The Monster (23.2)

Game

Thoughts

"Talking"

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"Hah! If you want something done, then you must do it yourself!" King Vegeta shouted, shoving Pinea away as he stepped forward. In front of him, Yamoshi tossed the final corpse of the King's guard into the growing pile and turned his attention to the King.

"Vegeta…" Yamoshi gritted his teeth, glaring forward at King Vegeta, "You've made a mistake. A mistake that will cost you your life. All I feel right now… IS RAGE!"

A burst of energy appeared around Yamoshi as he slammed his fist into his palm. A shockwave shot outward from the force, and Gray was forced to push himself into the air as the building under him collapsed. The rock material shot outwards, crumpling and folding outwards. Now, all that remained was the dust-covered Saiyan corpses, Yamoshi and Vegeta glaring at each other, and the group of Yamoshi's friends watching nearby.

Well, they can all see me now. Might as well get to the safest place to watch the fight.

Gray floated down, descending next to the group of Peppa, Bok, Brokon, and Caylin.

"What are you doing here, kid?" Bok asked, looking over at him with narrowed eyes, "Leave while you still can."

"No can do," Gray hummed, "I love watching a good fight, y'know?"

And this isn't just 'a good fight'! We're about to witness the first-ever Super Saiyan!

"Whatever," Bok grunted, looking back at the two strong men in front of them, "Just don't haunt me when you die. I warned you."

"What a nice firework show," King Vegeta smirked, not seeming concerned at all at Yamoshi's casual display of power.

They had fireworks a thousand years ago?

"One last chance, Vegeta," Yamoshi gritted out, his muscles bulging and tensing with barely contained power, "Apologize."

"Hah, you stupid low-class warrior," King Vegeta smirked, his own body tensing as energy shot outwards. The ground under him fractured, turning into a crater, "You'll be on your knees begging for mercy when I'm done with you!"

King Vegeta shot forward at a speed that Gray's eyes couldn't catch, and then Yamoshi disappeared as well. Suddenly, a gust of wind slammed into him, making him grunt as he planted his feet into the dirt below. In the sky above him, sonic booms rang out as an invisible battle began.

Fuck! I can't even see them.

Gray clenched his teeth, glaring upwards as he only managed to catch specks resembling Yamoshi and King Vegeta.

I know they're crazy strong, but fuck, this is embarrassing. Even with all the training, I'm not even close to their level.

Gray turned his head to the side as a huge explosion rang out, the body of King Vegeta appearing in a crater roughly a hundred feet away. The man's body blurred up into the sky again, and then he disappeared from view.

Fuck. I can't miss this. What if I…

Gray shut his eyes, focusing on the energy signatures as they clashed. It wasn't helpful - as Yamoshi's was too overpowering to get a good picture of what was happening in the fight. 

Fuck, try something else. 

Gray focused on the Ki in his body, utilizing it in the same way he did to enhance his punches. However, instead of his hand, he funneled it upwards. His eyes started to glow, and then he opened them abruptly.

[Ki Enhancement] level up! (2500/2500)

+10 Ki for leveling up a Ki-related skill! (10x multiplier from [Nightmare Mode])

+100 XP (10x multiplier from [Nightmare Mode])

[Ki Vision] Skill unlocked!

+100 XP (10x multiplier from [Nightmare Mode])

[Ki Vision] LVL 1 - A sub-set of the [Ki Enhancement] skill! Utilize the Ki in your body to increase the speed at which your eyes absorb information.

+10 Ki for unlocking a Ki-related skill! (10x multiplier from [Nightmare Mode])

This is kinda like a mini-cognitive acceleration for just my eyes. Fuck yeah.

Suddenly, the two men became visible, and Gray could barely make out of the fight. The two men clashed, Yamoshi's fist slamming directly into King Vegeta's. While Yamoshi's attack didn't rip off his arm as it did to one of his guards, King Vegeta's face was pained as their fists met in the middle. 

Yamoshi's other hand came barreling up, and King Vegeta barely leaned backward to dodge. King Vegeta shot backward, raising his hands to launch a volley of Ki blasts, but wasn't given the chance. He was forced to dodge again as a wild punch sailed past his face. While he managed to dodge it, he was unprepared for the palm grab that came next. Yamoshi grabbed the front of King Vegeta's face with an open palm, dragging him forward by his face as a knee slammed into his gut. 

Spit flew from the King's mouth, and then he was ripped upwards as Yamoshi pulled him up by his face. Yamoshi's other hand flew up, grabbing King Vegeta's leg so he was being held on both ends and then slammed him downwards. The King's body folded over Yamoshi's knee, a scream of pain coming from the royal mouth. Gray winced.

Shit, I know that hurt.

Yamoshi let go of the King's head, spinning the man around by his leg and then sending him plummeting back to the ground. A boom rang out as the King slammed into the floor, fractures appearing around the impact. Gray jumped up, floating a few feet above the ground as the ground under him split.

Fuck, it's awesome seeing them fight but… how is he going to go Super Saiyan?

Gray watched as King Vegeta stood up, cupping his hands at his side. A large Ki beam formed between them, and King Vegeta glared up hatefully at Yamoshi. The ball of blue Ki pulsed in his hands, and a wave of heat blasted outward. Gray grunted, holding a hand in front of his face as he felt the scorching hot attack from even hundreds of feet away.

"[Universe Cannon!]" King Vegeta screamed, thrusting his hands forward. The large blue beam poured outward, shooting up at Yamoshi. 

In the sky above, Yamoshi's face didn't change as it was twisted in anger. He casually held up a palm, a small green ball forming on his palm. Without a shout or a signature attack, he jutted his hand forward and a large green beam shot down at the King's attack.

This is what I'm confused about…

Yamoshi's nameless beam slammed into King Vegeta's Universe Cannon, and they stalled out for a second. Then, Yamoshi's beam started inching forward. That inch quickly turned into multiple, and suddenly King Vegeta was forced to fling himself out of the way as Yamoshi's casual blast consumed his own.

He's winning, and it's not even close. Yamoshi is way stronger. How the hell does King Vegeta force him to go Super Saiyan?

King Vegeta shot upward again, blitzing at Yamoshi, but Gray's attention was pulled away for a second.

"Hey, kid," This time it was Peppa casually floating over to him, "Can you help me out real quick?"

"With what?" Gray responded bluntly, not looking at him as he watched Yamoshi continue to manhandle King Vegeta.

This is more of a beatdown than a fight, but I can still learn from it. I want to keep watching.

"It'll be quick," Peppa said, pointing at one of the many craters in the ground around them, "You see Pinea over there? She got hit by a stray blast, and we need to get her out of here. Just help cover me to make sure the King doesn't try anything, alright?"

Gray blinked, looking where he had gestured. True to his word, Pinea was lying on the floor, barely holding herself up. She had blood dripping down her face, and her hand was clenched on her stomach.

…Was she meant to die? Did I change something? She seems close to dead, but she's definitely alive. It'd make sense - King Vegeta can't push Yamoshi into becoming a Super Saiyan, but if his wife died accidentally during the battle…

"Sure," Gray replied quickly, shooting forward with the man toward Pinea.

You really didn't need me to help you with this. King Vegeta will have no chance to stop you - he's way too occupied with Yamoshi, but I understand why you asked now.

They landed in front of the woman, and Gray looked down as she struggled to stay conscious.

The game is giving me a chance.

A small Ki ball formed on Gray's palm as he watched the woman slowly raise her head, blood covering her eyes as she clung to life.

If I kill her now, then I'll get to see it. There's no risk of the timeline splitting off, and I'll get to witness the first Super Saiyan.

Pinea looked up at him, her face coated with blood and dirt, and her mouth slowly opened, "...kid…"

Is this a test by the game? Is there a reason she didn't die? A test to see how far I'm willing to go? To see if I'll kill her just for the chance to watch Yamoshi fight more - for a chance to understand his style enough to gain it for myself.

The woman looked up at him, her eyes wide as a combination of tears and blood clotted underneath them. 

…Honestly, you didn't need to test me, damn game. Of course, I'd kill her without a second thought. I'm a nice guy, but getting Yamoshi's style would be a game-changer. 

Gray closed his palm, letting the Ki ball dissipate. He looked down at the woman as she opened her mouth again, clearly looking to ask him for help.

However… this is too risky. Peppa is right here, and there's a chance Yamoshi could see. There's no guarantee I'll be able to mimic his style even if I watch him become a Super Saiyan. I already got Broly's style while I was here - take what I can get, and don't risk my life.

"...run…" Pinea muttered, staring up at him with wide eyes. Gray blinked, and then his eyes widened as he realized something. She wasn't looking at him. She was looking past him.

