Turning back or running to the sides definitely wouldn't work; the opponent wasn't using some bulky thruster but was running on two legs, so turning was not an issue at all.
Moreover, this current method of movement was taking a greater toll on the body than expected; the legs could barely be lifted anymore.
Glancing at the snow-capped mountain and then at the charging Budo, Jean Stardust gritted its teeth and dove into the pile of jagged rocks ahead, preparing to make a gamble.
Budo also stopped in front of the rock pile, his blood-soaked legs rapidly healing.
"Not running anymore? I thought I could finish you quickly by controlling the direction of your movement, but you were much faster than I imagined." Budo said, without a hint of breathlessness, still using that deep voice.
"Tch, so the beginning was just to change my route. Unlike your honest appearance, you are quite cunning, General Budo." While retorting, Jean Stardust adjusted its breathing, trying to get into the best possible state.
"What are you planning to do now? Stalling for time until dawn? No need to bother; you will be dead before then."
"If you can do it, come and try."
Drawing the nichirin blade white wind, Jean Stardust compressed the airflow at the blade's tip as much as possible, while simultaneously launching all the throwing knives on its body to attack Budo.
Budo didn't dodge or evade; swathed in a massive amount of lightning, the throwing knives didn't even leave a dent on his armor.
Then, the wind elemental sphere at the blade's tip flew out, exploding just before its properties could be altered by the lightning. The resulting impact and loud noise completely shattered the tranquility of the night.
However, even though about a quarter of its elemental power had been infused, relying solely on the shockwave only made Budo take a step back, let alone causing any damage.
Fortunately, taking advantage of the loud noise to mask its movement, Jean Stardust took the opportunity to slash at Budo's head.
But just as the blade was swung, it was blocked by Budo's arm. The armor on his arm transmitted the lightning along the nichirin blade onto Jean Stardust, instantly making half of its body go numb.
Jean Stardust immediately activated the wind element on the blade, forming the same wind elemental sphere as before, and detonated it at close range. The resulting loud noise and impact used the force of the blast to launch itself away.
It thought this would create some distance, but with a single step from Budo, his figure disappeared from Jean Stardust's field of view, while a huge reactionary force left a large crater behind him.
Without needing to think, it knew this was aimed at it. Jean Stardust immediately held the nichirin blade in front of its body, assumed a defensive stance, and simultaneously used as much elemental power as possible to protect its vital points.
But the next instant, a massive force struck Jean Stardust's body. The power was so immense that it couldn't even tell where it had been hit.
A 'crack, crack' sound came from its body; some bones were likely fractured.
The only thing to be thankful for was that its consciousness was still clear; as long as it could think, it could continue to mobilize the wind element.
Using every ounce of strength, it condensed the same elemental sphere, estimated Budo's position, and detonated it, letting its body be blown away once more.
At the same time, a fourth elemental sphere began to accumulate. This used up almost all of its elemental power, leaving only a little for cushioning.
Trying as hard as possible to locate Budo, just before blood completely blurred its vision, it caught a glimpse of Budo at the edge of its field of view and decisively fired the elemental sphere in that direction.
This time, it didn't detonate it but left it condensed there.
Budo erupted with that astonishing power, charging straight up and colliding with the elemental sphere.
As a wind elemental sphere, its main composition, aside from elemental power, was high-density air. Budo colliding with it at that speed was no less than taking a cannonball to the face.
Even someone as strong as Budo stumbled in this situation, and then the elemental sphere, having received the same impact, exploded due to its unstable structure.
Prepared in advance, Jean Stardust used the last of its elemental power to protect its body, finally landing on the snow.
General Budo also stood on the spot, holding his head with his hand. It seemed that no matter how strong one was, the brain was still fragile; a direct heavy blow to the brain would still cause a concussion.
A moment later, Budo finally regained consciousness and saw Jean Stardust lying in the snow ahead, blood staining the white snow red, in a state of unknown life or death.
Then, shaking his head again, just as he was preparing to deliver the finishing blow, he saw Jean Stardust on the snow seemingly eat something, and then a green sphere several times larger than the previous ones appeared above its body, before directly exploding.
A large amount of wind blew chaotically in all directions; other than that loud noise making Budo's eardrums ache, there was no other effect.
"Is it over?"
This was what Budo said to the opponent who had been entangled with him for half the night, who had made a final struggle even while lying in a pool of blood.
However, just at this moment, a suddenly more intense rumbling came from above. Looking up, he saw a white curtain covering down from the sky.
At first, it looked only the size of a palm, but in an instant, it became earth-shattering.
Although Budo retreated rapidly, he was still completely engulfed.
---
When the rumbling sounded, Jean Stardust knew it had won the gamble.
From the moment it saw the snow-capped mountain, Jean Stardust had never expected to drag it out until sunrise, or to defeat Budo.
Everything done was for this moment: constantly creating huge sounds and vibrations, even if that immature wind sphere was wasting a great deal of elemental power.
And the result was exactly the current situation, where the great power of nature had brought down the hammer of judgment, punishing those rude intruders who disturbed the slumber of the snow on the mountain.
Its form of expression was this masterpiece right now — an avalanche!
Like a tidal wave, the endless white snow instantly engulfed Budo and Jean Stardust itself.
Perhaps for a strong person like Budo, this avalanche was not fatal, but this was enough.
As long as the progress bar started, it would bid farewell to this world in two minutes... As long as the progress bar was pressed... pressed...
The battle, nearing its limit, was violently consuming Jean Stardust's stamina, and the constant loss of blood caused Jean Stardust's brain to gradually become dizzy. Its finger fell powerlessly just before it was about to touch the 'Return' button.
This feeling was not unfamiliar; it had just experienced it not long ago.
Its mind refused to think, its body resisted moving, all senses were about to shut down, and only the bone-chilling cold invaded its body.
Death was approaching.
But in the end, it seemed to hear a'swish, swish, swish' sound, felt as if its body was being pulled, and in a daze, its eyes saw a pair of white military boots, after which its consciousness completely plunged into darkness.