Chapter 38 – Brothers of Light and Beast
The battle kicked off with no hesitation.
Yuta summoned Blade Tiger right from the start, its claws gleaming, its presence feral and wild.
"Let's end this quickly!" Yuta shouted as he dashed forward in sync with his beast.
Blade Tiger lunged. Lux spun aside, narrowly dodging its claws, only to be met by Yuta's sword mid-swing. Lux blocked, sparks flying—but a smirk crept across Yuta's face.
Suddenly, Rafflesia burst from the ground behind Lux, its vines lashing out.
Whip—CRACK!
Lux gasped as the vines struck him from behind, drawing blood. Before he could retaliate, Rafflesia vanished back into the earth.
"You're setting traps now?" Lux coughed, wiping blood from his lip.
"Nature's got my back," Yuta replied.
Lux narrowed his eyes and raised his sword. "Then I'll stop holding back."
A surge of light magic burst forth, blindingly bright. Blade Tiger, overwhelmed, was nearly defeated.
Yuta clenched his fist. "Retreat!" Blade Tiger vanished in a flash.
Lux closed in fast—this time it was sword versus sword.
"You're good, but not enough," Lux said, unleashing a flurry of blows.
Yuta parried but was pushed back with each clash. Then—
> "FIGHT, YUTA!"
A deep voice roared from the stands.
Yuta's eyes widened.
"...Father?" he muttered, stunned.
There stood his father, the legendary S-rank adventurer, arms folded, a quiet grin on his scarred face.
Yuta's expression hardened with new determination.
"I didn't think you'd come," he whispered.
With renewed energy, Yuta summoned Blade Tiger once more, switching into a coordinated assault. He fought alongside his beast with uncanny precision, weaving attacks between each other like a perfect dance.
Lux struggled, barely dodging some of their strikes.
"You've gotten stronger," Lux muttered, his light aura flaring.
But then—
> "Lumen Flare: Radiant Nova!"
Lux's final move lit up the battlefield, a sphere of light surrounding him before exploding outward in a blinding burst.
Yuta threw up his arms to protect himself, grabbing Blade Tiger and shielding it with his own body.
BOOM!!!
The arena shook.
As the dust settled, Lux stood, scorched but standing. Yuta lay on one knee, bleeding, panting heavily.
He looked up and grinned. "Damn… that hurt."
Lux smiled back, extending his hand. "You made me go all out."
Yuta laughed weakly. "Guess I'll take that as a win in my book."
The crowd erupted in cheers as Lux was declared the victor—but the respect between the two warriors was clear.
Even in the crowd, Yuta's father nodded proudly.