Chapter#8: Daiki’s Defeat…

Previously On Unknown: The injured boy defeated Commander Daiki, but Daiki managed to convey a message to Master Yuji. As a result, he bulked up using Guriko, a martial arts technique, and prepared to face Hisashi's group as they tried to move forward.

(Continuing)

"Huh, typical Daiki," Yuji chuckled, covering his face with his hands.

Beside him, a man inquired about Akishima, "Master Yuji, it seems that Akishima had made it to the third floor a few moments ago where Tsukikage is." revealing that he was heading to the second floor to confront Tsukikage.

The throne's occupant, understanding the situation, granted him leave. "You are allowed to address this matter and make sure not to kill him."

The man nodded affirmatively to the king's order and vanished.

*On The Second Floor Of The Gomi Palace…*

In a bizarre and eerie room, the echo of a man chuckling could be heard. "That the over-sized brute has met his match," the voice teased.

At the same moment Akishima entered the eerie room. The voice realized Akishima's presence, "Oh?... It seems I have a visitor."

*Back With Hisashi's Group On The First Floor…*

Hisashi was terrified and sought reassurance from Matsumoto, "Hey, sensei. You can handle this right? I mean you are a Martial God." referring to him as a Martial God.

Matsumoto joked about his ability to protect, "Ah yes, I am a Martial God however, I'm not sure if I'd be able to protect you in this situation." leading to the suspense that terrified Hisashi even more.

"Huh, hey don't say funny things like that," Hisashi pleaded, "You know I don't like it when you keep me hanging, especially in a mysterious, scary way. Come on, stop making it into a riddle already and just say it, suspense is one of my greatest fears." he says while shivering.

"Alright, coward, I'll explain…" Matsumoto answered, with a slight mischievous smirk.

"Hey, what's with that smirk?" Hisashi asked, terrified. "Aren't you gonna answer me?" Hisashi continued, shivering as he inquired.

"Now…" Commander Daiki's attack was ready. Steam emanating from his body his pupils flared up like a flame

"Uhhhhhhaahh!!" Hisashi was terrified as he hid behind Matsumoto.

"Prepare to die!" the commander shouted. Steam emanating, veins bulging as he bends his knees and elbows tightening his muscles as if

"Ahhhhh! I'm too young to die!" Hisashi shouted as well, terrified and crying.

"LIKE THE FLAMES OF HELL THEMSELVES, A BURNING FURY WITHIN ME HAS AWOKEN!!" the commander shouted, as his muscles grew bigger and bigger. Due to the stress he was putting on his body and the acceleration of his heartbeat, his veins bulged, and his muscles tightened. Steam started to come out of him, turning him into something even more terrifying.

"AHHHHHH!! CRIMSON… CHARGE!!!" the commander screamed, flames enveloping his body as he charged at the group.

"What the, what the hell? How is he doing that? He doesn't even possess enough magic power," Hisashi inquired, confused and shocked.

"Yes, you're right. He doesn't possess enough magic power. What he's doing right now is the martial arts technique that I told you earlier. Since he's built up so many muscles over his years, letting them all out at once is suicidal. So he's sacrificing his life in exchange for one final powerful attack," Matsumoto explained.

"Heat, steam, stress, and adrenaline build up. So what you're seeing now is all his blood, sweat, and tears, in the form of a Raging Inferno Bull." Matsumoto finishes.

"Ahhh!!" the commander continued, as he was about to ram the group.

"Huh, Use that technique, it'll get us outta here, hurry up sensei." Hisashi nervously said. He remembers a technique that Matsumoto had.

"I'll do it for fun, I guess," Matsumoto acknowledged the boy's plea and granted his wish.

"Turn Your Imagination Into Reality, Creation Itself, Time! Elemental Time! Magic, One Star - Level 1! Temporal Gate!" A greenish gate appeared before him. He entered with the unconscious boy in his left hand and threw Hisashi with his right hand inside.

As all of them entered, the gate closed, then disappeared as if they weren't there in the first place. The commander was just about to hit them but he was too late.

Now go!" someone says behind the commander. Then suddenly out of nowhere he gets chopped at the back of his neck and starts to fall unconscious, all while slowly dying. Some could say this is a… Fatal Blow.

*Just A Few Milliseconds Ago…*

"Turn Your Imagination Into Reality, Creation Itself, Time! Elemental Time! Magic, One Star - Level 1! Temporal Gate!" Matsumoto exclaims as a greenish gate appears before him he enters with the unconscious boy in his left hand and throws Hisashi with his right hand inside the gate. They all enter, just before the commander could've hit them.

"We made it just in time," Hisashi says, relieved.

I know you're wondering what exactly is going on. So I'll explain.

This place that Hisashi, Matsumoto, and the unconscious boy are in, is Matsumoto's Temporal Gate, it's his One Star - Level 1 Magic. It's a gate that leads to a different dimension. It's a copy of the world in a greenish tint, time significantly slows down within this domain, so much so that it looks like time froze.

This is also what Matsumoto used sometimes when he was training the boys and teaching them techniques that would take a longer time to master. Hence, Hisashi's knowledge of this technique. Matsumoto also used an incomplete version of this technique to slow down time when he healed the boy.

"There's the commander over there," Matsumoto pointed, observing the slowed-down movements of the ongoing battle.

Hisashi remarked, "You know, it always trips me up. They're moving, but it's so slow that it looks like they're frozen."

Matsumoto swiftly got the conversation back on track. "Alright, back to business. We need to hurry up and move on to the next floor," he exclaimed, seeking confirmation.

Hisashi affirmed, "Yes, that's right."

Matsumoto outlined the plan, "Okay if that's the case, I want you to head straight for rank 1, Yuji's right hand. I'll handle things here with this commander and then deal with the second rank. You got that?"

Hisashi understood and replied, "Yes, Matsumoto-sensei, I understand."

Matsumoto checked the time. "Alright then, it's now 7:40 pm. We have exactly 4 hours and 20 minutes before midnight. Only 4 hours and 20 minutes before this entire island is erased from the map," he emphasized with a serious expression as they exited his domain.

"Now Go!" Matsumoto urged Hisashi as he proceeded to strike the commander on the back of his neck with his right hand, while the unconscious boy was on his left, causing the commander to lose consciousness and seal his fate. The commander gasped in shock.

The commander, on the brink of unconsciousness, reflected on his past. "Master Yuji, you saved me when I was going to end it all. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be here right now. I guess this is what they call 'Your life flashing before your eyes.' Yes, I can see it, 5 years ago when we first met…" As the memories flooded in, he slowly sank to the ground, surrendering to unconsciousness.

(To Be Continued)