Taiju stood facing Yuki. Yuki stood facing Taiju.
The two stared at each other in silence while Tiyara and the others watched without saying a word.
Suddenly, one of Yuki's fingers twitched.
The moment Taiju noticed it, he jumped backward.
At the exact spot where he had been standing, Yuki's sword came flying down and stabbed into the ground.
"Oh? You dodged it," Yuki said.
Taiju's expression grew serious.
He's gotten even faster.
Without warning, Yuki appeared behind him and threw a punch.
Taiju blocked it.
Yuki launched another punch.
Taiju countered with one of his own.
Punch after punch collided at incredible speed. The exchange became faster and faster until even Taiju could no longer keep up with Yuki's movements.
Then it happened.
One of Taiju's counters missed.
Yuki's fist slammed directly into his chin.
BOOM!
Taiju was launched backward and crashed into a tree.
Yuki immediately rushed after him.
Without hesitation, he swung a powerful kick at Taiju's head.
Taiju ducked just in time.
The kick struck the tree instead.
CRACK!
The entire tree split in half and collapsed.
Yuki followed up with another kick, but before it could connect, Taiju cast a spell.
"Hydro Water!"
A high-pressure stream of water shot from his hand, forcing Yuki to step back.
But then—
An iron crystal projectile struck Taiju from the side.
It was Tiyara.
"Do it, Yuki!" she shouted.
Taking advantage of the opening, Yuki charged forward.
Taiju was still stunned from the impact when Yuki's fist slammed into his chest.
COUGH!
Blood and saliva burst from Taiju's mouth.
But Yuki didn't stop there.
He unleashed a relentless barrage of punches.
Each strike landed with overwhelming force.
Dust rose from the ground.
The surrounding air trembled.
Blood continuously spilled from Taiju's mouth as the punches kept coming.
Finally, Yuki pulled one arm back.
Far back.
Then he threw a final punch with everything he had.
BOOOOM!
The fist pierced straight through Taiju's chest and emerged from his back.
Blood covered Yuki's arm.
A large wound opened in Taiju's chest as blood poured out endlessly.
Yuki slowly withdrew his hand.
Taiju collapsed to the ground.
His vision began to fade.
So... this is how I die.
No wonder this monster managed to kill Jelrai.
Because of him, even Milord was worried.
Hmph... what a fun battle.
I always feared Milord, but I never feared anyone else.
Maybe... if I had been a little afraid of this kid... I would still be alive today.
Taiju's eyes slowly closed.
His breathing stopped.
His voice vanished.
And then—
He died.
Yuki looked down at the corpse.
"So... is this the end?"
Suddenly, Duke Jalrai raised his voice.
"We won!"
Cheers erupted across the battlefield.
"YEAH!!"
"Hero Yuki!"
"Hero Yuki!"
"Master Tiyara!"
"Master Tiyara!"
The Crocas that had been standing motionless were still frozen in place, too terrified to move without the Demon Lord's orders.
The knights took advantage of the opportunity and launched an ambush.
The remaining Crocas were quickly wiped out.
The Next Day – Duke Mansion
Yuki and Tiyara stood before the duke's throne.
Yuki bowed respectfully.
Tiyara stood proudly beside him.
Seated upon the throne, Jalrai spoke.
"I, the Duke of the Ohio Kingdom, officially declare you a Hero."
He pointed toward Yuki.
"From this day forward, you are no longer the hero of a single city."
"You are a Hero of this world."
"Oh..." Tiyara muttered casually.
After the ceremony, Yuki returned to his room to rest.
Sitting on his bed, he stared at the floating system window.
"Huh...?"
"This war completed a lot of missions."
He scrolled through the list.
"So... I only need four more missions to reach fifty percent completion."
"Hmm."
"These missions are pretty easy."
"The date mission can be completed anytime."
"I'll do it tomorrow."
After thinking for a moment, he added,
"Hmm... maybe for the fiftieth mission, I should attack Demon King Sumaru and kill him."
Then he lay back on the bed.
"Haaah..."
"Whatever."
"I'll deal with it when the time comes."
Meanwhile – Demon King Palace
Sumaru sat upon his throne.
Before him floated the same crystal mirror that was connected to another demon's crystal.
Everything had been broadcast live.
And he had just witnessed Taiju's death.
CRACK!
The wine glass in his hand shattered as he smashed it against the armrest of the throne.
He stood up in fury.
Walking back and forth, he thought,
Neither Jelrai nor Taiju could kill that kid.
What a bunch of weaklings I have.
As he walked, he removed his royal robes and began putting on his armor.
"It seems I'll have to kill that damned human brat myself."
"Not for me..."
"But to avenge my subordinates."
"For the sake of Jelrai."
"And for the sake of Taiju."
Once fully armored, Sumaru returned to his throne.
He grabbed his sword and headed toward the exit.
Before leaving, he declared in a cold, dominating voice,
"I will destroy you, Yuki."
"Be ready."
"Because I am coming."
The Following Day
Meanwhile, completely unaware of what was approaching, Yuki and Tiyara wandered through the markets of Ohio City.
They ate delicious food.
Bought new clothes.
And enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere together.
It was a peaceful day.
A calm moment before the storm.