Chapter 10: Come to Think of It, We Did Promise a Mock Battle!
Kazuma had been diligently working on the Small Robot’s construction, but as it was dinnertime, he had to stop. He wanted to work a little longer, but Honoka-san had called for him, so he reluctantly decided to go home.
“Sorry. I have to go home now.”
“Is that so? That’s unfortunate. Just when things were getting exciting…”
“Let me know when it’s finished.”
“Understood. Please look forward to its completion.”
Unable to stay until the end, Kazuma left Kurashige Industries, his shoulders slumped in disappointment.
After using Teleportation to take Momoko-san home, Kazuma returned to Ivy, had dinner, took a bath, and went to bed.
◇◇◇◇
The New Year’s holiday was almost over.
Kazuma’s winter break assignments were all waived, so he wasn’t in a hurry and was leisurely indulging in sleep.
Then, his phone suddenly rang, and Kazuma opened his eyes.
“Ngh? Who’s it from?”
He picked up the phone he had placed by his pillow and checked who was calling.
The name displayed on the screen was Ema.
Wondering what it could be about, Kazuma answered the phone.
“Yes. Hello?”
“Hello, Kazuma-kun. Sorry to bother you while you’re resting, but I have a message for you.”
“A message? From whom?”
“It’s the Overlord. You promised him a mock battle during the international conference, right? The Overlord was asking about today.”
“Today?”
It was a sudden proposal, but Kazuma, having no particular plans, pretended to think for a few seconds before quickly replying.
“Understood. I’m free today, so there’s no problem.”
“Got it. Then, I’ll let him know from my end.”
“Please do.”
Hanging up the phone, Kazuma got out of bed.
Then, Kazuma went to the washroom, washed his face, brushed his teeth, fixed his hair, and returned to his room.
While he was changing into his casual clothes, his phone rang. Kazuma picked it up; it was from a number he didn’t recognize.
Normally, he would have ignored such a suspicious call, but since he had just heard from Ema-san about the Overlord, Kazuma was sure it was him and answered.
“Yes. Hello?”
“Hello, is this Satsuki Kazuma-kun’s phone?”
“Yes. It is.”
“I see. Then, let me introduce myself properly. I am Zhao Bairong.”
“A pleasure. I hear you want to have a mock battle today.”
“Yes. The matter from the other day has finally been settled. I’ve finally found some time. I’ll send you the coordinates for the location.”
“Understood. I’ll head over right away.”
“Sorry to rush you. To tell you the truth, I’ve been looking forward to this. I’ll be waiting with anticipation.”
“I’ll do my best to meet your expectations.”
“Hahahahahaha! For a man like the Crimson Knight, you say some amusing things. In that case, I shall also challenge you with the intent to learn.”
After the call with the cheerful Overlord ended, Kazuma informed Ema-san that he was heading to China for a mock battle.
Hearing about the mock battle from Kazuma, Ema-san sternly warned him not to do anything reckless.
Kazuma replied with a laugh, but Ema-san, worried whether he truly understood his words, could do nothing but pray.
Then, Kazuma went to Honoka-san and told her the same thing he had told Ema-san.
“Mom. I’m heading to China for a bit.”
“Oh. Bring me back a souvenir, okay?”
“Got it~. Take care of Sakura Hakanai for me.”
“Understood. Be careful and have a safe trip.”
After saying his goodbyes, Kazuma used Teleportation to go to the international conference hall where they had met before.
It seemed his arrival had been announced, as many Gifted were waiting for him.
Kazuma was surprised to be suddenly greeted by such a large number of Gifted, but he spotted a familiar face among them.
The other person seemed to notice Kazuma looking and stepped forward.
“Yo, long time no see, Crimson Knight~”
“Long time no see~, The Great Sage Equaling Heaven~”
“Kukuku… I’d like to have a go with you too, if possible, but the Old Man is eagerly waiting for you.”
“The coordinates have been sent to me, though?”
Kazuma showed the coordinates sent to his phone to The Great Sage Equaling Heaven, also known as Wangfu.
Wangfu looked at the coordinates Kazuma showed him and nodded in understanding.
“I see. If it’s there, then indeed, there shouldn’t be any problem even if the Old Man and you go wild.”
“Where is this place?”
“This is a place we use for training, but there’s nothing around. It’s just a vast wilderness and rocky mountains, with not a single person living there.”
“Huh~. In that case, it certainly seems like we can go all out without any issues.”
“Also, the reason we’re here is to observe your mock battle and ensure the safety of the surrounding area.”
