Chương 30: Chapter IX — When Devils Collide

A hush fell over the audience as the lights dimmed once more, casting the hall in a dramatic twilight.

"Honored patrons," the announcer's voice boomed in Godlang.

"Steel yourselves. It is time to witness... the unyielding might of the Oni!" The curtain swept open with a flourish, revealing a flat wooden stage. Two figures stood at its center, heads bowed in disciplined stillness.

"On your left, the master of chaotic might, a force of nature from Mount Ooe: Shuten Dooji!" The crowd roared as the crimson-skinned champion lifted his head.

"And beside him, the master of illusions and dark sorcery from the forbidden summits of Suzuka: Ootake Maru!" The blue-skinned challenger raised his head, his gaze piercing and cold. The spotlights of their respective sides converged upon their dual horns, carving their formidable figures out of the shadows. Their torsos were a landscape of corded muscles. Scars, old and new, crisscrossed their chest and arms, with both of them having a prominent one circling their neck.

They wore a silken white loincloth over tight-fitting black shorts, showcasing their toned thighs and calves while still being modest.

"Combatants, show us your backs," the announcer commanded. They turned in unison. A wave of gasps rippled through the stands. Embedded seamlessly into the powerful muscles of their shoulders were four smooth, oval gems, perfectly matched to their skin tones. Galan smirked, his eyes narrowing. So they bothered forging and embedding gems just to stick to their little rules.

"Hmph."

"Did you say something, Lord Oda?" Masahiko asked.

"Nah. Just impressed by their muscles." Galan leaned back.

"Wanna bet on the winner?" Masahiko chuckled.

"No, Lord Oda, I do not gamble."

"Suit yourself. Let's see how this plays out." The announcer explained the rules. Each contestant had a hundred layers of shield generated by each gem. The match would consist of three rounds. To win a round, a fighter had to deplete fifty layers of their opponent's shield before losing their own. She then repeated the explanation in Japanese.

"Lord Oda," said Masahiko.

"Could you explain? I still do not understand."

"They just beat each other up until the announcer has had enough," Galan said with a straight face.

"Then she picks the winner based on who did the coolest moves."

"Is that true?"

"Sure, why not?"

"I will trust your explanation then," Masahiko said, turning back to the stage with renewed interest. A glassy sheen flashed over the stage—a shield dome to protect the audience. Above, two pairs of crow ten-gu flew in, hanging paper displays that synced with the fighters' gems to show their shield levels in real time.

"Impressive," Masahiko murmured.

"Eh, I'd rather just have them beat each other senseless without the shields," Galan shrugged.

"Not as exciting this way." This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it"But... wouldn't that put them in danger?"

"Yeah, but we can revive them. It's not that hard. Though," he conceded, "it's difficult if they get torn to pieces."

"Indeed," Masahiko nodded slowly.

"And with that," the announcer declared, "we can finally start the fight in earnest! Competitors, face your opponents!" The fighters turned.

"So, you're here to end my three-year winning streak?" Shuten Dooji cracked his knuckles. Ootake Maru crossed his arms.

"As a matter of fact, I am. I can't let you be the only well-known oni in Japan."

"I'd like to see you try." Shuten Dooji settled into a low, wide stance, his muscles coiled like vipers. In contrast, Ootake Maru stood deceptively still, his hands held before his chest, fingers glowing with magical energy. The announcer then started the countdown.

"Get ready to fight in three..." Shuten Dooji shifted his weight.

"Two..." Ootake Maru's fingers twitched in a silent incantation.

"One... fight!" A deafening gong blast signaled the start of the match, backed by a frantic rhythm of drums and strings. Shuten Dooji exploded forward, a crimson blur of fury, his feet pounding the stage. He aimed a massive fist at Ootake Maru's chest, a roar tearing from his throat. But Ootake Maru remained rooted. His hands moved in a blur of intricate gestures, snapping into place with a magical thrum Galan could feel from his seat.

Just as the fist was a hair's breadth from impact, a colossal water serpent erupted from the air. It slammed into Shuten Dooji with the force of a tsunami, throwing him back. The audience roared. Ootake Maru didn't pause. His fingers danced through another complex sequence, forming the shape of an electrical current. He pulled his hands apart, and lightning crackled between his palms. Shuten Dooji charged through the water, only to be hit by the surge.

Electricity arced through his wet shield, tearing a large chunk of it apart. The paper display above showed a massive drop in his shield count. Unfazed, Shuten Dooji shed the outermost layer of his shield, shaking off the water. He weaved through the lightning, closing the distance. He unleashed a flurry of light punches, testing his opponent's defenses, before landing a solid kick that sent Ootake Maru skidding across the stage. Shuten Dooji leaped, aiming a devastating axe kick.

But at the last second, Ootake Maru dodged the attack while slamming his hands onto the floor. As the kick missed its mark, a wave of precisely cut obsidians erupted directly beneath Shuten Dooji's landing point. The spikes were sharp and sudden, catching him mid-recovery, forcing him to do an awkward, twisting aerial maneuver. The shards raked across his legs, chipping away at his defenses. Both fighters returned to neutral corners as the shards vanished into the stage's divine vault.

The hall quieted, the tension thick.

"Not bad, Mountain Goat!" Shuten Dooji taunted, crossing his arms.

"Got some sharp little toys. That almost tickled!"

"If you think you can taunt me, you're mistaken," Ootake Maru replied coldly, his hands weaving a new spell behind his back.

"Ha! Tell you what," Shuten Dooji grinned.

"I'm going to stay right here and let you get the first hit. That would surely cheer you up, right?" The crowd cheered, urging the challenger to strike.

"Very well then." Ootake Maru brought his hands together in a cross shape. Suddenly, two identical clones stepped out from behind him. The audience gasped. But both Galan and Shuten Dooji knew which one was real. Or rather, they know the three that aren't real.

"Come on! Let's see what you can do!" The three Ootake Maru charged, their fists glowing with stone, lightning, and wind. Shuten Dooji stood his ground, his ears twitching. At the last moment, he snapped his elbow to the left, shattering the illusion and bashing the real sorcerer in the face. The clones vanished. Shuten Dooji unleashed a barrage of hits, overwhelming his shocked opponent. He locked hands with Ootake Maru, then delivered a brutal headbutt to the nose.

As the sorcerer staggered back, Shuten Dooji landed a final, crushing kick to the stomach. A loud chime signaled the end of the round. The paper displays updated itself, showing that Ootake Maru's shield was reduced to fifty. It was a close match.

"And the winner of this round is Shuten Dooji!" the announcer declared in Godlang. The crowd erupted.

"I suppose you were never known for your sense of honor," Ootake Maru said, wiping his nose.

"Hah! Taking advantage of my generosity wasn't exactly honorable either," Shuten Dooji shot back.

"Fair enough. Although I'm impressed you realized what I was up to."

"You think a low-grade trick like that could fool me?" Shuten Dooji scoffed, settling back into his stance.

"You better become really good with those fingers if you want to win the next round."

"Then I won't hold anything back," Ootake Maru promised, his eyes glowing with renewed power.