Chapter 31, Conclusion

Translator: Kazumi

Editor: Silavin

 

“Ahhh! Gianna’s big move finally connected! Is this the end of the match!? Or rather, is Cory okay?”

 

As Hosue’s announcement echoed through the arena, the audience held their breath and watched the venue with rapt attention.

 

The explosive flames and scorching winds that Gianna had unleashed displayed overwhelming power—the kind of attack that would normally leave spectators worrying about a fighter’s life rather than the continuation of the match. The magical blast sent dust billowing across the arena Floor, making it nearly impossible to see Cory at the center of the devastation.

 

The audience waited with bated breath for the dust to settle.

 

However, Gianna clicked her tongue in frustration and resumed her magical assault, ignoring the spectators entirely.

 

“You’re tougher than I expected,” she muttered, her attacks never ceasing. “I can’t believe you didn’t fall after taking that hit.”

 

When visibility finally improved enough to assess the situation, Cory could be seen neatly deflecting Gianna’s continued attacks. Despite being barely visible through the lingering effects of Gianna’s devastating opening move, she remained calm and composed, fending off each magical strike with apparent ease.

 

“You’re really tough, aren’t you…!?” Gianna snarled, unleashing spells that surpassed her previous attacks in both power and intensity.

 

Then, suddenly, she stopped.

 

A change had occurred in Cory—something that even Gianna’s experienced eye could detect despite the younger fighter’s calm demeanor.

 

…

 

“Finally, we can see the battle clearly from here. From what I can observe, Cory doesn’t seem to have sustained any serious damage!”

 

When Hosue made this announcement, Cory’s supporters erupted in relieved cheers, while those who had bet on Gianna cried out in frustration.

 

“Cory is incredibly resilient! No, more than resilient—it appears she managed to completely block that devastating attack. I don’t see any visible damage on her whatsoever. Gianna has clearly recognized this and escalated her offensive strategy, realizing that weaker attacks simply won’t work against her opponent.”

 

Until now, Gianna had been unleashing incredibly dense, powerful attacks. But after confirming that Cory had sustained no apparent damage, she pushed herself even further. She was now displaying the full extent of the skills that had earned her a place in Seichun Arena’s top five—attack power so formidable that even fighters ranked in the top twenty would struggle to defend against it.

 

Yet her opponent, Cory, continued to calmly block each assault as if it were routine training.

 

“Cory’s performance is outstanding!” Hosue said, his voice tinged with astonishment.

 

“Cory maintained a purely defensive stance, yet she doesn’t appear to have taken any damage whatsoever. Normally, a fighter wouldn’t be able to remain standing after receiving attacks like these.”

 

Even when Gianna had fought other top-five competitors in the past, those battles had followed predictable patterns. Her opponents either defended themselves with equally powerful magic before launching counterattacks, or wove offensive spells between her barrages to fight back. No one had ever faced Gianna’s magical onslaught head-on the way Cory was doing now.

 

Hosue’s astonishment was entirely justified.

 

When Gianna’s attacks suddenly ceased, the announcer’s voice carried a note of suspicion.

 

“Oh, what’s happening now? Surely she’s not exhausted already—is something wrong?”

 

The abrupt halt in combat sent a murmur through the crowd that transcended mere excitement. The entire arena seemed to sense that something significant was about to unfold.

 

…

 

There was indeed a reason for Gianna’s sudden pause.

 

She had noticed a subtle change in Cory, who until that moment had been handling the magical assault with serene composure. Though difficult to articulate precisely, Gianna’s battle-honed instincts had certainly detected something different about her opponent.

 

As if to confirm that her intuition was correct, Cory—who had remained silent throughout the exchange—finally spoke.

 

“I owe you an apology.”

 

“An apology?” Gianna couldn’t help but react with surprise to this unexpected statement.

 

“Yes. An apology… and my gratitude as well.”

 

“What are you trying to say?”

