The Hammer of Radiance was formidable, capable of pulverizing stone and reducing steel to mush. Yet Marquis Voban's defenses were equally impressive. Despite being struck twice, he showed no significant injuries beyond being knocked back and looking somewhat disheveled.
Realizing this, Hachiman Hikigaya changed tactics.
He unleashed a barrage of over a hundred strikes, each targeting the same spot on Voban's body.
A strategy of breaking through at a single point.
This time, Voban couldn't withstand it. His chest bones shattered, and he was sent flying like a cannonball, soaring hundreds of meters.
He crashed into a hillside with a resounding bang.
Fortunately, his transformation into a giant wolf had bolstered his defenses, sparing him from instant death.
Even so, Voban was gravely injured.
For a moment, he couldn't even stand.
The mikos on the platform watched in awe. This was a veteran Campione, a pinnacle of mortal power with unmatched Authorities and strength.
Yet a nameless high school boy was pummeling him into the ground.
Who was this kid?
Could he be a Campione? But they hadn't heard of a new one emerging.
The birth of a Campione was too momentous to go unnoticed; the world would know.
If he wasn't a Campione, how could he reduce Voban to such a state?
If Hachiman knew their thoughts, he'd likely say, "Because I've got an unfathomable divine lord backing me. Is that enough?"
But his focus was entirely on Voban, oblivious to the mikos' shock.
Meanwhile, Voban, hurled away, saw Hachiman standing still, not pursuing. He sneered.
Just a greenhorn, ignorant of pressing the advantage.
In Voban's place, he'd have rushed in, seizing the chance to tear his foe apart.
But this was fine—it gave him time to recover.
As time passed, Voban slowly rose, his chest wounds healing rapidly, fractured bones knitting together.
Such was the terrifying resilience of a Campione.
Rising, Voban didn't attack immediately. After several setbacks, he realized that without restricting Hachiman's speed, this fight was unwinnable.
The boy was too fast.
Even among Campiones, few could match such speed.
Against it, Voban could only take hits passively.
He needed a way to restrain Hachiman.
His mind raced, and a sinister grin curled his lips.
"Kid, as your elder, let me teach you a lesson."
"In battle, you can't hold back."
With that, a lightning bolt streaked from the sky.
But this time, it didn't target Hachiman—it aimed for his friend, the miko named Mitsuha.
Hachiman's eyes widened in fury. Without thinking, he transformed into a streak of light, rushing to intercept. Before the lightning could strike Mitsuha, he swung his Hammer of Radiance, shattering it with a crisp crack.
But this gave Voban his opening. A second bolt struck Hachiman dead-on, sending him flying.
"Too green, kid," Voban said, striding back with a mocking smirk.
"In battle, you use every trick."
Finally landing a hit on the slippery boy, Voban reveled in the moment, taunting Hachiman.
He didn't stop, summoning more lightning to strike Hachiman repeatedly.
Hachiman's skin charred, his cells began to collapse, and his bones cracked. His condition was dire.
Watching from the shadows, Morpheus knew that without intervention, Hachiman would die.
Though he could revive him, there was no need for that.
Stepping out, Morpheus raised a square barrier, deflecting the storm of lightning.
"You're right. Kids these days are too soft, not even finishing their foes. He deserved to get beaten like this."
Voban's heart jolted at Morpheus's sudden appearance.
He hadn't sensed Morpheus at all. Such stealth was astounding.
"Who are you?"
"Me?" Morpheus smiled, pointing at Hachiman. "Let's say I'm his backer."
"His backer? So he's your man."
"Correct," Morpheus nodded.
"So you sent him to cause me trouble," Voban said, his tone laced with menace.
"Not quite," Morpheus shook his head. "You took his friend. If anything, you started this, not him."
Voban's face darkened. He disliked this man's tone.
"Kid, do you know what you're saying?"
"I do," Morpheus replied. "But let me ask you, old man, do you know who you've crossed?"
Voban's fury ignited at Morpheus's scorn. "You're too arrogant, kid!"
With that, he lunged at Morpheus.
But Morpheus merely waved his hand, and Voban split apart.
Literally.
The charging Voban was cleaved in two by an invisible force, collapsing with a thud.
Severing Magic.
It unleashed invisible slashes, and at its peak, it could even cut through space.
A mere Campione was nothing.
The sudden turn stunned everyone, including the mikos.
From Morpheus's appearance to Voban's bisection, had five minutes even passed?
Their clash lasted less than a second, and Voban was split in two. A complete, instantaneous defeat.
This was a Campione, nearly invincible among mortals, capable of rivaling gods.
Yet he was effortlessly dispatched by a mysterious figure. This world was getting absurd.
***
Bonus Chapter:
100 Power Stones = 1 BC
300 Power Stones = 2 BC
500 Power Stones = 3 BC
700 Power Stones = 4 BC
1000 Power Stones = 5 BC
***
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