Chapter 397: Powerful Even Without an Imperial Arm!

Nyau gripped his short dagger, glaring at Wood with disdain. Initially, Nyau thought Wood would put up some sort of struggle, but it turned out he was all bark and no bite.

Under normal circumstances, Nyau would have killed Wood without hesitation. However, considering that General Esdeath seemed to take a liking to this pretty boy, he decided to stab Wood in the kidney—a wound that wouldn't be fatal.

"Not a bad performance. It almost made me lose myself in the music—it's been a while since I last heard such a tune.

It seems like you're not just an ordinary civilian. Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to produce music of such quality.

But even with a performance fueled by your Imperial Arm, it's not nearly enough to manipulate my mind."

Nyau's dagger, which had been aimed at Wood's kidney, was halted in mid-air. His wrist was firmly gripped by another hand, like an iron shackle, rendering him unable to move.

Compared to Nyau, whose forehead veins bulged as he put all his strength into trying to free his wrist, Wood looked entirely relaxed.

"Impossible! I clearly saw you fall under the influence of my 'March of the Dead: Wail.' How are you still conscious?"

Just as Wood could see that Nyau had some musical talent, Nyau, as the performer, could tell that Wood had a certain level of appreciation for music.

Such individuals were naturally more susceptible to his Imperial Arm's influence. Yet Nyau couldn't comprehend how Wood had managed to break free so quickly.

"Wondering why I broke free from your Imperial Arm's effect so fast?

You're not wrong—your Imperial Arm is powerful. I was indeed influenced at first. But once someone trains to a certain level, even if they lose consciousness, their body instinctively reacts to danger.

For a true swordsman, the cultivation of mental strength is essential. So, frankly, your Imperial Arm holds no real power over me."

As Wood finished speaking, he threw Nyau violently against the wall of the arena, causing Nyau's body to crash hard into the surrounding walls.

"I heard a rumor once in the Empire—there are 48 Imperial Arms, and each one is unique.

If Imperial Arm users fight, one must die.

Coincidentally, I'm also an Imperial Arm user. But since this is just a sparring match, if I end up killing you because of that rule, it'd be quite the headache for me. So this time, I won't use my Imperial Arm."

Yes, Wood was also an Imperial Arm user. His Imperial Arm was the type that took the form of a weapon—a seemingly ordinary sword when its abilities weren't active.

After throwing Nyau aside, Wood casually unhooked the sword from his belt and clenched his fists.

The term "Imperial Arm" referred to the 48 powerful weapons forged over a thousand years ago by the first Emperor, who used the Empire's vast wealth and influence to summon the greatest craftsmen in the world.

They used legendary materials from super-dangerous creatures, rare metals like Orichalcum, and secret techniques that have since been lost to time to create these 48 unique and powerful weapons, known as "Imperial Arms."

Each Imperial Arm had a distinct and formidable ability. The individuals who wielded them were called Imperial Arm users. But not everyone could wield an Imperial Arm—it required a certain compatibility.

An Imperial Arm would choose its own master. If a person's character was incompatible with the Imperial Arm, they would be unable to use its power effectively, or it might even harm them.

The Imperial Arms were made to match the traits, abilities, and mindset of their users. This was why Imperial Arm users were considered a cut above ordinary people.

Though 48 Imperial Arms were originally crafted over a millennium ago, many have been lost to history.

Here, however, Esdeath, her Three Beasts, Najenda, Lubbock, and Wood were all Imperial Arm users.

An Imperial Arm user's strength largely depended on their Imperial Arm. The fact that Wood was one but chose not to use his weapon wasn't just arrogance—it was something else entirely.

"Don't underestimate me, you bastard!"

Suddenly, the section of the arena wall where Nyau had crashed exploded in a cloud of dust. His body, now several times its original size, propelled itself off the wall, causing spider-web-like cracks to form in the stone as he shot towards Wood.

Previously, Nyau stood at barely five feet tall, a slender figure who preferred short shorts and a jacket—earning him the nickname "trap" from Wood.

But now, Nyau looked like he had been injected with growth hormones. His formerly small frame had swelled to over six and a half feet, with bulging muscles like slabs of solid rock.

Before, Nyau looked like a young, feminine boy. Now he was more akin to a bulky brute.

BOOM!

Using the walls of the arena to launch himself, Nyau descended at high speed, smashing into the ground with a force that shattered a vast area, leaving a crater nearly 15 feet across where Wood had just stood.

"Don't think my Imperial Arm only affects others. The power of 'March of the Dead: Wail' can be used on myself as well.

In my current 'Demon Summon' form, even if I faced a high-level Danger Beast, I could tear it apart with my bare hands.

You got lucky just now—otherwise, I would have shattered every bone in your body with a single punch!"

Nyau looked at the empty pit in front of him and then glanced over at Wood, who had already moved to another area. His expression showed his displeasure.

With the special technique "Demon Summon" strengthening his body, Nyau was overflowing with confidence. Sure, Wood had thrown him earlier with considerable force, but now, in his enhanced form, Nyau believed he would be more than a match for him.

