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Part 8 

---The first strike was to inflict a fatal wound that aimed for his vitals. 

---The second strike was one that was inflicted on the back of the head with the intention to kill him. 

---The third strike went way off and was dodged by the opponent. 

[……This lad……actually managed to survive my three strikes! And it would seem that he's already able to follow my moves…!] 

The surface of the sea churned as Saurian Demon King pulled back to avoid the counterattack. 

But what he was interested in was the degree of toughness of Izayoi's body. 

A submarine volcano was formed by the hot magma that spewed from a fissure in the Earth's crust and having practiced the spiritual arts there for thousands of years, Saurian Demon King was able to obtain qualities that could be seen in his Soul, Technique and Toughness of his body. Though losing to Roc Demon King of the Garuda lineage in terms of demonic arts, he was on par with Bull Demon King or Handsome Monkey King in terms of Toughness. Amongst all the obtainable spirit levels from practicing spiritual arts, it could be counted as one of the highest. 

And since it is the spirit level of a thousand mountains and a thousand seas, the punch of Saurian Demon King was equivalent to the condensation of the breath of a star that built the earth from the sea. 

If it were thrown at a normal human, the opponent would have his organs obliterated. 

[Could it be that this lad also underwent a thousand years of Spiritual Arts training?] 

He immediately dismissed that suspicion of his for he couldn't feel any trace of martial arts or training through years of patience from the punches that the lad threw at him. Those punches didn't have a pattern and was rough in its movement and was evident enough that he had always fought with his raw talent alone till now. 

---Saurian Demon King continued to ponder and observe, trying to guess how the enemy before him came into existence. 

[The smell of him is undoubtedly human……but his battle style with such excess movements just shows that he has never fought an opponent that was on par with him during his years of development. Could it be that this lad was just summoned over from another world?] 

Just by three moves, he deduced the background of his opponent. This level of resourcefulness also made him come in third place in the ranking of the Seven Demon Kings. However, his deduction still had a flaw. 

[But if he's human, how would he get this kind of body……No. It's not only for humans. There shouldn't be any living thing in the world that is born with that kind of toughness---] 

No. To be accurate, there was just one person. She was born with a power that allowed her to stand against a whole army of demigods, deities and gods alone, which could also be described as the deviation of nature's with her numerous talents. 

Saurian Demon King was reminded of the only other who had similar qualities. 

[……similar body type as Handsome Monkey God Onee-san?] 

Hitting upon that possibility, Saurian Demon King's mind blanked out. 

However, Izayoi did not miss that opening as he rushed straight up on the Saurian Demon King and landed an uppercut in the centre of Saurian Demon King's chest with the intention of opening a tunnel through it. Saurian Demon King who had dropped his defenses out of carelessness felt a wave of nausea rolling up in him but immediately used his palm to smash into Izayoi's face to make him back off. Having some of Izayoi's blood smeared on his hand, Saurian Demon King decided to smear it on his inner clothes discreetly to keep a sample. 

[…… Though I really doubt it, but if it's similar to my Onee-san, the real identity of this lad would be……!] 

"Tch! Aren't you quite tough?! What did you train to become like that?" 

On the contrary, Izayoi seemed to be very happy as though he found a new partner to play with as he got back up onto his feet. 

His face was grazed and blood was seeping into his eye, making his vision seem red at the corners. His ribs having been struck by Kouryuu on the chest had hairline fractures while the impact to the back of his head had left him a little confused. 

It was obvious that he was in a very bad state but his heart was freer than before. 

[…Hng! Crap! This is really interesting.] 

This wasn't a fight anymore. The Demon Lord before him had a much tougher defense than Izayoi. How was he going to try overcome an opponent that was a level higher than him? 

And thinking to that point was what Izayoi felt so excited that he couldn't keep it from his facial expressions. 

[Nn……The world of Little Garden sure is wide. Even for this kind of fellow, he's only the third in rank of his group…] 

He had always felt this kind of feeling when he was up against Percher, the huge dragon and currently the Saurian Demon King before him. 

To challenge the impossible……and using one's own flame of life to burn through the obstacles with sheer hard work. That was what Izayoi felt was the most respectable and interesting act in life. 

[Though I would win if I can make him fall into the water……but looking at it, it wouldn't be possible for me to do it alone.] 

