Chapter 144 : My Way of Living

In the throne room where they all gathered there to face off their last enemy in this trial, Rei took the initiative to attack first.

While his opponent was doing a speech.

*"AGHHHHH!! WHAT KIND OF KNIGHT USING SUCH COWARDLY ATTACK LIKE THAT!!"*

[The Frost Death Emperor, Hamel], stated while Rei's black axe stuck on his shoulder.

Even his comrades were surprised and couldn't believe what they saw.

'Did he just...play dirty?' Garon thought while having this complex look.

Even the Adventurers team had the same thought.

Gilbert then approached him, "U-uhhh...I-isn't it too cowardly to attack him first like that?" As he spoke the words they wanted to say.

Despite all the staring and words from his comrades and enemy, Rei just stretched his arms as he was doing a warm-up.

"C-crimson?" Gilbert was confused by his behavior.

Rei sighed, "Seriously, do you guys wanna die or what?"

"Huh??"

"This is a battlefield, if the opponent does the same and you die, will you complain?" Rei spoke to them as he opened their eyes for a bit.

'I didn't think of that.' Hiba thought.

"Well, he is technically dead, so it's fine for him to complain." Rei stated jokingly.

*"OY! I CAN HEAR YOU!"*

Hamel shouted.

'He could hear him...' They couldn't help but to think the same.

"And if he finished his speech, you all would die by his magic without even being able to react." Rei explained.

They gulped down their dry saliva, thinking that he just saved their life again without them knowing it.

Then boisterous laughter could be heard in front of them.

*"KUHAHAHA! You are amusing...human, and a crafty one."* Hamel spoke

*"But I accept your words...indeed, this is a battlefield, if I was alive, I would be dead already."*

Hamel grabbed his frosty axe next to his seat.

*"But, playtime is over, I shall show you my strength!"*

Then he stretched his free arm.

They immediately prepared for the impact.

*"Die..."*

As soon Hamel was getting ready to shoot his magic.

*POOF*

Nothing came out from his hand.

*"Huh??"*

"Huh??"

They were confused by what happened.

*"W-why I cannot use my magic?!"*

Hamel became flustered as he looked at his hand and tried to gather his magic.

But when he gathered all his magic—his mana was absorbed by something.

*"No way...NO WAY?!"*

And that's when he realized too late.

*"This axe...THIS AXE ABSORBED MY MANA AND LOCKED MY MAGIC?!"*

Hamel stated and they were surprised to hear it.

Rei smirked behind his helmet, as he already expected it.

"His magic is locked? What does that mean?" Gilbert was suddenly curious about it.

"You all already know what kind of undead [Death Emperor], right?" Rei spoke to them.

They all nodded.

[Death Emperor] is a high-ranked [Undead], higher than [Lich] and [Death Knight].

If [Lich] is great with magic attack and [Death Knight] is great with physical attack.

[Death Emperor] could do both, not only that, its body was more reinforced since it had the armor of [Death Knight] and death magic from [Lich].

Which was why [Death Emperor] was the most dangerous monster that could lead a Kingdom to ruin.

And if that monster evolved, it could become disastrous.

"[Axe of the Abyss, Behemoth]." Rei mentioned the name of the black axe that was stuck on Hamel's body.

"It's a cursed anti-magic weapon which gives you tremendous strength after killing your opponent, but at the same you cannot use skills that require mana."

"The axe will create an anti-magic field around the user."

"In that field, the axe will restrain everyone's mana and stop them from using any skill or magic."

"Which forces you and your enemy to fight with only pure strength and aura." Rei explained.

The explanation was enough to make them shudder, even for the enemy.

"S-such a dangerous weapon?!" Gilbert spoke.

"Yeah, that's why I told you not to get close with me, or else you all will be affected by the axe." Rei spoke.

"T-then...how come you can use a skill? With that flame?" Gilbert asked.

But Rei didn't answer his question at all.

All of them were confused about how he could use a skill despite being in that condition.

But only Alicia who understood it.

'Crimson...it can't be.'

"[Death Emperor] is a truly powerful monster, but you were originally a mage."

"A mage without magic is useless in battle, even if you are strong physically, your skill and techniques is lesser than a [Death Knight] who was originally a warrior." Rei mocked him.

But that statement was true, Hamel couldn't refute his words.

Despite that, Hamel didn't back down and cower.

