In a sudden combat situation like this, my tenfold power card gives me an advantage. Yet, a tenfold increase in strength feels insufficient for a direct confrontation. How can I possibly deal with Remington? Amid the clamor outside, where both sides have already begun their duel, I scratch my head, mulling over this problem as I leave the dining hall, my palm secretly concealing a berserk pill. Jack and Baji Shinpu are maintaining a wary distance from the opposing team, while the Wolf King has already defeated one adversary and is continuing his challenges.
"Let's see—who will be my next opponent?" Wolf King taunts loudly. A tall, slender Western man with messy blond hair steps out from his team with a sneer. "Allow me to end your life, and I hope you're worth the trouble!" he scoffs. Wolf King's gaze turns bloodthirsty; his bear transformation card was destroyed by Instructor Virel, so who knows what he has planned next. "Even if he seizes all of Demon Girl's assets, they probably won't amount to much. Julier only has two Level 4 cards anyway. Still, he's just defeated an opponent, so he should have gained some spoils." Dangerous as this comrade may be, I still hope for Wolf King's victory.
The opponent stretches and lets out a roar as his body suddenly swells, transforming into a Tyrannosaurus. The massive, terrifying jaws and fierce eyes radiate the menace of an ancient beast. "Even with his bear transformation card, he wouldn't be a match for this guy—dinosaurs are far deadlier than bears," I think, yet Wolf King shows no concern, extending his middle fingers in a provocation. The Western man-turned-Tyrannosaurus bellows and lunges to bite Wolf King's head. At the last moment, Wolf King drops down, rolling away by several meters, and pulls out a heavy machine gun. Before the dinosaur-man can pounce, the machine gun roars to life. Though the T. rex once ruled Earth, its flesh can't withstand the barrage of hundreds of bullets, and it collapses in a hail of gunfire.
Propping himself up on the machine gun, Wolf King sneers, "Even if you become a dragon, you can't change your foolish mind. Who's next? Come on!" His swift victory proves his formidable skill. This duel has shown me that no matter how many cards one has at the rookie stage, they're no match for modern weaponry. "It's a pity I lost my submachine gun and pistol in the fight with Night Girl, and silver-forged anti-demon bullets are too expensive, or I'd use firearms too," I think, when a red-haired giant steps out of the opposing team holding a portable cannon.
"Don't think you're the only ones with weapons. I came to Demon Island with an entire arsenal. Goodbye, mate!" The red-haired giant shoulders the cannon. As holy light gathers in my palm, I prepare to strike before he can pull the trigger. If he fires, I'll be caught in the blast—he means to annihilate us all. But before I can act, Baji Shinpu has already flicked a small steel fork from our dining table, which pierces the red-haired man's throat before he can respond. He collapses, his eyes wide with disbelief.
With measured steps, Baji Shinpu coldly declares, "Wolf King, this opponent was mine. You've already taken two of them down." "Pity, your own quota is also done," Wolf King replies, "but before the real fight begins, let me take care of you as well." The black giant standing nearby, clearly holding a high rank in his team, opens the Demon Book and lightly taps a finger, summoning a set of metallic armor around himself. However, this isn't some ancient armor—its sleek design brims with modern technology, evoking an American-style mecha cop.
"Power armor!" Baji Shinpu's eyes narrow as he hesitates between advancing and retreating. I sense Jack's eyes on me, a shiver runs through me, and I brace myself, coughing slightly as I step forward. "Sorry, this business is mine. Stand back, Baji Shinpu." "Oh, don't bother choosing. I'll kill you both together!" Remington, the black giant, roars and stomps forward, the ground quaking as he flashes before us.
"This power armor is cutting-edge; I spent a hundred million dollars to buy it at the Demon Island auction! It can amplify my strength up to 30,000 points. You don't stand a chance!" With Remington's bellow, his metallic fist looms before my face. I spring into the air, the preset seven quick-cast spells from my Demon Book ready. A single syllable of demonic language, and my long blade, Ancient Moon, appears on my back. Holding this blade enhances my speed and leap by threefold and fivefold, respectively, and with the tenfold power card, I've gained formidable martial prowess.
Dodging Remington's fist, I channel my inner strength, infusing the blade to unleash the Dust Storm technique. This skill not only amplifies destructive power but also blinds the opponent with a blast of searing energy, creating a sandstorm-like effect. Yet, as I feared, the power armor's visor and detection systems remain unaffected, leaving Remington undeterred. With a mere raise of his left hand, my blade strikes his armored forearm, failing to penetrate. A massive force repels me, sending shockwaves through my hand, nearly dislodging my grip, and hurling me backward.