"One-Cut Asura!"
Charles stared in genuine shock as a torrent of magic overflowed from Kurogane Ikki's body.
An F-rank's magic output was supposed to be pitiful—barely enough to circulate within the body, let alone manifest externally.
And in this world, where magic is tied to fate, increasing one's magic was deed impossible unless one transcended into a Desperado.
So, there was only one explanation: Ikki was truly using everything.
In truth, no human being ever really fights with 100% of their strength. The body's full output exceeds its limits—using it would tear muscles, snap tendons, even fracture bones.
Magic works the sa way: unleashing it without limit would destroy the body.
To protect itself, the human body enforces restrictions—instinctual barriers that prevent self-destruction.
Through rigorous training, experienced fighters can break through so of those barriers for bursts of power. But the deepest layer—the will to survive—remains unbroken.
But if soone could consciously shatter even that instinct and release everything, they would montarily wield strength many tis greater than normal.
Ikki had done just that.
He had achieved what no one even dared to imagine: overcoming his survival instinct and, for one minute, drawing out tenfold his usual strength. This was his secret technique—One-Cut Asura.
But to Charles, it resembled sothing else.
"This is… Kirin Gong? No... It's cruder. More reckless. But you really are sothing terrifying," Charles muttered.
Kirin Gong—an ultimate martial art from Shenlong Temple, taught only to those with monstrous talent and determination.
At present, only three people had mastered it: the current Doujin (Battle God), the Grand Elder of Shenlong Temple, and the fugitive Fuku Shouri—one of the Four Immortals.
The third… was Charles himself.
Even then, it had taken him years of grueling training and experiences across multiple worlds to grasp it. He had only just finished his Kirin Gong training before departing for this mission.
But Ikki's One-Cut Asura was sothing else—more brutal, a violent surge that tore through his body to grasp power.
Only in a world like this one—with its healing tech like the Regeneration Chambers—could soone survive using such a technique.
A fitting na—Asura.
Then Ikki vanished—right in front of the crowd's eyes.
Charles smiled. And disappeared, too.
The next mont, both reappeared in the arena's center. The collision between Yamato and the Dragonslayer cracked the ground beneath them.
Then they were gone again—reappearing in another corner like flickering ghosts.
"What's… going on?" Stella asked, stunned.
A tiny girl in a kimono had sohow appeared beside her and said, "That's pure speed. These two have surpassed visual perception—that's why it looks like teleportation."
"How interesting. Looks like this year's Seven Star Sword Art Festival won't be boring after all."
Kurono had already noticed the uninvited guest. "So, you ca after all."
The girl hid her smile behind a folding fan. "That doesn't matter. Let's focus on the fight. This level of student battle is rare."
Another clash. Another separation.
Ikki could feel it now—the gap called talent. Even using One-Cut Asura, Charles could keep up.
But rather than despair, Ikki was exhilarated.
Charles exhaled, faint draconic scales flickering across his face.
"Fla of the Fire Dragon!"
He unleashed a blazing wave that swept across a quarter of the arena. Audience mbers instinctively backed away, but Charles's control was precise—the flas never touched the crowd.
Even powered up, Ikki couldn't withstand such a torrent. He evaded at once.
Charles's gaze flicked to an empty space—his instincts screaming. He stomped forward, crushing the floor beneath him, and whipped his fla-wreathed arm toward it.
Suddenly, that "Ikki" vanished—and a shadow fell from above.
"Secret Sword #4 — Mirage Wolf!"
This ti, Ikki had conjured the illusion right in front of his true self, close enough to fool even Charles. He launched his ambush before Charles could react.
Yamato tore through the fire surrounding Charles. As Ikki prepared to shift from downward to upward slash, Charles's palm closed around the blade.
Dragonslayer forced the katana down—and flas surged from Charles's left, the Evil Dragon, threatening to engulf Ikki.
The heat curled his hair. He couldn't dodge now.
"Secret Sword #2 — Armor Splitter!"
A surge of energy erupted from Yamato's edge—enough to force Dragonslayer aside and slash toward Charles.
The blade didn't pierce Charles's skin—his Dragonblood Mode made his body as tough as dragon scales.
But the impact still sent Charles flying. The fire attack he was preparing fizzled out.
Charles hadn't expected Ikki to apply inch-force to his sword—a clever counter that caught him slightly off guard.
Gazing at Ikki, now breathing hard, Charles asked, "How much longer can you keep that up?"
One-Cut Asura ca with a cost. When the minute expired, Ikki would be completely spent.
Ikki did the math—less than ten seconds left.
"Long enough!"
He didn't waste breath. He took his stance for one final strike.
"Is that so?" Charles knew this next blow would be everything Ikki had left. He would respond in kind.
"Secret Sword #7 — Thunder Light!"
"Iron Fist of the Fire Dragon!"
Charles charged forward, propelled by erupting flas. Ikki beca a bolt of lightning.
But then—Charles's punch missed. Ikki's strike had veered off course—just enough to slip past.
He'd been baited.
Ikki never intended for that strike to end the battle. It was a feint—ant to draw Charles into overextending.
Even Charles, throwing a full-force punch, would leave a gap.
Ikki now stood behind him, blade drawn.
Five seconds left.
"Secret Sword #1 — Rhino Thrust!"
His strongest move—everything he had poured into one blow. This was his road: the path of the Asura.
But unfortunately…
He stood against a dragon that defied all logic.
Charles's pupils shrank into reptilian slits. In Ikki's vision, a massive beast lood in Charles's place.
Ti seed to freeze. Though his blade moved forward, fire erupted from Charles's backhand.
When the five seconds ended, the flas dispersed. Yamato's tip hovered at Charles's shoulder.
They stood face to face.
"…You really are strong, Ikki," Charles said, as the unconscious warrior collapsed.
[Check out my Patreon for 200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! Only $5 per novel or $15 for all!!] [[email protected]/Mutter]
[ 50 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter]
[ 5 Reviews = 1 Extra Chapter]
User Comments
0 comments from readers