The Desolator (1/2)
Haruto came back late at night with body battered and full of bruises, looking very tired. The others who didn't accompany him were wondering what did he do in such a short time.
They were a bit worry about him and yet he only said that it was necessary if he wanted to win. Saying he will repeatedly going through the same thing as much as he can outside his match, the girls could only sigh and cheered him on.
It was already morning a little past 8 A.M, about two hours later, it will be his third round match.
"*Yawn* My body has fully recovered but I lack sleeping for a bit because of Lumina's rampage somewhere...."
At late night when he just went to sleep, occasional tremors shook the entire island signalling terrible explosions and shockwave somewhere near the island. Haruto guessed it must be Lumina who was venting out her remaining sour mood on the desolate land nearby.
In fact, during his intensive training, he already felt those tremors from different directions, who knows how many places she messed up? It's better be left unknown.
Thankfully those pitiful lands should be regenerated in a few days thanks to Eisha's world systematic. As long as the destruction happened in a large scale at a short time, any terrains will be automatically regenerated.
It caused a turmoil on the island but they decided to stay quiet as whoever cause the constant tremors was definitely not someone or something they could afford to offend.
Shaking his head to discard his thought, he raised his body and stretched before leaving the room. There's no one inside the huge room so the others were already outside having breakfast or something.
....
In the arena, it was more crowded than usual despite not being Lotus' match. It's because the true excitement for the battles began at the third round where favorites often fought against other favorites.
Haruto's match was starting right after the match from one of the wild cards, the number three in the betting rankings, Haruna who proclaimed herself as wandering warrior not belonged to adventurer guild. It was a gorgeus mature half-dwarven lady with a black bob style haircut reaching her shoulders. It's not often seeing someone with black hair other than his group so Haruto was quite surprised.
Just like her name (unknown if it's real or not), her facial structure also bore resemblance with a Japanese, another rare thing in this world.
She was fighting using an emerald and yellow whip Artifact and possessed the ability to control wind, the way she fights of mixing close combat and elemental techniques meant she's also a Hybrid although it's still below Lotus' level.
But that didn't mean she's weak. In terms of power it was likely she's above Dyan, the staff user martial artist, the number four. If Haruto won his current match, he'll be fighting her next so he started to study his soon-to-be opponent.
At the same time he also learnt the identity of the lion beastman guy they purposefully ignored until now because they wanted to act like the guy did not exist. He was the number two in favorites, only below Lotus, the runner-up of the three previous Junior tournaments, Erick B. Leonburg. He was the crown prince of the beastman country Leonburg.
Even though his identity was a bit surprising but Haruto and the others couldn't care less about that. Because he pissed them off, even if it was a divine being, there's no holding back on their enmity.
Still, they could finally comprehend the source of his arrogance and pride. Not only he's originated from extraordinary background but also someone possessing a tremendous natural talent. His age only reached 26 and yet already became a runner-up for three consecutive tournaments, with him always losing against the current defending champion Lotus.
It looks like Lotus herself is in the late thirties, unexpected for someone who seems like a teenager. But considering she's an elf, it was natural. Furthermore, her power already grown to that extent, it's no wonder her lifespan had increased dramatically even without her lineage.
Haruna defeated her opponent, the number ten in rankings after around ten minutes passed. Her aerial maneuvering using the wind element made her very difficult to be hit. As a half-dwarf, her strength originated from the dwarven blood gave her boost in power that could mess up a mountain despite her seemingly slender hand.
After the declaration of her victory, Haruto immediately went to the waiting room because his match was right after. His drowsiness was already cured by magic so he's back in top shape.
....
Fifteen minutes later.
Haruto walked out to the main arena donned in his usual black and orange gi. In this few months he reincarnated in this world, his body underwent quite a lot of change from the constant training and fighting. His muscles became more defined and solid while his body grew a bit taller, making his figure looked a lot more imposing than before as his eyes gaze sharply, not weaker than a vigorous hawk.
From the second round, he was becoming notorious among the spectators. His first appearance was kinda messed up but it was all blown away starting on the next match he's showing his true self. Even right now the audiences couldn't help but looking at his figure with admiration and respect. The one looking down on him already almost disappeared by now.
'That little brat back then had grown this much... Can you see this Mom? Dad?' Asami was gazing emotionally from the audience seats, imagining the two figures of her beloved late parents sitting along with her.
