『Jack: «This young man is not only quick, but also very cunning and skillful. He wasted no time thinking of a way to deal with my attack and took advantage of my overconfidence to go on the offensive.» 』
But as he observed his own situation, Neizan began to question his strategy. The cuts he had managed to inflict on the giant seemed insufficient, mere scratches compared to the size and resilience of his enemy. Fatigue was evident on his face, soaked in sweat, and his breathing was quick and heavy as he tried to regulate his pace.
『Neizan: Ahh… ahh… «This isn't working. No matter how many cuts I make, I can't inflict enough damage to weaken him. If this continues, I'll be the one who runs out of energy first.» 』
He felt the pressure in his chest, the heat of battle, and the pulsating throb in his wounds. Stained with blood, his and his rival, he stared intently at the giant, who, although still standing strong, displayed a hint of admiration for the young boy facing him.
『Jack: I have to admit that you're strong, boy. 』
Neizan looked up upon hearing Jack's words; he was surprised by the respect his rival was showing, but he couldn't afford to get distracted at a moment like this.
『Arthur: That's it, Neizan! Keep going! Hold on, you can do it! 』
『Miguel: I wouldn't be so sure. 』
『Arthur: What do you mean? 』
『Miguel: Just look at Neizan. He's exhausted, and he's barely managed to inflict any damage. He won't be able to keep up this pace much longer. 』
『Meilia: So, what do you think he should do? 』
『Miguel: When I spoke with him before the fight, I mentioned that if he couldn't hurt his opponent, he should use a last-resort technique. 』
『Everyone: …? 』
Intrigued by Miguel's words, Lina and the others looked at him, trying to figure out his meaning.
At that moment, Neizan muttered to himself, his voice barely a whisper escaping his lips:
『Neizan: «I'll have to use it.» 』
Taking a determined stance, Neizan held his sword with both hands, firmly with the blade pointing directly at the giant. His opponent, noticing the change in his demeanor, prepared himself as well. Both combatants tensed, and suddenly, as if an invisible signal had been given, they both launched forward with explosive speed, their footsteps thundering across the arena floor. Their weapons met in a brutal clash: Neizan's sword against the giant's kanabo. The force of the collision released a shockwave that swept across the coliseum, astonishing all the spectators.
The crowd held their breath. The impact had been monumental, but Neizan was the first to step back, pushed by the intensity of the blow.
『Neizan: «If I hadn't activated this technique now, my sword would've been shattered after that clash. By focusing almost all my reiki into it, I can hold my ground against his attacks, at least for now.» 』
『Jack: That's it, Neizan! Now this fight is really getting interesting! 』
『Arthur: What did Neizan do to match his opponent in that force clash? 』
『Miguel: It's simple. Neizan is abandoning his reiki defense over his whole body and focusing it into his sword. That way, he achieves the greatest possible attack power, though it exposes him considerably. 』
『Meilia: So, does that mean he'll be able to hurt him now? 』
Miguel nodded, but his expression darkened.
『Miguel: Yes, but there's a problem.』
『Everyone: …? 』
『Miguel: It's likely the giant has recognized Neizan's technique. If so, he'll adjust his strategy, too. 』
『Arthur: What do you mean? 』
『Miguel: If that giant has deduced what Neizan is doing, he'll stop focusing so much reiki on his weapon. Instead, he'll spread it to reinforce his physical defense, protecting his body against Neizan's offensive technique. This will make it much harder for Neizan to inflict any significant damage. 』
As Miguel explained, the tension grew. Neizan breathed deeply, aware of the challenge before him. He knew this fight wouldn't be easy and that his last-resort technique, though powerful, only gave him a small chance. If he couldn't break through the giant's defense, his strength would run out before he had another opportunity to attack.
The spectators, caught up in the tension and suspense, waited anxiously for the next move. In the coliseum, the battle continued, each step from Neizan and the giant resonating as an echo of power and strategy in a clash that seemed to push both fighters to their limits.
The battle continued to grow more and more violent. Neizan and Jack exchanged blows in a fierce clash of strength and skill. At a critical moment, the giant launched a diagonal strike with his kanabo, aiming to crush Neizan. But Neizan, with a quick movement, deflected the blow with his sword, using the force of the attack to spin his weapon and find an opening. With precision, he managed to deliver a deep cut to his opponent's abdomen, from which a large amount of blood began to flow.
However, before he could retreat, Neizan felt an unusual vibration in the sand. A fraction of a second later, a gigantic foot emerged from the ground, ready to kick him.
『Neizan: «Did he hide his attack by burying his foot in the ground?» 』
Instinctively, Neizan placed his sword between himself and the massive leg that was about to strike him. The impact was brutal: the recoil from the collision, combined with Jack's monstrous strength, sent Neizan soaring through the air, reaching the top of the coliseum, about 60 meters high.
For a few seconds, Neizan was suspended in midair, reaching the highest point of his trajectory while trying to regain control. He knew that the fall was inevitable and that he had to brace himself for the impact against the ground.
However, a flash below caught his attention: the giant, watching him from below, began to channel a massive amount of reiki into his kanabo. The weapon vibrated with immense power, and a dark aura surrounded the giant, creating a tense atmosphere that left the audience in awe.