New Technique

An imaginary roulette appeared before him. Each section had a color from white, green, blue, purple, and black. This represented the rarities of the talents but Uesugi was more focused as to why it wasn't a raffle ticket this time

Mentally scratching his head, he tossed the thought out and used his mental energy to pull the lever by his side.

*Ding* *Dong*

A continuous sound rang similar to the casino's background. Uesugi was already fidgeting since he was betting his life on this. It's pitiful for him who was planning on relying on himself but had to 'beg' the system every time

Uesugi thought, 'If this is the system's attempt for me to depend on it, then it succeeded'. He sighed helplessly at the fact that someone was controlling his fate

While he waited for the results, he glanced at the battle and was speechless at the scene.

Bronya was struggling but she had a look of excitement on her, seeing her expression, Uesugi wondered if she'd be emotionless in the future

It was because of an experiment that she partook in to save her best friend, but she could now use Honkai Energy so it was questionable whether she could follow the route in the game

Of course, to Uesugi who planned on annihilating Honkai, this change was for the best. While there are some fates he cannot change, he'll alleviate their problems with his fists

Looking at the disfigured face who ran out of small pieces, he began to pick up bigger blocks which required him to use his body

As a result, the flying blocks were slower but the force behind it were stronger. Logically, since the speed was slower Bronya shouldn't have to worry, but Uesugi sensed the change in airflow from the block

"Watch out!" He quickly warned which caused his wounds to open. Bronya heard him but realized it was too late. The block was imbued with Honkai Energy and alongside the force, it restricted her movements like a vacuum

Her countenance changed as she reinforced her defenses by placing Project Bunny 19C in front as a shield and strengthening her barrier around her

*Crash*

Colliding with the two layers of defenses, it couldn't break Project Bunny but its impact pushed it toward Bronya as it hit her violently causing her to splurt out blood

Bronya's overall power was weaker than Uesugi but fortunately, it wasn't a killer move that hit her yet it still left her dizzy as she couldn't avoid the following barrages of blocks

*Beep*

A figure flashed beside her and pummeled the blocks like a war god. Carrying the petite figure, his face was expressionless but a hidden undercurrent was surging from it

Uesugi Shuu appeared on the battlefield with bloodstains all over him and from his expression, the injuries seemed to never exist despite leaving scars on his body

With blurred vision, Bronya saw who saved her and fainted with a smile, leaving the rest to Shuu. While Uesugi was unsure where to place her since the enemy was before them. Project Bunny 19C appeared and shaped itself into a bed

Slightly surprised but not shocked, Uesugi placed Bronya on the bed as it flew away from the battlefield that was about to resume

The disfigured face was more surprised as he knew the force behind his strongest move, it was because of the skill that he was prided with a position beyond his overall abilities

His previous anger vanished as he stared warily at Uesugi who rose from the dead. When he saw him landing on the ground, he charged up Honkai Energy and wrapped it around him

Uesugi copied him and also performed a pseudo sphere of control. This time, he took the initiative and charged towards the disfigured man

'Even though he couldn't resist Bronya's attacks, he could block my Penetrating Fist, I need to test find his weak point to defeat him'. After suffering a huge blow, Uesugi became more cautious and planned his attacks

In the past, he relied on his stats and luck to survive, against this new opponent, he couldn't overpower him with raw power

A savage grin appeared on the disfigured face before he accepted Uesugi's challenge. He knew that besides using his Human Boulder, he would only be able to inflict minor damage on Uesugi so he planned on finding the opportunity

There was no finesse in the clashes, when one was pushed back the other would follow. Currently, Uesugi was at a disadvantage but would return immediately and continue fighting

They fought for a while until both figures pulled back simultaneously. None of them moved as they prepared their trump cards.

Uesugi's talent [Focus] could sense the overflowing Honkai Energy flowing according to a certain path, he tried detecting the weak point to land a fatal blow.

During the clash, he realized that the disfigured man's body was made of rubber, while he couldn't stretch infinitely, he could at least twist his body and disperse blunt attacks

Only a sharp and piercing attack like bullets can damage him but that would require Honkai Energy-imbued bullets. Uesugi's only option was his katana, Lightning Soul

However, his usage of sharp weapons is crude, and even with its thin edge, if Uesugi slashes with his full strength, it'll be similar to a hammer impact

This couldn't be blamed on him since he specialized in fists and didn't receive prior training for kendo.