The other girls was also observing him with pride and joy on their faces. He's usually a bit silly when interacting day to day and yet every time he's going for a battle, for some reason there's indescribable sense of pressure radiating like a mighty warrior that had gone through countless battles for many years ever since he's a kid.
There's even an illusion where the faint silhouette of such male warrior in orange and blue gi similar to Haruto overlapping with his figure below as he raised on the stage. The audiences were even rubbing their eyes wondering if they're imagining things and the warrior's silhouette disappeared.
On the other side, a giant bearman almost reaching three meters tall also went up the platform with a large greatsword strapped on his back. In terms of body, Haruto was definitely on the losing side and yet due to his mysterious charisma he possessed, they both looked equally imposing or even perhaps tilted slightly to the former.
Haruto ignored the various gazes on him, focusing only to select fews like his comrades and notable people like Haruna and Lotus who unexpectedly came to watch his match despite being famous on not making appearance outside her battle. She was sitting on the spectator seats exclusive for participants provided for her.
"H-Hey, isn't that the White Monarch!?"
"You're right, she's there!!"
"Unbelievable, could it be she's interested on this match? This has never happened before!"
The spectators were making commotion when they noticed Lotus sitting alone on her seat, observing the stage with her usual stoic expression. In fact, she also seen the mysterious phenomenon of Haruto's figure overlapping with someone else and became even more attracted to this youngster.
Haruto chuckled inside his heart knowing she came here because of Lumina's incitement. He didn't expect her to be so serious on taking her former guardian's words. If that's the case, he couldn't show her a lame show.
"You look excited there." Haruto turned his eyes on the opponent in front of him and smiled.
"Of course I am. I've always wanted to fight you ever since I saw your figure on the qualifiers. Now it's finally time." The bearman grinned widely and cracked his knuckles.
"Is that so? It looks like we're thinking the same thing huh. Let's make sure to have a good fight then." Haruto said.
"That's always my intention. I know you won't disappoint me."
"Heh, I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed.... Because you're going to stop at top 16." Haruto grinned.
"Kakaka, that's the spirit! Why don't you prove your words then?"
The two men stood in front of each other with gleeful expression. They began to release pressuring aura as a signal of their increasing fighting spirit. It was making the spectators trembled in awe. They were also very excited because it was definitely going to be the most exciting match so far.
[Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for waiting. The third round, fourth match of Tenkaichi Budokai, Contestant Haruto versus Contestant Tram.....BEGIN!!!]
*BANG!*
As soon as the announcer began the match, a loud cringing voice resounded from the stage, producing ripples on the air.
Haruto was colliding his leg against his opponent, making a cross shape right in the middle of the arena. The two of them moved instantly to close each other's distance and launched the same kind of attack.
*BAM* *BAM* *BAM*
They exchanged various fists and kicks dozens of times. Haruto parried and dodged some of them as he delivered attacks from his own side.
*BANG!*
They ended the rush of blows with another clashing attack where their fist rammed on each other in a deadlock state.
"Are you not going to use that scary looking sword on your back there?" He asked while still keeping the clashing posture.
"Why's the rush? I intended to test the water first, you're the same right?"
"....Really now? Then I have to kick up a notch to make you use it!"
*WHOOSH*
Haruto flared up his energy aura and pushed back Tram's fist. He knocked the other side's arm and launched a powerful uppercut aiming on Tram's gut.
The opponent blocked the punch with his other arm as he retaliated using a roundhouse kick.
"Ugh..!"
The kick was faster than he expected so Haruto received a slight hit on his face during the time he tried to dodge the attack. He was pushed back a few steps before regaining his balance.
Tram chased after him and stepped forward to launch a straight punch carrying a huge force. Tilting his body to the side, he slipped through the hand and kicked the opponent's chin upwards.
Rotating his body, he made another strike on the flank to send Tram a few meters away. The other side flipped his body and landed on the ground uninjured.
"Indeed. You're a worthy opponent I can afford to fight without reserve. I wonder how you'll deal with this next?" Tram grinned as he wiped his chin covered with dirt from the previous attack.
*Dash*
He charged forward with incredible momentum. Haruto was astonished seeing him suddenly became a lot faster. Acting out of instinct and reflex, he raised up his right arm to guard his side face.
*BANG!*
"Uh!"
A large bulky leg struck his right arm strongly, causing him to stagger for a bit before getting pushed back for being unable to withstand the sheer strength.