Imperial Arm users who had mastered their weapons could utilize their "special techniques." Some of these techniques had severe side effects, even causing death upon use.

However, other techniques had more manageable side effects. Nyau's "Demon Summon" was one of the latter.

Whether the technique was lethal or not, mastering an Imperial Arm's secret abilities was no easy task. It required an extremely high level of compatibility, as well as complete mastery of the weapon.

Throughout history, less than a third of Imperial Arm users had managed to master their secret techniques, giving Nyau ample reason to be proud.

With his eyes locked on Wood, Nyau stomped down hard, cracking the ground beneath him before charging forward at high speed.

Wood could tell that, despite Nyau's earlier demeanor as a music lover, his combat skills were nothing to scoff at.

It wasn't surprising, considering Nyau was one of Esdeath's Three Beasts, and they had followed her into countless battles. If Nyau were only skilled at playing music, he wouldn't have lasted this long.

"Wood is being reckless. As an Imperial Arm user, how does he expect to fight without his Imperial Arm?

Even though it's said that a battle between Imperial Arm users must end in death, that only applies if there is intent to kill."

Najenda knew a bit about Wood—he and Lubbock were both newcomers to the army, and both were rare Imperial Arm users. The tasks they had completed earned them their promotions to her personal guard.

"That big guy thinks just because he got bigger, he's already won. He's about to have a rude awakening.

Most Imperial Arm users rely heavily on their weapons for strength. But some monsters are so strong that even without an Imperial Arm, they can crush 99 percent of their opponents."

Unlike Najenda, Lubbock watched Nyau charge at Wood with a relaxed expression.

Having grown up together, Lubbock knew Wood better than almost anyone.

His own Imperial Arm, the "Cross Tail," came into his possession before Wood even got his. They had sparred many times when Wood didn't have an Imperial Arm.

But every time, Wood had defeated Lubbock soundly. Wood was the kind of freakishly strong person Lubbock had described—he didn't need an Imperial Arm to dominate.

As Lubbock predicted, the fight in the arena was soon going as he had expected—contrary to what others believed would happen.

In the arena, Nyau's bulging arms were frozen mid-punch. His fist had indeed made contact with Wood, but the outcome was far from what Nyau had imagined.

Nyau's massive fist, now almost the size of a boulder, had clashed with another fist in mid-air.

Despite the vast difference in size, when the fists collided, they created a scene of perfect balance.

The ground beneath both fighters cracked and split under the force of the collision, and a powerful gust of wind swept across the arena.

"How... how is this possible? I'm in my 'Demon Summon' state, powered by my Imperial Arm! But you haven't even used yours!"

Nyau looked in disbelief at his fist, which had been stopped dead by Wood's own punch.

"There's nothing impossible about it. Your body may be enhanced by your Imperial Arm, but mine was built through relentless, day-and-night training.

An Imperial Arm can strengthen its user, but in the end, it's still external aid.

There's no rule that says ordinary people can't defeat Imperial Arm users, right? It's quite simple: though your body is strong due to your Imperial Arm, mine is stronger because of my own effort!"

As Wood finished speaking, the veins in his arm became visibly pronounced. The seemingly equal clash between their fists began to shift in Wood's favor.

Despite Nyau's fist being several times larger, it was gradually being forced back. With a sudden burst of strength from Wood, Nyau's enormous body was launched backward.

Nyau's body, carried by the immense force, dragged along the arena floor, leaving a deep trench. Before he even realized what had happened, Wood had already caught up with him mid-flight and appeared above him.

Seeing Wood above him, Nyau instinctively sensed danger. He wanted to defend himself, but the force of the wind pinned him down, making it impossible to move.

Watching Wood clasp his hands together and prepare to strike down, Nyau could do nothing but cross his arms in front of his face, trying to protect his head.

BOOM!

The ground shook violently as an explosion resounded throughout the arena, filling the air with dust. From where Esdeath stood, she could even feel the arena tremble slightly.

A moment later, a figure slowly emerged from the settling dust, carrying an unconscious Nyau—now reverted to his smaller form—over his shoulder, and tossed him to the ground.

Unsurprisingly, it was Wood who emerged, standing unharmed except for his dusty clothes. Meanwhile, Nyau lay unconscious on the ground—a stark contrast that made the outcome of the fight clear, even without a referee.

Seeing Nyau defeated, Liver and Daidara, the other members of the Three Beasts, looked furious. They seemed ready to jump into the arena, determined to show Wood that the Three Beasts weren't to be trifled with.

Nyau's loss was only because his Imperial Arm was ineffective against Wood. If it were either of their Imperial Arms, they were confident they could at least hold their own.

"Enough! A loss is a loss. Do you think I'm the type to go back on my word?

You said your name is Wood, correct? I'll remember it. My name is Esdeath. As promised, the fate of these tribal women and children is now yours to decide.

And even though you've won today, remember—I'll take you away from Najenda one day."