At the name 'Cerberus,' Kaizoku and Sylphy froze in shock.
"Whaaaat!?" they exclaimed simultaneously.
"CE-CERBERUS!?"
They stared at each other in terror.
"Ha! Where's your confidence now?" Kaizoku pushed Sylphy, annoyed by her too confident.
"I didn't expect our opponent to be Cerberus!" Sylphy shoved him back.
They knew who Cerberus was, a large three-headed dog that guarded the underground world. The thing that makes Sylphy very confident is because Cerberus' original job is to guard the Underworld, not to be a fighter in a match.
They kept pushing and blaming each other until they were interrupted by thunderous footsteps that shook the sand like a small earthquake.
"BEHOLD! THE THREE-HEADED HOUND! CER-BERUS!"
Upon its introduction, Cerberus charged forward, stunning Kaizoku and Sylphy with its incredible speed.
The beast halted right before them as they clung to each other in fear.
Cerberus stood with unmatched might, an underworld titan ready to destroy any challenger. Its massive body shook the ground with each step. Green flames blazed in its eyes, reflecting eternal malevolence and unquenchable rage. Those fiery gazes could pierce through anyone's courage.
The beast circled the terrified pair.
Ancient bone armor protected each of Cerberus's feet, hard and sharp as sword blades. The armor enhanced its savage, invincible appearance, as if wearing the bones of fallen souls. Despite its enormous size, Cerberus moved with impossible agility, able to close distances instantly with steel-crushing claws.
Its mere presence was a nightmare. Cerberus wasn't just a monster—it was fear incarnate, an harbinger of inevitable destruction. Every opponent faced profound terror, knowing they were challenging death itself.
This was the first time Kaizoku and Sylphy saw Cerberus in its true, huge form. It's surprising how different Cerberus' work is.
Yet Kaizoku steeled himself. He broke free from their fearful embrace and stood tall before Cerberus.
Kaizoku felt something that made him escape from his fear, something that was able to push Kaizoku further from his heart.
"If this is a step for me to become a hero, then, I must continue to fight whoever is in front of me. No matter how big or scary, I have to try it."
Seeing his courage, Sylphy refused to be outdone. She strengthened her resolve and stood beside him.
"FOR THE SECOND TIME AND LAST TIME, SINCE HERCULES HASN'T ARRIVED, THE OUTLAWS WILL FACE CERBERUS! IF THE OUTLAWS WIN, THEY EARN THE RIGHT TO ENTER MASTER GON'S CASTLE!!!"
Cerberus stopped before them, wild-eyed and drooling like rainfall due to its immense size.
"If this is our path into the kingdom, then we'll finish it..." Kaizoku declared bravely.
Sylphy looked at him, puzzled. "Since when did you become so brave?"
Kaizoku didn't answer, standing straight and facing the three-headed beast.
"I hope you're ready, Sylphy. Remember my promise—if we die, we die together; if we live, we live together," Kaizoku proclaimed nobly.
Sylphy smiled, remembering his promise from when they first entered the Underworld.
"Heh, of course I'm ready..."
She clenched her fists, prepared to fight alongside Kaizoku.