In an instant, Fran's immense power rippled through the air, manifesting as a terrifying invisible gale.
POOM!
A ring of kinetic energy expanded as Fran's mid-air punch forcibly halted the advance of the surging black hair. The strike dispersed the swarm, snapping at least several thousand strands in the process.
However, the average adult possesses anywhere from 80,000 to 100,000 hairs, with a density of about 150 strands per square centimeter. Losing a few thousand was a mere drop in the bucket, especially since those severed strands could instantly regrow under the influence of Eden's ability.
"I'm not done yet! Demon Hair Dance: Death Stinger!"
Eden let out a thunderous shout. His long hair thrashed wildly before twisting together into several thick, obsidian spears. Each was as thick as an infant's arm, capable of bending or straightening at will, and gleaming with a cold metallic luster as they lunged forward.
The moment Fran landed, five metallic hair-spears were already upon him. Their sharp points gleamed with a lethal edge that he didn't dare block head-on. He threw himself into a desperate roll to the side.
BOOM!
The five hair-spears converged, piercing straight through the stage and leaving a jagged crater in the floor.
"Die!"
Fran gritted his teeth and scrambled up, charging at Eden once more, intent on a close-quarters brawl.
Squelch!
Suddenly, a metallic hair-spear lashed out like a lightning bolt, impaling him from behind.
"I... I..."
Fran looked down in disbelief at the spearhead protruding from his chest. Blood trickled down the sharp point. He coughed up a mouthful of gore, feeling the strength drain from his body like water from a sieve.
"If you hadn't been heavily wounded by 'Demon Snake' Juka, we might have played a few more rounds. Go to hell," Eden said, shaking his head with a trace of mock regret.
Puchi! Puchi! Puchi!
The remaining hair-spears shot forward simultaneously, skewering Fran's body from multiple angles. One spear drove straight through his skull.
The scene was so gruesome that many in the audience turned away, unable to watch the carnage.
"What a horrific sight!" Gatz shouted into his microphone. "Contestant Fran has been killed by Contestant Eden! With a spear through the head, his end was truly grisly!"
"Dammit! Is no one going to take this guy out?"
"Despicable bastard! Attacking someone already gravely injured... he should be disqualified!"
"Cursed human trafficker! Someone kill Eden!"
The crowd's hatred for Eden reached a fever pitch, their curses and insults raining down like a storm.
Meanwhile, glints of cold light, resembling a sky full of stars, flashed across the ring. Haunger moved with fluid precision, his sword claiming life after life. Over a dozen contestants who dared to attack him were cut down. Each victim bore a single, thumb-sized hole in their throat or between their eyes.
Haunger needed only one thrust for every kill. His terrifying swordsmanship forced the surrounding fighters to flee, none daring to face him.
Not far away, Vito paced the ring leisurely. No one dared approach him either.
People targeted Haunger because the legend of the Flash Blade had been dormant for too long; compared to the likes of Roger, Shiki, or Rayleigh, his fame was a tier lower. Furthermore, he was old, leading many to believe they could claim his head to make a name for themselves.
Vito was different. As a captain under the Chris Pirates and one of their core executives, his infamy was well-established. The "Meska Port Massacre" from three months ago, in particular, had cemented his reputation as a monster.
Many contestants hoped someone else would attack first, wearing Vito down or wounding him so they could scavenge the kill, just as happened to "Human Bear" Fran. But since everyone shared the same selfish thought, no one was willing to be the "first bird to be shot." Consequently, Vito became the most idle man in the arena.
However, "idle" was not what Vito wanted. His goal was to eliminate everyone and secure his ticket to the finals.
Thus, his eyes locked onto Haunger.
"We were going to scrap eventually anyway. Take this!" Vito grinned. Ink-blue scales began to surface on his right arm as it transformed into a sharp claw.
He sprinted forward, closing the distance to Haunger in a heartbeat.
Haunger had sensed Vito's approach long ago. His gaze sharpened instantly as he took a decisive step forward. He thrust his estoc, a flash of cold light that was as sudden as it was blinding, incredibly fast and precise.
So fast…!
Vito's vision blurred. Horrified, he instinctively twisted his torso.
Rip!
A chill ran across his chest. The slender blade instantly pierced through his shirt, grazing his skin as it carved a massive gash in the fabric, exposing his right shoulder and half his chest.
Crackle... Crackle...
Vito hissed through his teeth and leaped back. In a flash of electricity, he retreated over ten meters, leaving a few dancing arcs of blue sparks in the air behind him.
"Oh? Quite the speed you have there," Haunger said, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
Though he hadn't expected to kill or maim the brat in a single move, the boy's reaction time and speed were still beyond his expectations.
Vito looked down at the gaping hole in his shirt, his expression turning solemn. "They say your blade strikes like a flash, death or injury in a heartbeat. Those aren't empty words. It seems you've still got plenty of kick in you, old man!"
Haunger's expression remained unchanged as he let out a soft huff. "Hmph. Being able to dodge that thrust means your reflexes aren't half-bad, kid."
But in the next second, his face twisted into a snarl. "However... you can dodge one thrust, ten thrusts... but can you dodge a hundred? A thousand?"
"I'll start by killing you, consider it a bit of interest I'm collecting from 'Golden Ring' Aeridar!"
Without waiting for a reply, Haunger launched his assault. He stepped forward with a flurry of thrusts, the cold light of his blade splintering into a "starry sky" that blanketed Vito from head to toe.
"Dammit!"
Vito's face paled. He retreated frantically, weaving his body left and right. Simultaneously, his arms underwent a partial beast transformation, the hardened ink-blue scales acting as shields.
Clang! Clang! Clang!Tch! Tch! Tch!
Sparks erupted in the air like the grinding of metal, accompanied by sprays of blood.
Within a few breaths, Vito burst out of Haunger's "starry sky" of blade-points, his clothes tattered and his demeanor haggard.
That estoc is too fast!
Fear flickered in Vito's eyes. His body had been pierced by five or six thumb-sized holes, and his clothes were stained deep red with blood.
Having been pushed to this state in just a few exchanges, Vito let out a furious roar. "Don't get too cocky, you old bastard!"
"ROAR—!"
Arcs of electricity began to dance across Vito's body as his frame ballooned. He let out a beastly howl. Ink-blue scales rapidly covered his entire body, and three blue-white bone spikes protruded from his back. He transformed into a terrifying predatory beast right there on the stage.
Crackle— Sizzle—
A dozen blue-white bolts of lightning pulsed over the standing beast's body. Standing over five meters tall, he radiated a staggering murderous aura, paired with an invisible, soul-chilling pressure that rippled outward.
"This is..."
Watching the sudden appearance of the monstrous beast, Haunger's eyelids twitched as he felt a powerful sense of impending crisis.