So, after Sakurako took a beating and gave Aaron Marshal, her opponent, an even bigger beating, the next match commenced. The next match was Azaroft Raft vs Quidella, which was now refereed by Prince Eustace, to make sure that the same incident with Prince Guist never happens again. That match was quite even, but Quidella pulled out in the end.
The next match was Riona and Dariac Nomad–it was a one-sided beating. Dariac used his power to overwhelm Riona and then proceeded to knock her unconscious. It was Dariac's win. And then, the most recent match was Nul vs Kirra. To my surprise, Kirra was a female. I won't lie, it sounded more male to me than female. Anyways, in the first half of the match, Nul was dominating, then Kirra started to power up but, sadly, Nul finished the job.
Now, it was my turn to fight. I stood up and walked through the stands, going downstairs into the contestants' area. I wasn't able to convince the guy at the door that I was Altair Nox, but he came around after three or four minutes.
I didn't choose any weapons as I headed for the exit. I could already hear the crowd's cheers from my side. Seems like I'm the last one to get introduced.
'[The Amazonian, Nyuri Nayami!']
I heard the cheers and clapping coming from the seating area of the arena. Then, it was my turn next. Alex Vincent shouted, like he usually does, and shouted my name.
['Then on the other side, we have Altair Nox! He's human, but not much is known about him!']
Black smoke jumped out of the entrance along with confetti. I walked out, stiff. As soon as I walked out, I could hear gasps and questions. My appearance is really misleading them, huh. This is good, I guess. There were some boos mixed into the chatter of the crowd. I sauntered toward the middle and faced the Amazonian.
'A child? This could be interesting.'
'Is that what you think when you have a child as your opponent?'
Nayami looked slightly confused. She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes; her expression seemed a little conceited.
'You are here because you are strong. Anyways, I can beat you. Without needing to go serious.'
Her blue beast-like eyes started glowing as they pierced through my soul. Regardless of their gem-like shine, they had a weird aura about them. It was like I was staring at an actual beast. Only that this beast took human form.
Prince Eustace stepped in front of us and covertly gave us both a look. Nayami nodded and I followed in suit. The prince raised his arm into the air and kept it there for a few seconds. Those seconds felt longer than a minute. It then dropped like a guillotine.
'Begin!'
I got ready in a pseudo-boxing pose, preparing for an attack, but none came. Nyuri Nayami stood there and gave me a peerless smile. It was like she was daring me to attack her. I would if I had skills, but with those eyes glaring at me. I know that getting too close would be me dead.
['What's this? Nyuri Nayami is standing carefree, with an unparalleled smile! But Altair Nox is standing in a fighting pose, shaking.']
I could hear the crowd start shouting slurs at me and getting angry. They don't know what death feels like, so why are they complaining?!
Death... Death... That's right. I've died once already. Since I have, why am I afraid of the feeling of death? Sure dying hurts, but only a little... Actually, it hurts. Hurts a lot. It hurts like shit. But that doesn't matter. As long as I'm used to the feeling, I can fight.
I bend and assume a sprinting starter pose.
['Oh? Is Altair Nox going to run at her? He seems to have stopped shaking too.']
'Finally, I guess you are worthy. I'll let you have the first hit.'
She said, still smiling and glaring at me. I take off.
'Eh?'
By the time I notice where I'm at, after pushing myself off of the ground to go into a sprint, I'm already next to Nayami. Quickly, I punch her side, but she quickly blocks it with both her arms. After taking the blow, she retreated quickly.
'W-what... What the hell did you do?'
Nayami's expression changed. It was one full of shock and horror.
['D-did you all see that?! Altair Nox appeared and disappeared right next to Nayami! With the expression on his face, it looked like he wasn't expecting that himself!']
Yeah, I really wasn't. Prince Guist appeared on the large transparent screen.
'It's not that he disappeared and reappeared. His physical ability is out of this world. He's probably in a league above Superhuman when it comes to physical ability.'
I am?!
«Yes. After Superhuman is the final title and evolution, Ultrahuman, which only a couple, in the current world, have. You are not at Ultrahuman level, but you are above Superhuman. When you reach Demon King, that is when your power will reach Ultrahuman.»
They're that stro–
I sidestepped on instinct, dodging a deadly claw-shaped attack from the Amazonian. She followed accordingly, with erratic moves, even with Thought Acceleration, I was barely able to dodge the majority of them. Some would scrap me, but it wouldn't affect my performance.
['Nyuri Nayami is throwing out everything she has at Altair Nox, who seems to be doing well! This will turn out to be a battle of endurance! Whoever can keep up the longest, can land a strike! Who will it be? Altair Nox, the one who is on the defensive, or Nyuri Nayami, the one who is attacking?']
I'm barely keeping along, myself! Her fighting style is too random. You can't just naturally expect her to do something over. It's like I'm fighting a wild beast! I dodged the next blow and countered the one after–something cold touched my back.
The wall!
['Altair Nox has been cornered! Is this over?!']
The Amazonian's fist thrust itself toward me. I dropped myself, naturally, and her fist broke through the wall and inserted itself in it. That punch only made a cut on my cheek. I swung at the abdomen of the Amazonian. It landed, but, due to my positioning and the amount of space I had, there wasn't really any power behind it. I was struck hard in the face, and side of the chest. It hurt, but not enough to stop me entirely.
I swiped with my arms, but they were easily countered and held by Nayami. She moved her whole body back–she looked like a leaning tower. A headbutt was coming. Her head came swooping at mine.
(Iron Body, then, Bash!)
I hardened my head and used Bash with a waving motion of my head. Our heads collided.
['Damn! Altair must've felt that one!']
Pain seared through the front of my forehead, to the back of my head. It really did hurt. And it hurts fucking a lot! Though, I wouldn't want to be her right now. Nayami's body slowly backed up and she collapsed to the ground. Even if she's a good fighter, most people don't train their heads. If I hadn't used Iron Body and Bash, then I'd be on the floor, instead of Nayami. Her forehead was soaked in blood, while mine was fine. Maybe just Iron Body was enough.
The loud horn signals and the crowd starts to rile up.
['What a turnabout! Altair Nox, folks, keep your eyes on him! He may be young but he's a real demon!']
Phrasing...
['He won after being cornered! We'll be back in five minutes with the next match!']
I won... Fighting someone on equal grounds like that can actually be fun. Even if you're staring death in the face, like how I did. Ah, I better get out of the arena before I get shoved out.