"Alright then, let's go, partner!"
"Take this strike of mine!"
Lightning crackled all around as the dual short blades in Tartaglia's hands transformed into a double-headed spear wreathed in violet thunder.
Under the empowerment of lightning, Tartaglia's speed surged sharply.
The double-headed spear whirled forth, turning into a circular thunder blade that cleaved down at blinding speed.
"This is more like it."
Taro flicked his sleeve. He didn't dodge, but clenched his fist, blazing flames wrapping his hand as he threw out a single punch.
Clang!
The ringing clash of metal resounded.
The thunderous spear shattered, flying back in reverse.
Tartaglia caught it, spun a flourish, and pressed forward with momentum unabated, his aura growing fiercer.
"Kill!"
Facing this ferocious thrust, Taro still didn't move his feet.
His five fingers formed a claw, directly clamping down on the spear tip.
In Tartaglia's stunned gaze, the weapon that had once pierced through anything was now caught firmly in Taro's grip.
Crack!
Tartaglia's chest took the backlash. His body trembled, blood spurting from his lips.
The spear snapped in two.
Half was seized by Taro, while Tartaglia desperately clutched the other half, reversing the point to stab at Taro's brow.
But before he could strike, Taro's free hand shot out.
Another claw locked the broken shaft.
In one twist, Taro's immense strength flung Tartaglia into the air.
Both halves of the spear fell from his grip—once again, his weapon was disarmed.
"Not planning to get close anymore?"
Watching him retreat and call his spear back, Taro chuckled.
At first, Tartaglia hadn't believed it—insisting on close combat.
Well, he'd learned his lesson now.
Taro was no frail, helpless mage.
Wanting to fight him hand-to-hand?
Naïve.
"…Truly troublesome."
"But fight as we may, at least don't hit my face, alright?" Tartaglia muttered half-jokingly, trying to probe.
"No."
Taro shook his head flatly.
"…So that's how it is."
Tartaglia nodded with sudden seriousness. "Alright then. A man can have secrets—I respect that. But next, I'm going all out. You'd better endure it, partner. Don't let me down!"
"Come, then."
Taro beckoned him to unleash everything.
Tartaglia's so-called full power… was his Delusion-fueled Demon King Armament.
Trained under "that older brother," he had mastered a series of brutal armament techniques—and even enhanced them. By fusing the Hydro Archon's fragmentary power, his Vision, and his Delusion, he had forged a new hybrid form.
Its aura was far stronger than before.
Taro had to admit—it looked cool.
The first time he'd seen this stance, he thought it looked oddly familiar.
After all, who didn't want to shout, "Combine, armor on!"?
But now? He no longer envied it.
He had his own.
"Careful now!"
Tartaglia activated it—
The Hydro's borrowed might, on!
Vision and Delusion, on!
Demon King Armament—deploy!
Forces from different sources fused forcibly.
Dark-violet armor encased Tartaglia's frame, while a starlit aura streamed down his back like a celestial cloak.
"Hahahahaha!"
"Been waiting long enough, partner! Let's have a true battle!"
Wearing the armor, his demeanor turned wild and domineering.
"Fight!"
With a roar, thunderbolts gathered.
Lightning wrapped Tartaglia's body as he lunged forward like a storm incarnate.
Taro raised a brow.
Still so stubborn about closing in?
Looking for a beating?
Fine. He would oblige.
Skill: Physical Enhancement.
Skill: Strength Boost.
Advanced: Dragon's Might.
Advanced: Holy Shield.
Two basics, two advanced—four buffs at once.
Taro's right hand burst into raging flame. He lifted it, then swiped out with a single, blazing slap.
"Feel it, my friend…"
"This is—POW!"
BOOOOM!
A thunderous blast followed by a chain of crashes.
Tartaglia, charging like thunder, was slapped aside outright. His body smashed through two small hills before crashing headlong into a ruined temple, the avalanche of falling stones burying him completely.
"Done."
Taro clapped his hands nonchalantly.
Slapping someone across the battlefield… was very satisfying.
Landing lightly atop the rubble, he swept aside debris and uncovered Tartaglia.
"Well? Not dead, are you?"
"Cough, cough—"
Half-buried in rubble, Tartaglia spat blood, though his breathing eased. His pale face turned up at Taro, forcing a bitter smile.
"Partner… this wasn't a battle."
He had craved a contest of equals, the chance to grow stronger through combat.
But with a single slap, his strongest third stage was gone.
This? This was just one-sided humiliation.
Terrifying—utterly terrifying.
"Still want to keep going?"
Taro grinned at him.
"No, no, I give up!"
Tartaglia shook his head furiously. He might be a battle junkie, but he wasn't a masochist.
Keep fighting? With no chance of victory? Impossible.
"Can you stand?"
"Uh… let's see. Six broken ribs, one fractured leg, a broken arm, eight dislocated joints, and displaced organs. Totally drained…"
"…So, just some light wounds."
Taro nodded calmly.
What the hell?! Light wounds?
Without advanced healing, he'd be bedridden for a year!
"Alright, alright."
Seeing Tartaglia's dumbfounded expression, Taro waved his hand.
"Let me patch you up."
Yes, it had gone just as he intended. Heavy injuries, but not fatal.
Skill: Healing.
The most basic recovery spell.
Enough to fix half the damage—the rest, Tartaglia could recover slowly.
As the warmth mended his broken frame, Tartaglia's eyes brightened.
"Partner… you really can do everything. When I return to Snezhnaya, I'll definitely recommend you to Her Majesty."
If he could team up with Taro on missions, he could fight endlessly.
No enemy would ever scare him again.
"Not necessary."
Taro just smiled.
(End of Chapter)
[100 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter]
[Check out my Patreon to read more!]
[[email protected]/Zukooo]
[Thanks for your support!]