Climb rushed at the distracted Succulent with all his might. It was not the continuation of the fight so far. It was the kind of advance that was filled with the determination to not take a single step back. Depending on the observer, some would say it was a premature move in a bid for a fast victory. But Climb’s warrior instincts screamed.
This moment would determine the end of the duel.
It was true that Climb and the rogue had been on the offensive so far, but there was no guarantee that they could keep their advantage. The items the rogue was throwing were bound to run out eventually, so he had to finish this while they still held the upper hand.
What Climb activated was an original martial art he learned yesterday.
This skill didn’t have a name yet, but if he were to give it a name right now, he would call ‘Limit Breaker: Mind’. The effect was to remove all limits imposed on the body by the brain, and as a result all his abilities would increase by a level, including his physical ones.
The downside was that if he used it for an extended period of time, it would cause physical fatigue and muscle tearing, but if he didn’t try to finish the fight quickly, even if he had to use this kind of method, he would not be able to win against Succulent.
As the martial art activated, he could feel something in his mind click and change.
He screamed out all the emotions that were swirling inside of him, and panic spread on Succulent’s face as if he had realised something Perhaps he felt fear and astonishment, but in any case, this wasn’t a face that someone who could stand toe to toe with an adamantium ranked adventurer would show to someone below his level.
Climb swung his sword down but it was blocked. To block a longsword with just a dagger without any help from magic was truly praiseworthy. However to force a skilled fencer like Succulent who specialized in dodging to block, Climb’s strike was also commendable.
Despite that, the attack didn’t end here. Climb followed through with a kick.
As Succulent tried to protect his stomach, his face crinkled.
“Arrrrggghhhh—!”
Succulent’s face paled and he staggered back while pulling back his waist.
The rogue stepped out of Climb’s shadow.
He had kicked Succulent between the legs with an iron boot, and even though Climb wore a protective pad, he could still feel an imaginary pain traveling down to his feet.
After that, Climb dealt him a final blow!
Blood spattered and Succulent collapsed on the floor. He did not let his guard down and stood wary. He especially paid attention so nothing could approach the rogue and confirmed that it was not an illusion.
This was a huge victory. Even if it was two against one, this victory meant a lot. Climb looked towards Brain. He wondered if he could help, but quickly abandoned the thought.
That fight was on a different level altogether.
The sound was different as well. Even though it was a katana clashing with a fist, metallic sounds rang out. Their fight showed no signs of ending. The katana and fists were clashing against each other without time for breath.
The one who especially attracted attention was Zero. His strikes were carving the wall and left marks as if it was made out of soft clay.
“Damn… They said high-level monks have fists of steel, but that bastard’s well beyond that. He’s at least mithril, no orichalcum.”
The rogue who stood beside him murmured. During a solid minute of trading blows, in a fight where Climb would’ve been killed immediately, neither took a single scratch. Zero showed signs of earnest respect on his face.
“Unglaus… You’re better than I thought. You’re the first one who blocked my attacks like this.”
Brain had equal signs of respect on his face.
“You, too… This is my second time seeing a monk of this calibre.”
“Oh-ho?”
Zero made a curious face.
“To think there was another monk on the same level as me. Never heard of him. What’s his name? Since I can’t hear it when you’re dead.”
“He’s probably coming here as we speak. After defeating your Six Arms.”
Zero frowned before smiling.
“Heh, you mean that old man? Unfortunately, my four trusty subordinates will be welcoming him. They might not be as strong as me, but they’re much stronger than Succulent. There’s no way he can come here.”
“Is that so? I can see him coming around the corner any minute now.”
“Oooh, I’m so scared. I guess in that case I should fight more seriously.”
Climbs eyes opened wide on that word. If Zero was holding back during an exchange with these kinds of blows, what would his true strength be like? He was also amazed that Brain showed no signs of surprise.
Both of them weren’t fighting with their full strength? This really is a battle between men who could rival humanity’s finest, the adamantium ranked adventurers!
“That would be best, Zero. Those two over there are done, so I don’t need to drag this out. You’re going to lose here, Zero.”
Brain sheathed his Katana and slowly lowered his stance. It was the same stance as yesterday, where he took down Succulent with a single strike. Before Climb could even wonder if Brain could take down Zero with a single strike, Zero jumped back. He had easily jumped a distance that was well beyond the limit of ordinary human strength.
“Edstrom can make a barrier with her swords, but you seem to have a different kind of a barrier. If I stepped in carelessly, I would be cut in half.”
He couldn’t completely figure out Brain’s original martial arts, but to be able to guess what kind of skill it was showed that Zero’s ability as a warrior was truly superior.
“But… It’s a skill you can’t use without taking a stance first.”
Zero thrust his fist in midair. It might have seemed like a meaningless move, but Brain’s body shook from shockwave made by the fist.
“I can win by just attacking you from a distance like this. Or do you have a way to cut someone who is far away?”
“No, I don’t.”
Brain answered honestly.
“If you fight like that, then all I need to do is not take that stance.”
Zero asked Brain quietly in an atmosphere almost not befitting him, in deep and calm state.
“Brain Unglaus, is that your trump card?”
“Of course. It’s my trump card that has only been defeated… once.”
“How boring. If it’s already been defeated, then this will be the second time.”
Zero slowly pulled his fist back and took a stance.
“I will break you head on. I’ll destroy that little skill of yours and win. First I’ll win against you, Brain Unglaus and one day I’ll make Gazef Stronoff kneel before me. Then I will be the Kingdom’s strongest.”
“If you think you can try using me as the first stepping stone for your ambition, you’re going to slip. You really must have nothing to do, Zero.”
“Talking really is the only thing you’re good at… No, since you got this far, that’s not strictly true. However, realize the fact that I am better than you in your grave. That it was foolish to challenge Zero-sama! Here I come!”
Zero’s upper body had tattoos of various animals, which were emitting a faint light. Comparatively, Brain did not move. He simply waited like a statue. Climb could feel he was about to feel massive amount of released power from both people.
A place where nobody could interrupt and raw power collided with raw power.
And suddenly a voice that was out of place could be heard: