Chapter 174 - Unmatchable

The different members of Fallen Dispensary stared in shock as they watched the match unfold. Mason shook his head as he turned to Tico.

Mason: What was that?!

Tico: It looks like Daniel is stronger than we originally thought. But how much power is behind that small body of his?!

Kammy: Maybe the danger Cero felt towards him had some merit!

Cero and Daniel continued to push off of one another as their arms trembled. Daniel smiled as he backflipped off of Cero's fist, allowing the fist to collide with the ground. Debris flew into the air as Cero charged through with his teeth gritting.

Cero's thoughts: That bastard is better than I thought. But I'll show him what true power is!

Cero ran through the tall cloud of debris as he emerged from the opposite side. He looked across the ring, seeing Daniel on all fours with his fingers digging into the ground. He immediately raised his guard as Daniel tore through the ground, slamming into Cero with the force of a rushing bull. The audience let out audible gasps as they saw Daniel's small frame push back the beastly body that belonged to Cero. Marks were left on the ground as Daniel continued to push. Cero's eyes furrowed as he opened his guard, grabbing onto both of Daniel's arms as he lifted him in the air. Angel's and Carrie's jaws dropped as Cero threw Daniel at full force at one of the ring walls. Daniel's grin widened as he flipped through the air, landing on the wall on all fours. He began running up the wall as Cero watched.

Zachary: I can't believe my eyes! Daniel recovered perfectly from being thrown at a wall and is now scaling it with nothing but his own arms and legs! 

Zenzo: I heard he was The King of Monsters, but this is ridiculous! 

Zachary: It's very clear to us now that Daniel is anything but human!

Daniel grabbed onto the ledge of the ring wall, jumping over as he stared down at Cero. He widened his stance, his eyes looking all over Cero and the area surrounding him. He ran off the ledge as Theresa and Theodore stared on with smiles on their faces. Cero prepared to grab Daniel the moment he hit him or the ground near him, but Daniel had another plan in mind. He stretched out part of his clothing, placing one foot on it before using it as an improvised platform midair. He tore part of his clothing, slamming into the ground several meters away from Cero. 

Cero's thoughts: That shouldn't even be possible?! That's it! I need to kill him!

Daniel hopped onto his feet and charged at Cero. Cero unleashed a fast left hook, only for Daniel to slide below it. Stomping onto the ground, Daniel threw a quick uppercut, slamming into Cero's face then following with an elbow to the chest. Cero moved his head down, giving Daniel a death stare as he grabbed his wrist with his right hand. He swept Daniel's leg before slamming him into the ground with a left punch. Daniel bounced off the ground, and Cero quickly followed with a soccer kick to send him flying across the ring. Daniel bounced off the ground several more times before slamming into the opposing ring wall. He pushed himself off, a smile still on his face as blood trickled down the side. 

Daniel: Haha! Big man is big strong! 

Cero: You're a freak of nature. It's only appropriate to put you down.

Daniel: Daniel never be put down! 

Daniel took on the appearance of a wolf as he widened his stance, bearing his sharp teeth. Cero put on a more defensive stance, glaring at his opponent as they entered a temporary standstill.

Zachary: It looks like both fighters are finally measuring each other up! 

Zenzo: And for good reason! Both of these guys are beyond human imagination! 

Daniel flew off the ground, his fangs and claws bore as he closed the distance. Cero tensed up his body, preparing for the claws and fangs to dig into his skin. Daniel stomped on the ground before connecting with Cero, changing his image to that of a large mantis as he threw a quick jab at the giant's neck. Cero stepped back, dodging the attack as Daniel continued to throw jab after jab. Each one is narrowly avoided by Cero.

Cero's thoughts: This has been his easiest-to-read attack so far. Foresight would usually be useless against a fighter that acts irrationally such as Daniel, but these movements are far too obvious.

Cero let out a sigh as he stomped onto the ground, watching Daniel closely. Daniel weaved around Cero, aiming for another jab to the neck from behind. Cero closed his eyes as he sensed the area around him.

Cero's thoughts: KenShinka Style: Demon Form - Hellbreaker

Cero spun as he aimed his elbow at Daniel, Daniel weaved out of the way before the elbow shot upwards, slamming into his chin. In the moment of shock, Cero followed up with a backhand that slammed Daniel into the ground. He reached down, grabbing Daniel by his gi as he lifted him up. He released his grip as he slammed his left fist into Daniel's gut, sending him airborne. He looked up as his eyes widened. Daniel had both of his arms together in a defensive measure. Despite his face visibly showing pain, Daniel continued to smile. The image around him changed to one of an eagle as his sharp toenails shone in the light of the ring. Daniel plummeted to the ground, his sharp nails aimed directly at Cero. Cero immediately raised his guard, only for Daniel to jump off of his large shoulder. Over and over, Daniel used different parts of Cero's larger frame to keep himself airborne, with his toenails digging slightly deeper and deeper into Cero's tough skin.

Ziyad: What an unorthodox approach.

Carrie: What about anything he had done so far is orthodox?

Angel: I can see it! I can tell what he's doing?!

