"Excellent!"
Amid the chaotic yet lethal barrage crashing toward him, King—encased within the Golden Armored Giant—felt an electric thrill flash across his eyes.
Instead of crushing the Great Snake with his perfected Violent Heart Liberation Fist, he pushed *Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist* to its highest expression.
Every parry, every deflection, every collision of the armored titan's limbs allowed him to greedily absorb and analyze the essence of each unfamiliar technique the Great Snake unleashed.
*Ding! Host has observed 'Whirlwind Iron Slash Fist' and seems to have gained insight (1/3)!*
…
*Ding! Congratulations! 'Whirlwind Iron Slash Fist' acquired (Beginner)!*
…
*Deterrence Points - 30000! 'Whirlwind Iron Slash Fist' elevated to Mastered!*
*Ding! Host has observed 'Nether Body Tremor Tiger Fist' (1/3)!*
…
*Skill acquired (Beginner)!*
…
*Deterrence Points - 30000! Elevated to Mastered!*
*Ding! Host has observed 'Blast Qi Sky Splitting Fist' (1/3)!*
…
*Skill acquired (Beginner)!*
…
*Deterrence Points - 30000! Elevated to Mastered!*
---
In just three minutes, King had already stolen and mastered seven top-tier martial arts.
He didn't hesitate—Deterrence Points burned like fuel as he instantly pushed each new fist technique to the Mastered realm.
Across the battlefield, the Great Snake's confidence shattered.
Every stance, every strike, every hidden trump card he revealed—King duplicated moments later, executing each one better than its original wielder.
Desperation gnawed at the monster.
And then—
a new system prompt appeared.
**Ding! Host has mastered multiple Mastered-level fist techniques
(Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist, Violent Heart Liberation Fist, Whirlwind Iron Slash Fist, Nether Body Tremor Tiger Fist…)**
**'Martial Arts True Meaning' fusion available!
Fuse now?**
Fusion will activate all martial arts origins within Host.
Host will enter an Enlightenment state, unable to move.
Success will evolve all fist techniques into the 'Godly' realm!*
---
"Martial Arts True Meaning… Godly realm…"
King's heartbeat stirred.
This was the bottleneck he had sought endlessly—
and now the path stood open.
He laughed softly.
There are no useless opponents.
Only martial artists who can't recognize value.
Even if the Great Snake couldn't push his limiter, this breakthrough in martial arts was a gift.
King halted abruptly, sent a quick message to Saitama, then commanded:
"System, fuse."
---
*Fusion initiated! Estimated time: 37 seconds.*
---
"You… what are you doing?!"
The Great Snake felt a primal terror erupt inside it.
All its snake heads glowed with scarlet malice.
"*DIE!!*"
King merely closed his eyes.
The crimson-gold aura around him collapsed inward, compressing into a pulsating cocoon of light on his chest.
A strange, resonant hum pulsed outward—no longer martial, but something beyond the mortal spectrum.
Just as the Great Snake's attack landed—
*Bang.*
Saitama appeared in front of King, flicking the attack aside like dust.
"Hey. Can't you see he's busy?"
"BALDY! YOU—"
The insult never finished.
Saitama's *Serious Punch* vaporized the Great Snake's head instantly.
Its massive form sagged, convulsing as its flesh tried to regenerate.
"I told you," Saitama muttered irritably, "calling me baldy is what I hate the most."
He glanced at the writhing mess attempting to reform.
He almost threw another punch—but remembered this was King's opponent.
With an annoyed huff, he stepped back.
---
*Thirty-seven seconds passed.*
King opened his eyes.
The light cocoon dissolved into a stream of radiance and sank into his heart.
He raised his right hand.
A simple straight punch made the entire cavern shudder.
---
**Fusion complete!
New skill acquired: Universe Starburst Fist (Godly · First Tier)**
*Effect One:* Essence of all martial arts condensed into one punch; each strike detonates like a starburst.
*…*
*Effect Nine:* Evolves infinitely with the Host.
---
"Thanks," King murmured softly toward the Great Snake's corpse.
He didn't strike again.
No point.
The opponent who could truly push him—the one whose awakening shook the air itself—
was coming alive.
---
*Darkness.*
So thick it felt tangible.
Garou drifted in a dense, viscous void. He couldn't feel limbs, bones—anything.
Only a deep, rumbling heartbeat echoed in the darkness.
Not his own.
Something far greater.
Something monstrous.
"Am I… dead? Is this the underworld…?"
Memories scattered like leaves in a storm.
The last clear one: the bald man's casual palm strike—
then nothing.
Suddenly, a force pulled him downward—
into memories not his own.
---
"This is the profound meaning of Mountain Crushing Hundred Raging Fists…"
The white-haired elder's arms sliced through the air like twin blades, the wind screaming around them.
"Guide power with qi… shape form with force…"
Garou's eyes stayed unblinking.
Every movement was etched into his mind.
Garou watched the memory unfold—one he had tried so many times to bury.
This was the *seventh* martial arts dojo he had infiltrated that month.
Every time he slipped in like a thief.
Every time he fled in humiliation after learning only scraps of a technique.
Tonight was no different.
"This is the profound meaning of the Mountain-Crushing Hundred Raging Fists…"
The white-haired elder's arms sliced through the air, each swing sharp enough to whistle.
"Guide qi to command strength. Shape your form with power…"
Garou clung to the rafters above, eyes wide, absorbing every detail with desperate hunger.
Just one more minute—just one more—
"Who's there?!"
The elder's sudden shout sent a chill down Garou's spine.
His gaze shot upward like lightning.
Garou froze—then saw the old man ease back into the demonstration.
A bluff.
Garou exhaled in relief.
Whack!
Pain exploded in his knuckles.
The wooden stick struck his fingers mercilessly, and Garou lost his grip—
falling three meters straight to the ground.
"It's you again, brat!"
A burly disciple loomed over him, wooden stick raised, fury written all over his face.
"This is the *third* time!"
Garou curled up, shielding his head and vitals.
The stick came down.
Then fists.
Then kicks.
A rain of blows hammered him, but he clenched his teeth and refused to make a sound.
Until—
"Stop."
The pain halted all at once.
Through his arms, Garou saw a pair of worn cloth shoes step in front of him.
"Why are you secretly learning?"
The voice was gentle… yet carried undeniable authority.
Garou looked up at the thin old man with the handlebar mustache.
He spat blood onto the floor.
"Because no one would teach me."
Bang raised an eyebrow.
"What's your name?"
"Garou."
The boy lifted his head with stubborn defiance.
"I want to become the strongest martial artist… and defeat all heroes."
Mocking laughter rippled through the dojo.
But Bang did not laugh.
Instead, he reached out a hand and pulled the battered boy to his feet.
"From today onward," Bang said, "you are my disciple."
Memories accelerated, flashing like scenes in a lantern show.
Garou at fifteen, standing on the sparring platform—
his Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist sending the chief senior disciple flying out of bounds.
Applause sounded. Sparse. Hesitant.
But the whispers spread more loudly:
"The chief senior lost?!"
"He's just a street rat…"
Garou stepped off the stage with an unreadable face.
Bang rested a hand on his shoulder, eyes warm with pride.
"Your talent," he said, "is the finest I have ever seen."
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