Capítulo 76: Royalty
[Day: Friday]
[Time: Evening]
[Location: Royal City]
The bell rang for the match to begin, the crowd obviously cheering for Wendy and booing me. Wendy hopped up and down, readying herself for whatever I had in store. She assumed her stance, clearing her mind completely. I rolled my shoulder, keeping a watchful eye on her.
I got into my stance, clearing my mind as well. Both Wendy and I had a staredown, checking each other's Presences, testing how strong each other was with Aura alone.
{Mission: Defeat Wendy}
{Easy Difficulty: Survive 25 Minutes in the ring with Wendy.}
{Ambitious Difficulty: Test Your Traits (Ambition/Talent/Luck); Defeat Wendy; Defeat Wendy only using Luscious Unleash Level 15, all other Love Crests aside from Crest of Talent/Luck are locked, Energy Sources are allowed, Gauntlets are not allowed, Wendy's attributes will gradually increase (Max equivalent to a Level 20 Unleash); Win the crowd's respect.}
The two of us finally circled each other in the center of the ring, eyes locked, each studying the other's movements with intense focus. The air was thick with tension, the murmurs of the crowd fading into the background. Wendy struck first, her body a blur as she launched a swift roundhouse kick aimed at my midsection. My forearm shot up just in time, blocking the attack with a solid thud. I countered instantly, my fist darting forward in a quick jab, but Wendy twisted gracefully, dodging with ease.
Without missing a beat, Wendy transitioned into her next move. Her fists became a flurry of motion, each blow enhanced by the wind element she commanded. The air around her seemed to ripple with energy as she unleashed a barrage of strikes. My footwork was precise and agile, deflecting and dodging each attack, my movements fluid and controlled.
"Impressive," I remarked, a hint of admiration in my voice.
Wendy smirked, her confidence unwavering. "You haven't seen anything yet."
She leaped back, her bracelets and anklets glowing with an ethereal light. With a swift, almost imperceptible motion, she summoned a powerful gust of wind. The force propelled her forward at an incredible speed, her form almost a blur. I barely had time to brace myself before Wendy's kick connected with my side, sending me skidding across the ring, my shoes squeaking against the polished floor.
The crowd erupted into a roar of excitement, the energy in the arena electric.
I grinned, feeling the adrenaline surge through my veins. I got back to my feet, my stance solid and unwavering. "Alright, my turn."
I activated my Unleashed State then launched into a relentless assault, my fists and feet moving in a blur of coordinated strikes. Wendy's defenses were formidable, her movements as fluid as the wind she controlled. She blocked and countered with precision, but my onslaught was unyielding, driving her back step by step.
With a sudden burst of speed, I closed the distance between us, delivering a powerful kick to Wendy's ribs. She staggered from the impact but quickly regained her footing, her eyes narrowing with fierce determination.
"Let's see how you handle this," Wendy muttered under her breath. Raising her hands, she summoned a whirlwind around her. The air swirled faster and faster, forming a barrier that deflected my next series of punches with ease.
I paused, assessing the situation with a keen eye. I took a deep breath, focusing my energy. In a swift, decisive motion, I channeled my own wind energy, sending a wave of disruptive energy towards Wendy's whirlwind. The barrier of air wavered and then shattered. Wendy stumbled, momentarily off-balance.
Seizing the moment, I surged forward and landed a clean uppercut. The force of the blow sent Wendy sprawling to the mat, the impact echoing through the arena. The crowd erupted in a deafening cheer, but the fight wasn't over.
Wendy pushed herself up, determination burning in her eyes. She wiped a trickle of blood from her lip, her expression fierce. "Not bad, Shiro. But I'm not done yet."
"No way he knocked her to the ground..." A man murmured.
Another viewer nodded, also in disbelief. "For real..."
Wendy and I circled around the ring again, our gazes fixated on each other. Wendy adjusted her gauntlets and they began to glow with power, her expression becoming more determined.
"What's wrong?~ I haven't even shown you half of what I can do," I taunted, a playful smirk stretching across my lips.
"Hmph, don't get cocky because you knocked me down once. You just caught me off guard," Wendy replied, tightening the belt around her waist. "This match is just now starting!"
Wendy launched herself toward me using her wind energy, launching a swift roundhouse kick toward me. I leaned back, her leg sweeping past my face then I countered with a powerful blow to her midsection, staggering her. Wendy stumbled backwards, quickly recovering and blocking my right hook, stumbling to the side.
