Chapter 400: Ah, Great America (3)
Chapter 400: Ah, Great America (3)
I don’t know what kind of conversation they had while I was gone, but the sparring is proceeding as usual.
It’s a match with Baek Si-hyun and Han A-bin as a duo.
Setting Si-hyun aside, the reason A-bin got dragged into this is likely because, as Ultimate said, his intention from the start was to test the strength of both.
If Si-hyun hadn't committed such a discourtesy, I don't know how he would have steered the conversation toward sparring, but considering Ultimate’s motives, A-bin is probably the main target rather than the relatively skilled Si-hyun.
So, he must have sweet-talked the two of them somehow.
I’m not sure what the rules are, but they’re probably standard.
Start on the signal, no lethal force. That sort of thing….
“I will begin my attack thirty seconds after we start! Attack me with the intent to kill!”
Well, I guess not.
Then again, there’s no way Ultimate would be that conventional.
Thirty seconds, though. He’s giving them quite a generous window of time.
Thinking that, I suppressed my lingering irritation and sat down haphazardly on the ground.
“I told you, we don’t need it!”
Baek Si-hyun was jumping up and down, protesting Ultimate’s penalty, but no one reacted to her words.
Han A-bin was merely nodding with a pensive expression, and Si-hyun was the only one wasting energy by hopping around.
Consequently, the protest was ignored.
Judging that all preparations were complete, Ultimate plugged his phone into the ground outside the sparring area and spoke.
“The battle begins in thirty seconds! We start when the alarm rings! The alarm will ring again thirty seconds after that! I will begin my attack from that moment on, so be careful!”
“We! Don’t! Need it!”
Despite her words, Si-hyun quietly took a combat stance.
“Use that energy to land a hit on me instead!”
Ultimate laughed heartily, completely ignoring Si-hyun’s remark.
The moment Ultimate returned to the starting point after finishing the setup.
The surroundings fell silent.
Even Si-hyun stopped her chatter and glared at her opponent.
In the quiet field where only the wind made a sound.
After thirty seconds that felt like an eternity.
Beep.
The moment the buzzer on the phone signaled the start of the match.
“Si-hyun!”
“Got it!”
Immediately, the battle began.
Han A-bin dropped into a kneeling shooting posture, and Baek Si-hyun sprinted toward Ultimate.
She ran fast, trailing her Silver Hammer behind her.
However, her actions were enough to make me question her.
Why is she doing that?
It’s too linear, too simple.
The usual Baek Si-hyun would have rushed in while creating weapons or summoning clones, but right now, she was just running with her hammer in hand.
If she were like me and had no abilities, it would be one thing, but this isn't the kind of move someone with Si-hyun’s diverse powers would make.
Could it be that because Ultimate is going easy on them, she plans to take it easy too?
If so, that’s a blunder.
For Si-hyun and A-bin to defeat Ultimate, their only victory plan is to pour every possible attack into those first thirty seconds.
And yet, to waste those golden thirty seconds so half-heartedly….
My train of thought was cut short.
Because something began to happen.
Crackle. Crackle. Zap.
Sparks ignited in the air, and clones of bright yellow light popped out.
Perhaps because A-bin had nagged her so much, Si-hyun’s clones were now wearing something similar to a uniform, just like her.
Is she planning to overwhelm him with numbers?
But why didn't they appear alongside Space Control?
Seeing A-bin kneeling and staying still, she must be assisting with all the calculations, so the deployment should have been successful by now.
If they don't appear with Space Control, Si-hyun’s clones—which are essentially just lumps of lightning—are nothing more than electrical attacks that waste processing power and energy just to take human form.
Just as I thought that and checked the weapons they were holding.
A new question immediately bloomed.
…They don't have weapons?
All nine clones were positioned in the air with empty hands.
No, to be precise, they weren't completely empty-handed.
Each of the nine clones held an unknown sphere that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.
…No, wait.
I recognize those spheres.
Surely, those are the… room-temperature fusion reactors… created by the AO Institute Director….
Wait a minute.
“You’re not seriously thinking of throwing those, are you?”
Please tell me I’m wrong.
Even if Ultimate told them to come at him with the intent to kill, firing explosives during a sparring match?
If any problem arises from that, the blame will undoubtedly fall on me.
Thus, the moment I stood up to prepare for any contingency.
“Calculations complete!”
Han A-bin’s voice rang out loudly.
Followed by.
“Open (開).”
Baek Si-hyun’s voice echoed.
And then, everything began to shift.
Click. Click. Click.
The fusion reactors held by the clones began to glow.
Each clone took a different action.
Amidst the moving clones.
Baek Si-hyun raised her hammer and shouted.
“War (戰).”
Boom.
The Hammer struck the ground.
Vroom.
Along with a massive amount of mana, a large Magic Circle began to be drawn on the earth.
Holy shit.
I couldn't help but swallow those words.
This is just wrong.
Even at a glance, the composition was absurd.
Magical Girl-based Lightning Magic.
A Martial Artist-based original Form (形).
Humanity’s mechanical technology, though likely not Si-hyun’s own ability.
