Compared to the Duel Tournament, the Battle God Tournament was obviously far more savage—and far more unrestrained.
Killing during matches was commonplace.
Not only that, after each fight, the organizers even arranged various "side shows" for the audience to enjoy.
For example, one contestant surrendered in order to avoid being killed on the spot.
The organizers immediately dragged him out and performed a five-horse dismemberment.
In front of thousands of spectators, several violent stallions tore him apart limb by limb.
Besides that, the venue also contained areas that looked suspiciously like red-light districts.
In short… this was definitely not a place any decent person should visit.
At the very least, after Honoka went out for a little walk and returned with her face bright red, she never mentioned wanting to go out again.
As for the little brat Yue Huasha, she stuck around as well. According to her, either Duanmu Huai would take responsibility, win the championship, and deliver justice for her nephew's spirit in heaven… or she would personally watch Duanmu Huai get killed, which would count as vengeance.
Great… a thirteen-year-old girl acting like a hardened yakuza matriarch. That's definitely a new one.
But Duanmu Huai didn't care. She could do whatever she wanted.
He wasn't going to lose anyway.
Of course, he didn't forget to attend Mary's matches.
To his surprise, Mary's partner—though looking tall and skinny—actually used a power-type fighting style, just like Duanmu Huai. He possessed some kind of ability that let him control his muscles freely, allowing him to easily smash enemies who looked bulkier than Duanmu Huai himself.
Hmm… that's reassuring. At least he should survive long enough to meet me in the finals.
Naturally, there were also several famous figures in the tournament.
For example, the winner of the current match would be Duanmu Huai's next opponent.
And that matchup was—
Akuma vs. Mishima Kazuya!
Compared to the other fights, this one was on a much higher level.
Akuma's strength was unquestionable, but Mishima Kazuya was no pushover either.
In the end, Kazuya used his Devil Form to kill Akuma and secured the win.
Looks like his next opponent was decided.
To Duanmu Huai, this absurdly mixed-up world was nothing new—every kind of person existed here.
But Honoka saw things very differently.
In her mind, even the Battle God Tournament was still just a martial-arts competition.
And, to be fair, the earlier fights had indeed matched that expectation.
However—
The moment a third eye suddenly split open on Kazuya's forehead, and his entire body transformed into a horned, winged demon capable of firing laser beams… Honoka's worldview crumbled.
This wasn't a fighting competition anymore!
Her opponent wasn't even human!
"Duanmu-san… are you really going to fight such a… terrifying monster?"
Staring at the replay on the screen—Kazuya soaring into the sky in his demon form and blasting Akuma through the torso with a laser—Honoka swallowed nervously and looked at Duanmu Huai with fear.
Duanmu Huai simply laughed and patted her shoulder.
"Relax, Honoka. For you this may be the first time seeing such a creature, but I've dealt with tons of things like him. A mere demon? Just watch how I toy with him."
"I… I see…"
Even with his confidence, Honoka still felt uneasy.
It was her first time facing such an inhuman opponent—this was on a completely different level from the fights she was used to.
And then—
Another voice chimed in.
"As expected of the man who will become my husband. You need this kind of domineering aura."
"I said you need to tone it down…"
Duanmu Huai rolled his eyes helplessly and glanced toward Yue Huasha.
Ever since he killed Bush-Head, she had stuck to him like glue.
She even declared that she was supposed to become Bush-Head's wife, but since Duanmu Huai defeated him, she naturally should marry Duanmu Huai instead.
You're thirteen! Come back in several years!
Duanmu Huai didn't take her claims seriously.
Once he finished the tournament, he planned to leave Duel City for a while anyway—the girl could go back to wherever she came from.
Still…
Mishima Kazuya would be tricky.
Watching the replay on screen, Duanmu Huai pondered how to defeat him.
Among players, Kazuya was extremely famous—especially for his lightning-fast combos. Whether it was Wind God Step, Electric Wind God Fist, or even infinite combos players discovered to juggle opponents to death…
And judging by this version, this Kazuya would be just as troublesome.
Still, at least he eliminated Akuma.
That saved Duanmu Huai the trouble of having to fight True Akuma afterward.
The thought alone was exhausting.
Now, he only needed to focus on defeating Kazuya.
Time passed quickly.
The second match was about to begin.
Kazuya appeared before Duanmu Huai—not in demon form, but wearing a black suit and coat, exuding a powerful presence.
His attitude was equally arrogant.
"I thought you'd run away with your tail between your legs. But I can give you a chance. I'll let you die with less pain."
"Don't think you're hot shit just because you can transform, you spiky walnut-head."
Towering above Kazuya, Duanmu Huai snorted.
"If you turned into that monster form, maybe I'd take you a bit more seriously. But with your tiny little frame right now? You think you can beat me? Keep dreaming."
"Oh? Quite confident, aren't you?"
"Of course."
Duanmu Huai grinned, the expression twisted and savage.
"Looks like you forgot how badly your father beat you. Want me to help you relive that trauma?"
"...…"
Kazuya's expression instantly darkened.
"You're asking for it, brat. I'll make your death agonizing!"
"That depends on whether you can."
The tension between the two rose rapidly.
Watching from the tunnel, Honoka clasped her hands tightly in front of her chest.
Then—the judge spoke.
"ROUND ONE! READY—GO!"
"DIE!!"
Kazuya's silhouette blurred—
In the next instant, he was in front of Duanmu Huai, fist swirling with wind, striking ruthlessly at his chest!
But Duanmu Huai didn't flinch.
He roared and threw a punch of his own.
"ORAAAH—!"
BAM! BAM! BAM!!
Their fists collided repeatedly, each impact echoing through the arena.
Kazuya's Wind God Fist and Duanmu Huai's strikes clashed like crashing waves.
"Ha! Hyah! Hyah!"
"ORA! ORA! ORA!!"
Their fists moved so fast they blurred.
Wind howled from Kazuya's attacks—but before it could even reach Duanmu Huai, his hammer-like fists shattered it.
The arena floor cracked beneath them, stone tiles exploding upward under the force of their blows.
"HAAAAHH!!"
On their latest clash, Kazuya suddenly did not throw the next punch.
Instead, he stepped back half a pace, left fist tightening at his side.
Electricity crackled over his knuckles.
With a roar, he smashed his fist toward Duanmu Huai's abdomen.
Here it comes!
Duanmu Huai felt a grin tug at his lips.
He knew this move—one of Kazuya's favorite openers.
Clearly, he wanted to break Duanmu Huai's balance and chain into a devastating combo.
Too bad… you're nowhere near my level!
"HAAA!!"
Duanmu Huai stomped down with all his strength.
The entire arena trembled.
The already fractured tiles blasted upward, showering toward Kazuya.
"—!!"
Caught off guard, Kazuya's vision was blocked.
Unable to continue his combo, he was forced to dodge to the side.
He barely took half a step—
When Duanmu Huai burst out of the debris like a raging bull.
His shoulder slammed into Kazuya like a battering ram, launching him into the air!
Then Duanmu Huai's fist shone with a flash of light—
"ORAORAORAORAORA—ORAAA!!"
A storm of punches hammered into Kazuya's body, breaking through his guard.
The final blow struck his chest with crushing force and sent him flying.
Kazuya crashed across the arena, rolling violently.
Just as Duanmu Huai was about to pursue—
He suddenly raised his arms to block.
A massive purple laser blasted across the arena, slamming into his forearms.
"Good… very good, brat!"
Kazuya reappeared—but no longer as a human.
His body was now covered in hard, black scales.
Huge wings adorned with glaring eyes sprouted from his back.
His entire form had become that of a true demon.
"Originally, I thought trash like you did not require this form…
It appears I judged incorrectly."
"Your misjudgment goes beyond that, old man."
Duanmu Huai lowered his arms—the beam had left only two blackened scorch marks.
Not even close to breaking skin.
He stared at the fully transformed Devil Kazuya, eyes gleaming with savage amusement.
"It's time…
to let you experience the cruelty of an Inquisitorial Alien Judge."
(End of Chapter)