The atmosphere shifted. The malevolence that had choked the air vanished, swept away by Yugo’s cry.
The purple radiance cutting through the dark slowly coalesced around Yugo’s form. When the light finally faded, he stood transformed, draped in a new, formidable power.
The armor was broader, thicker, and far more imposing. Its base was a deep black, the sturdier upper body now reinforced with purple plating. With its ornate gold trim, the sheer weight and durability of the suit were apparent at a glance.
Fee stared at his brother, his voice trembling as he witnessed the birth of the new Blaster—a fusion of shattered plates, raw magic power, and broken steel. It was nothing short of a miracle.
"Blaster changed... no, it evolved! It responded to the feelings of my brother and all of us!"
Tears of gratitude welled in Fee’s eyes as he watched Yugo’s back. This was a hero’s silhouette, strong enough to carry the weight of everyone’s hopes.
Across from him, Rush shook his head violently, letting out a guttural roar of denial before charging.
"It’s just a bluff! Don’t think changing the shape of that pulverized junk is going to save you!"
Rush screamed, desperately trying to drown out his mounting anxiety and make sense of the impossible situation. Driven by a frantic belief in his own superiority, he lunged forward, slamming his vicious claws into Yugo exactly as he had before.
However—Yugo didn't even flinch.
Far from drawing blood, the impact felt as if Rush's own arms were about to shatter against the new plating. As he recoiled in shock at the armor’s incredible density, Yugo drove a heavy right fist into his gut.
"Hraaaaaah!!"
"Gwah?! Gah... hah...!"
The force of the strike and the hardness of the gauntlet were on an entirely different level. Rush had caught the blow on his thickest chest plating, yet the sheer impact bypassed his defense, sending him staggering. He collapsed to one knee, groaning and shaking his head in frantic disbelief.
"It’s a lie! A lie, a lie, a lie! I defeated Zenon, and he beat you! I'm the strongest! There’s no way... I’m not losing to trash like you!"
He shrieked, his fury reaching a fever pitch.
Yugo remained unfazed by the monstrous explosion of magic power radiating from the villain. He simply stood his ground, his gaze fixed forward.
Marcos, still being tended to by Melt, spoke up as she watched Yugo’s back.
"Melt, that's enough. You know how you should really be using your remaining magic power."
"!!"
The emergency treatment was finished; he was out of danger. Melt nodded, understanding his intent. Instead of healing him further, she needed to support the hero fighting for their lives. She stood up, channeling every ounce of her will into her Sword Ring.
"Yugo! Take this!"
She manifested a purple straight sword from the dregs of her mana and hurled it toward him.
Yugo snatched the blade out of the air with his left hand. He gave a sharp, appreciative nod toward her.
"Thanks, Melt. Now I have everything I need to end this."
Yugo infused his own strength into the blade Melt had given him. Black iron encased the purple core, and golden edges sprouted along its length, forming a massive, heavy double-edged sword. He lowered his stance, glaring at Rush.
"Fee, Melt, Marcos... here we go!"
He took a step forward. With every stride, the earth let out a low, resonant rumble, as if the ground itself were trembling under his weight.
Panic seized Rush as he watched the inexorable approach. He lashed out, frantically slamming his claws against Yugo’s armor.
"Don’t screw with me! This isn’t right! I surpassed you! I won't let some... some bullshit miracle take that away from me!"
He slashed, hammered, thrust, and kicked. Rush threw everything he had at the armored knight. None of it mattered. Yugo didn't even acknowledge the counterattacks; he just kept walking.
"Aaaaaah...! Uaaaaaaaaaaa!!"
Rush’s mind finally snapped. His arrogance was gone, replaced by a primal, deranged shriek. He wailed like a cornered child, beating his fists against Yugo’s chest.
He didn't even notice the carapace on his own arms cracking and splintering from the force of his own blows. He was too busy struggling against the reality of his defeat—until a streak of purple light flashed through his vision.
"Uah... ah... aaaaah! My arms! My arms!!"
The scream tore from his throat as he realized his forearms were simply gone. The purple arc had severed them at the elbow.
Blue, viscous blood geysered from the stumps. Rush collapsed into the dirt, wheezing and hyperventilating. All his bravado had vanished. He looked up at Yugo with wide, terrified eyes.
"I-I'm sorry! I give up! I lose! Please... please don't kill me!"