While he was preparing himself for the incoming attack, thinking of a solution. The disfigured man twisted into a bigger abomination.

3m

5m

7m

A massive ball was formed at the size of a pedestrian's house. When he chuckled, it looked funny seeing the 'fat' vibrate but the following scene wasn't. The previously overflowing Honkai Energy released as a formless pressure rain down, flattening the ground

Uesugi felt the pressure and didn't kneel but could feel its effect slowing him down by 10%. Looking at the huge figure, he smirked confidently as he saw through [Focus] the weak point that glowed like a signal

Taking out Lightning Soul, he readied himself for the incoming impact. While he had a clue about a new martial art, he still needed to test the waters and didn't stop the fat ball from charging

A roar resounded as the rotating ball began to spin towards Uesugi.

Frowning at the size, Uesugi could only imbue Honkai Energy into his sword and send flying slashes while retreating. However, despite the size, the ball could skillfully maneuver and turn at unexpected angles

This was the application of bursting Honkai Energy behind like a fuel with turbo, usually, it would damage the user but it seems the burst couldn't hurt it

*Swoosh* *Boom*

Many close calls would disable him upon impact were dodged using a similar application as the enemy but is a function of the battlesuit as boosters.

Sweat formed on his head as Uesugi pondered on his new move. Yin-Yang: Penetrating Fist combined concepts of Yin-Yang but the attack was only Yang that was filled with masculinity and brutality

When he saw the sword in his hand, he realized the Yin nature was required for a piercing attack. Closing his eyes, he entered his mental world and left the rest to his pseudo Sphere of Control to control his reflexes

He had to be fast since the technique was imperfect.

He returned to the pond of Mental Energy under the blank figure. Uesugi imitated it, floating next to it, and sat in meditation

Protagonists usually act before thinking and Uesugi was different. If it weren't for the mission rewards, he would have already arrived at Anti-Entropy, drinking tea and training all-day

Uesugi Shuu began contemplating the Yin aspect of his art.

Soft, Cold, Calm, Still

Focusing on a single stroke, he planned on creating a technique as any superfluous acts without training is meaningless. What he wanted was a stroke that could pierce through his enemies defense's

While the image was becoming clearer. Outside the space, his physical body was suffering from mental energy deficiency

The pseudo Sphere of Control was too wasteful and his movements have yet to be perfected. His Honkai Energy reserves were in the red at 40% as his situation was becoming dire by the second

The disfigured man grinned but inwardly was angered, by the sight of his foe closing his eyes before him.

Rolling towards Uesugi who was prepared to dodge. Suddenly, the ball grew spikes and pierced through his left hand

'Uesugi' twitched before he cut off the spike and retreated further. It was an emergency as he could only use mental energy to close his wounds. Honkai Energy is too destructive and lacks healing properties unless it's been converted

With the addition of a fatal wound, Uesugi's movement became more sluggish as the damage stacked up

Just when he was about to get slammed head-on. A flying projectile swooped him up and flew past the ball

The shine on its body revealed Project Bunny 19C as the petite figure away from the battlefield stared at Uesugi who remained still

'Bronya can only take you so far'. She said and fell unconscious again. Project Bunny returned in a light back into her body, dropping Uesugi onto the ground

The disfigured man grunted before resuming his attack. He was going crazy from all the close calls his enemies had

'Do they have a protagonist halo on them'. This time, he returned to his original form and planned on dealing the final blow with his fists

A grunt was heard from the distance and Uesugi woke up with a pained look

Staring at the disfigured man, smiling he took out Lightning Soul and wobbly prepared his stance. While his Honkai Energy fluctuated chaotically, a serene calm was formed around him

Despite being stunned momentarily, the disfigured man smirked and charged towards Uesugi. Initially, he would've needed his killing move but seeing his current state, a punch was enough to end him

Deadpan eyes stared at the disfigured man, his energy and body were fluctuating but his soul remained calm

'It's not about strength, technique, or spirit. It's the timing I need.' Taking deep breaths, he counted the seconds until the collision.

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