Chapter 218: You
A dazzling streak of light crossed the arena.
The only trace left behind was a clear footprint embedded in the shattered floor.
Suiryu had already disappeared from beneath Bakuzan's descending foot and reappeared safely below the stage.
Bakuzan stopped and turned toward the newcomer.
A flicker of surprise crossed his monstrous face.
"I remember you."
His four eyes narrowed.
"You're Mumen Rider, the S Class Hero who left the tournament before competing."
Satoru Suzuki ignored him.
Blood stained his clothes and face, and anger burned in his eyes as he turned toward Suiryu.
"I heard you calling for help."
His voice was steady and sincere.
"Suiryu, thank you for holding on until I arrived."
He tightened his grip on his sword.
"You're safe now. Leave the rest to me."
Through his tear filled eyes, Suiryu watched Satoru turn away.
That radiant figure slowly moved farther from him and placed itself between him and the Monster.
Bakuzan recovered from his surprise and sneered.
"An S Class Hero?"
He spread his four arms arrogantly.
"You're only the weakest member of S Class!"
"You may be able to handle Demon level threats, but I am a Dragon level Monster now!"
His smile widened.
"Are you ready to die?"
"That is what I should be asking you."
Satoru stood several metres away with one hand resting on his sword.
Killing intent filled his eyes.
His body was covered in Monster blood, and the fierce pressure radiating from him made the air around the arena feel heavy.
It was difficult to imagine how many Monsters he had already killed that day.
Inside the sword, Asuramaru studied Bakuzan with great interest.
This was the legendary Bakuzan who supposedly stood one hundred and eight steps above the gods.
Just looking at that face made Asuramaru struggle not to laugh.
Through his perception, he could sense that Gouketsu had not travelled far.
"Finish this quickly," Asuramaru warned. "There is a much stronger Monster outside."
"I understand."
Satoru's gaze returned to Bakuzan.
Bakuzan could no longer suppress his desire to kill.
He charged forward and swung one massive leg horizontally.
"Hell Killing Technique, Demon Crying Low Kick!"
The kick tore through the air with enough force to shatter stone.
Satoru leapt over it with calm precision.
Bakuzan laughed.
"You dodged it?"
He raised one enormous arm above his head.
"It won't matter. My next attack will reduce you and all the worthless insects around you to ash!"
His hand came down like an executioner's axe.
"Hell Sending Hand Chop!"
Satoru drew his sword.
Brilliant radiance erupted from the edge and flooded Bakuzan's vision.
"Breath of Light, First Form."
The entire arena disappeared beneath a sea of light.
"Haze Light!"
A violent tremor passed through the stadium.
Then everything became still.
Inside the sword, the system notification sounded in Asuramaru's mind.
[Ding! Intense negative emotions detected from Dragon level Monster Bakuzan before death. Gained 90,000 emotion points!]
[This kill obtained 45,000 Demon Power. Fifty percent will be fed back to the Sword Master!]
Asuramaru fell silent.
Even the weakest Dragon level Monster usually gave at least 100,000 emotion points.
Yet Bakuzan was worth only 90,000.
"You really are a disgrace, Bakuzan."
Asuramaru engraved that name into his memory.
When Suiryu's vision finally cleared, Bakuzan's head was already falling through the air.
The Monster's headless body remained standing for a moment before collapsing.
Satoru stood behind it and calmly returned his sword to its sheath.
He turned toward Suiryu.
"How badly are you hurt?"
Suiryu stared at him in a daze.
He had been unable to damage Bakuzan even before the Monster had fully adjusted to his new strength.
Yet Mumen Rider had killed him with one strike.
After recovering from his shock, Suiryu lowered his head.
"Thank you."
His voice trembled with sincere gratitude.
"Thank you for saving me."
After confirming that Suiryu's injuries were not immediately fatal, Satoru wiped the blood from his face and gave him a bright smile.
"Stay here for now."
"The nearby Monsters have already been eliminated, so this area should be safe."
His expression became serious again.
"There is still another Monster I need to deal with."
"I'll be leaving."
Suiryu immediately realised what he meant.
"You're going after Gouketsu?"
Urgency filled his voice.
"That Monster is an elite martial artist. He was terrifying even before he abandoned his humanity, and now his strength is beyond anything normal!"
Suiryu tried to push himself up despite his broken body.
"You'll be killed!"
Satoru looked back at him and smiled.
"If I abandoned the fight simply because my opponent was strong, then I would no longer be the hero I believe in."
His voice remained gentle.
"Rest here. Everything will be all right."
With that, Satoru turned and walked toward the exit.
Suiryu reached out with his right hand, trying to grab Satoru's ankle.
His fingers closed on empty air.
He could only watch that figure move farther away.
Emotion surged through his chest once more.
Suiryu slammed his fist against the ground.
"I couldn't stop him."
His voice trembled.
"I finally saw one."
"A real hero."
Tears slipped down his face.
"Someone like him should not die here."
"He should be out there saving more people."
Inside the sword, Asuramaru guided Satoru through the streets.
"Keep moving forward. He is not far ahead."
"I understand."
Satoru increased his speed again.
It took less than a minute for him to spot Gouketsu's enormous back farther down the street.
Satoru did not hesitate.
He drew his sword and unleashed two rapid slashes.
"Flying Sky Sword!"
Two crossing waves of sword energy tore through the air.
Gouketsu sensed the killing intent behind him and turned at once.
He raised both fists and struck.
One punch shattered the approaching sword energy.
The resulting shockwave swept through the street and tore apart the surrounding buildings.
Gouketsu fully turned toward the newcomer.
A trace of surprise appeared in his four crimson eyes.
"S Class Hero Mumen Rider?"
His gaze shifted toward the sword in Satoru's hand.
He did not dwell on it for long.
The person wielding it interested him more.
Satoru held his sword in one hand and stared at the Monster.
"You are an Executive of the Monster Association, aren't you?"
"That is correct."
Gouketsu showed no intention of hiding his identity.
"I am Gouketsu, an Executive of the Monster Association."
He studied Satoru for a moment.
"Heroes are normally excluded from our recruitment efforts, but I will make an exception."
Gouketsu crossed his arms.
"With your strength, why remain human?"
"Become a Monster."
"In the coming world, you will possess the freedom to do anything you desire."
This was the first time a Monster had attempted to recruit Satoru.
He was mildly surprised.
But his answer had never been in doubt.
"I refuse."
Gouketsu showed no disappointment.
He had expected that response.
"Then there is nothing more to discuss."
He raised both fists.
The mechanical arm replacing one of his original limbs looked particularly striking, but it did nothing to diminish the terrifying power of his stance.
Gouketsu punched forward.
"Gouketsu Wave Motion Fist!"
A violent wave of force erupted.
Satoru sensed the danger and vanished in a flash.
The street where he had been standing disappeared.
Buildings, pavement, and everything beyond them were annihilated by the force of that single punch.
Smoke rolled across the ruined district.
Within it, Satoru rushed forward with his sword in one hand.
Brilliant light gathered along the edge.
"Breath of Light, Third Form."
His figure became a radiant streak as countless slashes followed in his wake.
"Roaming Atomic Slash!"
.....
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