"So, Lorence and Amumu have been defeated. You have some reliable friends, it seems."
"..."
The focus shifted once again to the deck of the Sunlight.
Locked in combat, both Yugo and Gomez seemed to sense the conclusion of the other battles, intuitively grasping their outcomes.
Watching Gomez, who looked almost relieved despite his comrades' defeat, Yugo felt even more certain that the man hadn't orchestrated this hijacking out of true malice. Yet, Gomez showed no intention of yielding.
"Heh... No matter. Their fight and ours are separate matters entirely."
"—!?"
With that, Gomez lunged.
Gomez thrust his long, pole-like weapon forward in a straight line. Yugo narrowly evaded the strike and hammered a counter-punch into the man’s exposed torso.
"Hahaha... A solid punch. But you're still holding back."
"Damn...!"
Gomez was right. Yugo’s punch had packed a serious wallop—against an average opponent, it would have sent them reeling, if not knocked them out cold.
Yet Gomez didn’t even flinch. Between the enhancements of a Magic Armor Beast and his naturally massive, rugged frame, his endurance was bordering on the inhuman. This was the strength of Wind Island’s former hero, a man who had clawed his way through countless battles against lethal monsters.
Worse yet, Gomez’s unnatural toughness was perfectly synchronized with his Clear Plate’s ability.
"Now, it's my turn!"
(This is bad! Here he comes again!)
A crimson, aura-like mist erupted from Gomez’s body as he roared. To Yugo, it looked as if blood were spraying from the very spot he had just struck. He scrambled backward, and a split second later, Gomez’s weapon lunged forward in a savage thrust.
A sickening crunch echoed as the weapon punched a clean hole through the wall behind Yugo. A shockwave radiated from the point of impact, spider-webbing across the surface before the entire structure collapsed into rubble.
"Hehehe... Evaded again, I see. I’d hate to blame it on my age, but even in this form, you’re still the faster of us."
(This is the worst... Gomez-san and that Clear Plate are too compatible!)
Gomez, who maintained his cheerful attitude even after his attack was evaded, leveled his weapon like a harpoon once more and pointed the tip toward Yugo.
Staring at him, Yugo broke into a cold sweat. Scar—that was the name of his power. The Clear Plate converted any damage the user took into raw offensive strength. The strike that had just pulverized the wall had been fueled by the impact of Yugo’s own punch. The thought that Gomez’s naturally heavy blows were being amplified by such a power sent a shiver down Yugo’s spine.
The longer the fight lasted and the more Yugo landed hits, the more powerful Gomez became. His inhuman resilience meant he wouldn't fall easily, and as long as he stood, his power would only keep climbing. Man and Plate were a perfect match.
(Gomez-san won't go down easily. What on earth should I do...!?)
He was in a different league entirely from the Flame or Rhino Magic Armor Beasts Yugo had faced before. Gomez was a true warrior who had found a power that complemented his very soul.
As Yugo pondered how to face this formidable foe, Gomez gave a small chuckle.
"Why the hesitation, Yugo? Surely you know the only way to beat me."
"...!"
"Nicking away at me is useless. I recover too fast, and every scratch only makes me stronger. There is only one path to victory: you must hit me with everything you have and end this in a single strike. That’s your only choice."
"---!!"
Yugo gasped. It wasn't that the strategy hadn't occurred to him; he had simply refused to consider it. He didn't want to go that far.
"Still wavering? I am a criminal and your foe. If you truly are the hero Fee believes you to be, you must cut me down. Am I wrong?"
"..."
Gomez repeated the words he had said before the fight began. As Yugo remained silent under his steady gaze, Gomez pushed harder.
"Do not falter, Yugo. The longer this drags on, the more bystanders will be caught in the crossfire. Forget my circumstances. Be a man of iron, unyielding and absolute!"
Yugo stared at Gomez—at the man demanding his own destruction to spare Yugo's conscience—and slowly unclenched his fists. He dropped his guard. As Gomez narrowed his eyes, Yugo looked up and shook his head firmly.
"I knew it. I can't look at you and see a villain. Everything about the way you fight—even the parts of you that you aren't aware of—is screaming that you love this island and its people."
"...I wondered what you were going to say, but is that it? It's true that I love this island, but I’ve cast that aside to become this monster—"
"No, you haven't. Even in this form, your feelings are plain to see. Your appearance, your power... they’re a reflection of who you are."
Yugo gestured to the countless silver scars etched across Gomez's dark, armored hide.
"Those scars are your pride, aren't they, Gomez-san!?"