Chapter 58: Ogre Prince
He stepped forward. Tanaka watched his every move. There was not a single unnecessary motion. Then the prince vanished. Tanaka’s eyes widened.
Clang!
Their swords collided. Tanaka was pushed back. His boots dug into the ground, leaving two lines. The prince had appeared right in front of him. Another slash. Tanaka raised his sword.
Clang!
A third time.
Clang!
Tanaka twisted his body, avoiding the next blow. The prince attacked again. Tanaka ducked. The blade missed his head by a fraction of an inch. Tanaka slashed at the prince’s side. The prince turned his body just enough for Tanaka to miss. Then the prince drove his elbow into Tanaka’s ribs. Tanaka blocked with his forearm.
Boom!
Tanaka was sent flying. He landed on his feet. "Strong." The prince said nothing. He stepped forward again. Tanaka smiled. "Fine." He charged at the prince. Their swords clashed.
Slash!
Block!
Slash!
Dodge!
Tanaka’s movements grew faster. He activated Thought Acceleration. The world slowed down. Tanaka saw the prince’s shoulders tense. He knew something was coming. Tanaka moved. The prince’s blade passed by his face. Tanaka countered.
The prince twisted his body, avoiding the strike. Tanaka’s sword scraped the prince’s armor. The prince took a step back. Tanaka followed.
Earth Impact!
Tanaka sent a blast of energy at the prince’s feet. The earth exploded outward. The prince jumped up. Tanaka used the opening to unleash Wind Breath. The blast sent the prince flying upward. Tanaka followed up with a Leap. He appeared right above the prince.
Slash!
The prince raised his sword. Their blades collided in midair. Tanaka’s eyes narrowed. The prince’s expression darkened. Tanaka smiled. "Got you." He twisted his body. A tendril shot out from his back.
Ooze Surge!
Tanaka’s tendril lashed out at the ground, sending him sliding sideways. His trajectory changed completely. The prince’s blade missed him. Tanaka appeared behind the prince. He slashed at the prince’s back. The prince turned his body just in time to avoid the strike.
Clang!
Their swords crossed. Tanaka and the prince pushed against each other. Tanaka’s feet slid back. The prince was stronger than before. Tanaka narrowed his eyes. Tanaka had sensed a change in the prince’s power. A red glow surrounded the prince’s body. Tanaka jumped back.
The prince didn’t move. The red light coiled around his arms. The prince’s fingers tightened around his sword. The ground cracked where he stood. Tanaka stared at the prince. "So that’s your power." The prince raised his sword. "Come." Tanaka grinned. "Gladly."
He charged at the prince. The two fighters met in the center of the clearing. Their swords clashed.
BOOM!
Tanaka was pushed back by the impact. He planted his foot on the ground.
Stone Body!
Tanaka dashed forward again. The prince swung his blade. Tanaka blocked the strike. Tanaka was still forced back by the prince’s power. Tanaka turned with the force and slashed at the prince’s side.
Slash!
The prince blocked the attack. Tanaka kicked the prince in the chest. The prince caught his leg. Tanaka released a blast of Wind Breath. The prince let go of Tanaka’s leg. Tanaka landed on his feet. The prince charged at him again. Tanaka barely had time to raise his sword.
CLANG!
The impact nearly knocked the weapon from his hands. Tanaka jumped back. The red light surrounding the prince had grown stronger. Leaves levitated above the ground. Tanaka’s smile grew wider. "This is getting interesting." The prince disappeared. Tanaka barely had time to react.
Slash!
He blocked the strike. Tanaka was sent sliding backward. The prince appeared in front of him again.
Slash!
Tanaka ducked.
Slash!
Tanaka twisted his body.
Slash!
Tanaka used Stone Body to block the attack. The blade struck his reinforced arm.
Crack!
Tanaka shocked. The Stone Body coating on his arm was cracked. Tanaka took a step back. The prince followed up. Tanaka struck the ground.
Earth Impact!
The earth exploded upward. The prince jumped over the attack. Tanaka took advantage of the opening.
Wind Breath!
Tanaka blasted the prince with a jet of air. Tanaka charged forward. He slashed at the prince’s side. The prince blocked the strike. Tanaka pushed against the prince’s blade. The two fighters were only inches apart. "You’ve become stronger." Tanaka said.
The prince’s expression didn’t change. "So have you." The prince suddenly released his sword with one hand. He drove his fist into Tanaka’s chest.
BOOM!
Tanaka was sent flying. He rolled across the ground before coming to a stop. Tanaka looked down at his clothes. A seam had split in his pants. Tanaka’s regeneration began repairing the damage. Tanaka stood. The prince was still there. The red light around him was stronger. The air around the prince grew heavier.
The hammer Ogre watched from the ground. His expression had changed. "He’s getting serious." The swordsman said nothing. The warrior woman crossed her arms. The princess watched the battle closely. Tanaka wiped the blood from his lip. "You’re not just getting stronger."
