--- [Alex’s perspective]
He picks himself up, but the shock of finally meeting another D-ranker who can keep up with him has visibly shaken him to his core.
As he walks back up the stairs, I can tell his mind is racing with a million thoughts per second.
“It seems I’ve miscalculated. Even I, Kuro Velox, won’t be able to win while holding back so much. Impressive.” – Kuro
Seems his arrogance is still intact…
Time to show him it wasn’t just a fluke!
I swing my fist towards him yet again, and he quickly retaliates by doing the same.
Our fists clash, and to my surprise, we’re dead even…
I throw another punch, then yet another.
Each and every time, he hits back with equal force.
It almost feels like fighting a copy of myself!
He wasn’t kidding…
He really was holding back earlier.
We continue to trade blows, but neither of us are giving an inch.
His power is undeniable, but so is mine!
While still fighting, I ask him a question that’s been on my mind for a while…
“Why are you still D-rank? You’re nearly as strong as I am, so I know you could make it to C-rank without much trouble. I haven’t done it myself because I just reached D-rank during the most recent exam, and the C-rank one hasn’t been held yet. You weren’t there though, which means you became D-rank before me. So why haven’t you taken it?” – Alex
As I continue to talk, I continue to put more pressure on him.
The time between my strikes is getting shorter and shorter.
“Is it because you thought you could get an easy victory against the D-rankers? Are you really that petty?” – Alex
Most people would not be able to answer properly in a situation like this, but Kuro is far from ‘most people’.
“Of course not. I was simply busy that day.” – Kuro
“Busy? What could possibly be more important than a hunter exam?” – Alex
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“The fact that you even asked that question is proof that I’m stronger than you.” – Kuro
“What? How so?” – Alex
“I was training.” – Kuro
“That’s it?” – Alex
“Do you really think you could ever hope to achieve true strength with a weak mindset like that? You’ll never reach the true heights that humanity is capable of if you think so little of your training that you’re willing to abandon it for a mere exam.” – Kuro
What…
If anything, an exam is much better training than whatever he was doing.
You get to seriously fight other people on a similar level to you; that’s invaluable.
Observing other people fight, and having to come up with ways to counter various specialties gives you experience more valuable than dozens and dozens of training sessions combined.
I think I get it now…
He’s just a lunatic.
Well, I think it’s time to win.
I’ve entertained him for long enough.
Our clash continues, yet slowly but surely, I start getting the upper hand.
Aside from charged attacks, I’m now finally using my full strength.
Every blow has maximum output behind it.
With each hit, his body gets more and more bruised.
I even land one critical hit that cracks one of his ribs.
It won’t be long before the match is over now.
“After an intense even exchange of blows, it looks like Alexander is finally getting the upper hand!” – Bob
Unlike all the previous matches, the crowd is completely silent.
They’re all watching closely, completely entranced by our fight.
After slowly whittling him down, I throw one last blow expecting it to topple him.
…
My fist shatters.
“What the hell?!” – Alex
I punch him yet again with my other one; that one shatters too.
What?!
How is he suddenly so strong?
Hitting him feels like hitting Earth itself!
He’s like an unbreakable wall.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had to go all out.” – Kuro
What is going on?!
“I thought you said you stopped holding back earlier!” – Alex
“I said no such thing. I simply stopped holding back to such an immense degree.” – Kuro
…
Do I really need to resort to charged attacks?!
But how?
How the hell am I supposed to pull that off?!
I snap my fingers back in place, and forcefully clench them together to form a fist once more.
I don’t know how, but I’ll have to pull it off somehow.
I need to meet the Emperor…!
Just as I finish the thought, I jump back to the other side of the arena, and instantly start charging up Divinity.
He knows how powerful I am, and doesn’t waste any time to chase after me.
I didn’t get to charge it up for long, but it’s better than nothing.
I throw the punch with all my might, but as it approaches him, he grabs my wrist with his large hands and snaps it.
He suffers the full brunt of my attack on his palm, but it was still an advantageous exchange for him.
Shit!
This is starting to look like our last match…
I can’t allow it!
Not this time!!
With my entire body and soul behind it, I throw one last punch with my only remaining hand.
The desperation behind the attack enhances it to another level, making it go far beyond anything I could normally achieve.
He grits his teeth as he prepares to block the attack.
My fist drills into his forearm, breaking the bone and tearing the muscle.
But that’s it…
He successfully defended…
Without giving me any time to recover, he grabs both my arms, and uses his full force to rip them right off.
…
It’s over.
It’s really over…
In a few seconds I’ll pass out from blood loss, and there’s no way in hell he’ll I’ll be able to defeat him with just my legs.
How…
How did it end up the same way again?!
Ever since Illian betrayed us, I’ve gone through harsher training than I ever thought was possible.
All for the purpose of winning this event, and beating Seth…
But even now, I’m still not strong enough to beat Kuro…
What was even the point then?
Why did I leave?
I was so sure I could win…
I was so sure…
“I surrender.” – Kuro
