"Boom!"
The Metal Bat's weapon collided with Gouketsu's fist, creating a violent shockwave that spread through the training ground. Dust and debris were thrown into the air as the force of the impact rippled outward.
The Metal Bat immediately felt an overwhelming force travel through his body. The impact split the skin of his palm, and his entire figure was sent flying backward like he had been struck by a speeding train. His feet dragged across the rocky terrain, carving two deep trails into the ground before he finally managed to stop himself.
"Tch! What ridiculous strength!"
The Metal Bat steadied his body and shook his numb arm. Blood dripped from his injured palm, but instead of fear, his eyes burned with even greater excitement. The pressure only pushed his fighting spirit higher.
"Is that really all you've got? It's nowhere near enough!"
A trace of surprise appeared in Gouketsu's eyes. His punch carried enough force to destroy a building, yet his opponent had endured the attack directly and only suffered minor injuries.
"Interesting, but still not enough."
Without hesitation, Gouketsu charged forward once again. His fists descended like relentless artillery fire, each strike carrying terrifying power while sealing off every possible escape route.
The Metal Bat understood the difference in their physical strength. He stopped trying to meet Gouketsu's attacks head-on and instead tightened his grip around his bat, creating a defensive barrier with its movements. He used the weapon's reach and the momentum from each swing to redirect and block the incoming punches.
The sound of repeated impacts echoed throughout the training area.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Every collision forced the Metal Bat backward. Each step left a mark on the ground, yet his stance remained firm. His sharp eyes constantly searched for an opportunity to strike back.
Under extreme pressure, his combat instincts and natural fighting talent were displayed to their fullest. He narrowly avoided every dangerous attack while using his bat to target Gouketsu's wrists, joints, and other vulnerable areas, disrupting the rhythm of his movements.
Although his attacks could not inflict serious damage, they were enough to make Gouketsu's assault less precise.
"An annoying insect."
Gouketsu's expression darkened as he failed to overwhelm his opponent. His attacks became more violent, and he suddenly drove his fist into the ground.
"Boom!"
The earth cracked beneath the impact, and massive pieces of stone were launched into the air. With a powerful kick, Gouketsu sent countless fragments flying toward the Metal Bat like a barrage of cannonballs.
"Using something like this?"
The Metal Bat shouted as his fighting spirit surged. He swung his bat at incredible speed, destroying every piece of debris rushing toward him.
However, the moment he shattered the final massive rock, Gouketsu's enormous figure appeared beside him.
A powerful sweep kick struck directly toward his waist.
"Damn!"
The Metal Bat had just finished releasing his previous strength and had not yet built up enough momentum again. He could only raise his bat vertically at the last moment to defend himself.
"Bang!"
The impact was devastating.
The Metal Bat was sent flying like a broken puppet, crashing into a distant stone wall. The surface behind him cracked instantly, spreading outward like a spiderweb.
"Pfft!"
He coughed out a mouthful of blood. Several ribs had fractured, and the force of the blow had shaken his internal organs. Gouketsu's strength was far beyond what he had expected.
"It's over."
Gouketsu walked forward, preparing to end the battle with one final attack.
"Over? What a joke!"
The Metal Bat forced himself back onto his feet by using his weapon for support. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and the fighting spirit burning inside his eyes only grew stronger.
"My fighting spirit gets stronger every time I'm pushed down!"
He roared, and the aura surrounding him surged violently. His injuries had not weakened him. Instead, the pain had pushed his determination and momentum beyond their previous limits.
The force created by his willpower and fighting spirit gathered around him like flames, growing denser with every passing second.
His breathing, which had been disrupted by the heavy strike, quickly returned to normal. His presence became sharper and more intense than before.
Gouketsu's advance slowed slightly.
A flash of surprise appeared in his crimson electronic eyes as he analyzed the sudden change.
"Oh? A breakthrough during battle? Interesting. But a difference in strength cannot be overcome by momentum alone."
"Then prove it!"
The Metal Bat roared and charged forward.
This time, his speed had clearly increased. Every step landed with heavy force, causing cracks to spread across the simulated rocky terrain beneath his feet.
He no longer relied only on swinging his bat with brute force. Instead, he combined his movements with the weapon itself. His body moved with the bat, and the bat followed the rhythm of his body.
His attacks became a violent storm, yet each strike carried a strange sense of precision and timing.
"Consecutive Strikes!"
The Metal Bat unleashed all of the momentum he had accumulated. His bat transformed into countless afterimages, striking toward Gouketsu from every direction.
Each swing carried enough force to break stone, and every attack became faster and heavier than the last, like an unstoppable wave that continued building in strength.
For the first time, Gouketsu showed a serious expression.
He crossed his arms in front of his body to protect his vital points. His muscles expanded to their limit as he endured the endless barrage.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
The training ground shook under the constant impacts.
Gouketsu's body was strong enough to withstand missile attacks, yet even his durable physique was being pushed back by the Metal Bat's desperate assault. Faint marks and cracks began appearing across his body.
"Roar!"
Gouketsu finally lost patience.
He noticed an opening and ignored the incoming strike aimed at his shoulder. His right fist launched forward like a cannonball, carrying terrifying Monster energy as it targeted the Metal Bat's exposed midsection.
If the attack landed, it would be enough to break the Metal Bat's body.
However, while surrounded by his rising momentum, the Metal Bat did not retreat.
Instead, he shifted his body slightly.
He used his left shoulder, the one not holding his bat, to take Gouketsu's punch directly. At the same moment, his right hand moved with even greater speed, swinging the bat upward from below at a sharp angle toward Gouketsu's exposed jaw.
A direct exchange.
A battle where both sides accepted the risk of serious injury.
"Pfft!"
"Crack!"
Two harsh sounds rang out almost simultaneously.
The Metal Bat's left shoulder immediately collapsed under the force of Gouketsu's punch. Multiple bones shattered, and his body was thrown backward like it had been struck by a massive hammer, blood spraying from his mouth as he flew through the air.
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