Chapter 162: Defiance (1/2)
”Aaaaargh!” taking full advantage of the energy of the charge, Yoichi unleashed a direct punch in the direction of Ogai's chest during his demonic transformation. The young tamer lifted himself off the ground with a leap, hitting his target with full, brutal force.
*BOOM* - the violent punch generated a short but intense explosion, similar to that caused by a modern grenade, but of lesser intensity. For a few seconds, the rhino demon's face and torso were not visible behind the veil of black smoke generated by the flames in contact with his hard grayish skin.
Its huge, pachydermic hooves stepped back, suffering a recoil. Placing one leg back and one leg forward, Ogai managed to keep his balance and not fall to the ground.
What! He withstood my blow without falling! Yoichi thought in amazement, as his feet touched again the muddy floor of the cave. His new body is too heavy and strong, the power of my flames is still not enough!
As the veil of smoke dispersed into the air, Ogai's four white eyes popped out of the darkness, and the corners of his horned muzzle curved into an evil grin.
Shioko witnessed the whole scene, growing open-mouthed. Although her partner had had plenty of time to prepare the attack and further increase his power, the final boss of that dungeon was still there, unharmed.
Ogai's gaze shifted to his own chest: a circular but superficial wound had been carved into his upper abdomen, beneath his prominent pectoral muscles.
As if he hadn't calculated that detail, the rhino demon continued to stare at the wound. It was a classic burn wound, whose blackish edges continued to widen millimeter by millimeter, testifying to the true scorching power of the dragon flame.
Unlike normal fire, the flames released from the young warrior's arms had the ability to burn even materials that were not particularly flammable, such as the rhino skin of his present enemy.
”What's the matter with you? You lose your voice?” Yoichi suddenly exclaimed defiantly, in a fighting stance behind his opponent. Ogai quickly turned raised his gaze.
The malicious smile had disappeared and his forehead was furrowed downward, expressing his huge anger. ”No matter how hard you hit me, you brat! My new body is too powerful, even for your dragon flame! The Dark Emperor's power is...”
Before Ogai could begin with his monologues again, Yoichi snapped forward, abruptly interrupting his sentence. ”Shut up!” he shouted, unleashing another punch, this time directed at his lower abdomen, more easily within his reach.
Ogai moved his hands in that same direction, intercepting the fiery fist of the young Nightblades warrior and parrying the blow. The sharp, hard knuckles of Yoichi's right hand sank into the first few inches of the giant's palms.
Ogai's skin was thinner there, as well as along his hips and under his armpits. A sharp burning forced the demonic warlock to hold back a cry of pain.