Kaguya moved like a blur, closing the distance between her and Kenta with lightning-fast speed. Before he could react, she unleashed a palm attack, her hand crackling with energy.
Kaguya then revealed her skill, the "Buddha Art Style," her hand glowing with a divine aura. This ancient technique drew upon the powers of the Buddhas, enhancing her physical capabilities and imbuing her strikes with holy energy.
Sarah was engaged in a fierce battle with Jokedone, struggling to keep up with his incredible speed. It became abundantly clear that he had the upper hand, as his lightning-fast maneuvers and powerful punches overwhelmed her. She managed to dodge most of his attacks, but the sheer destructiveness of his strikes was undeniable - one clean hit would likely be catastrophic for her.
Despite the odds stacked against her, Sarah refused to surrender. She weaved and dodged, her own agility and reflexes helping her to narrowly evade Jokedone's onslaught. Yet, with each near-miss, fatigue began to take its toll on her, making her movements gradually slower and less precise.
Sarah paused for a moment, her mind racing as she tried to gather her thoughts. In a voice that only she could hear, she spoke to the System. "System, is there any way to turn the tide in this fight? I need a power boost or something!"
System: No, He is LR+ ranked, No way you can defeat him, he maybe not an Emperor but his stats are stronger than normal Emperor.
Sarah's heart sank as the System's voice echoed in her mind, its cold and analytical tone delivering a harsh truth. "No way to defeat him, huh? Even if he's not an Emperor, his stats are stronger than a normal one. How am I supposed to get out of this alive?"
System: He normally said he is testing you before right, Than Use auto battle mode
Sarah clenched her jaw as she listened to the System's suggestion. "Auto battle mode ... that's a risky move," she thought, her mind racing. The potential consequences of using it were significant, as it would strain her body to its limits, causing extreme muscle pain.
Yet, in her current situation, with the odds stacked against her, she had little choice. The gap between her and Jokedone's power seemed insurmountable, and she knew she needed something more to even the odds. With a mixture of determination and resignation, Sarah spoke aloud, "Activate auto battle mode."
Jokedone, unaware of Sarah's secret system, continued to taunt her with his usual carefree demeanor. He laughed and jeered, his tone smug as he taunted her. "Is that all you've got? I'm just getting started, you know," he teased, his arrogance evident.
As the System took over Sarah's body, her eyes took on a vacant, pale expression, and her lips no longer formed words. The auto battle mode had taken effect, and Sarah was now a passenger in her own body.
Jokedone's punch was halted as the System-controlled Sarah seized him, clinging to his arm and kicking him in the face with incredible force. The momentum of the kick sent Jokedone flying back, his face stunned by the sudden attack.
Despite the strength of Sarah's attack, Jokedone remained unharmed, but he was visibly surprised and intrigued. "So, this is how you fight when you're serious, huh?" he mused, a hint of respect in his voice. "Reminds me of how my sworn rival Kanji would fight."
Jokedone's demeanor changed slightly, his eyes narrowing as he regarded Sarah's altered fighting style with interest. "Now this is getting interesting," he said, a slight grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You've managed to peak my interest, let's see what else you've got."
As Jokedone unleashed his attack with veins of red energy coursing through his arm, the punch was both strong and lightning-fast. However, the System, still in control of Sarah's body, used the momentum once again, swiftly deflecting Jokedone's punch aside. Sarah's hand stung from the impact, a reminder of the brute force he possessed.
Jokedone was taken aback by Sarah's unflinching reaction to his powerful punch. "Huh, she didn't even flinch," he commented, a hint of surprise in his voice. "Most people would be terrified by a punch like that. She's got guts, I'll give her that."
While Sarah was a passenger inside her own body, she could still observe the battle unfolding through the System's eyes. Her perspective was limited, but she was still aware of Jokedone's movements and actions, witnessing the fight from a detached yet intimate viewpoint.
The timer on the System's display indicated that the auto battle mode was nearing its end. The countdown showed that only two minutes remained before the mode would deactivate, and Sarah would regain control of her body.