*"Kukuku....KUHAHAHAHA!!! Such an amusing weapon! To think you researched your opponent this much!"* Hamel laughed.

*"It is true, as a mage, I don't have the skill to fight like a warrior who trained their body."*

*"But so what? Are you going to fight without this axe?"*

Hamel wasn't fazed by the fact he was restricted by this axe.

*"The moment you pull out this axe, I can just go 10 meter away from you."*

Instead, he analyzed the situation perfectly and Rei's plan failed.

*"And...I will use my magic, [Absolute Zero] to freeze you and your friends."*

Such a wicked and careful mind, which scared them once again.

Hiba gulped, 'That is...indeed true, he could take out his axe.'

'So...what are you going to do? Crimson...' Garon thought the same.

[What is he going to do?]

All the same questions they had.

But Rei also remained calm, he was preparing something.

*CRACK* *CRACK*

All this time, while they were talking. Rei had been doing a warm up.

Cracking all the bones in his body as if to relax all his stiff muscles.

*"....???"*

"...???"

They were confused as well, about what's in his mind right now.

"Haaaa..." Rei sighed after taking a deep breath and finally, he's in the zone.

His eyes became focused.

Hamel who saw that immediately took precautions, in case he would attack first.

But how??

His axe was stuck on his body, and the monster in front of him was wearing thick armor and holding a giant axe just like he had and it is unknown what kind of ability that axe had.

A brief silence came over them as their eyes were set to each other. They didn't even try to make the first move while observing each

other.

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Then...

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The first one who took the initiative.

'[Sprint].'

*SWOOSH*

Was Rei.

*"....?!"*

He appeared at a blinding speed, just in mere seconds.

Hamel couldn't react to his approach and because of that his axe still remained on his body...

But still, it didn't mean he couldn't defend himself. Because...

*SWOOSH*

...he still had his own weapon.

*"Have a taste of my Staff!!"*

Hamel shouted victoriously, as the line of his axe or so called staff, was a straight line and that could lead to a direct hit.

During that time, when his axe was about to reach his neck.

'[The Sky Ruler].'

In just a short moment, he buffed himself with a skill that didn't require MP which came from his helmet.

But what's more surprising was…

*THUNG*

Rei blocked the axe with just his left forearm that was protected with his gauntlet.

*"What?—"*

*BAM*

And without wasting time, Rei swung his right fist and a direct hit towards his skeleton's head.

It was a strong impact since his body was enveloped with red aura.

The strength of that fist was enough to cause a large shockwave.

*"KUAGH—?!"*

Hamel couldn't help but be confused at this moment.

*'He shouldn't have a weapon, but...how does he—?!'*

As his body took a step back, Rei didn't stop at that.

He immediately shortened their distance, appeared just right in front of him.

'So quick—?!'

Since his body was wide open now, Rei was ready to launch another attack.

*SWOOSH*

Rei swung his left fist first...

*BAM*

...striking his right abdomen.

*"UGH—?!"*

*SWOOSH*

Then Rei swung his right fist again towards his face.

*BAM*

*"KAGH—?!"*

Then Rei clenched both of his fists and focused all his aura onto them.

"Hm—!!"

And swung both of his fist relentlessly, exchanging them one by one.

*BAM*

Right.

*BAM*

Left.

*BAM*

Right.

*BAM*

Left.

Hamel couldn't react that quickly as he just took all his strikes which hit almost every part of his body.

But slowly, Hamel lifted his left hand.

*BAM*

And blocked Rei's right fist, stopping the attack.

*"Heh, CAUGHT YO—"*

*SWOOSH*

Then a flying fist was right in front of his face.

*BAM*

Then punched his face once again.

*"AGHH—w-wha?!"*

Hamel forgot...that his left fist was still open and took the opportunity to strike his face again.

As his body was pushed back after taking that fist.

*"Y-you...h-huh??"*

*CRACK*

Receiving such damage, his armor began to crack.

All of them were stunned seeing such a fight, what's more…

Rei didn't even take his axe and let it stuck on Hamel's body.

*"How..."*

A question rise within this undead.

*"How do you possess the strength of a Martial Artist?!"*

Hamel shouted in denial, since this was the first time he had witnessed...

Someone who was supposed to be a Warrior who used their weapon to fight, was now fighting like a Martial Artist using their body.

"[Shield Art : Bash]....[Shield Art : Rush]."

Rei muttered his skill name.