A Magic Circle drawn by pure magic, not a Magical Girl’s spell.
All of those elements harmonized.
They began to open Baek Si-hyun’s Space Control.
It wasn't the usual space crackling with electricity, but a space that was merely slightly blurred, as if a single layer of filter had been applied.
It spread out widely from the spot where The Hammer struck.
“Impressive!”
The moment Ultimate, caught within the area of effect, let out a word of admiration.
Pang. Pang. Pang. Pang. Pang.
A barrage of impacts began.
Five Baek Si-hyuns sprinted through the field.
Not clones, but Baek Si-hyuns with full color.
They were launching attacks at Ultimate with a speed that ranked among the highest I had ever seen.
In terms of instantaneous speed alone, the attacks were already incredibly close to the Thunder God.
Of course, the Thunder God’s strength lies not only in being the fastest in the world but also in the lack of limits when converting energy into power, so it’s hard to say the Thunder God is weaker than her just yet.
And it was only the instantaneous speed that approached the Thunder God.
Her average speed and the weight behind each blow were still lacking compared to the Thunder God.
Even so, the sheer number of Baek Si-hyuns covered for that.
Five Baek Si-hyuns with physical substance, not clones.
I thought perhaps the clones had transformed through some effect, but my senses denied it.
All five of them were the real Baek Si-hyun.
I don't know how such a thing is possible; I’m not an analysis expert.
The technique used there was already the result of multiple overlapping technologies.
Those five Baek Si-hyuns moved freely within the field in a lightning-transformed state, summoning and firing numerous weapons, switching them on the fly to strike Ultimate.
…She’s really lost it.
Even I couldn't win against that.
Of course, that’s only as long as my limiter remains active.
So, how would Ultimate counter this?
Well, as expected.
Ultimate was blocking everything.
While providing commentary.
“It’s an overlap of multiple realities using precognition! The power to create the main bodies is a variation of weapon creation!”
How does he even know that?
“You’re drawing the lacking energy from the outside! This field itself is a composite of your own Form (形) and magic!”
The martial artists and mages are going to hate this.
As you can tell by how relaxed the target of the attack was.
All of Baek Si-hyun’s attacks were being shut down.
Pang. Pang. Pang. Pang. Pang.
Blocked by the telekinetic barriers Ultimate was manifesting.
Occasionally, there were heavy attacks that pierced those barriers or clean hits aimed at openings.
“Hmph! You’ll have to hit harder than that to pierce my skin!”
Pang.
Ultimate’s reinforced muscles bounced even those attacks away, and his movements acted as counters, blowing the attackers back instead.
He really is an absurd guy.
A body of absolute invincibility that looks like it belongs in a manga or a movie.
It’s not truly invincible since my attacks pierce it just fine, but for mediocre opponents, he’s a total dead end.
Clearly, Baek Si-hyun’s new Space Control is an incredible technique.
Even with external help, the fact that she put this together proves she’s a genius.
However, in the end, it’s a technique that lacks absolute offensive power.
Numerous Baek Si-hyuns appear and attack, but they are ultimately her clones.
They lack the absolute power needed to break through Ultimate’s defense.
And there was one more problem.
“Huff. Huff.”
The sound of labored breathing echoed five times.
Even though barely twenty seconds had passed since the space was opened.
Baek Si-hyun’s stamina was beginning to run dry.
As expected, that technique consumes a massive amount of power.
She’s covering it with external energy, but even that must have its limits.
Unlike how she was throwing a fit before the sparring started, Si-hyun had clearly staked everything on these thirty seconds.
The only problem was that Ultimate was simply stronger than she had imagined.
Still, that should be enough for a passing grade.
Just as I thought that and was about to stop the sparring, which had an obvious conclusion.
…Where did A-bin go?
Han A-bin was nowhere to be seen.
She should have been supporting the Space Control.
Thinking that, I turned my gaze to where the missing A-bin might be.
The moment I looked toward the spot where five exhausted Baek Si-hyuns were crawling and one muscle-head was standing.
Flash.
A red light filled the stronghold.
And Ultimate froze.
Sensory Control.
Han A-bin’s trump card.
But no one should be able to pierce Ultimate’s protection.
It was a defense that even a full-strength Baek Si-hyun couldn't break.
Even if A-bin launched a surprise attack, there was no way it could….
Whoosh.
An ominous feeling surged.
A mana wavelength I had felt once before.
The mana wavelength of an old comrade, from where the nightmare began.
Instinctively, I looked up toward the source of that feeling.
Above Ultimate’s head.
I saw it.
Han A-bin was falling from the sky in a straight line toward Ultimate.
In her hand was a glowing red arrow.
Stained red by the blood flowing from A-bin’s hand, it glowed with an indescribably cruel crimson light.
“….”
Blood Magic.
Did A-bin really inherit it?
That’s one more thing to worry about.
How much power does that technique have?
Well, he probably won't die.
The moment I finished that thought.
Thwack.
The red arrow pierced through Ultimate’s defense and embedded itself in his muscle.
