Chapter Thirty: A Hero’s Curtain Call

“Oh? You are nothing more than a defeated underling of mine. I truly wonder where you found the confidence.”

Cupid held the Ice Axe across his chest, its edge reflecting a razor-sharp gleam.

Tetsuya had actually wanted to say something about how fortunes changed over thirty years, just to set the scene, but after thinking it over, he felt it would sound rather strange. In the end, he merely replied coldly:

“Enough nonsense!”

With that, he had no intention of saying anything more. Seven X’s enormous, powerfully built body shot into the air and closed rapidly on Cupid.

Though Cupid’s words had been filled with disdain, he became several times more cautious. The Seven before him exerted an even greater pressure than before, forcing him to respond with the utmost care. The Dykuta Gear Armor covering his body activated as well, granting Cupid an even greater boost.

Between the two Ultramen, whose appearances were remarkably similar, a battle born of destiny had begun.

Belial stared in shock. The style of combat before him completely overturned everything he had ever known. The two renowned warriors collided with a heavy crash almost at the very first instant.

Then came a near-simultaneous exchange of fists and kicks. Dull impacts rang out again and again as the formidable strength of both sides clashed ceaselessly, neither willing to retreat.

Belial had even forgotten that this was still a battlefield. His entire attention was focused on the duel between the two powerful warriors. It was clear that both Seven and Cupid were exceptionally skilled in close combat.

Straight punches. Heavy blows. Their fists met in a blur.

The two powerful punches slammed into each other. Seven X’s stance remained as steady as an ancient mountain range, while the Dykuta Gear Armor covering Cupid emitted a strained, creaking sound. After such an intense, unbroken battle, his outer armor was already beginning to reach its limit.

Blue warriors generally suffered from three shortcomings: inferior strength, slower movements, and a weaker aptitude for mastering beam techniques. Cupid, as an outstanding warrior, had already overcome the third weakness. But when it came to strength and speed, he was still at a disadvantage compared with Seven X.

The present deadlock was merely the result of the Dykuta Gear Armor operating beyond its normal limits.

Cupid could not help growing anxious.

Bang!

A muffled impact came from their hands, and Cupid’s body was forced backward several steps.

He had to change his strategy!

Cupid’s gaze sharpened. He suddenly leaped into the air and launched a flying kick at Seven X.

Whoosh!

The kick tore through the air. Yet Tetsuya was like a seasoned hunter who had already foreseen the attack. Seven X abruptly shifted his position, narrowly avoiding the blow.

At once, the immense power surging through his entire body converged in his palm. A powerful hand blade followed, slashing viciously into Cupid’s back.

Ultra Hand Blade.

It contained the strength and innate talent of the Seven race, reinforced by his massive musculature. The blow carried a force that was almost impossible to withstand.

Bang!

A dull impact burst from Cupid’s back. Below them, Belial’s eyes narrowed, and even his breathing quickened.

A corner of the Dykuta Gear Armor had been shattered outright!

How tremendous must that strength have been?

“Urgh…”

Cupid’s back had already been an exposed blind spot. Seven X had seized upon it and struck directly at his fatal weakness.

His enormous body could no longer stop itself from falling. He doubled over, curling up like a shrimp, while a pained groan escaped his mouth. At the same moment, the energy timer on his chest began flashing with an intense, rapid red light.

Tetsuya fought according to a simple principle. When facing an opponent weaker than himself, he attacked like a lion pouncing on a rabbit, killing with a single blow.

When facing an opponent of comparable ability, however, he fought steadily and methodically, stabilizing his position in the early stages and waiting for the other side to lower its guard or grow impatient before striking without warning.

When still, he was immovable as a mountain. When he moved, his momentum spread like an invading fire, rising with a force that could no longer be concealed.

At that moment, the force of Seven X’s Ultra Hand Blade had sent Cupid plummeting downward. Before Cupid could complete his fall, Seven X had already seized him around the waist. His arms wrapped around both sides of Cupid’s body, locking him firmly in place as he continued to tighten his grip.

Cupid reacted almost at once. Struggling to turn his body, he relied on the clicking motion of the Dykuta Gear Armor and the momentum of Seven X’s force, attempting to launch himself upward.

But Seven X was simultaneously working to restrain him and drag him downward. His body hung there like a massive counterweight, pulling relentlessly against Cupid’s upward movement.

The two of them appeared to be engaged in a tug-of-war.

One pulled upward, the other downward, each exhausting the other’s strength.

Yet Seven X held the advantage. As his arms exerted more force, he plunged toward the ground like a missile aimed at the earth.

In truth, when one side pulled downward while the other tried to rise, the side pulling downward clearly possessed the greater advantage.

As they plummeted at terrifying speed, Seven X held Cupid with one hand while freeing the other and reaching around toward his opposite side.

Then Cupid was horrified to discover that, under Seven X’s sudden burst of strength, his body had begun to turn uncontrollably.

A moment earlier, his head had been pointed toward the sky. Now Seven X wrenched him around and seized him across the waist, reversing his orientation until his head faced the ground.

The next instant, a heavy crash rang out.

At the center of their landing point, a circular crater appeared. The tremendous force and deafening impact drew the attention of warriors from both sides, who turned as one toward the center of the cone-shaped pit.

A massive red figure stood upright.

Before him, Cupid staggered as he struggled to regain his footing.

The mottled Dykuta Gear Armor had been shattered beyond recognition, hanging in tatters across Cupid’s chest. Under the eyes of the countless warriors watching, the ruined breastplate slipped from his chest and crashed onto the ground with a crisp metallic sound.

At the same time, Cupid could no longer support his own body and sank to one knee in the depths of the crater. He felt utterly exhausted, his energy almost completely depleted. A wave of weakness washed over him, nearly robbing him of control.

At the final moment, he had managed to brace himself with both arms, preventing his head from striking the ground and avoiding most of the damage. But soon his arms could no longer withstand the tremendous force. His shoulders slammed into the ground instead, causing the Dykuta Gear Armor to shatter.

“I, Cupid…”

“Will not lose to you!”

With pain etched across his body but determination in his voice, Cupid rose to his feet. His furious shout reverberated across the battlefield.

He raised both arms and brought his palms together, trapping the Ice Axe between them. Its edge was cold and razor-sharp.

Tetsuya smiled faintly, and Seven X assumed the same stance.

The next moment, two Ice Axes shot from their hands simultaneously, spinning like twin whirlwinds. Their edges carried enough sharpness to sever everything in their path as they charged straight ahead.

Screech!

Sparks and radiant energy scattered in every direction.

The legend of a valiant warrior began with a decisive battle.

And now, with another decisive battle, that legend came to an end.

To be continued.