Jokedone, engaged in the heated battle with the System-controlled Sarah, began to reminisce about his past fights with Kanji. As the System fought with a cool finesse, using momentum instead of dodging, Jokedone couldn't help but recall similar tactics and moves that Kanji had employed during their own battles.
Jokedone's thoughts drifted back to those intense clashes, remembering how Kanji had also used momentum to his advantage, turning defensive moves into counterattacks. The similarities in their styles were striking, and Jokedone couldn't help but compare the Sarah's fighting style to that of his sworn rival.
Despite the significant level difference between Sarah and Jokedone, the System attempted a series of attacks, targeting his foot with a throw and following up with a drop kick towards his face. Jokedone was unaffected by the attacks, his level of power far surpassing Sarah's at her current rank. He couldn't help but feel a pang of pity for her, musing silently, "If only she were the same rank as me, it would've been a more interesting fight."
Jokedone was well aware of the vast gap in power between him and Sarah, acknowledging that he was only using around 20% of his full strength. He understood that even someone with a rank of SS+ or SR+ would struggle against his full power, as even a UR-ranked individual might not survive at his 10% power level. The stark reality of the power disparity weighed in his mind, making him realize that the fight was somewhat of a mismatch, yet he held back to avoid causing serious harm to Sarah.
As the auto battle mode deactivated and Sarah regained control of her body, she found herself gasping for breath, her muscles burning with pain. The intense battle and strain on her body had left her tired and winded, but she gritted her teeth, silently enduring the pain. She knew that the level difference between her and Jokedone was enormous, but she refused to give in to the pain or despair.
After the battle concluded, Jokedone observed Sarah panting and wincing in pain as she tried to control her breathing. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he spoke, his voice filled with a hint of satisfaction. "You passed the test," he said, his tone slightly amused. "I didn't think you could last that long against me, especially when I was 20% serious."
Sarah, feeling a mix of exhaustion and frustration, suddenly erupted, her emotions bubbling over as she yelled at Jokedone for taking the test. "Who the hell are you to take a test on me without my consent?" she snapped, her voice strained from the intense battle. "I don't even know you, and you're suddenly testing me like I'm some guinea pig?"
Jokedone, seemingly unbothered by her outburst, calmly replied, "You don't need to know my identity to undergo the test. And it wasn't just a random test, it was a necessary challenge to gauge your potential."
Jokedone, unperturbed by Sarah's initial anger, took a moment to introduce himself. "I am Jokedone, first disciple of Buddha" he began, his tone casual yet firm. "My purpose here is to test individuals like you, to measure your potential and see if you're worthy of my training and guidance."
Jokedone's words echoed in the air, carrying an air of mystery and intrigue. Sarah, still catching her breath from the intense battle, regarded him with curiosity and skepticism. "Why me?" she asked, her voice laced with a mix of defiance and weariness. "Why did you choose to test me?"
Jokedone nodded, acknowledging Sarah's mention of her past encounter with Kanji. "Ah, yes, your fight with Kanji is what initially caught my attention," he explained, his eyes studying her carefully. "It's rare for someone to survive an encounter with him, especially when you're nowhere near his level. There must be a reason for that, a hidden potential within you that's worth exploring further."
Jokedone paused for a moment, his gaze still fixed on Sarah as he continued, "That's why I decided to test you, to see firsthand what you're capable of. And I must admit, your performance exceeded my initial expectations. It seems there is untapped potential within you, waiting to be unleashed."
Sarah, still panting and exhausted from the recent battle, managed to voice her concern about Kenta's whereabouts. "Where is Kenta?" she asked, her voice filled with a mix of worry and curiosity.
Jokedone nodded in response to Sarah's question about Kenta, his expression calm. "Kenta is currently undergoing a test, similar to the one you just experienced," he explained. "My comrade, Kaguya, is the one who is subjecting him to this challenge."
~Next chapter "Dark Aura"