I didn't let up my offense, knocking her back with bit by bit with a flurry of punches and kicks. Wendy grunted softly then let out a bellow, knocking me away with a burst of wind. My back hit against the wall of the octagon then I landed back onto my feet. Before I could recover, Wendy launched a burst of concentrated wind at my midsection, a pulse of wind circling around my stomach and blowing me back again.
The crowd roared as Wendy found her Second Wind, chanting her title name. Wendy kept a close eye on me, watching as I stood up onto my feet.
[Stamina has lowered to 75%]
I chuckled softly, iridescent lightning flashing around my body. I stood up straight, exhaling softly. "I guess it's about time I take things more seriously..."
Wendy rose an eyebrow, bracing herself as she assumed a defensive stance. 'Did his power level just increase..or am I just imagining it..?'
I walked forward then went into a full sprint, my body a blur as I moved at lightning speed. Wendy was immediately alerted, looking around quickly to keep up with my speed. Wendy used the shifts in the wind currents to barely dodge and block each of my attacks.
Wendy began to sweat as she was barely keeping up with me, taking on a Jiu-Jitsu Stance. She used the wind currents to predict my next move and launched a backhand fist, but hitting an wind clone, her eyes widening in shock.
I appeared to the side of her, my eyes flashing gold. I landed a direct Destiny Flash to her jaw, a pulse of iridescent energy circling my fist and knocking her into a wall. The crowd was in awe, not understanding what happened in those few short moments.
Wendy placed her hand against the walls of the octagon, using it as support to stand up onfe again. The referee checked up on her, but Wendy gently pushed him back. The referee stepped back, watching Wendy closely.
"Never before...has anyone but Charlotte pushed me this far before. And I won't allow you to tarnish my reign," Wendy said coldly, her tone a fierce determination. Her bracelets opened and fell onto the mat then she picked them up, changing them into golden brass knuckles. "This match has already gone on long enough."
'Bruh. You're joking. She can use weapons but I can't?! And now she's slightly Unrestricted! She scales higher than Ruby now and she's the strongest opponent I've realistically been against,' I thought to Lust-E.
[This is the Ambitious Difficulty. Plus, if you had your Gauntlets it would be way too easy for you.]
Wendy dashed toward me, launching an even faster punch than before. Her movement outsped my reaction time, landing a clean punch to my face. She began to rush me with a barrage of strikes, each strike carrying the weight of her willpower and determination. Wendy landed a powerful uppercut to my chin, knocking me in the air.
As I descended to the ground, Wendy went for a spinning kick, but by a streak of luck, she was just just off and missed her attack. I landed on the mat, getting into my stance once more. I lowered my posture and used a burst of speed to move around Wendy, afterimages of myself flickering in and out of view.
"Prepare to get a taste of my Destiny Rush!" I exclaimed, iridescent lightning flashing around my body.
Suddenly, an iridescent glow enveloped me, the air crackling with energy as arcs of multicolored lightning danced around me. With a burst of speed that defied the eye, I became a living bolt of lightning, zipping through the ring in erratic, unpredictable patterns.
I struck Wendy from every conceivable angle, each attack a blur of motion and light. Wendy was bombarded with rapid blows, each impact accompanied by a flash of rainbow lightning that seared the air and left dazzling trails in its wake. The barrage was relentless, a storm of prismatic fury that left no room for defense.
I knocked Wendy in the air, appearing above her then smirked. I spun around and kicked her to the ground then landed on the mat before she made it half way down. I let out my Tribal Howl, Chloe joining in with me. I charged forward, driving my shoulder into Wendy's midsection, tackling her and forcing her down onto the mat. The impacted completely knocked the wind out of her, and she was downed.
The referee stepped in, raising his hand. "Winner: Shiro!"
I extended a hand to Wendy, helping her to her feet.
She accepted, breathing heavily but with a smile on her face. "You're pretty damn good, Shiro. I haven't had a fight like that in a long time."
I nodded, respect in my eyes. "You're incredible as well, Wendy. It was an honor to fight you."
The crowd's cheers echoed through the underground club as the two of us exited the ring, our rivalry turned to mutual respect. It was a night to remember, a testament to our skills and the bond forged through combat.
{Mission COMPLETE!}
{Reward: Ambition/Talent/Luck EXP +100,000, Credi Earned +200,000, Wendy Gray}
----------------------------------------------------
"That shit was badass, mi amor!~ I can't believe you actually dethroned THE Wendy Gray!" Mariana exclaimed, her tone a mix of proudness and pride. "That was so amazing, especially that Tribal Howl..~"
"I can second that!~ The Tribal Howl is actually so fun to do," Chloe added, giggling softly.
