Chapter 223: "The Chiseled Champion vs. The Budget Hero"

Kazuya wiped the sweat from his forehead. Bradimus Maximus, a man so muscular that even his muscles had muscles, cracked his knuckles.

The arena shook with every step Bradimus took. His golden gladiator armor shimmered, and his jawline looked sharp enough to deflect a sword.

"PUNY MORTAL," Bradimus boomed. "PREPARE TO BE CRUSHED UNDER THE WEIGHT OF MY DIVINE PHYSIQUE."

Kazuya took a step back. "Why does he sound like he's voiced by the guy who narrates movie trailers?"

Sylvara's voice came through his magic earpiece. "Kazuya, you can't beat him in raw power."

"No kidding!" Kazuya hissed. "What's my plan, huh? Ask him about his childhood trauma like last time?"

A moment of silence.

"…Actually, yes."

Kazuya facepalmed. "You can't be serious."

Sylvara's voice was dead serious. "Kazuya, listen. Bradimus is all about his muscles, right? That means he's hiding something deep inside."

Kazuya sighed. "Fine. Let's see what happens."

Round Two: Kazuya vs. Bradimus Maximus

The gong thundered across the arena.

Bradimus charged at Kazuya like a runaway freight train.

"FEEL THE POWER OF MAXIMUM PEAK PERFORMANCE!"

Kazuya barely dodged, rolling to the side.

Bradimus punched the ground—

BOOM!

A crater erupted where Kazuya had been standing.

Kazuya gulped. "Okay, yeah, that would've turned me into a pancake."

Bradimus flexed. His biceps glowed.

"You cannot defeat a man whose ENTIRE BODY is a WEAPON!"

Kazuya took a deep breath. It was time.

He raised a single finger.

And asked the deadliest question imaginable.

"…Hey, Bradimus?"

Bradimus paused mid-flex. "WHAT?"

Kazuya smirked.

"…What's your biggest insecurity?"

The entire coliseum fell silent.

Bradimus' muscles twitched. His eyes darted left and right.

"W-WHAT KIND OF FOOLISH QUESTION IS THAT?!"

Kazuya folded his arms. "C'mon, big guy. I bet under all those abs and bulging muscles… there's a tiny part of you that feels inadequate."

Bradimus staggered.

"N-NO! I AM PEAK PHYSICAL PERFECTION!"

Kazuya leaned in.

"…Then why do you train so much?"

Bradimus froze.

The crowd gasped.

Kazuya kept pushing.

"Are you trying to impress someone? Or… are you scared that if you stop training, people won't see you the same way?"

Bradimus started sweating.

"N-NO! I AM STRONG! I AM—"

His muscles trembled.

The hostess's voice crackled over the speakers.

"OH MY GOD… HE'S HAVING AN EXISTENTIAL CRISIS."

Bradimus collapsed onto his knees, fists clenched.

"…What if… I am only muscles?" he whispered.

The crowd erupted in screams.

"UNBELIEVABLE! KAZUYA WINS AGAIN, USING THERAPY TALK FOR THE SECOND TIME!"

Kazuya sighed in relief.

Sylvara cheered through the magic earpiece. "Kazuya! You did it!"

Kazuya groaned. "Yeah, but I can't keep psychologically destroying my opponents forever. What if the next guy is just completely normal?"

As if on cue—

A new portal opened.

A shadowed figure stepped out.

The nameplate glowed:

✨"??? – The Forbidden Husbando"✨

Kazuya's blood ran cold.

Sylvara gasped. "Wait… that's—"

TO BE CONTINUED…