Divinity

He’s okay?!

I totally thought the fight was over…

“You look surprised, Alex.” – Shin

“…” – Alex

“Obviously the fight wouldn’t end in just a single hit. How embarrassing would it be to call yourself a hunter, then go down in a single hit? No way.” – Shin

“Are you dumb?” – Lily

“What?” – Shin

“A fight isn’t about ‘not letting someone knock you down’ or whatever. It’s a brutal situation where nothing but the skills of the combatant’s matter.” – Lily

“Yeah, but come on… Why fight publicly like that, if you’re weak?” – Shin

“You don’t think it’s possible that he was just cocky? I mean, look at his body. You don’t get like that without putting in an insane amount of effort, specifically training your muscles. We both know that muscles are worthless.” – Lily

“Look, all I’m saying is that clearly, he was strong enough to survive that hit. So, I was right.” – Shin

“Sure, the outcome was correct, but your reasoning was flawed! It could have very well been the opposite.” – Lily

“Maybe so, but… Nah… This isn’t a matter of reason. I can feel it… There is just… Something about him…” – Shin

“’Something about him’? What is that even supposed to mean?” – Lily

“I don’t know… All I know is, he’s not your average hunter…” – Shin

The hunter slowly walks back into middle of the arena.

“I was worried for a second there… If hunters can’t even put a scratch on me, then who can?” – Champion

“I won’t put any scratches on you either.” – Hunter

“Yeah, I figured. You’re just like the rest of them.” – Champion

“Only being able to scratch someone is a sign of weakness. My muscles will tear right through your pathetic body.” – Hunter

“Hahahaha!” – Champion

The champion rushes up to him again and throws another punch.

Just like last time, the hunter doesn’t even attempt to defend.

He just stands there…

The gladiator continues to strike him over and over and over again…

He doesn’t budge…

His punches aren’t weak either…

I don’t think I’d be able to take a barrage of hits like that head-on without being seriously injured…

“What the hell?” – Champion

“These muscles will not submit to a mere human.” – Hunter

He lifts his arm for the first time, and closes his fist…

Just the force of him closing his fist was enough to make a shockwave strong enough to make my hair blow in the wind.

The champion looks visibly scared and tries to jump back.

Before he’s able to get away, the monstrous hunter grabs his throat.

“Not so fast.” – Hunter

The champion’s look…

It’s exactly what the other gladiators looked like when they were about be eaten by lions…

It’s sheer terror!

The hunter lifts the gladiator up high, still holding him by his throat.

He can’t breathe!

He’s trying his best to get free, but his grip is too strong.

There is nothing he can do…

“What is going on here?! The undefeated gladiator himself is in a tight spot!!!! Will he be able to get out?!” – Announcer

The hunter prepares his strike, then…

He’s not human…

In a single, POWERFUL punch…

His fist pierces right through the champion’s body.

“I knew it…” – Shin

“Huh?” – Lily

“I figured it out.” – Shin

“Figured out what?” – Lily

“…” – Shin

“Oh my god… Can you just say it??? Stop sitting there acting like some sage who just discovered the meaning of life, and just spit it out already!” – Lily

“…” – Shin

Shin was clearly taken back by that comment.

I can’t say I disagree though…

I also want to know what he figured out.

“AND THE FIGHT IS OVEEEEEER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE UNDEFEATED CHAMPION HAS BEEN DEFEATED!!!! It turns out that hunters truly are at the top of the food chain after all! With the power of the universe, Divinity, he has defeated the one who stood atop all else!” – Announcer

“It’s his muscles…” – Shin

“Muscles?” – Alex

The hunter jumps up to the place where the announcer is sitting and grabs his microphone.

“Don’t be mistaken. I am not borrowing anyone’s power. Whether it be allies or the universe itself, I will not accept it. True power can only come from within… Divinity isn’t TRUE power.” – Hunter

What is he talking about?

Divinity is the source of all hunter’s power, including his…

Right…?

“I rely on MY strength and MY strength alone. So don’t compare me to anyone who relies on mere party tricks like Divinity manipulation.” – Hunter

“His power doesn’t come from BDM, it’s his muscles…” – Shin

“But… That’s impossible…” – Alex

“I didn’t want to believe it myself at first either. But it’s undeniable. I can’t sense him using any Divinity to strengthen himself.” – Shin

“So that explains why his muscles are like that…” – Lily

“Right. I’m sure we were all thinking the same thing; he was either weak due to not focusing on BDM, or incredibly strong due to being an SDM user. But it appears there was a third option that none of us considered.” – Shin

“His muscles are the source of his power…” – Alex

“But… That can’t be true, right?” – Lily

“There are limits to how strong one can get by training your muscles… Yet, somehow it’s true.” – Shin

Me and Shin look at each other.

It clicked for the both of us at the same time.

“If there is a limit to how strong you can get with muscles…” – Alex

“Then that means he must have broken those limits…” – Shin

“I’m Kuro Velox, the man who will show the world what true strength is.” – Kuro