Chapter 214 – The Fist
After introducing Katana, the chatroom went wild, filled with excitement.
[???????? Why is she here????]
[Unexpected figure. Fuck hahahahahaha]
[Mango Stick x Katana collaboration, is this for real? Egostic is a legend…]
[Who’s that Japanese girl??]
[Info) Katana is Japan’s top-ranked villain, the leader of Japan’s largest villain organization, SamHyupPa. She has fallen out of favor with the Japanese government and the Association to the point that she is now practically considered a hero by the Japanese public. With rumors circulating that SamHyupPa has taken control of the Association, she’s currently a major player in Japan.]
The chatroom was abuzz with comments and information, and I didn’t have time to keep up. However, I couldn’t afford to be distracted.
“……..”
Stardus, who had been smiling just moments ago, had a blank expression on her face now. The atmosphere became heavy, and a palpable unease began to spread.
Soon, even Katana noticed the change and looked around nervously. The air was oppressive.
“….Haha.”
Despite the situation, I forced a smile. I couldn’t understand what was happening. I had followed my instincts, yet the mood had suddenly shifted. It seemed like everyone could see that something was wrong with Stardus.
What have I done wrong? I did everything as my instincts told me. Why is the atmosphere like this? Is it because I brought a foreign villain? That seems to be the most likely reason. What should I do?
‘No, this might actually be a good thing.’
I changed my perspective. Crisis meant opportunity. If Stardus was angry right now, it meant she was more committed to the fight. That meant she could potentially grow stronger. However, I couldn’t help but worry about Katana.
‘…I’m worried more about Katana.’
Well, Katana was at the top among Japanese villains, so she should be able to hold her own against Stardus. If not, I could always tell her to run away.
Having made a quick judgment in my mind, I smiled again and addressed the camera.
“Yes! As you all expected, today my long-time friend, Katana, has graciously agreed to fight for us. She’s here to showcase her incredible Japanese swordsmanship skills. Katana, please show them what you’ve got!”
“…Yes, I will do my best.”
In response to my words, Katana awkwardly nodded her head, her movements almost robotic.
…She should be fine, right?
As if telling me not to leave already, the tense gaze of Katana, who had been watching me, I offered my support and quickly teleported away from the scene. Since a while ago, the air around Stardus had been getting heavier…
Now, I had let go of my hand. All I could do was to offer my support…!
After leaving, how much time had passed since I took my position in a hidden spot on the rooftop of a nearby building.
-Kabooooooom.
From where I had left, a loud noise suddenly started to ring out. It seemed like it had begun.
***
‘…This is annoying.’
It’s annoying. That was the thought going through Stardus’s mind.
…Egostic hadn’t caused terror in a long time, and now he brought a Japanese woman along. Holding her hand tightly. Referring to her as a friend. It was all irritating. It wasn’t anger, just plain annoyance.
Her smile had disappeared a long time ago. All that remained was the image of Egostic holding hands with that woman right making her dizzy.
…Ha, really. It was unbelievable. Why on earth were they holding hands as if they were in a romantic relationship while conducting terrorism?
Of course, when looked at rationally, it was obvious that he had brought her with teleportation, and they had to hold hands. But still, Stardus was angry. She didn’t even know why, but she was furious.
‘…Alright.’
After taking a deep breath, she thought for a moment. The reason she was angry was that Egostic had brought another villain with him. And not just any villain, but a foreign one, to Korea? That was just unacceptable. If she thought about it logically, her anger made sense in this situation.
‘…So, for now, it’s more reasonable to deal with the woman right in front of me.’
With that thought in mind, Stardus came to a rational conclusion. She would take down that villain in front of her, Katana, and then drive her out of Korea.
And then…
…She would figure out what to do with Egostic later. Well, let’s think about that a little later.
She smirked cynically.
“….Alright then, I’ll leave it to you.”
Then, a voice from below.
Egostic had disappeared, and Katana, the woman who had descended to the ground, was now visible.
With her black-tied hair swaying from behind, dressed in a traditional martial arts uniform and holding a Japanese sword, Stardus looked at her.
Stardus, with a serious expression, clenched her fist. As her fist emitted a yellow light, Katana jumped towards her with a sharp sword in her hand, moving like the wind.
With a loud noise, they collided in mid-air.
…This woman, she must be taken down right here, right now.
With such determination from Stardus…
***
Before fighting with Stardus, at Egostic’s request, Katana had done some research on her.
