Chapter 14 — Terrifying realisation

Shetako slipped past Byukoten's opening strike like a shadow and immediately swung upward while aiming an uppercut straight at his chin. Byukoten stepped back at the last instant and countered with a sharp kick. Shetako caught it effortlessly with one hand and hurled Byukoten away.

​Byukoten twisted midair and stabilized himself before landing cleanly on his feet. Without hesitation he launched himself forward while closing the distance in a blink and driving a punch into Shetako's stomach.

​Shetako seized the moment by grabbing Byukoten's arm and delivering a crushing kick. Byukoten blocked with his forearm and slammed his head forward in a vicious headbutt. Shetako absorbed it and answered instantly while smashing his elbow into Byukoten's face.

​Byukoten retaliated with a kick but Shetako intercepted it with one of his own. Shetako followed up with a punch but Byukoten grabbed his arm and slammed him into the ground. Byukoten pressed the attack but Shetako rolled aside and countered with a powerful kick to Byukoten's chin.

​Byukoten was sent flying skyward yet he twisted and landed safely. He braced himself just as Shetako sprinted in and drove a fist into his gut which launched him into a jagged rock face. Byukoten slid down then flipped his body and struck with a spinning kick. Shetako caught his leg but Byukoten yanked him forward to knock him off balance and smashed a punch into his face.

​Shetako rose immediately.

​The two charged again. Shetako threw a punch while Byukoten blocked it with a kick. Byukoten lunged in with a headbutt but Shetako slipped past it and attempted to drive his elbow into Byukoten's stomach. Byukoten leapt upward and punched down from above but Shetako backed away while jumping up to counter.

​Byukoten barely touched Shetako midair and used the contact to push himself away before slamming back in with another attack. Shetako surged forward and struck him hard in the gut.

​Byukoten spat blood.

​Both fighters were heavily injured now but neither slowed down. They continued clashing blow for blow while shockwaves rippled through the ground. Arin and the others could only watch in silence because they were completely overwhelmed by the speed and power before them.

​Shetako kicked Byukoten and Byukoten punched Shetako. Finally Shetako stepped back while wiping blood from his mouth and laughing softly.

​"I had a fun time, humans," he said. "I'll let you off the hook for today, if you wish."

​Byukoten exhaled and then he nodded. "Let's have another fight sometime."

​Shetako smiled then turned and vanished into the distance. Arin stood frozen because he was shocked, terrified, and painfully aware of how far above them that battle had been.

​As night fell the group set up camp. Hanase immediately rushed to heal Byukoten whose body bore the scars of a fight between monsters wearing human shapes.