Chapter 64
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: The Event Goes Smoothly!
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'This is it! You cocky little punk!!!'
Steel Mountain was certain that Rubelt, who had taunted and underestimated him, would be thoroughly shattered and reduced to a pathetic sight now that he had unleashed his ultimate technique.
Rubelt's skills were far stronger than Steel Mountain had anticipated.
He was every bit worthy of the title "Golden Kirin."
That was why Steel Mountain believed it was best to crush him right here and now, before he could grow any further.
Beyond the rage from the taunts, he saw Rubelt as such a threat that he needed to use his ultimate technique to finish things decisively.
Kwaaaaaang!
A deafening roar echoed through the air.
Even through Steel Mountain's hands, he could feel the solid impact of a direct hit.
'You were cocky, but you put up a decent fight, kid. Fix that attitude in your next life.'
Thinking Rubelt was dead, Steel Mountain's heart softened a bit.
But that sentiment turned to shock when he withdrew his technique and saw Rubelt's unchanged appearance.
"Wh-what!?"
His greatsword was gone, replaced by a massive shield in Rubelt's hands, and he was holding Yume close beside him.
Not a single scratch, not even a scrape anywhere on him.
'I-impossible! My ultimate technique! He blocked it!?'
An ultimate technique was a profound mystery achieved only through painstaking refinement by its user.
For Rubelt—barely twenty years old and hailed as the Golden Kirin—to block it was a massive shock.
"Well then..."
Rubelt stored the shield back in Hepai, released Yume, assumed a stance, and smiled.
"It's my turn now."
"Urk...!"
The boiling excitement from the taunts subsided, and Steel Mountain felt a chill run down his spine.
'I need to retreat from here first...'
Steel Mountain tried to use Spatial Transfer, now available to him as a Strenzer.
But Rubelt moved first.
Taak!
Rubelt kicked off the ground and closed in on Steel Mountain.
"Accel Rush."
The moment he got close, Rubelt unleashed a martial arts skill.
It was a skill that attacked the enemy from multiple angles with punches and kicks, enhanced by mana to boost speed.
Pupupupupupuk!
"Kuhk! Urk! Uuugh! Aaaagh!"
Steel Mountain was struck all over—arms, stomach, back, waist, legs, face—from every direction at speeds too fast to react.
None of the blows were enough to fell him alone, but they steadily inflicted damage, preventing him from using Spatial Transfer.
"You damn kid!!!"
Desperate to escape Rubelt's onslaught, Steel Mountain wildly swung his greatsword horizontally.
But Rubelt ducked low, evading it without breaking stride.
Then, steadying his stance, he targeted Steel Mountain's abdomen and unleashed a powerful finishing blow.
"Boom Fist!"
Pwaaaaaang!
"Gaaahhhk!"
Struck by Rubelt's Boom Fist, Steel Mountain flew backward spectacularly, crashing into a tree in the park.
Kwaaang!
"Kuhk! Uuugh! You... damn kid...!"
Grinding his teeth at the agony in his abdomen, fury welled up in Steel Mountain.
At the same time, he realized the Rubelt before him was no one to underestimate—a true powerhouse.
Right then.
Steel Mountain sensed other hunters approaching the park.
"Tch!"
Bwooooung!
Crack!
Steel Mountain swung his sword through the air, shattering space and opening a rift.
"Listen up, kid... Next time we meet, I'll crush you for sure. Don't think you've won just because of this!"
Keeping his greatsword trained on Rubelt without relaxing, Steel Mountain vanished into the rift.
After getting thoroughly thrashed, Steel Mountain spouted the classic villain escape line and fled via Spatial Transfer.
I could have grabbed him before he escaped and beaten him more.
But that might have made him rampage even harder, causing more collateral damage.
Better to let things play out within my predicted range, aligning with the Blaze Blood storyline.
So I just watched.
Once Steel Mountain was gone, I turned to Yume.
"Yume, you okay?"
"I'm fine! Thanks to you, Rubelt... I'm safe."
"Good. Oh, sorry about hugging you earlier. I was worried about the backlash from blocking that ultimate technique."
"Oh, I see!"
Yume's face flushed a little as she recalled being held.
"Steel Mountain! Where are you!"
"Everyone, stay alert!"
Right on cue, the hunters from the Hunter Branch arrived at the park, having rushed over after the report.
"What? He's gone?"
"But there are traces...?"
"Hey! There's a cadet over there!"
The hunters had arrived incredibly fast.
I'd just dealt with Steel Mountain even quicker.
After that.
Yume and I fielded a barrage of questions from the hunters.
Where was Steel Mountain?
Were we unhurt?
Could we explain what happened?
