Rush let out a roar at Hugo, whose sharp expression held none of his usual cheer. His flame-red hair whipped around him as he stared back at his former classmate.
Matching his gaze, Hugo asked in a level voice, "...Is it really you, Rush? Are you the one who caused all this? Did you really drag so many innocent people into this?"
"That's right, I did it. I’ve finally reached these heights! I cast aside the weakling who lost to you and was reborn as someone truly strong!"
"Are you the one behind the disappearances in this city, too? Did you make those people...?"
"Exactly. They all served as the fuel for my strength. Without their sacrifice and cooperation, I never would have achieved this level of growth. I carry their hopes with me now. They all pinned their dreams on me... and offered up their lives."
"Don't screw around! Do you even realize what you've done!? You killed them! You murdered people! Your own friends! Does your heart even ache after doing something like that!?"
"Not in the least. I will become the strongest being in this world. I’ll crush you, then I’ll crush Zenon Ash, the one they call a hero. I will become a hero that transcends all others. I’m not some small fry meant to stay trapped in that academy. My name will echo across the world as the Strongest Hero! They should be happy they got to be the sacrifices that made it possible, shouldn't they?"
Hugo’s fists tightened as he listened to Rush’s words, which were devoid of even a shred of guilt or malice.
As he poured enough force into his left fist to make the air hum, he issued a warning to the boy who had fallen completely into villainy, his voice thick with suppressed rage.
"...I'm quoting someone else here, but these words are perfect for you. A hero is disqualified the moment they try to become one for their own sake. Someone who has stolen so many lives has no right to call themselves a hero. That title isn't some cheap decoration."
"Haha, you certainly have a way with words...! Then let’s do this. We'll duel, and the winner's argument will be the truth. Power is everything in this world. Obtaining it is the only thing that matters. Now that I’m strong, I can do whatever I want!"
"...You're beyond saving. I have no intention of humoring your duel. I’m just going to beat you to protect what’s important to me."
The sound of Hugo’s knuckles creaking echoed as he raised his fists beside his face.
Lifting his gaze to look Rush straight in the eye, he poured his magic power into the bracelet on his left arm and shouted.
"Trans...form!!"
Crimson magic power shimmered against a raging, sinister aura.
The two forces collided, sending out a shockwave. Clad in his Blaster armor, Hugo lunged at the transformed Magic Armor Beast.
"Hah! Yah!!"
"Heh heh... Ha ha ha!"
Hugo delivered a punch imbued with magic power, but just as before, his fist failed to shatter the iron-hard crab carapace.
Despite the dull pain radiating through his hand, he gallantly continued his assault, unleashing a barrage of thrusts before finishing with a powerful kick that sent Rush skidding back. However, his opponent didn't seem to have taken any damage at all, reacting with mocking composure.
"It’s no use! This defense is something even Zenon couldn't break after he defeated you! Don't think you can do anything with attacks as weak as those!"
"Tch...!"
As Hugo feared, breaking through the crab's shell with raw physical force was nearly impossible.
Judging by the impact of his full-strength blows, Rush’s body was several levels harder than the previous crab Kaijin they had fought. Even a clean hit to the face likely wouldn't be enough to bring him down.
Worse, the thorns covering Rush’s body automatically retaliated against anyone who touched him. The more Hugo punched, the more his own hands were shredded.
(I can’t even use my ultra-close-quarters My Style Martial Arts as long as those thorns are there. What now...?)
During their previous encounter, he’d had Marcos by his side, but now he was alone.
The situation was desperate; Rush was significantly stronger than the man he had fought before.
As Hugo racked his brain for a way to crack the enemy's defense, Rush launched a counteroffensive.
"Now then, I think it’s my turn to attack! Are you ready, Hugo Clay!?"
"!!"
Rush swung his arm down from close range. Hugo barely evaded the sharp, lightning-fast strike and slammed a fist into the side of Rush’s face, but the impact was superficial.
Rush ignored the counterattack and unleashed a piercing thrust. Hugo managed to grab the incoming limb, but that left both of his hands occupied.
"Got you! Take this!!"
"Brother!!"
Hugo’s movement was stalled, and his arms were tied up. He had no way to defend himself.
Having successfully manufactured an opening, Rush slammed his free left arm into Hugo's face. The sickening crack of fracturing metal echoed through the air, reaching the ears of Fee and the others.
"How’s that!? Do something about it, Hugo Clay!"
"Hugo! No!!"
Hugo desperately tried to dodge and block the rest of Rush’s relentless onslaught, but the direct hits were mounting. The Blaster armor was being slowly ground down, the surface spiderwebbing with cracks.
Fee realized with a sinking heart that the metal of the old magic item simply wasn't hard enough. Melt bit her lip in frustration, her hands full treating Marcos while her partner was being toyed with.
Marcos watched his rival's struggle with bitter regret, his eyes searching for any way to drag his broken body back into the fight.
"If only I’d included the attribute conversion function, he might have had a chance...! It’s my fault... I prioritized the wrong upgrades...!!"
"Hugo, don't die...! I'll be there as soon as I finish the treatment, so please, just hold on...!"
"Wait for me, Hugo... We have to defeat him... you and I together... cough, wheeze!!"
A wave of despair spread through the group. The anxiety felt by Fee and the others bled into the children huddled behind them.
Then, a blow from Rush narrowly grazed Hugo’s face, pulverizing a section of the Blaster’s helmet. As Hugo’s face was exposed behind the shattered metal, the negative emotions filling the facility finally reached a boiling point.
Hearing the children's terrified wails—a unified chorus that sounded like a symphony of despair—Rush let out a satisfied, manic laugh. He shouted at Hugo, who was now clad in tattered black iron that hardly resembled armor anymore.
"Do you see now? Do you understand? This is power! This is the gap between us! No matter how much you struggle, no matter what you try, it’s all for nothing!! The strong climb to the peaks by consuming the weak! That is the only truth in this world!"
Obsessed with the delusion that strength was the only virtue, Rush was intoxicated by his own might.
He believed that any atrocity was permitted in the pursuit of power. Driven by this conviction, he prepared for the final ritual that would mark his absolute departure from his former, weak self.
"Hugo Clay...! I’ve surpassed you! The weakling you defeated that day is dead! Once I kill you... I will be reborn!!"
"Brother...! Brother!!"
A sharp Black Crab Claw lunged toward Hugo.
As Fee screamed in terror, tears streaming down his face, a vision of his brother's chest being pierced by the blade flashed through his mind.
He’s going to die. My brother is going to be killed right in front of me.
He reflexively tried to run toward the fight, but in that exact moment, something happened.