Chapter 318

Future chapters at patreon.com/FFAddict.

Additionally, I have many new works readers may be interested in. Go look, if you wish! 

Boom!!!

The alarm within the base had already sounded, and the personnel inside were urgently evacuating.

Before this, no one could have imagined that a battle between two humans could reach such a terrifying level.

It wasn't long before the alloy walls, the researchers' pride, were damaged. As the battle inside intensified, the entire base was at risk of destruction.

By then, it was too late to stop the fight, and nobody would have heeded their call.

Reluctantly, the higher-ups could only issue an order for the people inside the base to evacuate quickly.

As for the surveillance, now only one in ten remained, with most having been destroyed in the aftermath of the battle.

Although not the entirety of the battle had been recorded, it sufficed to confirm that the man named Abel indeed possessed strength comparable to the esteemed Kisho Arima.

Just knowing this was actually enough!

Next, the CCG would have to discuss how to entice this individual to work for them.

After all, such formidable combat power, akin to a humanoid missile—if not controlled, would leave them uneasy even in sleep.

Therefore, from any standpoint, the CCG preferred Kisho Arima to win the fight.

Such an outcome would also make their work afterward more convenient.

Meanwhile, within the somewhat battered enclosed space.

Abel, wielding the Oni Yamada Number One, was slashing at Kisho Arima like a madman, completely overpowering him.

Kisho Arima's quinque, Narukami, had three forms: artillery form, capable of discharging electricity over a wide range and from a distance; clamp form, which released many small electric balls;and finally, sword form, which concentrated power into one point with extremely high electrical efficiency and tracking ability, making it very difficult to avoid its strikes.

This was the form of Narukami that Kisho Arima was using now.

In addition, Kisho Arima was one of the rare practitioners of "dual wielding," holding another quinque, IXA, in his left hand.

Quinque IXA could transform into a spear for offensive measures, a shield for defense, and could also morph into a multi-segmented spiral spike to strike at enemies—an invaluable weapon for both offense and defense.

It was with these means that he was able to withstand Abel's continuous and formidable onslaught.

In principle, whether in physical prowess or swordsmanship, Kisho Arima could be considered at the pinnacle of humanity, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him the strongest.

Yet, he had encountered Abel, who had surpassed him in every aspect!

In terms of physical prowess, Abel's body had undergone numerous evolutions and had been repeatedly enhanced with special potions and breathing techniques, long exceeding the limits of humanity.

This didn't even take into account his abnormal natural talents.

In terms of swordsmanship, Abel had absorbed all the combat experience of Hakushaku, been taught the basics by Diamante, enlightened by Koshiro on the realm of swordsmanship, and awaited to surpass Mihawk.

From flying slashes to swordsmanship illusions, from the essence of the sword to the domain of the sword arts!

Abel had already reached heights that most swordsmen could not achieve in their lifetimes.

Compared to him, Kisho Arima was like a child just learning swordsmanship, having only mastered the pinnacle of technique without even beginning to comprehend the next realm of swordsmanship.

If Abel wished, he could end this battle at any moment.

On the other hand, for Kisho Arima, Abel represented an unparalleled and immense pressure.

As his onslaught approached like roaring waves, he lamented in his heart, barely able to parry with IXA's shield form. His weapon, Quinque, was already riddled with cuts and was on the verge of being scrapped.

"This creature that's even more monstrous than a real monster, where did he come from?" Kishou Arima pondered.

However, he knew that if he didn't find a way to counter-attack soon, he would likely lose.

Even though he was aware that the opponent's strength might exceed his own, he refused to simply concede.

As the CCG's "Reaper", the undefeated ghoul investigator, he had his pride.

"Go, Narukami!"

With full concentration, Kishou Arima gathered all his strength into this one strike.

A dazzling spark of electricity gathered at the tip of his sword and then pierced towards Abel at high speed.

This sword was as fast as lightning!

Got it!

Under Kishou Arima's watchful eye, the sword skillfully bypassed the opponent's weapon, directly piercing Abel's chest while avoiding the heart—a vital spot.

He did not intend to kill his opponent.

After all, this battle was to determine the stronger fighter, not necessarily to the death.

Moreover, he was aware of CCG's stance; it was possible that they might fight side by side in the future.

But as his sword pierced his opponent's body, he suddenly sensed something was amiss!

The sensation was all wrong, as if he had struck nothing but air.

"An afterimage?!!"

With a thud!

Kishou Arima only felt a pain in his back, and then he was sent flying, crashing heavily against a metal wall.

Seeing that Abel had purposefully avoided his vitals, Abel didn't go for the kill but merely kicked him.

"This is the gap in our strength; you're down even before I've exerted much force."

Kishou Arima, getting back up from the ground, appeared disheveled, with a cut on his head from which blood streamed down his face.

"Perhaps so, but I also have reasons I cannot afford to lose."

Suddenly discarding Narukami and IXA, Kishou Arima picked up another box that had been quietly waiting in the corner.

"This Quinque is named Owl, fashioned from the 'kakuja' of a ghoul I vanquished at the age of 19. However, since its completion, I have never used it."

"You are the first to face it."

As he finished speaking, a strange-looking white lance appeared in his hand.

What Kishou Arima didn't mention was that the "kakuja" taken belonged to SSS-rated Owl, now coffee shop manager Yoshimura Eto!

This lance, appearing as if constructed from white bones, was even more formidable than Narukami and IXA combined.

And it could be used as a longsword at any moment.

Kishou Arima seemed to adore these multifaceted weapons.

It appeared that only such weapons could fully harness his abilities.

But Abel exuded a sense of effortless superiority.

No matter how many tricks you have, I can cut through them all with one stroke!

Once more, the two engaged in an intense battle.

Clang!

Their Quinques collided fiercely.

Kishou Arima did something that caused something to detach from below the lance's handle and drill into the ground.

The next moment, red Rinkaku spikes burst forth from beneath Abel's feet!