Jostar: I'm Super Brave (1/2)

"You are fighting with increasing desperation, Jostar." Joneus's tone remained as calm as a breeze, yet his hands were slightly curled forward in a defensive stance.

Before him lay Jostar, who had been thrown to the ground; Jostar's chest rose and fell rapidly as he lay flat on the surface.

"Your growth truly surprises me." Joneus had seen many geniuses in his time. "You are already stronger than the majority of Ultra Warriors."

Even Zero in the future did not possess such a rate of growth as Jostar.

"It's not enough!" Jostar braced himself and stood back up, his diamond-shaped eyes shimmering with a luster that filled Joneus with admiration.

"Stop praising me, Joneus. I still haven't been able to defeat you, have I?"

"Then go back and train for another twenty thousand years." Joneus spoke words similar to those of a certain Zero; even as composed as he was, he felt a sense of exhilaration flowing through his heart like a clear spring.

The moment Joneus finished his reply, Jostar, who had just risen, shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.

His elongated shadow dragged behind him like a meteor's flame, and his heavy fist, powerful enough to make the atmosphere roar, burned fiercely.

That streak of crimson dyed even Joneus's pure white form a deep red.

The posture of his sprint was very similar to that of Nexus; was that movement technique the Mach Movement?

"You've learned a lot about combat styles from Nexus." Joneus flattened his five fingers and crouched low, his wide-open palm catching Jostar's heavy fist in a tight grip.

The immense force caused Joneus's body to slide backward across the ground for a short distance.

Gorgeous, brilliant flames erupted from between Joneus's fingers, and the scattering sparks, wreathed in points of light, gradually extinguished without leaving even a single mark on Joneus's body.

"But have you begun to fight with a resolve to die?"

As he asked, Joneus's other hand clamped onto Jostar's arm, and his power erupted instantly.

Jostar felt an irresistible force pull him directly off the ground.

It was one of Joneus's favorite throwing techniques, and the moment the judgment was made, Jostar reacted.

He quickly bent his right arm to bring his body closer, while his left arm straightened and descended toward Joneus's pentagram-shaped forehead.

Joneus immediately released his left hand and blocked horizontally in front of his forehead, defending against Jostar's attack.

Yet, his original movement did not stall.

Despite using the strength of only one hand, Joneus threw Jostar directly toward the ground.

As the light-forged ground drew ever closer, Jostar didn't have time to think; he kicked hard against Joneus's forearm and vaulted upward.

His tightly gripped fist still throbbed with pain, but in his diamond-shaped eyes, he only saw Joneus's sturdy body growing larger and larger.

Joneus was as strong as an ox, yet possessed the agility of a leopard.

There is no such thing as "hanging in the air" for an Ultraman.

With the frantic wind pressing against his back and the pressure belonging to Joneus closing in from the front, Jostar pressed his hands downward and transformed into a streak of light, shooting straight up.

But Joneus was exceptionally swift; he tapped his toe in the empty air, and that seemingly light touch held an unfathomable power.

The light particles in the surrounding area centered on his point of contact instantly created a vast void.

Having adjusted his direction in an emergency, Joneus charged at Jostar once more.

On Joneus's crimson fist, Jostar could clearly see the word "Death."

He only had time to cross his sturdy arms to block in front of him, and the instant the pain struck, his arms felt a tidal wave of impact.

His forearms felt as if they were about to snap under the collision, and Jostar was sent flying backward at an even greater speed.

Nexus and Ace in his line of sight shrank rapidly; in the span of a few thoughts, they were reduced to nothing more than a small red dot.

However, Joneus's figure followed like a shadow, his heavy fists falling upon Jostar like raindrops, rhythmic and relentless as if pounding mochi.

Even though he had blocked the blows, the pressure—as if the heavens were collapsing—made one feel as though they would die at any moment.

"This alone is still not enough, Jostar." Beneath Joneus's deep, resonant voice, his punch speed grew faster and his force heavier.

The pain and the crushing pressure bearing down on him did not defeat Jostar; instead, they caused his fighting spirit to soar even higher.

Though he had been suppressed the entire time, he was like a dormant volcano, waiting only for the moment of eruption.

At a certain point in the continuous assault, Joneus's punch speed abruptly slowed.

Whether it was a flaw intentionally exposed or a moment of genuine exhaustion, to Jostar, it was an opportunity he could not refuse.

Weathering Joneus's attacks, Jostar's body slowly moved forward, and his defensive stance transformed into a wild dance of offense.

He abandoned defense entirely, fists crossing and landing on each other's bodies.

The sound of the blows composed a surging battle anthem; Jostar cast every other thought from his mind, leaving only one conviction.

Defeat him! Defeat him! Defeat him!

In the midst of the frenzied combat, one figure was suddenly knocked away like a rag doll, rolling across the ground before coming to a half-crouch.

The emerald-colored pentagram was particularly eye-catching.

Joneus raised his head to look at Jostar, who stood where he had been.

He was slightly hunched, his arms hanging limply at his sides; a heat wave that distorted the air shimmered over his crimson and silver skin, and his sturdy muscles rose and fell in rhythm with his breathing.

Those diamond-shaped eyes flickered with an even more intense, blinding radiance.

A sense of invisible pressure could be felt from a mere exchange of gazes.

He stood up, making no effort to hide his praise, "Excellent."

"In this seventy-meter form, I am no longer your match."

Ace, who had flown in from afar, was also quite astonished; the strength of Joneus, the Guardian of U40, was acknowledged by countless beings across the universe.

Even though it was only defeating Joneus in his base state, that alone was enough to be proud of.

Jostar, however, slowly shook his head. Looking at Joneus, who appeared completely unscathed, he said in a deep voice, "Joneus, do not restrain yourself. Fight me once more."

It was impossible to discern the changes in an Ultra Warrior's expression, but Joneus asked in a tone filled with suspicion, "Are you certain?"

Jostar clenched his fists tightly and held them before him, "I am very certain."

"Very well!" It sounded like a voice from the heavens, "You have great courage!"

With nothing left in his vision but that massive figure that seemed to pierce the heavens, a shadow descended, and Jostar lost consciousness.

One more chapter at nine o'clock.