Of course, we told them everything they wanted to know.
"You made Steel Mountain retreat?"
"For real?"
"How did a cadet...?"
They didn't believe it at first.
But when I revealed I was Rubelt Eldra, their doubts vanished noticeably.
"Rubelt Eldra...?"
"The Golden Kirin...?"
"What an incredible junior."
If it had been some nobody, they might have dismissed it, but my reputation lent it credibility.
Once the questioning wrapped up, I immediately called the repair crew.
Repair crew.
They're the folks who specialize in fixing buildings and terrain damaged when Strenzers go on rampages.
Lately, Steel Mountain's antics had been keeping them busy.
"Hello, Young Master."
"Please take care of it."
"Yes, sir!"
After a quick greeting with the team leader from the Eldra crew, I turned to Yume.
"Doesn't look like we can keep shopping now... Shall we head back? I'll give you a ride."
"Uh... Y-yeah!"
I called for the limousine, and we got in.
During the quiet ride to Yume's house.
I timed it perfectly and let out a breath.
"Haa, that was really lucky. The taunt worked on Steel Mountain. It was super effective."
"Effective?"
"Yeah. He got so mad his movements got predictable... And most importantly, his focus stayed on me instead of you."
"Oh... So that's why you provoked him like that."
"Right. But I didn't expect him to go as far as his ultimate technique."
In truth, I'd baited him into it on purpose.
It let me create that heroic moment protecting Yume in my arms from the powerful attack.
"Sorry for putting you in danger needlessly."
"N-no! Really! Don't apologize! You protected me, Rubelt!"
"Yeah?"
"Yes! So no apologies. If anything, I came out unscathed thanks to you."
"Thanks for saying that. Oh, and that support spell you cast was a huge help. With Strength buffed, I could send even Steel Mountain flying."
"Really? But that's probably because you're strong to begin with, Rubelt."
"I am strong, but I couldn't have done it without your support spell. Thanks, Yume. For the spell, evacuating people, and calling the hunters."
I kept expressing gratitude for everything she'd done.
It made her even more bashful, building a sweet atmosphere that boosted her affection for me.
Once the mood had ripened nicely.
"Um... Rubelt. Today..."
"Ah, we're here."
"Huh?"
Perfectly timed—the limousine pulled up in front of Yume's house.
"Yume, what were you going to say?"
"...Nothing. Just, thanks for today."
"Yeah, thanks to you too. See you at the academy."
"Okay..."
Yume looked a bit disappointed.
I could have swept her up and kept her then, but.
For Yume, I didn't want to force it.
Better to heighten her impatience and amplify her feelings until she confessed first.
Still, I couldn't just part ways like that.
"Yume, if you're up for it, want to go shopping again sometime?"
"Huh?"
"It got cut short because of the Strenzer. If you're okay with it, next time..."
"Yes! Let's! I wanted to shop more too!"
Vitality bloomed across Yume's previously wistful face.
Yeah, this bright expression suits her perfectly.
"Great, we'll set a date later. Get home safe."
"You too, Rubelt!"
We parted with cheerful goodbyes.
Way better than dragging it out ambiguously like some frustrating rom-com.
On the way back to the mansion, my phone rang.
It was Father—via video call, no less.
"Hello."
[Rubelt my boooooy! My preeeeeecious son!]
As soon as I picked up, Father's tear-streaked face appeared.
[Rubelt my boooooy!]
Mother was there too.
"What's wrong?"
[We heard! You faced off against a Strenzer!? Are you hurt? Our precious boy!]
"Ah."
Word of my fight with Steel Mountain had reached my parents.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I actually overwhelmed that Strenzer."
[Really?]
[Our son overwhelmed a Strenzer?]
"Of course. Whose son am I? This is Rubelt Eldra. I shone spectacularly in my first Strenzer battle. Not a scratch on me. Hahaha!"
With my confident laugh, smiles bloomed on their faces, tears seemingly forgotten.
[Hahaha! See, dear? I told you not to worry about our boy!]
[Oh my! You! I believed in Rubelt too! Ohohoho!]
[That's right! A party! We'll throw a party! To celebrate Rubelt's victory over the Strenzer!]
[Great idea, dear!]
"Father, Mother. If you're throwing a party, how about in a week? For such a milestone, let's make it grand with more prep time."
[If that's what our boy wants!]
[Yes! A party like this needs more than a few hours! Start preparing right now, dear!]
[Right, my love! Hahaha!]
[Ohohohoho!]
The joyful family meeting ended, and soon we arrived at the mansion.
The moment I stepped out of the car.
"Rubelt niiiiiim~!"
Eli came running from the mansion entrance and threw herself into my arms.