'Shit, what a monstrous strength! Fitting for a bear I guess.'
Haruto was grumbling inside his heart, feeling his right hand became slightly numb.
"!!"
He didn't have time to dwell on his thought as a shadow appeared above him carrying a massive large sword raised up high. Tram had drew his sword from his back and swung it against Haruto like a violent beast.
There's an image of the sword becoming several times bigger because of the sheer might it brought. Haruto knew he will be in a bad shape if he received the attack directly so he swiftly rolled to the side.
*BOOM!*
The slash produced tremendous shockwave, carrying the attack into more than half the massive arena platform. The slash wave crashed against the barrier set up by the tournament's side to protect the audiences.
The barrier was making ripples and tremors after it defended against Tram's attack. It was a powerful barrier created from the special Artifact provided from the tournament so it wouldn't easily go down despite parrying against such a mighty attack.
"....That sword is really something isn't it?"
Haruto was amazed witnessing the slash from before. It could easily kill anything below a Demon Lord in an instant. The weight it carried during the time it was aimed on him also cause his bones to chill, he truly felt the terrifying heaviness at that time.
"Not bad huh? This fella here was found by me in a dungeon from the northern continent. It can become heavier every time I grew stronger. As of now I guess it was around 20 Ton?" Tram swung his sword around him while explaining on Haruto.
"20 Ton...?" Haruto made a bitter smile because he's not nearly capable of swinging a sword that heavy with only one arm so easily like his opponent did. His usual weight training is still around 5 Ton for each arm, and that was his current limit.
"Well, enough talking, let's fight more young man!!"
Tram rushed while brandishing his great sword against Haruto. Every time it was swung, it would create a ripple on the air, shaking the void around its blade. Time to time it would also create a blade of energy that soar through the space.
Haruto was desperately dodging the attacks, flying through the air to avoid the relentless pursuit of his opponent. Tram himself was capable of flying, not surprising for someone on his caliber.
"Hey hey what's wrong!? Is this all you got!? Running away won't help you win here!"
Soaring through the air, Haruto charged his hands with energy and released several ki blasts on his opponent behind.
*Slash* *Slash* *Slash* *Slash* *Slash*
Swinging his large sword, the bearman cut all the ki blasts with fearsome speed that ignored the absurd weight of the blade.
Haruto stopped on his track and began to approach Tram from his side, delivering a strike with his punch. Tram snorted and caught his arm with his huge grip, preventing the fist from reaching his body.
"Too bad. This is the end."
Raising his sword, he slashed downwards against Haruto who cannot move his body because of his arms being held. The ridiculously heavy sword approached his side like a lightning strike.
But...
*Grip*
"What?"
Tram widened his eyes shockingly learning his greatsword was held by Haruto's fingers on his other hand. He was confused from where he suddenly have this much strength before noticing that his opponent's hand was glowing with golden light.
The light traveled through Haruto's body as he glared fiercely on the dumbfounded beastman. He released his held right arm forcefully and pulled the heavy blade with his left hand as if the previously dangerous weight did not matter anymore.
"Seyaahh!"
*BANG!*
*CRASH!*
Launching his freed right arm, he delivered a solid right hook to send his opponent crashing on the arena ground below. It made a loud crashing sound, with dust scattered everywhere.
Tram raised his body from the ground staggeringly and turned his head above. Haruto was gazing at him from up high with both fists clenched as he stood on midair surrounded with golden light.
"Haaa...."
The youngster's body began to tense up with his raven hair raising up to the sky as if it was being pulled by a gravity from above. Blood veins emerged around the skin while the dark hair was transitioning to golden color. The same black eyes were becoming green.
"AAAAA------"
*WHISHH!*
A surge of golden energy waves swirled around his figure resembling a vortex, turning into an intense golden aura waving violently like a raging flame.
"HAAAA!!!"
*BOOM!!*
The golden aura erupted powerfully, illuminating the arena with golden light that was producing a gale of storm at the same time it burst out, if not for the barrier being places, the people there would be blown several meters away because of the intense air explosion. A small pillar of golden waves shot off upwards, tearing the sky above.
"What...is that?"
Tram's stupefied voice sounded from the ground below. The appearance of his opponent was greatly changed.
It brought silence on the entire arena, making the atmosphere stagnant like the time itself being stopped.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone