He met my gaze and grinned, raising a hand.
“Hey, we finally meet.”
I shrugged.
“So it seems.”
Gav, pleased with my response, laughed heartily and threw off his cloak.
“I apologize to Ozma, but you’re the only one I wanted to fight in this tournament.”
I glanced at the wound on his arm.
“It looks like a pretty deep cut.”
Gav scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
“I didn’t expect that strange sword to be able to penetrate my ki barrier.”
I could relate.
If I hadn't been wearing Stormbringer, my wrist would have been shattered.
Anyway, having found some common ground, we shook hands in the center of the stage and then took our positions.
“I’d like to chat more, but we don’t have time.”
“We can talk over a drink after the match.”
“Sounds good. I’ll even listen to the loser’s ramblings.”
“Won’t you be the one rambling, Gav?”
We exchanged taunts and clenched our fists.
Fistfights were rare in the West.
Ki Arts, being an Eastern discipline, was only known to a select few. And for those with only a basic understanding, using a sword or spear was more effective.
“Suuh…”
Whirrrr—
My mana furnace spun violently.
I slowly raised my arms and extended my fists.
Spellweave Armament - Whirlwind Bone Cutter
A fierce whirlwind enveloped my Stormbringer gauntlets.
Gav, watching my preparations, chuckled.
“I’d like to face you with Ki Arts as well.”
“But as you can see, my arm is in no condition to fight.”
“What?”
I was about to ask what he meant when his muscular body began to glow.
His body grew, expanding rapidly.
The creature that emerged was truly worthy of the name Heavenly Demon Dragon, exuding an overwhelming presence.
A large, powerful jaw.
A sharp tail.
Menacing teeth.
Thick legs.
Short arms.
…Short arms?
By the time I realized something was wrong, it was too late.
The creature before me was not what I had expected.
A Tyrannosaurus Rex, the king of the dinosaurs, roared before me.
“No, wait. This is cheating.”