BOOOOM!!!
Their colliding energy created a shockwave far greater than before. The already destroyed arena floor was now lifted into the air, floating without gravity due to the pressure of their clashing power.
Fortis: "HUAAAAA!!! TASTE THIS! ULTIMATE MUSCLE BUSTER!"
Fortis's punch this time wasn't just physical. The air around his fist condensed until it looked like a giant air cannon ready to shatter mountains.
Steve didn't dodge. Instead, he charged forward, breaking through the wind pressure.
Unknown: (Use your legs, idiot. Don't just rely on your hands!)
Steve: (Shut up, I know!)
Steve: "Hah!!"
Steve slid beneath Fortis's giant fist, then with an acrobatic move, he kicked Fortis's chin with his heel, which was already coated in a pitch-black aura.
WHACK!!!
Fortis's head jerked back, but the muscular man didn't fall. Instead, he grinned widely, his eyes bulging wildly.
Fortis: "THERE IT IS!!!"
With his neck still craned back, Fortis caught Steve's leg.
Steve: "Eh?"
Fortis: "GOTCHA, BITCH!!"
BAM! BAM! BAM!
Fortis slammed Steve's body back and forth against the arena floor like a rag doll. The floor cracked severely every time Steve's body hit the surface.
Fortis: "WEAK! LOOKS LIKE YOU DON'T EAT ENOUGH! THAT'S WHY YOUR BODY IS SO LIGHT!"
Fortis threw Steve into the air, then he jumped high, clasping both fists above his head.
Fortis: "GIGANTIC HAMMER SMASH!!"
Fortis plummeted down, intending to smash the airborne Steve until he was flattened against the ground.
In mid-air, Steve, who previously looked resigned, suddenly opened his eyes. Bursting with overflowing black aura.
Steve: "Who... are you calling weak?"
Steve aimed his palm at the falling Fortis.
Steve: "Unknown Technique:black Energy Hold Fist!"
BOOOOM!!!
Fortis was bounced back upwards.
Fortis: "WHAT?! HOW COULD MY MUSCLES BE REPELLED?!"
Steve landed smoothly on the ground. He looked up at Fortis, who was still floating confusedly in the air. Steve bent his knees slightly.
Steve: "That's enough."
SWOSH!
Steve vanished.
The next second, he was right behind Fortis in mid-air.
Fortis: (So fast! My eyes couldn't even follow him!)
Steve: "Go to sleep."
Steve placed his hand on the back of Fortis's neck. No big explosion, no shouted technique name. Just a silent but deadly release of pure black energy.
ZZZTTT!
Fortis's eyes rolled back to white. His consciousness was forcibly cut off by Steve's energy flow.
THUD.
Fortis's giant body fell freely into the arena, kicking up thick dust upon landing. He was completely out cold.
Silence.
Gens adjusted his glasses, slightly askew from the wind of the battle. Pulchra was still catching her breath at the edge of the arena, staring at Steve in disbelief.
Kregk: (Slow clap)
Clap... clap... clap...
Kregk: "Magnificent."
Steve landed softly beside Fortis's loudly snoring body. The black aura on his body slowly faded, returning to Steve's usual appearance.
Steve: "Sigh... For an A-Rank, he's really strong. That was tiring."
Kregk walked closer, stepping over the debris of the shattered arena.
Kregk: "Steve, you managed to defeat our three best A-Rank Hunters. Fortis, Pulchra, and Gens..."
Steve: "Well, they were great."
Suddenly, Fortis, who had fainted earlier, woke up.
Everyone was startled.
Fortis looked left and right, then saw Steve. He immediately stood up and wrapped his massive arm around Steve's neck.
Fortis: "BWAHAHAHA! YOU'RE SO STRONG, STEVE! What move was that?!"
Kregk smiled seeing the interaction.
Kregk: "Alright. With this, the test is over. Steve, officially welcome to The Great Hunter."
Kregk took out a gold badge with a circular dragon engraving.
Steve: "Is the pay big?"
Kregk laughed. "Very big. But, the responsibility is also big. Since you happen to be here already... there is one mission I want to give you."
The atmosphere suddenly turned serious.
Steve: "What mission?"
Kregk pointed to a holographic world map that appeared in the center of the room. There was a blinking red dot in an isolated rocky mountain area.
Kregk: "We detected an energy anomaly there. Not a regular monster, nor a human. The energy is similar to... when you used your black power earlier."
Steve: !
Unknown: (Hmm?)
Steve: "Similar to my power?"
Kregk: "Correct. We call it 'Zone Zero'.
Whoever enters there never returns. Do you want to take it?"
Steve looked at Unknown (in his mind).
Unknown: (Take it. I'm curious.)
Steve grinned.
Steve: "Okay, Kregk. I'll take the mission."