*"Huh???"*

Hamel couldn't help but be confused again hearing it.

"That's the skill I've been using..."

That's the part where it is more confusing...

Is that, right now...

Rei wasn't holding any shield.

*'How is that a [Shield Arts]?!'*

Hamel questioned again.

Yes, it was indeed strange for him to call it [Shield] when he wasn't holding any of it.

They who witnessed it could tell...that skill he shown was definitely belong to Martial Artist skill.

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But in reality...the fact that this skill came from [Shield Arts]...

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Is definitely exist.

'[Shield Arts : Brawl Mode].'

It is one of the original skills that belonged to one of the Legendary Hero party's members.

[The Fortress, Hughes Farhill].

A skill which allowed a Tank like him to fight like a Fighter and overwhelmed his enemy.

A skill to protect by fighting, which turns all his [Shield Arts] into [Martial Artist] type of skills.

That is the way The Fortress fought, the way he protected his comrade from danger and risking it with his body.

'The reason why this skill is possible...it's because of this gauntlet.'

'Gauntlets or you could say weapons for Martial Artists who use their bare hands, are considered as a shield.'

'Because the concept of a shield is to [protect] and gauntlets protect your hands from getting hurt.'

Such an absurd logic, yet the skill worked perfectly despite him not holding any shield right now.

*"How absurd...calling it [Shield Arts] when you are technically using fists."* Hamel spoke.

*"But, I guess living long like this...anything can happen."* Hamel muttered.

"Well, aren't you the same?"

*"What? How am I the same as you?"* Hamel spoke while feeling irritated.

"That axe...How is that supposed to be a staff when it is clearly a weapon meant for warrior!?" Rei countered while pointing on Hamel's axe.

*"It is called staff because I think of it as a staff."*

"Such an absurd logic."

Hamel began to laugh, *"Hahaha! I guess we both are the same!"*

Exchanging words with their enemies, just making the battle more heated up.

Of course the two of them were smiling despite not being able to see each other's expression due to Hamel being nothing but a skeleton and Rei wearing his helmet that covered his face entirely.

Hamel looked at the axe that was still stuck on his body.

*"Heh, forget the axe, it's been a while I had this kind of fun."* Hamel lifted his staff(axe) and aimed it towards his opponent.

"Oh? I guess we have the same thought." Rei also did the same by cracking his fingers.

*"It will be a waste to lose this kind of opportunity."*

Rei could tell, Hamel was currently enjoying this moment.

But it was the same as him.

They released their deadly auras. Hamel released his aura, not as a mage but a warrior which came from his trait as a monster.

Rei also did the same, releasing his red aura.

No one dared to go in between the battle between two monstrous beings here.

All they could do was watch.

Witnessing something that they never thought humankind could ever reach.

The two of them took their stance, strangely, Rei's stance was much different than anything they had ever seen before.

Yes, the stance of boxing.

After few minutes of silents...

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The fight began again...

*SWOOSH*

Rei approached him by shortening his distance at a high-speed.

*CLANK*

Then Hamel reacted and immediately swung his axe towards Rei horizontally.

*SWOOSH*

Rei lifted his left fist.

*THUNG*

Giving a slight push on the edge of his axe, causing it to slip to his side.

Like a boxer that entered the strike zone

Rei used his right fist to uppercut him.

*SWOOSH*

Hamel turned his body aside and dodged his fist by an inch.

*"Hahaa—!!"*

But just right before he was about to celebrate it and swung his axe again...

*BAM*

*"—Bugh—!?"*

It was feint, using his uppercut to lured his opponent.

Rei used his left fist to punch his face, the same strong impact like before.

'It connect...—huh?!'

But this time Hamel didn't get pushed back by that attack.

Then he grabbed his left wrist and moved his fist away from his face.

*"Caught you!—"*

As he deliberately let him strike him like that, he lifted his axe again.

Rei couldn't move freely due his wrist still being held by him.

But he wasn't fazed by it and changed the course of his aura towards his right fist.

*BAM*

And punched Hamel's abdomen.

*"Ughh—?!"*

*BAM*

But that wasn't over yet, Rei headbutted him to let go of his grasp.

*"Aghh—*"

Hamel took another step back again.

They all could see that Hamel, who was supposed to be the epitome of death itself.

Was now being pushed back with pure brute force.

*'How the hell does his punch hurt like this....'*

Hamel wondered.