Moreover, to fight [Great Sage who Devastate Seas] on the sea was just what it seemed like: a battle in his own most accustomed territory. 

Up till now, he had only used his physical strength. What happens if he really controlled the sea again as his weapon? The thought sent shivers of excitement though Izayoi's body. 

"……You seem to be having fun huh? Lad." 

He seemed to have unknowingly smiled as well. 

Izayoi wiped off the trickle of blood at his mouth before retorting: 

"Aren't you the same? Having fun in the moment. And to think that the smile you had at the start was a fake one unlike the one you have on your face now." 

"……Really? I look like I'm enjoying myself?" Saurian Demon King mumbled to himself. 

The lad was right. The strikes that gave onlookers the Goosebumps, the ignition of their minds to enable faster thought processes, analyzing their opponent's next moves and trading blows. The true essence of Gift Games is the gamble where one is required to give his all to have a chance at winning. It was a game that could only be truly enjoyed by people who reached the realm of Gods or Demon Lords. 

Needless to say, when two strong people get to trade punches with each other, it would be the greatest delight of their life. 

"……" 

Just that he, Saurian Demon King had forgotten the previous game that he last participated in. 

Fighting with strong opponents, was a thing of the past. 

Arriving in Little Garden and proclaiming to be a Demon King as he rushed towards his goal that he had set as high as the Heavens above. 

Thirsting for the emotions that he had during those days, Kouryuu had wanted to meet [Great Sage Equalling Heavens] once more…but in the end, his chest was gradually heating up again at this moment. 

And this realization caused Saurian Demon King to feel angry with himself. 

[…What stupidity. Am I just a man who doesn't have my own principles?] 

He had always thought that only the one whom he respected with all his heart would be able to relight this flame within him. But were all those special memories, ambitions and time spent on reminiscing the good old days just a dream that didn't really exist in the first place? 

His thirst was so shallow that it could be so easily quenched by a fight? 

Saurian Demon King continued to ask himself rhetorical questions which he knew the answer for himself. All it needed was just a little spark to set the withered floating log ablaze? 

Just as he was getting depressed by his attitude in life thus far--- 

Izayoi did a direct confrontation again and mercilessly struck the chest of Saurian Demon King directly at the heart. 

"Ku…." 

A follow-up came soon after. And the third blow to the chest finally caused Saurian Demon King's body to be jolted. Noting that his opponent was already bending forward, Izayoi launched his fourth consecutive strike towards that body. 

But his uppercut hit the air. 


Rapidly readjusting his stance after backing away, Saurian Demon King roared in rage: 

"Lad! You sure don't let up on your strikes huh?" 

"Of course! It's still in the midst of the game and you already start showing that dull expression! Stop belittling others!" 

Both of them spun a roundhouse kick at each other at the same time. Izayoi's stance was in favor and it allowed him to repress that of Saurian Demon King's before he started on the follow-up attacks. 

Zipping through the sea waves and smashing boulders that were unfortunate to be in the way of their fight, they traded death blows with each other and it soon became an inseparable close-quarter combat. 

"Come to think about it, your talent is really impressive! With your level of talent, it wouldn't be surprising if you were recruited over to the higher echelons of Little Garden." 

"Ha! I've not stooped that low to betray me and my people! Moreover, I've promised that as long as a Demon Lord appears, I will be the first to stand at the front lines before everyone else!---Yes! That's right! I have the biggest obligation to stand in front of the forefront of the battle lines!" 

Hearing Izayoi's shout while they were still fighting, Saurian Demon King was reminded of the shadow of that certain person's back. 

---To protect her blood-sworn brothers and sisters--- The back of the one who stepped back onto the battlefield to fight till the end. 

"…Aah… Damn it! Showing your strength, courage and resourcefulness to your opponent like that!" 

Without a trace of shyness or fear and rebuking harshly when it is for her comrades. That shadow was brighter than anything else to his eye. 

Wiping off another trickle of blood from his lips, Izayoi laughed in merriment now. 

"If you envy it, then learn from it! Unless you want to tell me that you plan to bring this kind of face to see [Great Sage Equalling Heavens]?!" 

Kouryuu was momentarily stumped for words. Seizing the chance of such an obvious opening, Izayoi swung at fist to strike his waist. 

Kouryuu almost fell to the bottom of the cliff if not for his quick recovery of his wits that allowed him to stand on the cliff wall some miles down from the fall. 