Charlotte smiled at me, feeliy pride swell up in her chest as well. "He even pushed her into going into her Unrestrained State. Good thing she didn't go Full Power Mode..~"
Wendy took a sip of her drink, sitting back into her seat. "If I did, he wouldn't have stood a chance, especially when he was also limiting his power."
The conversation weaved through talks of the fight, talks about Charlotte's mafia drama, and other miscellaneous topics. Each conversation flowed like water, each of us sharing a laugh with one another through memories and shared stories.
Soon, everyone wanted to call it a night and we began to gather our things and head out. We all made our way out of the fight club, ascending the stairs and exit out into the beautiful neon lights of the city.
We made our way toward our vehicles, starting their engines and driving our way home.
[Day: Friday]
[Time: Night]
[Location: Home - Sanctuary City]
After returning home from our exhilarating race to Royal City and the subsequent visit to the fight club, Mariana and I found solace on the porch of our share house. The night was calm, the stars twinkling brightly in the sky, casting a serene glow over the surroundings. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, carrying with it the faint scent of blooming flowers.
Mariana sat on the steps, her fingers skillfully rolling a blunt with practiced ease. I leaned against the porch railing, my eyes following her movements with a relaxed smile. The day's excitement had left both of us with a sense of contentment, and now, in the quiet of the night, we could unwind.
"Today was something else," I remarked, breaking the silence and gazing up at the night sky.
Mariana chuckled, licking the blunt to seal it. "Yeah, it was. You really gave us a run for our money out there," she said, glancing up at me with a playful glint in her eyes.
I shrugged playfully. "What can I say? I'm full of surprises."
Lighting the blunt, Mariana took a deep drag before passing it to me. I accepted it, inhaling deeply and feeling the tension of the day melt away. We shared a few moments of comfortable silence, the smoke curling lazily in the night air, creating a sense of intimacy and peace.
"You remember the first time we met?" Mariana asked, her voice soft with nostalgia as she looked out into the distance.
I nodded, exhaling a plume of smoke. "How could I forget? You first showed up with Naomi and Dante to save Whitney...then you helped me against Phoenix," I replied with a fond smile.
Mariana chuckled softly, the sound light and carefree, echoing softly in the night. "Yeah, and look at us now. We've come a long way," she said, her eyes shining with memories.
We continued to reminisce, talking about our shared adventures and the bond that had grown between us. Each story brought laughter and a sense of warmth that only deepened our connection. The blunt passed back and forth, our words mingling with the smoke that drifted around us, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and trust.
"Thanks for today, Shiro," Mariana said after a while, her eyes reflecting the sincerity of her words. "I needed this."
I reached out, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Anytime, Hermosa. You know I'm always here for you," I said softly, my gaze unwavering.
Mariana's eyes softened, and she leaned in, placing a gentle kiss on my lips. "Buenas noches, mi armor~," she whispered, her breath warm against my skin.
I smiled, returning the kiss with equal tenderness. "Buenas noches, Hermosa. Sleep well," I replied, my voice filled with affection.
As Mariana headed inside, I stayed on the porch for a few moments longer, savoring the peacefulness of the night. The taste of their shared blunt lingered on his lips, and the warmth of their connection filled his heart.
"We did good today. No rival gangs. No police. No nothing really except for good memories," I chuckled softly, looking at Lust-E.
"Only one more girl and we would've unlocked every girl from this arc. We're moving quite wonderfully~" Lust-E replied, looking up at the night sky.
"Any idea what we shall do tomorrow? What are your suggestions?" I asked.
"How about we take tomorrow...to head back to Destiny Central? It's been some time since we left. I'm sure the girls whoever's free would be dying to see you, plus Ui also goes there nearly every weekend," Lust-E answered.
I nodded my head then stood up slowly. "Gotcha~ All plans ready and steady."
I took one last deep breath of the cool night air before turning to go inside, feeling grateful for the bond we all shared and the adventures that lay ahead.
[New Woman Registered!]
[Information Acquired.]
Name: Wendy Gray
Age: 24
Birthday: October 18th
Height: 5 Feet 7 Inches
Weight: 123 lbs
Nationality: American
Status: Ally
Bond: 10%
Title: Windy Princess
Occupation: Mafia Member
Most Desirable Trait(s): Talent, Charm, Empathy, Passion, Ambition
Least Desirable Trait(s): No Drive, No Ambition, No Goals
Libido: Normal
Favorite Gifts: Martial Arts gifts, Flowers, Training gear.
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recebido Status de energia semanal
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