Since, [Undead], are monsters that have a trait where they couldn't feel any pain unless they were attacked by their opposite power.

Which is the [Holy Magic] or [Light Magic].

But for some reason, his attack had been effective and every punch Hamel received, he was definitely groaning in pain.

"Were you thinking...why you, an [Undead] , are receiving damage?" Rei spoke.

*"...?!"* Hamel reacted towards his words.

*"What did you do?"* Hamel asked as he could tell that Rei had hidden something more.

Rei smiled behind his helmet, "Do you think I would tell you?"

*"Heh, that is true...revealing your cards would be foolish during battle."* Hamel spoke.

*"But not revealing soon...it will become your demise."* Hamel lifted his axe.

"Then show me, challenger." Rei spoke mockingly.

*"Heh...brat, you are the challenger here!!"*

Hamel, who took the provocation from Rei, immediately launched himself at him and swung his axe from above.

Using the weight of it, it was a full force strike.

Rei, who was about to lift his arms, stopped mid-way, 'No...I cannot block this.'

But shifted his body aside.

*SWOOSH*

Letting his axe strike the ground.

*BOOM*

But when his axe touched the ground...

*CRACK*

His axe released ice spikes on his side.

"...?!"

Rei was surprised when he seen spiking ice rise through the ground where his axe landed.

*"You aren't the only one who has a hidden card!!—"* Hamel shouted.

*BAM*

But at the end of his words, Rei immediately punched his face with his left fist.

Hamel didn't get pushed back by that punch again, instead he stayed where he stood and reached his hand towards Rei.

"Huh?!?—"

Hamel grabbed Rei's face.

*"Caught you—!!"*

*BAM*

Rei immediately reacted and launched an uppercut with his right fist towards his arm that grabbed his face.

Causing his arm to be pushed up and letting his face go.

But then Rei swung his left fist again towards Hamel.

*"Heh..."*

"...??"

At that moment.

*BAM*

When his fist was about to reach his face again, it shifted due to Hamel's body moving aside.

*TING*

And causing his fist to strike his axe that was stuck on his body, releasing him from it.

"Damn you..."

*"This is what you call strategy...brat."*

When his axe flung upward, Rei already prepared his right fist and swung it towards him again.

Hamel did the same using his free left hand and swung his fist towards him.

*TSKKK*

As their fist crossed each other.

*BAM*

Creating a cross counter where they both got punched on their face at the same time.

"Ugh—?!"

*"Kugh—?!"*

The two of them took a step back while Rei's axe fell on the ground right in the middle of their distances.

"Ptuh—" Rei spit out some blood from his mouth.

While Hamel rubbing his chin, feeling the crack on his jaw.

After that, they stared at each other for a moment.

Rei shifted his eyes to look at his axe for a moment.

Then Hamel took the initiative to fall back where his black axe ability didn't reach him.

*"Hmm—!!"*

Rei noticed him and immediately rushed towards his axe.

*CLANK*

But before he could throw it again, the distances between them became far from the range of his axe.

*"I see...10 meters...that is your skill range huh."* Hamel estimated the range of this weird skill of his axe.

Rei wasn't surprised to hear that, 'As expected...the Ice Sage, he can tell how far my range skill can hit him.'

Hamel slowly grasped his hand to try something, *"Hmmm, my magic is back."*

*"But...."*

But, he looks displeased instead celebrating it.

*"How unsettling..."*

Suddenly he clenched his free hand as if he was irritated by something.

Until...

"...???"

Hamel approached him and entered the range of his skill.

That was surprising for all of them, even for Rei.

"Well, isn't this surprising...a mage like you to enter an anti-magic field like this."

*"Well if that was the old Ice Sage, I wouldn't do the same...but the moment I learned axe skills myself, I learned the pride of a warrior."* Hamel spoke.

"Wait—didn't you say it was a staff before?"

Hamel then stopped right in front of him, *"Well that's true, but oh well...a staff or not, I want to fight on equal ground with you."*

*"Face to face."*

Rei widened his eyes and smiled, "To think someone who experimented on people like you would do something so honorable."

*"I won't deny the fact that I was blinded by such greed and disgusting feeling...but thanks to you..."*

Hamel looked up as if he was wondering, *"I was able to know what kind of feeling that [person] experienced."*

'That [person]...does he mean...' Rei noticed it until...

