"Pretending?" The Lazy Ryuosho let out a cold chuckle, his voice laced with palpable disdain. "You think your disguise can fool anyone? It's nothing more than a pathetic joke."
"A joke?" The Lightning Ryuosho's eyes glimmered like lightning, his voice low and powerful. "What's real cannot be faked, and what's fake cannot become real—"
The Lazy Ryuosho sneered again, and in an instant, blinding lightning erupted beneath his feet. The explosive energy surged like a tempest, creating shockwaves that rippled through the air. His figure vanished in a flash, leaving behind residual lightning streaks that zigzagged through the sky with erratic, unpredictable movements. His aim was to disrupt his opponent's perception with sheer speed, creating an opening for a counterattack.
But the Lightning Ryuosho remained composed, his expression cold and unyielding. With both hands gripping his thunderous blade, his power surged relentlessly, roaring like a raging sea. Lightning crackled around him, brilliant and dangerous. He did not chase the fleeting afterimages; instead, he stood firm, allowing the surrounding electromagnetic field to expand. The invisible force exuded an overwhelming pressure that was impossible to ignore.
The Lazy Ryuosho prided himself on his unmatched speed, but as he approached, his movements suddenly faltered. The unseen force wrapped around him like magnetic tendrils, gripping his body and resisting every attempt to break free. His speed, no matter how great, was no match for the control of the electromagnetic field.
"What?" The Lazy Ryuosho's eyes widened in shock, feeling the oppressive pull of electromagnetic interference disrupting his movements. Suppressing his panic, he conjured a sphere of thunder in his right hand, prepared for an all-or-nothing strike.
The two figures collided with ferocious intensity. Lightning intertwined as a cataclysmic explosion shook the battlefield. The feral energy roared like a hurricane, accompanied by an earsplitting boom that made it impossible to see clearly amidst the dazzling flashes of light. In the blink of an eye, the thunderous blade slashed through the air, cutting across the Lazy Ryuosho's left arm with precision.
A spray of crimson blood burst forth, vivid against the radiant lightning. The Lazy Ryuosho retreated hastily, narrowly avoiding a fatal strike, but pain and numbness radiated from his injured arm.
Looking down at the deep, bone-revealing wound, he saw lightning dancing within, searing his flesh with relentless agony. He tried to lift his arm, only to find it stiff and unresponsive, as though the lightning had severed not only his flesh but his nerves as well.
"What's happening?" he muttered through gritted teeth, a mix of shock and anger flashing in his eyes. The realization struck him—this was no ordinary injury. The lightning's residual power paralyzed his movements, rendering him defenseless.
The Lightning Ryuosho advanced with cold determination, his thunderous blade raised high once more. The sparks danced along its edge, promising devastation as they closed in on their target.
The Lazy Ryuosho struggled against his paralysis, desperation etched on his face. Yet his body refused to move.
With steely eyes, the Lightning Ryuosho unleashed another torrent of power. Lightning surged from his blade like a ferocious dragon, tearing through the battlefield with devastating force. The ground trembled beneath the onslaught, leaving deep craters and scattered debris in its wake. Dust and rubble filled the air, turning the arena into a storm of destruction.
"Boom—!" Another deafening thunderclap split the heavens as streaks of lightning carved scars into the earth. The violent energy seemed intent on annihilating everything in its path, leaving nothing but ruins behind.
The Lazy Ryuosho staggered backward, his steps quick but increasingly disorganized. Every evasion narrowly avoided the pursuit of the relentless lightning. Sweat beaded on his brow as he struggled to maintain composure, though his erratic movements betrayed his growing desperation.
Glaring at the Lightning Ryuosho, he caught sight of the cold, unrelenting fury in his opponent's eyes. That gaze pierced through him, devoid of mercy—a killing intent so absolute it left no room for doubt.
"This guy… he's terrifyingly ruthless!" the Lazy Ryuosho thought bitterly, realizing his opponent's attacks left no chance for retreat or survival.
Lightning continued to dance chaotically around them. The Lazy Ryuosho suddenly leapt into the air, using an explosion's force to propel himself upward. In his right hand, a spear of pure lightning took shape, its tip crackling with a destructive energy that promised nothing but annihilation. Spinning elegantly in midair, he hurled the spear with all his might, aiming directly for the Lightning Ryuosho's heart.
"Die!" he roared as the spear shot forward, a streak of thunder god's wrath too fast to follow.
The Lightning Ryuosho snorted disdainfully. Surrounding himself with an electromagnetic shield, he braced for impact. When the lightning spear struck the shield, it detonated with terrifying force. The shield warped and fractured under the onslaught, sending the Lightning Ryuosho skidding backward as his feet carved deep grooves into the ground. Blood trickled from a gash on his cheek, where a stray rock had struck him amidst the chaos.
"Do you have anything stronger?" he muttered, gripping the lightning spear firmly. Thunder roared in his hand as his own electromagnetic energy clashed with the spear's power. Sparks and arcs of electricity lit up the battlefield, the very air distorted by the intense heat.
Seizing the opportunity, the Lazy Ryuosho turned into a streak of lightning, dashing toward his opponent with murderous intent. The thrill of anticipated victory burned in his eyes.
"Now's my chance!" he bellowed.
But the Lightning Ryuosho's counterattack was swift and merciless. With a sudden burst of strength, he hurled the lightning spear back, its trajectory aimed directly at the charging Lazy Ryuosho.
The Lazy Ryuosho's face paled. He hadn't anticipated such a decisive move. The spear, imbued with unstoppable destructive force, now bore down on him like the scythe of death itself.