Equal Battle

'So this is the place where that monster lives' said Ray after arriving at the shadowy area.

Then shall we enter?

We?!

Ray looks at the monster and says 'Yes we'

But that monster is so terrifying that I don't want to enter. I've heard that the monster killed numerous humans who attempted to kill him and perished at his hands in a matter of seconds.

However, he will perish at my hands today.

Are you certain that you aren't bragging about killing the monster? The monster remarked with a hint of surprise.

I promise to kill that monster in the same manner as the hazy report you heard about it killing people. said Ray while grinning.

'If you say sure'

Suddenly, footsteps come out of the darkness. Ray and the monster both direct their eyes there. Ray's face takes on a serious look as he observes the S-rank monster emerging from the shadowy area.

The monster's structure was more resembling that of a human, and its body was entirely blue, with long, dark blue hairs.

Are you the human who wants to kill me? S-rank monster question ray.

Well…

That's correct… I will beat the sh*t out of you and then I will kill you after that.

Don't speak with too much assurance, as if you can actually kill me. Many other humans said the same thing, but they were unable to harm me.

Smile…

[Speed enabled – increase in speed by up to 4%]

[Strength enabled – an increase of strength by up to 4%]

The boy then charges the monster as Ray's dagger materializes in his hands. The S-rank monster managed to avoid the attack, but it was taken aback by how quickly the human moved.

"This human speed is amazing." The monster looked surprised and said,

"I haven't seen anyone capable of moving this fast.

When Ray then moved his fist in the direction of the monster, the monster was unable to respond because of the speed.

Smash…

Ray strikes the monster's heart with his fist..

kah…

The monster's mouth spews blood.…

drop… drop…

Do you remember I said I would beat the crap out of you? Ray strikes the monster's stomach with a second fist that he has formed. The monster, however, managed to seize the fist.

'Is that all' said the monster as he smiles

Kick…

Ray kicks the monster on his feet.

kah…

Being an S-rank monster, I expected you to be tough. But those expectations went all in vain.

smash

kugh….

Ray was taken aback by the monster's power and speed as it punched him in the stomach.

Did he attack me when? It was hidden from my view.

Look, you're not the only one who believes he is strong, human. I've killed more people than you can imagine and I have more experience than you do.

Fighting against me will be worse, keep that in mind. Human…

Ray hurls his dagger at the monster with all of his might. Given that the monster was struck by the dagger, he easily takes it in his hand.

Your strength is truly incredible. I must admit that inexperience always makes things more difficult for beginners.Your strength is truly incredible. I must admit that inexperience always makes things more difficult for beginners.

The monster then swings back the dagger toward Ray.

…!!!

By stooping backward, Ray disengages the approaching dagger. 'That was really close.

The fist hits him in the face as soon as he stands up straight.

ugh..

drop… drop…

Ray's nose starts to bleed.

I told you, see. There is no chance for a weak human to withstand my strength, so you will die at my hands.

Why are you attempting to subdue a being who is more powerful than you?! The monster shouted.

The monster strikes Ray with his fist once more, but this time Ray doesn't say anything as he watches it hit him. The boy steps back as the fist gets very close and thrusts his dagger in its direction. The fist collides with the dagger's sharp point and starts to bleed.

Aahhh.. you annoying human…ahhhh

Yes, I'm annoying, but I'm also more dangerous than I was before.

It infuriates the monster. He starts to randomly punch Ray, but Ray is able to read the movement of his punches and easily dodges them.

Despite having experience, you lack the mental capacity to use it.

Ray then strikes the monster in the face and uses all of his strength to slam its head into the ground, shattering the ground.

Smash…

Pant…pant…pant…

As the monster lies on the ground, the boy starts to breathe deeply.

Guess that was it…

The shape-shifting monster was startled to see Rays standing while the monster was on the ground while he was watching from a distance.

He really did defeat the monster; he wasn't bragging about it.

Strange that the system wasn't there. Does this indicate that the monster is still alive and that further action is required?

Hello, blue dude I am aware that you are alive. Oh, do you fear another beating from me?

The monster, who was lying on the ground and appeared enraged, abruptly vanished from the scene.

What?! Did he just vanish?

The boy searches everywhere but doesn't spot any evidence of the monster nearby.

Did that b**t**d run away!!

No, I wouldn't try to flee from the location where that man had sealed me up.

The man in his shadow came to the young boy's mind suddenly.

"Does that man seem to be shrouded in shadow somehow?"

No, he was in the exact opposite position; his entire body was white and glowing brighter.

But it makes no difference; even though my current adversary is right in front of me, all I care about right now is killing you.

The boy smiles…

The same goes for me right now.

Should we reopen the conflict? The monster continued before charging both the boy and himself.

As Ray avoided the S-rank monster's attempt to grab his head with his hand, the monster was stabbed in the stomach with the dagger.

Ugh…

I can't be completely harmed by your toy. When Ray kicks the dagger, it penetrates the monster deeply despite the monster's attempts to remove it from his body.

Aaahhhh… I will kill you!!!

How often will you claim that you don't appear to have a means of killing me?

The monster made another unsuccessful attempt to vanish as the dagger started to drain its energy.

The monster had no choice but to attack Ray, but he was too slow and Ray was able to easily avoid him.

The monster collapses to the ground and starts to perish; eventually, the monster passes away.

Did he really dead this time?

The system has yet to appear. Does this imply he is still alive?

Ray checks to see if the monster is breathing, but it doesn't appear that he is, so he checks the heartbeat, which indicates that the monster is dead.

This time, he is definitely dead, but something seems to be wrong with the system.

Ray smiles when the system appears in front of him, but that smile quickly fades after he reads the words that are written on the screen on the window.

[The S-rank monster that you killed, Ray, was a copy of it. This means that the S-rank has the skills of Hidden (can remain hidden from his adversary) and Clone (can create a clone that is exactly like the real one)]

Ray looks at the window screen with a surprised expression.

'Unbelievable' said ray

To be continued