“I see. What about rules and stuff?”
“The Old Man will tell you when you get there. We’re just here to guide you.”
“I can just fly there, so it’s fine, though~”
“Well, don’t say that. To tell you the truth, the Old Man is currently preparing.”
“Preparing? For what?”
“He wants to be in perfect condition to fight you, so he’s warming up. He’s also getting his equipment ready and checking if there are any problems.”
“It’s a mock battle, right? Is there really a need to go that far?”
“He thinks it’s fine to go all out against you~. That’s precisely why preparations are necessary.”
“Wow…”
Kazuma was grateful to be rated so highly, but since he had thought it would be a light spar, he didn’t know how to react.
For now, Kazuma decided he just had to do his best to meet expectations and lightly clenched and unclenched his fists.
“Well then, sorry to trouble you, but could you come with us?”
“Okay~”
Kazuma followed Wangfu and boarded a helicopter-like vehicle.
It was on autopilot, so there was no pilot, and only Kazuma and Wangfu were on board.
As for why it was only Wangfu, it was because the others were heading there separately.
To seal off the surrounding area and ensure safety, the other Gifted were going ahead.
Kazuma chatted idly with Wangfu as they headed towards their destination.
After continuing their journey through the sky for several tens of minutes, they reached their destination.
An alarm sounded, and Wangfu, noticing they had arrived, called out to Kazuma.
“Looks like we’ve arrived.”
“Oh, really? But we’re still in the sky?”
Kazuma pointed out to Wangfu that the view from the window was not of the ground.
Wangfu chuckled and ordered Kazuma to jump out.
“Jump out from here. The mock battle will probably start soon, so I’ll make a quick getaway in this thing.”
“Seriously…? Well, whatever.”
Saying that, Kazuma had Wangfu open the boarding hatch, said his farewells, and jumped.
“Thanks for everything up to here! I’m off!”
“Yeah. I’ll be watching from a safe distance!”
After confirming Kazuma had jumped, Wangfu quickly closed the hatch, operated the controls, and hurriedly left the area.
Kazuma, who had jumped, landed safely, and before him stood the Overlord in full gear, waiting.
“My apologies. Preparations took some time, and I’ve troubled you.”
“Not at all, Wangfu-san told me various interesting stories, so I didn’t feel like I was waiting long.”
“I see. I’ll have to thank Wangfu later.”
The Overlord and Kazuma shared a brief laugh.
A few seconds later, the Overlord stopped laughing, and Kazuma sensed the atmosphere change.
“Well then, shall we begin?”
“Anytime.”
Kazuma deployed his Powered Suit and entered a combat stance.
The moment the Overlord confirmed this, a ferocious smile appeared on his face, and he drew the two Guan Daos slung across his back.
“Let me say this first. I’ll be coming at you with everything I’ve got.”
“Forgive my rudeness, but come at me as if you’re prepared to die!”
Feeling the killing intent emanating from Kazuma, a shiver ran down the Overlord’s spine, and at the same time, he rejoiced.
What he had sought was right before his eyes.
The enemy he had longed for was right before him.
A tension he had experienced countless times.
A true fight to the death where one mistake could cost him his life.
Even though he understood it was a mock battle, the Overlord couldn’t hide it.
His own desire.
He hadn’t been waiting for a mere sweat-inducing match, but a death struggle brimming with tingling tension and exhilaration.
“Here I come!!!”
Using his Gifts of Body Enhancement and Multiplication to drastically boost his physical abilities, the Overlord kicked off the ground.
More than just denting it, he gouged out a large chunk of the earth, pulverizing it and kicking up a cloud of dust as he closed in on Kazuma.
“Kaaah!!!”
With a single, powerful cry, the Overlord swung down his Guan Dao.
It was a strike that an ordinary person wouldn’t even be able to see before being cut down and killed, but it didn’t work on Kazuma.
Kazuma slapped the flat of the approaching Guan Dao, shattering it, then leaped up and drove a knee kick into the Overlord’s abdomen.
“Gufoh!”
“I’ve seen plenty of your level.”
The Overlord dropped to both knees from the intense knee kick.
However, it wasn’t over yet.
He gritted his teeth so hard it felt like they would shatter and stood up.
“Huu… huu… My apologies. It seems I was complacent. May I ask for another round?”
“I don’t mind. I’ll keep you company until you’re satisfied.”
“I thank you.”
The Overlord, though taller and older than Kazuma, was paying him respect as a warrior, and bowed his head.