The prince raised his sword. Tanaka continued. "You’re drawing out more of your power." The prince finally smiled. "Perhaps." He stepped forward. The clearing trembled under his feet. Tanaka’s eyes narrowed. The prince vanished. Tanaka activated Thought Acceleration. He saw the prince move.
Left.
No.
Right.
Tanaka turned.
Too late.
The prince’s sword struck Tanaka’s shoulder.
Tanaka’s Stone Body absorbed most of the impact. Tanaka gritted his teeth. The prince twisted his blade. Tanaka jumped back. Tanaka’s Stone Body cracked again. Tanaka looked at his arm. "This guy..." Tanaka was forced to block the next attack.
Again.
Tanaka was forced to block again. Tanaka was sent sliding backward. Tanaka’s mind raced. Thought Acceleration wasn’t helping. The prince wasn’t moving in a pattern. Every movement was different. Tanaka narrowed his eyes. "So that’s it." The prince’s blade came down. Tanaka moved out of the way.
The prince’s sword cut through the ground.
Tanaka struck the ground with his sword. The prince blocked the attack. Tanaka kicked the prince in the chest. The prince took the blow, barely moving. Tanaka’s expression darkened. The prince smiled. Then he attacked. Tanaka barely dodged the first strike. The second cut through Tanaka’s Stone Body.
Crack!
Tanaka’s arm was split open. Tanaka jumped back. The stone coating on his arm fell to the ground. Tanaka looked at his arm. Then he smiled. "That was close." The prince raised his sword again. Tanaka’s arm began to regenerate. The prince’s expression changed slightly. "Regeneration uh." Tanaka flexed his fingers. "Pretty useful right."
The prince charged at Tanaka. Tanaka charged as well. Their swords clashed. Tanaka was sent flying back by the prince’s strength. Tanaka suddenly stopped resisting the force. Tanaka let the prince push him. Wind Breath exploded from beneath Tanaka’s feet. Tanaka shot sideways. The prince turned.
Too late.
Earth Impact!
Tanaka sent a blast of energy at the prince’s feet. The ground exploded outward. The prince stumbled back. Tanaka appeared above the prince.
Slash!
The prince blocked the attack. Tanaka twisted his body.
Ooze Surge!
Tanaka’s tendril wrapped around the prince’s arm. Tanaka pulled. The prince lost his balance. Tanaka drove his knee into the prince’s chest. The prince was sent flying backward. He landed hard on his back. Tanaka charged after him. The two fighters stood. Neither one smiled.
The red light surrounding the prince suddenly grew stronger. Leaves shot up from the ground. Dust rolled across the clearing. The air grew so heavy that the wolves instinctively lowered their bodies. Tanaka’s hair moved in the wind. His grip tightened around his sword. The prince raised his blade. Red light coiled around the weapon. "This is my final attack." Tanaka’s eyes narrowed. "Then I’ll answer it."
The prince stepped forward. "Royal Ogre Art." The red light condensed around his blade. "Crimson Sovereign." The prince vanished. Tanaka’s pupils tightened. The attack came from the side. Tanaka blocked it.
BOOM!
Tanaka’s feet dug into the ground. The prince pushed against him. Tanaka’s arms shook. Stone Body spread across his body. Wind coiled around his legs. The prince roared. Tanaka gritted his teeth. Then he smiled. He thought about the swordsman. The lesson about technique. He thought about the warrior woman. The lesson about direct combat. He thought about the princess. The lesson about support.
And now the prince. The lesson about overwhelming strength. Tanaka stopped trying to overpower the prince. Instead, he moved with him. Tanaka turned his sword. He redirected the prince’s blade. The blast of red energy passed by his side. Tanaka moved inside the prince’s guard.
Earth Impact!
Tanaka sent a blast of energy at the prince’s feet. The prince’s footing broke. Tanaka twisted his body.
Wind Breath!
Tanaka’s body accelerated. The prince turned.
Too late.
Tanaka’s blade struck the prince’s sword.
Clang!
The prince’s weapon flew out of his hands. The red light flickered. Tanaka’s blade stopped at the prince’s throat. The leaves slowly fell to the ground. The dust cleared. The prince stared at Tanaka’s blade. Then he looked at Tanaka. Tanaka exhaled. The prince lowered his head. "I lost." Tanaka lowered his sword.
The red light surrounding the prince disappeared. The prince looked at his fallen comrades. Then he looked at Tanaka. "You defeated all five of us." Tanaka smiled. "Yeah." The hammer Ogre groaned from the ground. "Still can’t believe a slime..." The warrior woman immediately kicked the hammer Ogre in the side. "Be quiet." The hammer Ogre grumbled. The swordsman looked at Tanaka. Then he gave a small nod. The princess smiled.
The prince picked up his sword and sheathed it. "You have proven your strength." Tanaka looked at the prince. "So?" The prince met Tanaka’s eyes. "We will honor our agreement." Tanaka waited. The prince looked toward the forest. "Tell us about your settlement." Tanaka smiled. "Now we’re talking."