As Gilbert deflected my attacks, another knight charged from behind—the gauntlet knight. He slammed his fist into my face, forcing me to stagger back. The impact made me take a step back, but I retaliated with a powerful swing, sending him flying hundreds of meters away.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Boom!
The sound of clashing steel and bursts of energy filled the battlefield, reducing the landscape to an unrecognizable wasteland. The battle raged on with no time to rest. I fought tirelessly, and so did Gilbert's team. Eventually, we came to a silent agreement—it was time to take this seriously.
"ROARR!!!"
I let out a thunderous roar, my voice shaking the battlefield. Gilbert and his comrades, though visibly exhausted, showed no signs of backing down. Gilbert smirked.
"Good… Very good, beast. Now it's time we take you seriously!"
A surge of energy exploded around them, their auras intensifying. Their strength had multiplied—I could feel it. That's when I realized… the real fight was only just beginning.
I raised my guard. My past battles and relentless training had prepared me for opponents who concealed their true power. Now, it was time to test my limits.
Their movements became sharper, faster, nearly unpredictable.
(A.N: The power level of these characters is extremely high—think Large Star Level, and now, times five!)
The battlefield roared with the sounds of destruction. Lightning-like shockwaves cracked through the air as we clashed, each attack shaking the very ground beneath us. There was no time for hunger, thirst, or rest—only the will to fight. (Though, thanks to my passive skill Divine Famine, I don't get hungry or thirsty. Can't say the same for them.)
We fought relentlessly, never giving each other an inch.
I roared again, charging forward. Gilbert's squad braced themselves. I sent a powerful gust of wind their way, followed by a massive boulder. They attempted to evade, but I wouldn't let them. A barrage of stones rained down to keep them in place.
Gilbert's sword flashed, slicing a boulder clean in half—just as I planned. The moment he was distracted, I lunged forward and struck him, sending him soaring through the sky.
"Bastard!" The gauntlet knight roared, leading the counterattack.
I stomped the ground, creating a shockwave that disrupted their footing. Another burst of wind sent them flying in different directions. Gilbert reappeared in midair, catching each of his comrades before they could take further damage.
I smirked. "Impressive."
Gilbert met my gaze, his eyes burning—not with anger, but with excitement. The thrill of battle. I recognized that feeling—I shared it. This was the kind of fight warriors lived for. Even after dying countless times in this trial, respawning at the beginning each time, the exhilaration of combat made it all worth it.
As the dust settled, I did something unexpected.
I gave them time to recover.
They stared at me in disbelief. They had expected me to finish them off in their weakened state. But to strike an opponent who could no longer fight? That wasn't my way. Even in the real world, where enemies would never hesitate to take such an opportunity, I wanted this fight to be one of honor.
So, as they sat down, eating, drinking, and talking, I listened.
For the first time, I saw them not as enemies, but as people. Warriors who had fought together, laughed together, and shared countless battles. Around the fire, their conversations were filled with memories, war stories, and camaraderie. It felt… peaceful.
It reminded me of something I hadn't thought about in a long time—
Honor and Memories.
I sat in silence, watching them. Though I knew we would soon return to battle, for now, they were simply men. Not NPCs in a quest. Not faceless opponents. Men. And for that, I respected them.
After a few hours, Gilbert stood, stretching his muscles. He turned to me, his expression resolute.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, beast. Now we're ready!"
At that moment, the system's voice echoed in my mind.
Ding!
{Enemy power levels have increased tenfold. Scaling power level to Solar System Level—Multi-Solar System Level (Half Cosmic Strength).}
I wasn't surprised. Not anymore. Because I had a trick of my own.
I had mastered the combined technique of the Martial God and the Heavenly Demon.
Gilbert met my gaze, his eyes fierce. "Beast… Let's end this in one move!"
I nodded. "Agreed."
We both poured everything into our final attacks. Energy crackled, space trembled, and time itself seemed to pause as we unleashed our strongest blows.
A blinding explosion erupted across the battlefield.
And as the dust settled, I heard Gilbert's voice, barely above a whisper.
"Impossible…"
One by one, they were blown away by the sheer force of my final strike.
The battle was over.