*CLANK*

Hamel lifted his axe, *"Since you are using the same weapon as mine, I will enjoy this to the fullest!"*

Hamel released his warrior-like aura, the pride of his own will to fight as a warrior instead of a mage.

Despite being an [Undead], his will was able to overcome his hatred towards humans.

And now...he wanted to prove it.

That he, the former [Ice Sage] could become a warrior.

Like that person.

Rei knew that and couldn't help but smile once again.

"I accept your challenge."

As if he wasn't the challenger himself, Rei released his red aura, '[Agni] + [Hell Flame].' And set his body ablaze with his black flame and covering all the unguarded parts of his armor.

The coldness and the heat coming from these two people were enough to change the environment inside this throne room.

Hamel's side was frozen on the spot, using the trait of his [Undead] and [Ice] element causing the ground, half part of the room, to be covered in ice.

Meanwhile,on Rei's side, the ground was scorched down into ashes and the ice that surrounded the room melted.

Those who saw it couldn't approach them and they were amazed by such a sight, except for one person.

"Crimson..." It was Alicia. 'He used that skill again...'

*"I, Hamel Frostburg, The former [Ice Sage] using this axe that my friend forged..."*

Hamel lifted his axe, *"I shall cut you down."*

Hamel spoke to set the stage up for the fight between him and Rei.

*"Before that...tell me your name."*

Then he aimed his axe at him.

Rei who saw that immediately knew that he had honored him with the pride of a warrior.

He wanted to strike him down as quickly as possible, but he couldn't do that.

Since he wished to become the knight that he always dreamed of.

"Very well, I, Crimson, The Knight of Wrath, using this axe that I forged myself..."

"I will crush you down!"

Finally the stage was set and they both took their stance in such a close distance.

With their heat and cold aura clashing against each other.

Once again.

The two of them...

*CLANK*

...lifted their axe.

Then...

*SWOOSH*

'[Smash].'

They swung their axes at full speed.

*THUNGG*

As their axes clashed together.

*SWOOSH*

The impact was strong enough to make the ground shake and weaken the will around them to stand.

'Such a powerful strike?!' Garon thought as he watched.

Then the two of them pulled their axes back and....

*SWOOSH*

...swung it again.

*THUNGG*

As their axes clashed once again.

They immediately pulled the axe and did the same again.

*THUNG*

And again.

*THUNG*

Again.

*THUNG*

AGAIN.

*THUNGGG*

They couldn't help but test their strength to each other, not letting any of their axes strike their body but instead.

They compared their strength.

The human who reached the limit.

And the monster who reached the limitless.

*THUNGG*

They struck each other again.

The ice that came from Hamel's axe, immediately melted and erased the moment it touched Rei's axe.

As if it was swallowed by it.

*"Hahahaha!! This is fun!! Exchanging blows like this!!"* Hamel laughed as their axes clashed once again.

*TING*

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.

*TSSSKK*

Then they stopped from striking each other and trying to push each other by clashing their axes.

They used their strength to overwhelmed each other.

But...

Rei had to take a step back due the different size and weights between them.

But Rei didn't back down, "Indeed...I hope this won't end!!" Instead, he slowly was able to push him back to where he was before.

Hamel immediately noticed.

After he took his one step back, he took another one as he was pushed back this time.

*'His strength is increasing?!—'*

*'But how?!'*

[Undead] have no limits to their strength that had been set from the moment they were born, especially for a high-ranked one like himself.

It would be easy for him to overwhelm them with his strength.

But for Rei, who is human with a set of their own limits in the first place…it would be hard to fight against them with strength alone.

But here...

Rei pushed him back once again with just his strength.

*'H-how...!?'*

The secret was his passive skill all along.

[Berserker].

Every HP that he lost while using Agni and Hell Flame, was converted into his strength.

And the effect was permanent unless his body was healed back to the original state.

Of course...right now, his head was filled with the ringing of the notification.

'[Berserker] + [Agni].'

'[Chaos of Madness].'

The combined skill that he created was now visible again for them to see.

[Notice!]

[Notice!]

[Notice!]

[Notice!]

[Notice!]

[Notice!]

[Notice!]

[Notice!]

[Notice!]

[Notice!]

[Notice!]

[Notice!]

[Notice!]

...

The danger that kept lurking as his HP ran down faster, while enduring the pain...

Rei took another step.

*"KUGHHH—!!*"

Pushing Hamel to take another step back.

