To Duanmu Huai, someone like Marie Rose wasn't worth even a fraction of attention. Just as he'd told her—a tiny brat like her could be kicked flying with a single stomp. Even if Marie Rose did have some actual technique, with her size and weight, forget fighting—just bumping into her would probably send her skidding ten meters.
But… reality wasn't exactly what Duanmu Huai expected.
"Stop running!"
"Hehehe, big guy, if you've got the guts—come catch me!"
This is driving me insane!
Watching Marie Rose prance circles around him while making faces and taunting nonstop, Duanmu Huai felt fury rise to the heavens. He didn't expect her to refuse direct combat from the start and instead keep fully focused on dodging. Duanmu Huai was never fast—if Marie had exchanged blows with him, he had full confidence he'd flatten her instantly. But she kept rolling, spinning, hopping around his legs, refusing engagement. It was driving him mad.
And worse—she'd stop midway to make a funny face, toss a taunt, rile him up, then run circles around him again, never letting him grab her.
In other words… like trying to grab a kitten. A kitten darting unpredictably around your feet, refusing to be caught, occasionally jumping up to swat you in the face.
Low damage. Maximum disrespect. Enough to enrage anyone to death—but still too slippery to catch.
You little brat—don't think I can't deal with you!
After several failed attempts to catch her, Duanmu Huai was thoroughly pissed. He might look like a brute, but he was a veteran player with experience in countless battles. Naturally, he knew exactly how to deal with this kind of character.
Can't land a hit?
Fine—AOE, let's see you dodge that! Agile types all have weak AOE resistance. One big hit that covers an area—good luck weaving through that!
"Take this!"
As he spoke, Duanmu Huai lunged and swiped toward her again. Marie Rose laughed, flipped lightly aside, and somersaulted into the air to avoid the attack.
—But that was exactly what he wanted!
Now!
"HRAAAH!"
Just as Marie Rose descended toward the ground, Duanmu Huai roared. He stomped down hard enough to shake the earth. The street trembled, asphalt cracking open as dust and debris blasted outward like an explosion.
Caught completely off guard, Marie lost all footing. The jolt disrupted her balance mid-landing, sending her staggering wildly. While she flailed her arms, trying to stabilize—dust and rubble hit her full in the face, blinding her instantly.
Crap!
Marie Rose sensed danger and tried waving away the dust—
But it was already too late.
"HRAAAAAAAAH!!!"
Duanmu Huai's fist erupted through the dust cloud like a cannonball, slamming straight toward her. Shocked, Marie raised both arms instinctively to guard, triggering a defensive block.
His punch crashed into her forearms—sending the tiny girl flying.
But that wasn't the end.
As Marie Rose's body launched upward, falling backward uncontrollably, Duanmu Huai stepped forward—another punch, smashing into her midair frame, launching her higher like a ragdoll.
"Uu… ugh…!!"
Marie Rose could only grit her teeth, desperately enduring. Her arms had already gone numb from the impacts, and the violent force reverberating through her tiny frame felt like it was about to tear her organs apart.
Good thing this is Duel City. Outside, that punch would've erased her entire upper body.
"BOOM!!!"
By the third hit, her guard finally broke. Her arms shot apart uncontrollably. She lost all control of her posture.
A cold glint flashed in Duanmu Huai's eyes.
"End of the line!"
His fists glowed with fierce light—and then exploded forward in a torrential barrage.
"Ora ora ora ora ora ora ora———!!!!"
His fists blurred into a dark storm, completely burying Marie Rose's small body beneath the assault. The only thing visible was the impact whirlwind and Duanmu Huai's thunderous roar.
"…ORA!!!"
With that final shout, Marie Rose's tiny figure blasted away like a fired shell and crashed heavily onto the ground.
"KO!"
"Whew...…"
Duanmu Huai lowered his fists and exhaled. He had to admit—super moves really felt different.
Except…
Why the hell is this a voice-activated skill!?
Only after using Star Platinum did he realize that this flurry wasn't simply "punch fast"—no, the super's speed actually sync'd to his yelling.
In other words:
If he yelled fast, the punches sped up.
If he slowed down, the punches slowed down.
Meaning—if he wanted to use Star Platinum's super, he had to take a deep breath and scream "ORAORAORA" as fast as possible, then finish with a huge shout to get maximum damage.
Great. Other fighters rely on muscle. Mine requires lung capacity too!?
I can't even sing "Love You to Death" at KTV without choking—and now I have to practice yelling!?
"Marie! Are you okay?!"
While Duanmu Huai was still complaining internally, Honoka ran to her friend. Marie Rose had recovered consciousness, slowly sat up—and pouted in frustration.
"Hmph! Bully… sniff… sniff…!!"
As she spoke, she covered her eyes with her hands and began sobbing dramatically.
"Big meanie bullied me… waaaah…"
Duanmu Huai walked over and stared at her silently. She cried pitifully, peeked up at him, then kept crying.
"Uh… Marie…"
Honoka looked helpless. Duanmu Huai only snorted.
"Cry all you want, but put your clothes on first."
"Huh?"
Marie Rose froze. She immediately stopped crying, hurriedly looked down—
And her face instantly drained of color.
In Duel City, clothes had a "break" mechanic. Once damage exceeded clothing defense, the outfit exploded. Marie Rose's gothic dress was completely shredded—front torn open like it had been ripped apart, exposing her smooth, flat stomach and navel, and above that… faint, delicate curves…
"AAAAAHHHHH!!!!"
Marie finally realized her state. Her face flared red, and she let out a shriek, leaping behind Honoka for cover.
"A-ahaha… sorry, Mr. Duanmu."
With her friend in such a state, Honoka obviously couldn't continue the match. She apologized, then hurried Marie away.
"Sniff… big brute… I won't forgive you!!!"
Leaving behind the signature line of all defeated small fry, Marie Rose fled in embarrassment.
Whether she'd come back just to get bullied again… was her own business.
Still, Duel City clothing truly had high defense. As long as players could accept getting "clothes-broken," the outfits were way more stylish than power armor. No wonder so many assassin-type players ditched armor to wear Duel City gear instead.
"Hmph. If you're not afraid of dying, come back anytime."
Watching Marie Rose run away, Duanmu Huai snorted. He had completely figured out her weakness—fast and agile but low defense and low strength. One AOE to break her guard, then an ora-ora chain to send her home.
Admittedly, to outsiders, this looked like an adult beating up a child. But Duanmu Huai didn't care. Duel City respected strength. Big fists meant truth.
Besides, many female characters hit insanely hard. Tons of new players entered Duel City and, seeing a cute girl, felt embarrassed to fight seriously, trying to act like gentlemen—
And were immediately beaten into medical retirement.
Thus players learned one rule:
Pretty or cute—once the duel begins, you hit them like anyone else. What are you gonna do? Surrender to a whole squad of beauties in a tournament?
This had benefits too. Later, when players fought the God of Desire, that bastard sent a legion of succubi to infiltrate them. Players, completely immune to charm because of Duel City trauma, wiped them out instantly.
Thinking players had unusual tastes, Desire sent muscular men and cross-dressing weirdos next…
They died even faster.
Pretty or ugly—under fists, all are equal.
"Alright."
Duanmu Huai turned to Lorena.
"Let's continue training."
"Yes, Sir Knight!"
(End of Chapter)