However, his eye continued to stare blankly due to his shock. 

"Could…Could it be that you've heard it from Shiroyasha…" 

"Stop talking rot. It's just that I can't think up of any other reason that would cause you to recover your domineering spirit for this event……But wow! You really are going to meet [Great Sage Equalling Heavens]? That's so unfair! I would want to tag along too! If not for that guy who got injured……" 

Izayoi seemed to be trembling in anger for some unknown reason. 

But he soon sorted out his feelings and looked at Saurian Demon King with contempt. 

"I will say this in advance. If I had such a useless brother who is thick skinned enough to show up before me, I will be sure to send him flying. And if he happen to be a person who becomes a recluse who hides from the world, I would double the punishment!" 

"……" 

"So before that, you better start washing your face clean! Right here, Right now before you leave! Let this fight be so heated that it burns all the way to your brains and fry it till most of the synapses are dead. For that is the only way you can explain to your onee-san the reason for being unable to say much about your life before this!" 

*Pak!* Izayoi punched his fist into his open palm to urge Kouryuu to resume the fight. 

His eyes burned with the impatient desire of a lad wanting to test the limits of his power. 

"……Nn. Lad. You are quite an interesting one." 

And his words couldn't ring truer. 

It's been a long time since he parted with his sworn [elder] sister and during that period of time, [Great Sage Equalling Heavens] had also fought for the human realm, raising achievements, making her name known as word spread about her great cause of helping others. 

Kouryuu also had his dreams and ambitions in the past. 

Raising the flag that had the same name as his title, he had took on the ambition of becoming the great sage who overturns the seas.[80] 

But, if he allowed her to see his dejected self who had nothing much to talk about for the many years between……he wouldn't put it pass her to throw him into the Sanzu River……No, that was still quite interesting in a way as well.[81] 

It's just that the strong opponent before him would not give up so easily. 

"----Let's fight to our hearts content! Saurian Demon King! And it about time for you to get serious." 

"Cut the crap. Aren't you holding back your trump card as well? Why aren't you using it?" 

Having the similar question shot back in his direction caused Izayoi to feel awkward for a moment and he scratched his head. 

"…I'm not trying to hide it on purpose. It's just that if I ever use that move, I won't be able to control it enough to let you survive the hit. Hence in a game that does not place our lives as the bet, it would be very unfair to use that trump card." 

"After all, the rules did say to forbid killing." Izayoi added after a pause. 

His words and actions made him seem so honest and pure that it seemed quite funny. 

[Not abhorring the act of killing each other but not engaging in it when the situation does not call for it?] 

To respect a fight and at the same time to respect life. Even Izayoi's soul shone with the same nostalgic radiance as a certain someone. However, by his current level of strength alone…...he would be crushed under foot by a stronger Demon Lord sooner or later. 

Just like his sworn [younger][82] brothers that have long turned to ash. 

Assessing and sorting out his thoughts, Kouryuu seemed to come to a decision as he raised his head. 

"…Let's just stop here." 

"What?" 

"Judge! I forfeit my participation! [Great sage who Devastate Seas] hereby request to withdraw from the game!" 

His voice travelled to Kuro Usagi's ears and the Participating contract that was signed by Kouryuu soundlessly burnt up. 

Having won by default, Izayoi's lips were twitching and he stared angrily at Saurian Demon King. 

"Hey, you crappy snake…what the hell did you mean by that?" 

"Let's put aside this battle for now. Our fight has already deviated from the focus of this game anyways. It wouldn't matter who won, nor would it be interesting. So I would like to postpone this battle to another time we meet in a game." 

Kouryuu gave his suspicious smile before turning his back on Izayoi. 

But Izayoi's questions had not ended. 

"…Then the matter about going to see [Great Sage Equalling Heavens] is also to be left like that?" 

"Hey wait now…. Wasn't it you who said it? If I had gone to meet her with this look now……I would be a disappointment for her right?" 

To meet the person he respected with his head held high. 

Having found the answer to his own road, Kouryuu stood at the top of the waterfall ledge. 

 

"Bye lad. Let's meet next time…. With me using the [Authority of the Host Master] to be your opponent." 

Kouryuu gave a smile as he leapt from the waterfall's ledge. 

The domineering spirit fully restored, it was the first time that Kouryuu looked more alive and refreshed in many hundred years. 



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