We persisted in our fight, and with the valuable information I gained from observing our confrontation, I began to match my performance with his.
"How is it possible? How do you know which skill I'm going to use?"
"I've evolved, you worthless fool."
"What?!"
"You should have killed me when you had the chance, but now it's over for you."
"Arrrggghhh! How is it possible? I should be superior to you. Tell me what you did, human!?"
"I simply became stronger."
"Impossible! I'm just like you."
"You never were. Now I'm going to show you the difference between our power. Speed Iz Brute force. LHIAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"Impossible! You can't use them at the same time."
As I let out screams and pushed my body to reach a new level, the demon showed disbelief in what he was witnessing. Desperation overtook his facial expression.
"Speed Iz Brute force achieved!"
"But it should be impossible!"
"Impossible doesn't exist for a Mira."
"What the hell is a Mira!?"
"Mira the hell I'm going to make out of your life. Fourth form Kotxi Fast!"
The copy turned away and started fleeing desperately, but the moment I moved, an astonishing speed took over. My initial intention was to dismember him meticulously, but I ended up splitting him in half abruptly.
"Arrrrgggggghhhhh!"
"You've been humiliated!"
I walked slowly toward the demon, crouched down, firmly gripping his hair, and locked eyes with him.
"In the end, your defeat was already written by me."
"Impossible…"
The copy's body gradually faded, and the area began to tremble.
"Impossible! Impossible! Impossible!"
This voice continued echoing for about a minute, but I remained calm, ready to act at the right moment.
"Just die!" I declared, letting my killer intent manifest.
The environment began to transform into a viscous, yellowish substance, similar to what I had seen before, while the demon's continuous cries of agony echoed.
"I don't want to die, please, don't kill me, don't kill me!!"
"I will kill you."
I leaped and activated my Speed Iz Brute force in mid-air.
"First Special Form. Consecutive Kotxi Flame-Swivel!"
With this technique, I delivered a series of attacks against the contracting, viscous substance.
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
When I landed on the ground, I was greeted by the unmistakable scent of familiar people. Ui started running toward me, her arms outstretched awkwardly and no defensive stance. What was she trying to do? I dodged, and she ended up falling to the ground.
"Izumi, why did you dodge?"
"Screw you!"
"You're so mean, Izumi!"
This girl seemed to have some crazy ideas. What was she planning to do if I hadn't dodged that attack? She was definitely up to something terrible.
"Izumi, are you alive?"
"No, you idiot. I'm dead."
"Well, you could be," inserted droopy breasts.
"I won't die until I've taken your life."
"Idiot."
I gave a faint smile and continued advancing toward the next floor. Upon entering the door, I encountered a zigzag-shaped staircase. We ascended the stairs without any hitches, but as we reached the floor, I detected the unmistakable scent of a demon lingering in the air. Soon after, I began to hear some sort of movement approaching.
"Aii!"
"What happened, Ui? Kyaaaa!"
"Be careful, Izumi. Something touched my skin."
"I know what it is."
"Careful! It's an insect."
I realized Ui was also aware of the situation. The demon, by singling me out as the last target, perhaps believed I was the strongest. But if things were the opposite, he would pay with his life.
'Speed Iz!'
I activated my ability and neutralized the insect demon's attack, and on the second strike, I skillfully dodged it.
"You're fast for an insect."
"Insect? Look in the mirror."
"Shut up, insect. You're the insect. My name is Ziro. The fastest in the world."
"Today, you'll meet the fastest in the world."
"Talk is cheap. Let's see if you can keep up with me."
"I like those words, insect."
"Don't call me an insect!!!"
We continued to exchange blows, and the experience was thrilling. Until that moment, I had never encountered anyone who could match my speed.
"You're really fast for an insect."
"And you're too slow for an insect."
A smile appeared on our faces as we kept the battle going.
"Izumi, be careful. This insect demon's venom is paralyzing." Max shouted.
"It's paralyzing if it hits me. Right, insect?"
"Of course."
"Hah? He didn't even pay attention to my warning."
In terms of speed, I had the advantage, but hitting such a small target with a critical attack was a challenging task. Nevertheless, this insect demon proved to be a worthy opponent. In his defeat, I planned to make a feast out of his body and savor it until nothing remained.
"Insect, I'll show you what real speed is."
"You're all talk, insect."
"Speed Iz Brute force!"
I initiated a frenzied high-speed movement around the insect demon, and by his reaction, it seemed like he couldn't even visually keep up with me.
"Can you see Izumi?"
"I used to notice something before, but now I don't see anything."
"Yeah. I've fought him before, but I've never seen him this fast. I don't even know if he's really visible. Damn it, Izumi. When did he get stronger?"
"So, insect, can you see me?"
"Of course, you're here," The insect spoke while attempting to attack me.
"You missed. Lhiahahahaha!"
"You insect!!!"
He persisted in his efforts to attack me, but without success. It was clear that in their eyes, my speed had reached an unbeatable level.
"Insect, it's time for your death."
Just as I was about to end the insect's life, strange memories or visions echoed in my mind. I was confused because I saw the insect in my memories, but I didn't understand why. What was happening? Was that creature trying to communicate something to me, asking not to be killed?
"Why did you stop? Weren't you going to kill me?"
The information from that future vision left me perplexed. Why was the insect instructing me to protect Ui? Even though I didn't fully understand, I made my decision.
"There's no reason to kill you, and you're not a demon who kills people. You weren't fighting to kill me, but to prove you're faster."
"How can you be sure of that?"
"If you wanted to kill, those worthless ones wouldn't be alive."
"I'm not worthless!"
"Izumi, do you think I'm worthless?"
"Maps don't speak."
"Then I'll be the best map in the world for you," she exclaimed as she ran to my side, ready to annoy me.
"I'm the best, right, Izumi? You'll always use me, won't you, Izumi? Say something, Izumi. Answer me, Izumi. I'm the best, right, Izumi?"
I decided not to say anything, avoiding making the situation worse, but the temptation to unsheathe my sword and silence that viper's taunting was almost irresistible.
"Insect, be careful with the demon on the next floor. He's bloodthirsty."
"So, let's compete to see who's the most bloodthirsty."