"..."
Marcos exhaled softly as he watched Claire sink to the ground, a satisfied expression lingering on her face even after those final words.
Though the dizzying speed of the unfolding events had momentarily paralyzed him, the sudden surge of magic power snapped him back to reality, and he instinctively raised Giga Scissors into a defensive stance.
"Oops, what a waste. I nearly finished her in one shot..."
"You bastard...!"
Marcos felt his anger boil at Burn’s mocking words. Staring at him with a jagged, half-smirk, the villain continued.
"Passed the baton to you, did she? Just another small-fry mob making a pathetic last stand."
"You talk big... but do you have the guts to find out if it's really so useless?"
"Hyahahaha! You’ve certainly got a mouth on you!"
Burn unleashed a barrage of flame bullets. Marcos remained calm, blocking the projectiles with Giga Scissors while using his agility to close the gap.
He moves better than I thought for a guy with a shield that big, Burn thought, slightly impressed. But he didn't view Marcos as a real threat.
As Marcos swung the great scissors, Burn evaded with a light leap. While still in the air, he aimed the soles of his feet at Marcos and vented a blast of fire.
"Guh!? He can do that, too?"
"Hyahaha! You really aren't all that, are you!?"
Using the fire like jet propulsion, Burn simultaneously countered and propelled himself back to safety.
Marcos felt the pressure. This man wasn't just a loudmouth; he possessed genuine combat power and refined techniques. He took a steadying breath and braced his shield.
His affinity is fire. He can shape it into projectiles or vent it from his limbs at will. His physical combat skills are high, too. He’s a much tougher opponent than I anticipated...!
Marcos broke into a cold sweat. Burn's combat power was a far cry from the petty behavior he’d shown while bullying the weak or the way Yugo had effortlessly crushed him. He had no obvious openings, but Marcos knew nothing would change if he stayed on the defensive.
I have to close the distance while blocking his flames. Then I'll release all my stored magic power to end this in a single blow. It’s the only way!
His strategy remained the same: withstand the assault, let the magic power accumulate within Giga Scissors, and then go for the kill. Even someone as arrogant as Burn wouldn't be able to shrug off a full-power strike. Or so Marcos thought.
"I can read you like a book, loser. You were planning to tank my hits, get close, and then try for some big finishing move, weren't you?"
"...!?"
Burn had seen right through him. He twisted his mouth into a wicked grin.
"I’m sure you realize it yourself, but you’re a total one-pattern fighter. Well, I guess a small-fry mob like you doesn't have much else to work with."
"Tch...!"
Marcos didn't let the provocation rattle him. Even if his strategy was exposed, he had to see it through. He adjusted his grip on Giga Scissors, but Burn spoke again.
"Yeah, that's what I thought. You're predictable because you're limited. But tell me... aren't you forgetting something important?"
Burn slowly raised his hand, igniting a small Flame Ball on the tip of his index finger. He flicked his finger, feeding the ball until it grew larger, staring at Marcos with a thin smirk—until his gaze suddenly shifted.
"!?"
Marcos realized the villain’s intent the moment Burn looked away from him toward Elena. He lunged forward. In the same instant, Burn laughed and fired the flame at the girl.
"Damn it!"
"Marcos!?"
He made it just in time, intercepting the flame with his shield. But before the heat could even dissipate, a second and third shot were already screaming toward them.
Burn eventually ceased his assault and watched Marcos struggle. His voice was bright with the confidence of a man who had already won.
"I've got hostages here, remember? Did you seriously think you could come after me while keeping them safe?"
"Guh... You coward...!"
"Call me whatever you want. I just use every tool available to win!"
Shifting his target from Marcos to the defenseless captives, Burn unleashed a relentless stream of fire. Marcos threw himself into a desperate dance, swinging his shield to intercept and strike down every flame that threatened his friends.