Peppa landed behind him, walking forward a step so he was shoulder-to-shoulder with Gray. Gray stepped to the side, tensing as he looked at the man.

"R-Ru-" A Ki blast came from the Saiyan's hand, and suddenly Pinea's head was engulfed by a red light. She flopped forward - dead.

"W-What the fuck…" Gray muttered, launching back a couple of feet as he created space between him and the man.

A… betrayal?

"Kid, do you know what'll happen when the King dies?" Peppa asked, looking over at him and locking eyes. 

"What the fuck are you talking about? I'm not just ignoring how you killed her!" Gray said, glaring at him with narrowed eyes, "Tell me what the hell is going on."

"Yamoshi will make himself the new King," Peppa answered his own question, completely ignoring Gray, "The strong lead. He will be the strongest, so he will lead."

"What the hell does that have to do with anything?" Gray grunted, shifting into a fighting stance.

I don't like this. I know a villain monologue when I see one.

"Relax, I won't fight you, kid," Peppa continued, looking away from him as he stared upwards at the battle raging between Yamoshi and King Vegeta.

"He's a low-class Saiyan. A low-class warrior killing the King. This is unheard of," Peppa continued, "A low-class can't become the King. Even if we respect strength as a race, the higher-class warriors will never accept him. The nobles, the royalty, and even the middle-ranked ones. They will never agree to follow someone born as a low-class. To serve someone born lower than them."

"Hey, I'll be blunt, jackass," Gray said, holding up a fist, "I don't give a damn about your monologue. Get to the point. Yamoshi's beating the King's ass because he touched Pinea, and you just killed her."

"Yamoshi is my best friend. My rival. I care for him more than anyone in the world, but… Yamoshi isn't strong enough," Peppa continued, turning back to look at Gray, "He's strong. The strongest I've ever seen. Perhaps the strongest there will ever be, but it's not enough. He can't take on the entirety of our race. They won't follow him, and they won't let him go free after he killed the King. He…"

A large, near-maniacal, grin appeared on Peppa's face as he looked up, "He must become stronger. He has to reach the next level. He has to… ascend."

"I'm starting to think it wasn't a stray blast that hit Pinea," Gray hummed, tensing as he stared at Peppa, "You're a crazy fucker, huh? That's fine. If anything, you've helped me out."

I wanted to see Yamoshi transform, but I wasn't going to risk my life for it. Now this guy's gone and done it for me.

"Oh? Well, don't feel indebted, because you helped me too," Peppa hummed, his grin becoming even more maniacal, "After all, I'd hate to be the target of his rage. I was willing to sacrifice myself, but…"

"YAMOSHI!" Peppa abruptly screamed upward before Gray had a second to think, "IT'S PINEA! THIS KID IS A ROYAL SPY! HE KILLED HER!"

Oh, you fucker. I did not just get Frieza'd!

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Gray Tanaki:

[Saiyan D-Class Recruit]

Age: 18

Wallet: 119,650 Coins

Lvl: 17 (83,400/750,000 XP)

PL: 342,637,200

Available Points: 50

HP: 417,950/417,950

TKI: 468,725/468,725

STR: 685

AGI: 820

END: 610

INT: 575

CHA: 215

LUK: 515

KI: 815

HREG: 596

EREG: 596

Skills: [Observe LVL 5], [Running LVL 10], [Determination LVL 10], [Ki Control LVL 9], [Ki Gun LVL 6]. [Ki Enhancement LVL 4], [KI Suppression LVL 5], [Ki Sense LVL 3], [Pushup LVL 10], [Punch LVL 10], [Kick LVL 10], [Jump LVL 10], [Flight LVL 4], [Prediction LVL 2], [Zenkai Boost LVL 1], [Cognitive Acceleration LVL 1], [Ah! Lord Freiza! LVL 1], [Mouth-Beam LVL 1], [Ki-Blade LVL 1], [Cooking LVL 1], [Ki Array LVL 3], [Ki Explosion LVL 1], [Ki Vision LVL 1]

Perks: [Gamer's Mind], [Gamer's Body], [Double-edged Sword], [Legendary Super Saiyan], [Perfect Ozaru], [A Cute Pawn], [A Humble Master], [Ladies Man]

Fighting Styles: [Boxing Style: Kolra LVL 2], [Fighting Style: Broly LVL 1]

Party: [Saeko, Celia, Asuna, Ranfan]

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AN: You can read the next four chapters right now at Patreon.com/Koyon ! Thanks for reading!