The trumpets sounded, marking the beginning of the battle. The two warriors locked eyes, studying each other intensely. Neizan felt the pressure; the giant's imposing figure made him feel small, but he was not afraid. He took a deep breath, remembering Lina's words that echoed in his mind, bringing him a sense of calm. Seeing Neizan's steady gaze, the giant decided to break the silence, his voice deep and powerful, ready to mark the beginning of a duel that would be etched into the memory of all present.
『Giant: Hello, boy. I hope we have a good fight. 』
Hearing this, Neizan paused in thought for a moment. In front of him stood a towering figure, intimidating and fierce, with a presence that could unnerve anyone. Yet, his words sounded sincere and respectful, showing a chivalry that surprised Neizan.
『Neizan: I feel the same. 』
『Giant: Tell me your name, boy. 』
『Neizan: My name is Neizan.』
Upon hearing his response, the giant, who was carrying a massive kanabo on his shoulder, slowly lowered his arm until the tip of the weapon hit the ground with a rumble that echoed throughout the area. Dust and sand rose around his feet as the crowd held its breath.
『Giant: I am Jack. Now come at me with everything you've got, Neizan. 』
Jack lifted his kanabo once more, resting it on his shoulder as if it weighed nothing. His gaze, however, remained calm and unwavering, inviting Neizan to make the first move. Inspired by the challenge, Neizan drew his sword with determination and began circling his opponent, observing every detail, seeking a weak spot in the giant's seemingly lax stance.
『Jack: …? 』
In an instant, Neizan vanished from Jack's view, appearing suddenly behind him. With an agile leap and surprising skill, he swung his sword in a direct strike toward the giant's neck. But, just before the blade could graze his skin…
『Neizan: …! 』
A sharp sound, like two logs clashing together, filled the air. Neizan's sword had come to a halt against Jack's sturdy neck, not leaving so much as a scratch. Neizan felt a mixture of awe and desperation upon seeing that his best attack had no effect. Before he could process the impact, he saw the giant lift his kanabo and, with a swift motion, hurl a direct blow toward him.
『Neizan: Damn! 』
Reacting just in time, Neizan ducked, narrowly dodging the massive kanabo that whooshed just above his head. The speed of the strike was such that it stirred a gust of wind, swirling the dust and sand around them. The pressure of the air even reached the spectators, who watched in amazement at Jack's devastating strength and Neizan's agility in evading his onslaught.
The battle had only just begun, but the clash between the giant and the swordsman had already left the crowd on the edge of their seats, hearts pounding in anticipation.
『Arthur: That's ridiculous. How can he move that heavy weapon so fast? 』
Arthur watched with his mouth open, his eyes filled with awe and fear. Next to him, Miguel kept his gaze fixed on the fight, with a serious and thoughtful expression. On the other side of Arthur, Meilia and Lina watched the arena with a mix of concern and fascination.
『Meilia: Is it just me, or did Neizan's attack do nothing to him? 』
Without looking away from the arena, Miguel crossed his arms and responded calmly.
『Miguel: That giant is known as Jack the Indestructible. Pay attention. 』
In the arena, after dodging Jack's fierce attack, Neizan instinctively backed away a few meters, trying to catch his breath. He looked down at his own hands, which were trembling slightly, though this time it wasn't just from the effort; fear was invading his senses. He remembered the feeling of being cornered by stronger opponents, something he thought he had overcome after years of training. But now, his body was sending him constant signals of danger, making his skin prickle, almost as if begging him to leave the fight.
『Neizan: «If he hits me with something like that, it's over… I would've died if I hadn't dodged in time.» 』
Jack let out a deep, approving laugh, raising an eyebrow as he acknowledged Neizan's agility.
『Jack: Well done, kid. You've got good reflexes. Now it's my turn. 』
At that moment, Neizan went on high alert, watching as Jack positioned himself, gripping his kanabo with both hands. Without wasting a second, the giant quickly advanced, closing the distance between them with a speed that surprised even the most seasoned spectators, who could barely keep up with Jack's movement. With a roar, Jack lifted his weapon and delivered an upward blow from above his head, intending to crush Neizan like a mere insect.
Moments before impact, Neizan lunged to the side, dodging the kanabo that crashed into the ground with a boom that shook the terrain and raised a cloud of dust. Seizing the opportunity, Neizan gripped his sword with determination and launched an attack, aiming at the giant's torso. However, after the impact, the blade only managed to tear a bit of Jack's clothing, without leaving a single cut on his skin.
Neizan gritted his teeth, bracing himself to face the inevitable counterattack.
『Neizan: «This guy is incredibly tough… Here it comes.» 』
The giant retrieved his kanabo, pulling it out of the massive crater it had left in the ground, and swung it toward Neizan once more, this time with just one arm. The strike came in a horizontal arc aimed directly at Neizan's torso. Without wasting a moment, Neizan leaped into the air, dodging the deadly attack from above. Taking advantage of his height, he extended his leg in a swift spin, landing a kick to the giant's face. As he landed, Neizan swiftly followed up with a strike from his sword aimed at the giant's wrist, finally managing to make a small but visible cut in his skin.
Blood trickled from the wound, and Neizan stared, surprised by the success of his attack.
『Neizan: «Did I… manage to cut him?» 』