“Hmm…”
Enhanced physical abilities and flying through the air… She was a typical physical ability user, but more powerful than any opponent Katana had faced before in terms of physical attacks.
However, if she didn’t have long-range attack methods or special abilities, Katana was confident that she would win with her sword.
“Phew.”
That’s how they ended up back in the heart of Seoul. Katana raised her sword, cutting through the air.
With incredible speed, she soared through the sky, pressuring Stardus.
With the abilities of both Stardus and Katana, the fight was no longer a typical battle. It was a spectacular scene, like a dazzling martial arts performance, impossible for the camera to capture.
*
[Why the hell can’t we see anything when they’re flying around so fast?!]
[They keep flashing yellow lights and their swords sparkle in every direction so quickly that we can’t see anything, hahaha.]
[I thought Katana was a master of swordsmanship, but why is she suddenly appearing everywhere like a flash, hahahaha]
[Are they actually hurting each other? They’re moving so fast that we can’t see anything, hahaha.]
*
Stardus was still ranked as A-class, but in reality, she was now stronger than most S-class abilities.
Katana, on the other hand, had gathered numerous followers below her with her swordsmanship and abilities, forming the largest villain alliance in the country and overthrowing the Association.
Especially since Stardus had no intention of going easy on Katana, and Katana was determined to use this opportunity to further improve her abilities, their battle was truly an intense showdown.
‘…As expected, she avoids a direct confrontation.’
At that moment, Katana thought as she split the air with her speed.
With her sword poised and swiftly swinging, Katana’s long and sharp blade made it difficult for Stardus to approach. Katana’s reflexes allowed her to block Stardus’s attacks no matter where they came from.
On the other hand, Stardus fought using only her fists, which put her in an advantageous position if she could block all of Katana’s attacks with her sword.
However, there was a difference between them. Katana could jump high into the sky from the ground and use the building’s walls to fly, while Stardus could freely maneuver in the air using her own abilities.
Nevertheless, this advantage didn’t necessarily favor Stardus.
“…This is so frustrating.”
In the sky, her hair fluttering, Stardus thought quietly. Despite a fight that had been going on for several tens of minutes, the situation was ambiguous. Trying to attack while avoiding Katana’s sword was not easy. In fact, Stardus had only applied pressure so far, without landing a direct hit.
While Stardus was undoubtedly strong, the situation was different when they had similar abilities, and the sword was a dangerous factor. Trying to attack while Katana could retaliate with her sword was challenging. Stardus had to dodge Katana’s attacks and find a solution, which she was still contemplating.
‘Wait a moment, why am I so afraid of that sword?’
Suddenly, a thought flashed through Stardus’s mind.
***
“Phew…”
With her martial arts uniform fluttering and her tied-up hair swaying in the air, Katana felt it.
Swish-
Continuing to press Stardus and looking for an opening…
…Just one hit. If Katana could land just one successful attack on Stardus, she would win. Originally, the situation was in her favor. While Stardus was busy avoiding her sword, there would eventually be an opening. All she had to do was find that loophole and strike.
Of course, the same applied to Katana. If Stardus managed to land one hit, it would be over. However, Katana was no ordinary opponent, she had taken down thousands with a single blow before. She was an expert at finding loopholes.
With that in mind, Katana continued to aim for her opponent’s openings while flying through the air.
And then, at that moment…
“Ugh-!”
Stardus thrust herself forward with a straight punch directed at Katana.
And then…
‘…Found it, loophole.’
Katana calmly regulated her breathing. She didn’t know why her opponent suddenly acted that way, but it was an opportunity. She planned to redirect the punch with her sword, disturbing the balance, and then strike from the side.
‘…It’s not a matter of life and death, so I just need to be reasonable.’
With that judgment in mind, Katana prepared to deflect the punch with her sword.
Suddenly, an intense light emitted from Stardus’s fist.
“…What’s going on?”
“Urgh!”
Kabooooooom.
Stardus changed direction abruptly, not aiming at Katana but sending her fist diagonally toward the sword itself.
Before a bewildered Katana could react, her sword shattered into pieces, accompanied by a brilliant light.
Katana was taken aback.
***
*
[Anticipated title for tomorrow’s Korean Patriotic TV video) [Shocking] [Horror] Can Korea’s K-Punch defeat Japan’s thousand-year-old swordsmanship? Japanese Swordmaster decides to learn Taekwondo and tears shed! What’s the reason behind the tearful Statement, ‘Starting today, I’ve decided to abandon the sword and learn Taekwondo’?]
ㄴ[She seems to be in trouble;]
*
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