Although not much time has actually passed since the battle between Gordiana and Hao began, it has only been about a few minutes at most. Compared to other battles taking place in various places, it is still at a stage that can only be called the early part of the match. However, the two were already injured and exhausted to an unparalleled degree. They were bleeding from their entire bodies, and it was evident that there wasn’t a single spot that wasn’t injured. They were supposed to possess the S-Rank “Natural Healing” skill, but even with the power of this top-tier skill, the recovery speed could not keep up with the total amount of damage exchanged between Gordiana and Hao.
“Haa, haa…”
“Fufu, fufu, ahhh…!”
Even by listening to their breathing, it was clear that both of them, who should have had inexhaustible stamina, were panting heavily. …Perhaps the strange sound of one of them was just my imagination.
“This is bad, really bad… I promised Pritia-chan, but if it keeps going like this…”
“I don’t have enough sweets, I’m starving… I can’t anymore, I’m at my limit…”
“I can’t… unleash another eruption…”
Meanwhile, Dahak and the other two Dragon Kings, who had been appointed as environmental remediation personnel, were even more exhausted than Gordiana and Hao. All three of them were sprawled on the ground, unable to stand on their own.
It seemed that both Gordiana and Hao, who were actively fighting, and Dahak and his companions, who were responsible for maintaining the environment so that they could fight without any reservations, were reaching their limits with their next moves.
“Fuun, fuun… Fuh, I’ve secured the minimum stamina. How about you?”
“…It’s about the same. For the next move, I can unleash my ultimate blow.”
“That’s wonderful. Oh, but before that, let me say just this?”
As she spoke, Gordiana unexpectedly gave a wink. It was a complete surprise, but Hao was unfazed. As expected of the strongest seeker of truth.
“What is it?”
“I think I understand now why you resemble my master.”
“Master? …Ah, you mentioned before that I looked just like your master. Let me say it again, I am not at all—”
“—Related, am I? Yes, that’s right. You and master are completely different people. It’s not like you’ve been reincarnated or anything like that.”
“…”
Perhaps she was a little curious about the story. Or perhaps it was a moment of quiet contemplation to honor her rival. In any case, Hao maintained his combat readiness and seemed to be waiting for Gordiana’s next words.
“Yet, the reason I mistook you was because your way of life, your greedy pursuit of strength, was cruelly similar to my master’s… My master, too, was a person who prioritized strength above all else. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he was obsessed with strength…”
“Ho, is that so… Then, what happened to that man?”
“He died in a death match with me. I was the one who took my master’s life with my own hands.”
Gordiana gazed at her own fist, a hint of sadness in her eyes, but with a strong will shining within them.
“In the past, he wasn’t like that. But, he changed. In his relentless pursuit of strength, he crossed a line he shouldn’t have… That’s why I had to finish it. You and that master of mine are similar in more than just appearance. You’re remarkably alike.”
“Fuh, is that so. In that case, try to kill me like your master. I, who am obsessed with strength, might do something unpredictable?”
“No, I won’t do that anymore. I still regret that day. If only I could have conveyed the power of love to my master even a little bit back then, I wonder if I could have changed his heart.”
Shifting her gaze from her fist to Hao, Gordiana got back into her stance.
“That’s why I’ve been aiming for this day. For a different kind of ultimate strength than my master’s, an ultimate strength filled with love. I’ll show you the culmination of that. Carrying love is stronger than embodying madness in your body (heart).”
“Ku, kuku, kufufufufu! You’re a truly interesting man! I understand, that is indeed a different kind of strength than what I aim for! It’s too异质 (different)! In that case, I must also show you the culmination of my power!”
“I feel like there were quite a few words I wanted to point out, but I’ll pretend I didn’t hear them for now!”
“Kukuku, I appreciate that. …Well then, shall we decide? Who is the true strongest!”
“As you wish!”
Gordiana and Hao vanished from their spots at precisely the same moment. No, they both dashed forward, aiming to land their final, ultimate blow on their rival.
(P-Pritia-chan…)
In his hazy consciousness, Dahak saw it. The moment when the goddess and the monster (from Dahak’s perspective) were about to collide. He hadn’t been able to properly discern the battle until now, but strangely, only at this moment could he clearly see the scene.
The attack Gordiana unleashed was her signature finishing move, “Wrathful Oni Fierce Fist.” It was a fierce and sharp blow that Dahak had witnessed many times before. Gordiana, in the act of attacking, was more beautiful than ever before (from Dahak’s perspective). Even though it was a technique he was used to seeing, it was a beautiful technique that made him fall in love with her three times over (from Dahak’s perspective). Moreover, it was an even more powerful technique.
On the other hand, Hao unleashed his most trusted ultimate technique, “Kyūkyō” (necessity), which was essentially a straight punch. However, this straight punch was the strongest blow that Hao, with his divine body, had poured all of his accumulated strength and his entire being into. The unleashed fist reached godlike speed, crushing everything in its path. It was so ferocious that even Dahak, still entrilled, had to tear his gaze away to Hao.
The final attack, unleashed with self-belief, was ironically a simple one for both of them. However, these were indeed the strongest attacks, born from their utmost effort to defeat their rival. When these two ultimate powers clashed head-on, what would become of this world? …At least, Dahak and the others, who were relatively close to them despite being some distance away, were unlikely to escape unharmed.
(No matter what the ending may be, no matter what happens, I will engrave this in my eyes, Pritia-chan…!)
Ignoring his fatigue and blurred vision, Dahak strained his eyes to the limit, determined to witness the outcome. …However.
“Kaka! I’m sorry to interrupt while you’re so excited, but I’m going to interfere!”
“—?!”
Perhaps it was a consequence of concentrating all his nerves on his rival, but Gordiana and Hao were slow to react to the voice that suddenly echoed. As they stopped their attacks just before impact and turned towards the voice, a grotesque mass of flesh was there, opening its maw wide as if to swallow them whole.
