(Sincere thanks to 'Alicia', 'Pan Lu', 'Liujin Yushui Yue', 'ninelie', 'O0 Tear Wound 0o', 'Love's Meteor', 'Doujin Book Friend Archer', 'Mo Yu Linshang', 'Zi Ye Xuan Xing', 'Pokémon', 'This Guy Actually', 'Long Aotian Di', 'HJAkeno', and 'Yue Zhi Ling' for their rewards!)
"Bang—!"
Accompanied by the sound of the ground exploding, Izayoi shot forward like a rocket, charging at Noah at the terrifying speed known as Third Cosmic Velocity and flashing into existence before him.
"The game has begun, little brother! Stop spacing out!"
With an arrogant laugh, Izayoi raised a fist and, amid an air-splitting sonic boom, threw a heavy punch straight at Noah's chest.
Izayoi showed no restraint whatsoever in this punch.
The fist, powerful enough to shatter mountains and rivers, carried a startling explosive force as it slammed solidly toward Noah's chest.
Though the victory condition was merely to strike the opponent's body, Izayoi had brought out the strength he used in a full-power battle.
Clearly, Izayoi knew that if he held back, it would be absolutely impossible for him to win this game, where he held the advantage.
It was precisely this resolve that made Noah instinctively enter a combat state.
However, at this moment, Noah, as the defender, could not attack at all and could only evade.
Faced with Izayoi's earth-shattering punch, the means Noah could use were already obvious.
"—Fear the one with wings. Evil people and powerful people alike fear me, the one with wings. My wings shall bring you a curse. Evil people cannot strike me—"
Deep within Noah's heart, the stone disc linked to ten patterns suddenly turned, pointing toward the Phoenix.
The next instant, Noah's entire body became a mirage-like phantom. Leaving a streak of light behind, he vanished from where he stood.
"Bang—!"
The fist capable of shattering mountains