Chapter 48
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Terror (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Hoo…”
Just clashing fists created a savage gust that tore through the surroundings.
Monsters whose fight could shatter the arena floor with a single step off the ground.
No special abilities involved.
Overwhelming was the same.
The enemy before him dominated as the strongest among America's elite heroes through sheer physical prowess alone.
Not like himself, whose power exceeded normal limits thanks to the Stat Cheat.
Simply possessing a superpower that enhanced physical abilities, plus decades of battle experience and accumulated effort—that was the source of this level of strength.
A single punch that could alter the weather, demolish a massive building in one blow.
Perhaps even capable of shattering mountains and rivers.
Right now, they were holding back, focusing their power on precise points, so the aftermath wasn't that extreme. But even exchanging attacks in pinpoint strikes rather than spreading the force wide produced this much impact.
What kind of person is this...?
He was strong.
Undeniably strong.
Among everyone he'd met so far, no one had been this strong.
Not that it was undeserved—he was called America's strongest hero for a reason. Even when striking with full sincerity, the man steadfastly blocked everything.
Even that old man had blocked his initial attacks somewhat, but soon after, he'd spent the whole day getting pummeled without properly defending.
Since that old man had said Overwhelming possessed incomparable strength, he'd expected him to be formidable.
But...
I didn't think it'd be this much...
He hadn't gone all-out yet, but Overwhelming was defending well while landing occasional counterattacks.
Attacks he couldn't ignore, either.
Ones that would sting fiercely if they connected.
For an ordinary person, they'd pulverize limbs, leaving nothing but dust.
What was it? Finally, it felt like a real fight was taking shape.
Impressive...
As mentioned earlier, Overwhelming could hang with him at near-equal footing thanks to sufficient physical ability backed by decades of hard-earned experience.
Without either one, the fight wouldn't have lasted this long.
This must be what they meant by seasoned strength.
Coming from someone who'd gained power through a cheat, the effort to reach this level over decades was truly admirable.
“You're incredibly strong... As expected of America's top hero.”
He offered genuine praise, full of admiration.
Having unexpectedly taken hits himself, his clothes were quite torn.
Of course, unlike the shredded fabric, his body beneath was unscathed. In contrast, Overwhelming's struck areas were bruised deep purple.
Considering he'd never even torn clothes before, it showed Overwhelming's prowess—but objectively, the power gap was clear.
While he and Overwhelming could gauge each other's difference, the spectators outside might see Overwhelming slightly pushed back, but not a definitive gap. It would look evenly matched, with him holding a slight edge.
“Hah... That kid's nothing like we thought...”
“What do you mean?”
“Earlier, that Thunder Emperor bastard said you might be able to beat me... But this isn't just 'might.' At this rate, I might actually lose.”
He spoke with a mix of exasperation and delight.
Apparently, no hero had satisfied him in ages.
Even facing potential elimination from the national exchange event, he seemed thrilled.
“You look thrilled, even though you might lose to me?”
“Hahaha! Of course! I didn't become a hero for honors. Saving people is my trade, but what excites me is fighting the strong. That's my joy in life.”
This guy's mindset is pure fighter...
From a hero's perspective, it was a bit off, but possessing such a straightforward battler's mentality was fascinating.
Not clinging to decades of achievements, purely enjoying the fight—that wasn't easy.
Well, his title was America's strongest hero, not the greatest, so it fit.
“Already over?”
“No way.”
They'd just chatted briefly.
Still, dominating too overwhelmingly might stir unwanted reactions, so he'd fight moderately and barely win around now...
Decision made, he assumed his stance.
Noticing his intent to resume, Overwhelming silently did the same.
A brief silence passed between them.
Then, as if on cue, they charged simultaneously.
“...?!”
A strange current rippled through the air.
A sensation utterly unlike Overwhelming's made his hairs stand on end.
Instinct screamed not to clash like this; he halted mid-stride.
And he wasn't alone.
“Hm...?!”
Overwhelming stopped dead too.
“Kid... You felt it too?”
“Yes...”
If his senses weren't wrong, staying put was dangerous.
Thanks to his maxed-out senses from the Stat Cheat, he couldn't explain it, but danger loomed.
“We need to stop the match and evacuate everyone...”
…………!!
A vibration like an explosion rocked the area.
Looking around, citizens caught in blasts, others fleeing desperately.
And amid the chaos, mysterious figures unleashed terror in all directions.
“What...!”
Security breached so easily at a national exchange event?
He couldn't comprehend, but he couldn't stand idle—he stepped forward.
“You two, kindly move elsewhere for now.”
A voice from a villain in a strange mask rang out as his vision warped.
And then...
“...Huh?”
When he came to, he was in a barren desert, nothing around.
As their battle heated up.
Those worried for Do-yoon at first, or grumbling about the match going wrong, all held their breath watching intently.
Do-yoon, thought to lose easily, fought evenly instead. Overwhelming, expected to win handily, was being pushed harder than anticipated.
Unlike Do-yoon's composed demeanor, Overwhelming showed clear strain, leading to speculation that pure physical prowess favored Do-yoon overwhelmingly.
Overwhelming's century-long reign as top hero wouldn't crumble easily, but everyone knew this defied common sense.
Who could believe a rookie hero, barely debuted, overpowering America's century-dominant strongest with raw physicality?
The mind could grasp it, but the heart couldn't accept it—that realm.
Especially unbelievable for Americans who took pride in Overwhelming's power.
Please...
Win...!
As Asians rooted for Do-yoon's victory, Americans for Overwhelming's, and others munched popcorn indifferently.
The anomaly struck abruptly.
Guards vanished one by one; silence fell.
By the time slower-to-react citizens and the isolated fighters inside noticed, it was far too late.
Space twisted, villains emerged, indiscriminate terror began.
- T-terror! These bastards, where did they—!!
- This is Sigma! Sigma reporting enemy ambush terror!
- H-help! Aaagh!!
Sudden assault claimed many lives.
Even heroes fared no better.
Most weren't high-ranked, relatively weak against surprise attacks.
Those realizing the crisis sought aid from the two arena heroes, but...
“N-no way...”
The hero scanning the arena froze in horror at the sight.
For some reason, both were gone.
Where they should have been,
“Kukukuku...”
Only a masked freak stood, cackling sinisterly.
Ah...
Realizing no one capable of resolving this remained, the hero went blank.
The terror raged on.
Uncontrollably, spiraling into the worst scenario.