Chapter 411: Can’t a Man Catch a Break?

As one of the most prominent Supernovas, there was always a subtle air of competition between them.

While they didn't constantly monitor each other, they maintained a basic understanding of their rivals.

Thus, Apoo and Bonney were well aware that one of Urouge's greatest strengths was his extraordinary brute force.

Yet Maude had effortlessly blocked Urouge's full-powered iron pillar swing with just a single finger.

Apoo and Bonney's faces were filled with shock.

With Urouge as a reference, they now had a clearer understanding of Maude's overwhelming strength.

It left them deeply wary.

On the battlefield.

The members of the Fallen Monk Pirates stood frozen in disbelief.

Urouge's arms, neck, and even his rugged face bulged with veins the size of knuckles.

Despite exerting every ounce of strength, he still couldn't budge the iron pillar blocked by that one finger.

"Such a... despairing gap in strength..."

Urouge struggled to utter the words—heartbreaking to hear—yet his coarse face maintained a grin, as if he hadn't taken it to heart.

Feeling Urouge's efforts, Maude's lips curved slightly, not in any hurry to bury that smiling face into the damp soil.

A cat playing with its prey.

It was a rare behavior for Maude.

But Urouge's desperate attempt to salvage his pride had piqued Maude's interest.

The iron pillar remained motionless, as did Maude.

Their contest of strength was locked in a delicate equilibrium.

Urouge's face gradually flushed red, nearing his limit.

Yet that single finger barring the pillar remained like an insurmountable peak, cold and unyielding on the path he sought to cross.

"I can't push it... at all..."

The futile struggle sent a chill down Urouge's spine.

This was the first time he had encountered someone with monstrous strength far beyond his own.

It made him powerless—made him despair.

Even so, that eerie monk-like smile lingered on his rugged face.

"Facing a 'monster' without adaptability will only lead to a miserable death... that much, I understand...!"

Finally, Urouge abandoned the notion of matching Maude's strength.

After all, charging headlong into a dead end would be pure folly.

"Even if the timing isn't perfect... I'll have to risk it now!"

Countless strategies flashed through Urouge's mind.

Maude gazed down at the crouching Urouge, his tone calm.

"Haven't you noticed yet?"

"Hm?"

Urouge blinked, lifting his head. His gaze bypassed the iron pillar, meeting Maude's eyes.

Maude met Urouge's unwavering gaze, the corners of his mouth curling with cold amusement.

"No matter how much strength you pour in, I can always stop this iron pillar without effort."

"Heh..."

Urouge's smile twisted, uglier than if he were crying.

He didn't need Maude to explain further—he already understood the implication.

It was absolute suppression.

"I'm not as strong as you."

Urouge's eyes sharpened suddenly. He grinned wide, baring his teeth.

"But... in this utterly miserable 'situation'... I wouldn't mind letting you 'experience' it too—even if the chances are slim..."

"Oh?"

Maude's calm gaze fixed on Urouge.

Without another word, Urouge abruptly withdrew his hands.

Whoosh—!

Freed from his grip, the iron pillar plummeted toward the ground like an arrow loosed from its bowstring.

Urouge sidestepped, letting the pillar graze past him, then coiled his arm and clenched his fist.

Boom!

The pillar embedded itself into the ground with a deafening crash.

At the same time, Urouge unleashed a full-powered punch directly into Maude's chest.

A muffled thud rang out, sending a shockwave rippling outward.

"He hit him?!"

Countless shocked gazes turned toward the scene.

Yet what they saw was Maude standing completely unmoved.

The seemingly powerful punch hadn't even forced him a single step back.

The anticipated spectacle of Maude being sent flying never occurred.

Urouge's horrified eyes slowly shifted from his fist to Maude's composed face.

Maude glanced down at the fist pressed against his chest, spreading his hands.

"That kind of 'experience' doesn't seem so bad, does it?"

"..."

Urouge fell silent for a moment before forcing a bitter smile.

"You're a bona fide monster."

"Thank you for the compliment."

Maude's arm tensed, delivering a brutal uppercut to Urouge's chest.

Boom—!

Urouge's towering frame was blasted into the air like a cannonball.

His trajectory just so happened to align with Bonney's position.

Naturally, this was deliberate on Maude's part.

After all, Bonney was the closest.

"Huh?"

Bonney hadn't expected Urouge to be sent flying toward her—let alone at such alarming speed.

By the time she realized, Urouge had already crashed into her.

It was like being struck by a speeding truck—Bonney's body hurtled backward, smashing into a building.

Dust and rubble erupted as the collapsed structure buried her.

Meanwhile, Urouge, having been cushioned, slammed heavily into the ground, rolling dozens of meters before coming to a stop.

Everything happened in a flash.

By the time the Bonney Pirates snapped out of their daze, their captain was already buried beneath the ruins.

"Captain!"

"Captain Bonney!"

The crew members cried out in alarm, rushing toward the wreckage.

Not far away.

"That hulking brute got blasted so far—what fun, what fun!"

Apoo's face lit up, dancing with delight as he perfectly embodied the schadenfreude of a bystander.

Urouge heard Apoo's mocking laughter but ignored it.

He shook his head and struggled to his feet.

"Urk... thought I was a goner."

Wiping blood from his face, Urouge looked ahead at Maude, who was slowly approaching.

A grin spread across his face.

"Good thing I've never slacked off in my 'ascetic training.'"

With those words, under Apoo's astonished gaze, Urouge's body began to swell.

His sinewy muscles grew even more defined, veins bulging, while his height doubled.

"What kind of ability is this?!"

Apoo gawked at Urouge like he was some rare beast.

At that moment, Urouge's eyes were fixed solely on Maude.

"Because of that... I can return the favor—twice over."

"Twice over?"

Watching Urouge's transformation, Maude smirked.

He hadn't yet had time to jot down this year's Supernovas in his Hunter's Notebook.

But that wouldn't stop him from making the first move.

"If you can... go ahead and try."

Maude's calm gaze locked onto Urouge, his own body beginning to grow visibly taller and more muscular with each step.

Within a few strides, he had already surpassed Urouge in height.

"Wha—"

Urouge's eyes widened in disbelief.

Can't a man catch a break?

He felt like a helpless plant-pig.

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