Theodore: You can as well?

Angel: Yeah! Before we entered this tournament. Daniel asked me to train with him. And he did something just like this! He's using it to slightly weaken his opponent's muscles by cutting them up!

Carrie: No way that can work! Cero is too big! 

Theresa: Oh, he most definitely can. Cero is definitely prepared for such tactics, but Daniel asked me to file his nails to make sure they're as sharp as possible!

Carrie: When was all of this planning taking place?!

Daniel front flipped in the air as he pulled back his fist. Cero let out a sigh as he waited for the exact moment. Daniel's image changed to that of the mantis shrimp, his fist more dangerous than ever before. He smiled wide as his fist tore through the air, closing the distance between himself and Cero's guard. Cero's eyes widened as he opened his guards, feeling the restraints on his body loosen.

Cero's thoughts: Limit Removed: 10%

His fist clenched as Mason and Tico noticed him slowly turning his left arm, taking one step back as he waited for the right moment.

Mason: He's going for it! 

Tico: Get him!

Cero's thoughts: KenShinka Style: Demon Form - Twisting Flames

Daniel's fist continued through the air as Cero unleashed his own hellish attack. Their fists connect as a boom echoed in the ring. Everyone leaned back as they saw Daniel spin in the air. Daniel attempted to aim for a kick at Cero's throat, but Cero stepped back from the attack, bringing up his hand as he slapped Daniel to the ground. A small crater was formed from the impact, Daniel's fingers twitching as he laid on the ground. Cero raised his foot as he stared at Daniel with contempt.

Zachary: And Cero once again proves why he's the true dominator in these matches! His strength is truly unmatchable! 

Zenzo: Could this be the end for Daniel?!

Carrie grabbed onto Theresa, looking at her and Theodore with worried eyes.

Carrie: There's no way he's dodging that! 

Theresa: Why are you so worried? This is all too common for Daniel.

Carrie: Common?!

Theodore: He's a lively boy, after all.

Cero's foot crashed down to the earth as Daniel's image turned to one of a snake. He quickly avoided the foot, springing upwards as his sharp nails flew past Cero's neck. Gasps spanned across the audience as they saw blood land on the ring floor. Cero staggered back, gritting his teeth as he placed a hand on his throat.

Bruna: OH NO!

Vector: HE ACTUALLY GOT HIM?!

Tico and Mason looked at one another and nodded. Mason smiled as he looked at Cero.

Mason: He's pissed now.

Cero moved his hand, revealing that the cut was nothing more than skin deep. Daniel got on all fours, his eyes shaking as he looked at Cero.

Carrie: Woah, he was able to avoid being killed.

Theresa: Yes, but he looks more worried than before.

Theodore: His attack failed. He was hoping that Cero's weakened throat would lead to bigger issues and force him to forfeit. But what was said about Cero is true. His body is just on another level.

Cero's eyes filled with hate stared down at the wild man. His eyes shook as his body began to tremble.

Cero: You continue to prove that your death will be best. A wild creature in a world with real fighters. And a Replicator to boot. I will be correcting the wrongs that have gone on for far too long.

Daniel got onto his legs, clenching his fists as an image of Theodore appeared around him. Cero let his arms fall to his side before clenching his fists, his arms' muscles bulging as he prepared his next attack. 

Away from the action, a screen turned one to watch the match unfold. The large titan known as Ryan Magni sat in darkness as he watched the match. He gripped tightly onto his knees as he felt a lump in his throat.

Ryan: Why am I watching this? This world corrupted my friend… I shouldn't, yet here I am…

He glanced at the screen as he saw Cero's body begin to tense up. He leaned forward as he got more absorbed in the spectacle of the match.

Ryan's thoughts: Daniel is an amazing kid… He's doing an amazing job against Cero of all people.

He looked closely at Cero, noticing the rage in his eyes. His mouth was left agape as thoughts filled his head.

Ryan: He wouldn't, would he?

Cero took one step forward, the ground shaking as Daniel's mind raced.

Daniel's thoughts: Raging Tempest

Daniel broke into a full-on assault, attacking Cero with high-speed punches and knees. His posture had been the most proper it had ever been, but the audience noticed a horrifying sight. Despite Daniel's perfect replication of Theodore's technique, Cero hardly seemed phased by the slightest blow. 

Cero: Fall.

Cero's thoughts: KenShinka Style: Earth Form - Falling Sky

In one swift movement, Cero swept Daniel's legs before grabbing the small man by the face. Daniel looked through Cero's fingers, seeing hatred in his opponent's eyes. He struggled to move but was unable to. Cero's muscles bulged as he slammed the back of Daniel's head into the ground, pieces of debris flying into the air as Daniel made contact with the ground. Cero raised his arm as he stood back, seeing Daniel's face now covered in the blood that Cero had on his hand. Daniel's eyes twitched when Cero suddenly felt an intense feeling in his leg. He stared down, noticing that several of Daniel's toenails dug into his leg.

Cero's thoughts: When did he…?

In one of the hallways, Jason tapped the side of his helmet.

Jason: So he finally decided to use it. This is going to be fun.