Chapter 290

Just as Boros' fist was about to land on Esdeath's head, her saber intercepted it, less than twenty centimeters away from her forehead.

Boom!

The collision between their powers was like an asteroid striking the earth, creating shockwaves that exploded in both directions. The atmosphere was torn apart instantly, and the energy wave spread across City A and beyond, even shaking nearby towns. Fortunately, a golden protective shield enveloped the town, sparing it from the devastating force. However, the land beyond was not so lucky; the earth seemed to roll like a stormy sea.

Rumble, rumble.

People were stunned. The reporter fell silent in shock. "The war has begun!"

Even the S-class heroes, who were usually used to powerful foes, were filled with disbelief. "This is too exaggerated!" Tatsumaki, the Tornado of Terror, who could easily pull asteroids from space, stared with her mouth open.

All over the world, people felt the tremors. Even cities far from City A experienced the quake. Thankfully, protective shields were deployed in adjacent areas to mitigate the damage.

The clash between Esdeath and Boros had already surpassed the "dragon-level" threat. Less than a second after the initial collision, Boros roared and began a barrage of punches, each strike capable of destroying entire nations. His speed was incredible, and every punch resounded like thunder.

"Ahahaha!" Esdeath laughed, her entire being alight with the thrill of combat. Her saber moved tens of thousands of times per second, expertly blocking each of Boros' punches. The sound of each strike rang out like steel upon steel.

Dang, dang, dang!

Esdeath was savoring the fight. She could have ended it quickly, but she wanted a true challenge. She had long craved a battle that could bring her such excitement. Boros, for his part, was pushing himself to the limit, knowing he was facing someone who could match his strength.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The battle between these two maniacs was destined to end with one of them falling. Their speed was so great that even the advanced cameras of the Hero Association could barely keep up. On TV screens around the world, people saw two blurs of blue and purple light colliding repeatedly, like stars in conflict. Each collision caused bright flashes and deafening booms, and the earth below seemed to quake in fear.

From City A to City B, the terrain changed with each blow. The atmosphere itself seemed to tear apart, the blue sky turning dim.

[This is a live report from City B...]

[This is a live report from City G...]

Viewed from space, two streaks of light—one blue, one purple—could be seen darting across the planet, reshaping the terrain beneath them.

Esdeath laughed maniacally as she sped up, her saber moving with precision. Like a cat toying with its prey, she sliced off Boros' arms in an instant.

Boros' single eye widened in shock. "You can still keep up with me, even at my full power? And you have the same regeneration ability as I do?"

He looked at her, bewildered. "Your physical strength, your energy, none of it has diminished. But I know your race doesn't possess this kind of ability. Are you a special individual among your kind?"

Esdeath looked down on him, her eyes filled with disdain. "Regeneration? You must be joking. Even an alien who claims to be the overlord of the universe can be so shortsighted."

Boros was taken aback. "What?"

Esdeath smirked. "Do you really think I'd reveal my abilities to an enemy?"

Boros grinned, his one eye fierce. "It doesn't matter." Energy surged through his body, turning from purple to blue. His entire being seemed to radiate energy, as if he had become a living star.

"Esdeath, you're indeed powerful. This is the first time I've faced a worthy opponent."

Sizzling boom—

Boros' energy exploded, compressing into his body, causing him to shine like a small sun. His severed arms regenerated in an instant.

"Let me show you my true power!" Boros roared.

In this form, he looked almost like a Saiyan whose power had awakened. His energy was overwhelming, and the severed limbs returned.

"Meteor Burst!"

Boros moved faster than ever, appearing right in front of Esdeath, ready to strike.

Esdeath's grin grew wider. "Time is forever!" She laughed as she clenched her fist and met Boros' strike head-on.

The Meteor Burst form allowed Boros to reach speeds and power beyond any biological limit. It was enough to knock even Saitama to the moon. But this was Esdeath, and she was not one to be easily overwhelmed. She wielded the rules of "time" and "freezing." Her body, though mortal, had been fortified to withstand such battles.

Her secret lay in her manipulation of time—her body, strength, energy, and spirit were all locked in a singular, invincible moment. Unless someone could transcend her power and attack her in the past, she was unbreakable.

"We've damaged so much of the planet's surface... Fanes is going to scold me for this," Esdeath mused, her eyes glinting with excitement. "Well then, let me show you my true strength!"