Ultimate’s muscles flinched.
The first clear evidence that an attack had succeeded.
And that was exactly thirty seconds.
My internal clock confirmed it, and just as I was about to intervene to forcibly end the sparring.
Dun dun dun, dun-da-dun, dun-da-dun.
From the phone stuck in the ground came the world’s most famous theme song—the one belonging to the guy in the respirator mask who says "I am your father."
What the hell is that?
Because that music, which didn't suit the battle at all, blared out, I was startled and missed my timing to charge in.
“Greeeeeeeeat!”
Boom.
An overwhelming explosion of sound erupted.
A massive roar from the quickly recovered Ultimate.
“Truly magnificent! Magnificent! My eyes were wrong to give you thirty seconds!”
Ultimate shouted as he crouched down.
“As a sign of my apology! I shall show you my attack!”
With the arrow still stuck in his back, he began to twist his body.
He pulled his right hand far back, and his muscles began to bulge.
My two disciples stared at him blankly.
Baek Si-hyun, who was crawling on the ground, exhausted.
And Han A-bin, who looked like she didn't understand the situation, wearing a face that said, ‘What is this?’
Looking at her expression, she probably put some technique into the arrow meant to neutralize Ultimate in one shot, but it seems to have missed the mark.
Of course, to our hot-blooded muscle-head Ultimate, none of that mattered.
“Boom! Puuuuuunch!”
BOOOOOOOOOOOM!
Due to the punch thrown by the muscle-idiot, everything in front of Ultimate blew up in a spectacular explosion that was almost comical.
The two disciples became stars and flew into the sky.
And so, the sparring ended.
* * *
“Senior. Are you awake?”
After boarding the vehicle to move to our destination, Han A-bin spoke to me as I lay in the cargo area in a foul mood, staring at the sky through the window with narrowed eyes.
“What.”
I still wasn't in a good mood, but I wasn't the type to take my anger out on an innocent person, so I quietly opened my eyes in response to A-bin.
“Ah, you were awake. I have a few things I’m curious about.”
“I hope they aren't the kind of questions that stir up trouble.”
Like the ones Baek Si-hyun asks.
“No, it’s nothing like that…. Um…. But you might not like it….”
Seeing A-bin stammer, it seemed like a question that might get on my nerves.
Still, it should be fine.
A-bin isn't someone who fails to read the room like Si-hyun; it’s probably a carefully considered question.
Besides, could my mood get any worse than it already is?
So.
“Just say it.”
I replied without sitting up.
Han A-bin took a short breath to steady herself and then spoke.
“Senior. You hate the Hero Ultimate, don't you?”
“Yeah. I hate him.”
At least she’s dropped the honorific for Ultimate now.
Regardless, it was a more mundane question than I expected.
I had even prepared to control my anger in case she stepped on a landmine I hadn't anticipated, but it was unnecessary.
“May I ask why? I haven't fully figured him out since we just met, but he seemed like a generally likable person….”
Her words were so favorable toward Ultimate that I almost suspected she was trying to score points with him as he sat in the driver’s seat, driving in a rigid posture.
She trailed off slightly at the end, but she finished her sentence.
The trailing off was likely because I had flatly stated that I hated him.
Well, knowing A-bin’s personality, she wasn't trying to suck up.
It’s just that Ultimate is that kind of person.
And she’s not wrong.
Objectively speaking, my personality isn't bad either, but I do have a tendency to go off the rails.
Usually, I’m as merciful as a saint, but if someone touches my sore spot, I explode and level everything.
In contrast, Ultimate has a perfectly fine personality, except for being a busybody who sticks his nose into every incident.
The reason I hate a guy like that.
Well, there are many reasons, but how often do people actually understand when you explain why you hate a specific person?
A person’s dislike for another can become infinitely deep and dark even if there’s no reason at all.
Just as when someone you hate does something, it looks bad or you suspect their motives, even if it’s the same thing someone else would do.
So, the most decisive reason, and the one I can actually say out loud, is this.
In the end, it’s a matter of first impressions.
“On the day we first met, that bastard called me ‘Lady’.”
Are you listening? Ultimate.
“…Huh?”
Perhaps she didn't understand my words, as A-bin asked back with a bewildered expression. But this is a grave matter.
“Even though he knew I was his senior by a long shot, he treated me like a lady. So I kicked him right between the legs, but he blocked it with physical hardening. He’s a real piece of work.”
Well, that’s what it boils down to.
There are various reasons I can't tell others, but my affinity for him plummeted to rock bottom at our first meeting.
“…What?”
A-bin asked again as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing.
But those suspicious words.
“It hurt back then!”
Were cut off by Ultimate, who shouted loudly from the driver’s seat.
“Shut up.”
I took off my boot and hurled it at Ultimate in the driver’s seat.
Filled with the regret of not having finished him off with this boot back then.
I should have given that bastard a special Magical Girl-brand, three-second, easy one-touch physical gender reassignment.
Being genderless is still a different gender, so it counts as reassignment.
What he chose after that would have been up to him.
Damn bastard.