The battle had begun.
The master was fighting toe to toe with the monster, and little by little, he was becoming faster and stronger than it.
The monster realized that the one standing before it was no ordinary human.
It stepped back several paces, cold sweat trickling down its body.
Fear had begun to consume it, but its pride as a powerful monster would not allow it to flee.
A pride that would ultimately lead to its destruction.
"Haha… it seems this really is a battle of life and death."
The monster, standing several steps away from the master while steadying its breathing, spoke.
After hearing those words, the master looked at the monster and replied coldly,
"Don't be mistaken. The outcome of this battle was decided long ago.
You will die right here."
Hearing this, the monster grew even more enraged, its pride deeply wounded.
It clenched its fists tightly and bit down on its lip.
*His words aren't entirely wrong.
If this continues, I will almost certainly die.
I need to find a way…*
The monster lowered its guard, stared directly at the master, and said,
"You leave me no other choice."
The ground around them trembled violently.
Suddenly, a terrifying aura began to erupt slowly from the monster's body—an aura so dark it seemed to devour even the light itself.
It had entered its ultimate form.
A state that only high-ranking monsters were capable of reaching.
The dark aura enveloped the monster completely, hardening around its body like black glass, as though it might shatter at any moment.
After several seconds, cracks began to spread across the glass.
Then, slowly, it shattered.
(Immortal Death Form)
The monster now had two massive horns, long flowing hair, and a body nearly humanoid in shape.
Its claws resembled those of a dragon, and its legs were similarly draconic.
Its eyes were pitch black, and a dark aura continuously swirled around its body.
It looked at the master and said,
"Be proud.
After centuries, you are the first to witness this form of a monster…
and most likely, the last."
*This is the final and ultimate form of a monster.
After using it, I will die due to the violent energy backlash.
That means I must pour every last drop of power into killing him.
If this human survives and uses this power against other monsters,
the casualties will be unimaginable.
So I must end it here.*
The monster assumed a combat stance, clenched its fist, and dark energy began dripping from its hand onto the ground.
"Come."
The master, having seen this form, grew slightly more serious.
It seemed he was finally willing to fight properly.
In an instant, the monster charged forward at unbelievable speed.
A devastating punch slammed into the master's abdomen, launching him several dozen meters backward.
The monster rushed after him, refusing to give him time to recover.
However, the master had already grasped its speed and evaded effortlessly.
Even so, the monster managed to land several clean blows.
"How does it feel?
Taste the true power of a monster!"
It laughed loudly as it attacked relentlessly.
"Tch… looks like you're still weak."
The master said indifferently, standing perfectly still.
Those words drove the monster into a frenzy.
It abandoned all technique and relied solely on the destructive power of its fists.
But something was different.
A massive aura began to surge from the master's body.
The monster was instantly pinned in place, unable to move.
Overwhelmed by the pressure, it dropped to its knees.
"Guh… what's happening?
Why can't I move?!"
The master slowly walked toward it.
"Proud beings who always believe they will win…
yet never know when to surrender."
"Guh…"
At that moment, the monster finally realized—
it didn't even have the slightest chance against him.
Fear overtook it completely, and its body began trembling uncontrollably.
"Why… why is my body shaking?
What is this feeling?
I've never felt this before…
Th-this…
This…
Fear!!!"
"P-please… forgive me…"
"F-forgive me…"
It believed that begging might save its life.
But in the next instant, its head fell to the ground.
The master spoke coldly,
"There is no forgiveness for those who do not know their limits."
The monster turned into ash, and the wind scattered it in all directions.
After seeing how easily the monster had been defeated, the master let out a quiet sigh.
"Haa… that ended quicker than I expected.
Time to return to Ryu…"
The master began walking calmly toward the city…
End of Chapter 14