Then...

He wanted to bring this to an end.

*"Ughhh—?! So this is the power that defies the law?! Your true strength?!"*

*"I admitted!! You are the strongest!!"*

While shouting in amazement due to his strength.

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*TING*

Rei pushed Hamel's axe aside, causing it to be flung up.

Of course, Rei could see that he was now unguarded.

And took this chance to swung his axe at him.

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But...

Instead backing down.

Hamel chose to fight with his hand and swung his right fist at Rei.

"...?!"

It surprised him when he does that, rather the way he think right now.

It was just like Rei from the moment ago.

Right before his fist reached his face.

*CLANK*

Rei let go of his axe.

*BAM*

And lifted both arms to block his punch.

Rei was pushed back.

*SWOOSH*

While his axe was thrown away because he tried to full swing it, causing it to be stuck on the throne.

Now Hamel is free from the range of his axe.

At the same time, Hamel's axe was also thrown aside and stuck on the ceiling.

But that doesn't mean the fight was over...

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The two of them lost their weapons, but they didn't have any intention to fall back to get their weapons.

Instead.

They approached each other at full speed and...

'[Shield Arts : Brawl Mode].'

Getting into fistfight.

Hamel took a big full swing of his right fist again.

*"HAAAA—!!!"*

But before he could swing it.

*BAM*

Rei shortened his distance and swung his fist first, and punched his face.

Like a boxer again.

*"KUGH—!!*"

But Hamel used his left fist to strike his abdomen.

*TAP*

Rei immediately grabbed his left fist with his left hand.

Then he pushed it away while his right hand grabbed the back of Hamel's head.

*SWOOSH*

Rei lifted his right knee and...

*BAM*

Strike his head with it.

*"KUAGHHH!!"*

Rei didn't stop at that, he clenched his fists again.

Then swung his fist at high speed, striking his abdomen and chest three times.

*BAM* *BAM* *BAM*

Causing Hamel to be confused at this moment.

*"Amazing..."*

And amazed by such strength once again.

*TAP*

Rei stomped his feet on Hamel's so he couldn't take another step back.

At that moment, Rei clenched his right fist.

Focusing his aura into a single point and all of was for his one fist.

Then his fist began to shine bright like a sun.

With all the damage he received until now, all the kinetic energy was converted into his strength.

And...it was for this one moment.

Hamel who saw that couldn't help but be mesmerized by the light,

*'I see...how long has it been since I saw the sun.'*

But he didn't try to stay and just take the strike.

Instead, he still fought back.

Despite having no knowledge of close-combat fight with fists.

He was able to show the pride of a warrior who wouldn't back down in the fight.

*"AAGHHHH!!!!*" Hamel then swung his fist at him.

Rei, who finished charging his aura, showed a smile towards his enemy.

"I admit it...you are now a full fledged warrior."

And that moment...Rei released them.

'[Shield Arts : Reflection].'

He fully swung his fist towards his abdomen.

Then...

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*BOOM*

His punch caused a large explosion, obliterating almost the entire body of Hamel with that fist.

*BOOM*

*BOOM*

Followed by the shockwave of his fist, causing the throne to be crushed down by it.

*CRACK*

*SHATTERS*

His gauntlets shattered into pieces as it couldn't withstand his strength anymore.

They all could see the winner of this battle.

The sole victory of someone who fought against the impossible with only a few people.

He alone stood there and defeated [The Frost Death Emperor].

'He really....'

'Did it...'

Garon and Gilbert remembered what he said before.

[Then what about you, Crimson? What choice would you make?] The question that Garon asked.

And Rei answered him.

[My choice would stay and continue to fight.]

[Whether I lose my sword, my spear, my shield, my bow, my axe...I will continue to fight even if I have to sacrifice my body.]

[I shall answer you this, I don't intend to die and I don't intend to fight recklessly.]

[But I'm just saying...there will always be a way for another answer to your choice.]

The choice of that monster was more honorable than anything he ever saw, that monster—no, Hamel didn't back down even when he lost his weapon.

He still fought back against Rei who excelled in a fight without weapons.

And Rei's choice was also the same, even though his weapon was still with Hamel.

He showed that he could still fight without it.

'A fight that uses everything to survive.'

'That is my way...that is..."

"Kiritsuka Rei's way of living." Rei muttered while clenching his fist in his victory.

To be continued...