Cero abruptly slammed his fist on the table before standing up. Tico and Kammy moved to the side as the table collapsed to the ground. They could feel a wave of anger coming from Cero that they have never witnessed before.
Cero: That bastard… I know exactly what he's doing!
Tico: What…
Kammy: Cero, what do you mean?!
Cero: That bastard is using the power of the deceased to his advantage. Daymond is exactly as "he" warned me. He's a bastard with the capability to replicate other people's techniques.
Tico: What?!
Kammy: But some of these styles take years, even decades to master. How is he capable of it?
Cero: He's what's considered a technique stealer. His ability to retain and replicate information he's witnessed is unmatched. So realistically, he is also capable of replicating the Release after this match.
Tico: The Release?! No way! Kuro's level of expertise is too high for someone to copy it!
Cero: It is Daymond's nature. If he trains himself enough, he'll be able to use it. But from Kuro's confusion and acknowledgment of Daymond using a new technique, it is without a doubt the "Automatic."
Kuro continued to throw haymaker after haymaker, his dark red skin slowly returning to its natural color. Daymond avoided each attack over and over, entirely effortlessly. Daymond jumped back, opening the distance between them. Kuro's expression only grew more and more aggressive. At that moment, blood dripped from Daymond's nose, Kuro looking in shock.
Daymond's thoughts: Dammit… So it is true, I am incompatible with the Automatic. I can only keep it active for extremely short durations of time.
Kuro: I have no idea what that technique you used was, but looks like it fucking sucks! You had me worried with my Release slowly going away. But I see that shitty ability was nothing to be worried about!
Daymond wiped the blood from his upper lip, opening his stance before charging in. He grabbed Kuro around the waist, Kuro raising his fist into the air, intending to slam it into Daymond's back. He quickly brought Kuro into the air before turning on his heel and slamming him into the ground. Kuro let out a gasp before being kicked in the head, rolling on the ground before pushing himself back up. He stared up, taking yet another elbow to the face before stumbled back as Daymond unleashed an onslaught of blows to his body, forcing Kuro to raise his guard, the audience staring in shock.
Zachary: What a rare sight! Kuro has actually raised his guard!
Zenzo: Daymond refuses to take his foot off the gas! He's got Kuro on the ropes!
Kuro's thoughts: Shit! They're right! My stamina must be running on low if I'm being hurt enough to guard! This fucker!
Kuro lashed out, pushing Daymond's punch away before punching him directly in the gut. Daymond let out a gasp but immediately threw a right hook at Kuro's head, Kuro dodging it before slamming his fist into Daymond's jaw. Blood seeped through Daymond's teeth as he stumbled back while Kuro smiled widely as he charged in, leading in with a right jab. Daymond let out a huff of air, his eyes fading once more as he pushed Kuro's punch away and sweeping his legs before landing a powerful punch directly to the face. Kuro slammed into the ground with a powerful thud, Daymond following suit as his legs buckled under him. Both fighters laid on the ground, blood surrounding the two of them. Daymond pushed himself back up, his breathing irregular as he looked down at Kuro. He weakly walked away as a figure slowly stood up behind him. Daymond looked to the ground, noticing his book sliding to his side. He turned around, noticing Kuro standing up once more.
Kuro: You thought…. That shitty punch… was enough?
Daymond could visibly see Kuro's exhaustion, but his was just as clear. The Arachna looked in worry as Midori, Shizu, and Moll stood there.
Midori: That ability he used, what was it called?
Shizu: It's known as the Automatic.
Moll's ears perked up as he glanced over to Shizu and Midori.
Midori: The Automatic, you say? Such an ability is absolutely frightening. Being able to respond in combat without the usage of the conscious mind. It is the perfect counter to the Release, and something I can't see even myself emulating.
Shizu: It's because the original creator made it so that it was nigh impossible to replicate, but Daymond is truly special.
Moll's thoughts: Tell the full story, won't ya?
Daymond's body felt heavy, he was entirely unable to bring himself to run or even dodge. It was as if his ankles were shackled by balls of pure iron. Kuro smiled like a maniac, using what remained of his stamina to use as much of the Release as he could. His body pulsed with strength as he ran at Daymond. The audience let out a loud gasp, shocked by Kuro's energy-filled dash. Daymond stood still, Kuro moving closer and closer. His arms reached out, his smile opening, showing Daymond the chasm that awaited him. Daymond's head shot up, moving in slightly, slamming his open palm into Kuro's jaw. The sudden reactionary movement entirely stopped Kuro's head from the rest of the body's momentum. Kuro felt his brain violently shake within his skull, the world slowly going dark in his eyes. Daymond kicked his book aside as Kuro fell to the floor once more. The audience stared in shock as the durable Kuro didn't jump back to his feet once again. Silence filled the ring, everyone waiting for him to stand back up. Daymond reached down and picked up his book, turning around as he slowly walked away from Kuro's unmoving body.
Daymond: Release, huh? That seems rather useful.
Daymond passed by the referee, grabbing his coat before meeting his eyes.
Daymond: Sorry I used you as a distraction. There weren't many options.
Zachary shook his head, raising the mic to his mouth as his sunglasses were crooked.
Zachary: W-WE HAVE A WINNER! AND THE WINNER OF THE FIFTH MATCH IS DAYMOND THERAPOSAAA!!!!
The audience erupted in a roar of cheers. Theodore stood up before walking away from the group that surrounded him.
Gonzalez: I wish you luck.
Theodore: Thank you.
Cero clenched his fists. Tico and Kammy inspected the table and noticed all the legs had snapped off.
Cero: So he truly does intend to use that technique. Then I do intend to kill him and reclaim the position that was rightfully ours.
Tico: There he goes again…
Kammy: But with the Automatic, Daymond really has become a much larger threat, no matter how much it hurts him in return.
Cero turned and left the room, Tico and Kammy standing back up from the floor.
Kammy: You should probably get ready for your match.
Tico: Yeah…
Daymond staggered through the halls, his vision slightly blurry.
Daymond's thoughts: That battle was much more taxing than I had expected… But the rush of such a match…
A smile grew on Daymond's face before he looked up, Dianshi standing in front of him.
Dianshi: Red really isn't your color. But you won, just as we expected. Let me help you to the infirmary. The others are upstairs and probably won't reach you in time.
Daymond: Thank you, Dianshi. I know you're someone I can rely on.
Dianshi: Well, you are my boss, so I might as well help when I can.
Daymond wrapped an arm around Diashi's neck as he assisted him to the infirmary. The Arachna started cheering amongst themselves as a grin grew on Shizu's face.
Midori: You seem quite pleased.
Shizu: Of course. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing someone special win.
Midori: I am rather interested in the remainder of these matches. It disappoints me that Kuro lost, but Daymond is a vastly more experienced and skilled individual. He handled that fight much better than I would have expected.
Shizu: One may say he has experience with those types.
Shun: That being said… You ready, bro?
Yussuf brought up his sheathed blade, a smile on his face.
Yussuf: I might be against Theodore, but I intend on bringing us our second win.
Simon: That's the spirit!
Magnus: You'll also help increase our information regarding what Theodore uses. Our sources are quite sparse.
Shun: Show him what you're made of.