 

“It seems I was underestimating you. No—I should say I was underestimating all fighters.”

 

Gianna clicked her tongue at these words. Cory’s attitude had indeed seemed condescending from the start, as if she were looking down on her opponent. That was precisely why Gianna had been determined to overpower her with raw strength and teach her some humility. But if she were being honest, she was currently struggling to land any meaningful attacks.

 

The only reason she was engaging in this conversation was to buy time while planning her next offensive strategy.

 

However, Cory’s next words and actions completely derailed Gianna’s tactical thinking.

 

“Thanks to you, I’ve realized that Human-to-Human combat has its own unique value. As a sign of my gratitude, I’ll show you my true fighting style.”

 

After speaking these words, Cory closed her eyes briefly before fixing her gaze directly on Gianna.

 

“What…!?”

 

It was such a simple gesture, yet Gianna gasped audibly at the dramatic shift in Cory’s presence and aura. The reaction was entirely unconscious, and realizing this immediately, she clicked her tongue in annoyance at her own involuntary response.

 

“You’re certainly skilled at reading your opponents’ strength,” Cory observed calmly. “But that ability alone has its limitations.”

 

“What?” Gianna, hearing something completely unexpected, couldn’t help but ask for clarification.

 

“Your strength has undoubtedly been forged through countless arena battles, but I would recommend that you also seek combat experience against monsters.”

 

Cory paused deliberately before continuing.

 

“If you did, you would understand experiences like what I’m about to show you.”

 

Upon hearing these words, Gianna instinctively distanced herself from her opponent. She could feel that the power emanating from Cory had suddenly, inexplicably increased.

 

The audience noticed something strange as Gianna abruptly created space between herself and her opponent, but the atmosphere of the venue was completely irrelevant to what was happening between the two fighters.

 

From her new position, Gianna addressed Cory in a voice that trembled slightly—though she would never admit to such weakness.

 

“What’s happening? Why did you suddenly change so dramatically!?”

 

“Some monsters conceal their true strength and approach their prey while appearing vulnerable,” Cory explained with the same calm demeanor. “While there are Humans skilled at hiding their presence, this is an entirely different technique.”

 

Gianna stared at Cory with wide eyes as she spoke with such tranquil confidence. The fighter before her was now unmistakably stronger than she had been moments before, and the gap between their abilities was becoming painfully clear.

 

“Well then,” Cory said simply. “Let’s continue.”

 

With that declaration, she began moving toward Gianna.

 

The attack Cory employed was identical to her opening move, but the speed was completely different. Despite the greater distance Gianna had created between them, Cory approached at a velocity that far exceeded her initial demonstration.

 

Gianna immediately erected a defensive barrier, just as she had at the fight’s beginning, but it proved completely inadequate. Cory advanced without any sign of concern and made a cutting motion with her sword that sliced through the magical defense as if it were paper.

 

“Ha… haha.”

 

Seeing this display, Gianna could only laugh in resigned acceptance.

 

Cory had already breached the barrier and was approaching at incredible speed. Gianna could attempt to cast another spell, but she knew with absolute certainty that it would be useless. Still, she tried to demonstrate her resolve by beginning an incantation, but Cory deflected the magic effortlessly and moved her sword at a speed Gianna’s eyes couldn’t follow.

 

By the time Gianna realized what had happened, Cory’s blade rested gently against her throat.

 

If Cory had chosen not to stop, the match would have ended in death rather than defeat.

 

Gianna’s loss was absolute and undeniable.

 

After honestly acknowledging her defeat, a question suddenly occurred to Gianna.

 

“May I ask you something?”

 

“What is it?”

 

“How many restraints do you have on?”

 

Cory seemed genuinely puzzled by the question and hesitated before responding.

 

“I’ve never counted them, so I honestly don’t know.”

 

With that simple answer, Cory turned and left the arena.

 

Gianna remained where she stood, covering her face with her hands as she struggled to contain what might have been laughter—or something else entirely.