‘W-what is going on right now?’

Emperor Kuzon, even when arrayed with powerful artefacts while being in his Emperor Mage Mode, found himself trembling slightly.

As he raised his head and witnessed the amount of power condensed in the ever-growing multi-elemental orb floating on the palm of his opponent, Kuzon felt a degree of intimidation that he hadn’t experienced since the tragic day he lost his parents.

He had vowed never to suffer defeat at anyone’s hands ever since that moment, and he couldn’t break that promise now—not to this newcomer.

‘Tch! What trick did those Outers pull?’ Now wasn’t the time to dwell on those matters, but Kuzon was certain they were using underhanded means.

‘It doesn’t matter, though…’ A smile formed on Kuzon’s face.

Even though he hadn’t expected himself to utilize this power yet, it seemed he was left with very little choice in the matter.

The ‘Penta Bomb’ descended from Jared’s palm, moving rapidly to decimate Kuzon. He felt the pressure from the orb as it approach him, but his gaze showed a conviction that defied the impending danger.

‘I’ll blow them all away with this… my second Trump Card!’

After his fight with this current opponent, he was going to use this ability to decimate everyone else.

It was an ultimate ability that was bound to destroy any target—the Original Magic of the Royalty of the Midas Race!

“[Midas Touch]”

Instantly, a golden glow appeared all over Kuzon’s body, and the radiation spread around him, turning everything into the same colour.

Before the Penta-Bomb could even get to him, it turned into nothing but a golden statue before falling to the ground and becoming a golden dust that danced away like sand.

Above the swirling sand was the young Midas in his newfound power.

With his body now golden, every single aspect of himself had improved. He was at the very pinnacle of Magic.

‘Hahaha! How about that!’ Kuzon looked at his opponent with widened eyes, watching as he expressed immense shock.

As expected, even the haughty Outer had finally realized the difference in their strength. Sure, Elemental Chamber, or whatever the guy called it, was impressive, but this power far out scaled it.

The [Midas Touch] was a transformative Original Magic—the rarest kind that changed everything about the caster, and also their surroundings. Unrivalled in strength, and unstoppable in dominance, he stood tall.

Plus, there was the hidden card of ‘Petrification’ for anyone or thing that became exposed to his radiation for too long.

‘If I touch the target, the speed of petrification intensifies, and they will become blocks of gold in merely a few seconds.’

It didn’t matter what kind of power they possessed. As long as they existed… they would become golden statues.

The certainty of his victory caused Kuzon to cackle, basking in his golden aura.

‘It is my victory!’

*

*

*

‘What am I looking at here?’

Kuzon was now golden and he was emitting some dangerously strange power. His surrounding environment was becoming petrified, and it seemed like he was directing the same radiation in my direction.

‘This looks like Kuzon’s Transfiguration ability, doesn’t it?’

The power that Kuzon possessed in this state was beyond amazing. Plus, with his upgrade after his initial death, he was practically invincible in this form.

‘He doesn’t petrify the surrounding with radiation, though… so is this different?’ Perhaps this was a more dangerous form of that.

If that was the case, then I was in danger here.

‘My power still hasn’t reached the level I want it to yet. I’m not confident in fighting against my world’s Kuzon like this.’

However, unlike him, the energy signature I was sensing from this Kuzon seemed far weaker. Logically speaking, I felt like I could still take him down.

‘It can’t hurt to be careful, though. It was far better to understand the variables involved.’

I still hadn’t confirmed if he had the ability of permanent petrification, or even the conditions for said ability. There was a lot to consider, so I couldn’t be making any assumptions now.

‘For now, let’s test him.’

The Penta Bomb attack failed, so I would have to go stronger.

“Let’s do this…” A smile formed on my face and I chose my next course of action.

Instantly deactivating my Elemental Chamber, I entered a new state—Martial State.

>BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMM!!!!<

My blue hair turned white and I could feel an immense surge of energy flow through me. White bursts of energy surrounded me, and I could finally sense everything at a much larger scale.

‘Alright, then.’ I grinned, staring at the glaring Kuzon. ‘Let’s do this!’

*

*

*

‘As expected, he’s an impudent fool!’ Kuzon thought to himself as he watched the opponent undo his long-range Assault State, and choose this new form.

‘Hasn’t he noticed my petrification attribute? If he draws closer, it’ll be my win!’ As if reading his mind, the white-haired fool suddenly dashed towards Kuzon, emitting a dangerously powerful aura.

Kuzon instantly poured a great deal of his strength into his fist, sending it flying at the enemy—who was also launching his fist at him.

>BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!<

The impact of their attacks sent shockwaves flying through the hall, and the swell of power was enough to push the spectators back.

“Nng!” Kuzon could feel his body recoil from the shock.

From what he could tell, even with Mage Mode and Midas Touch, this person was still stronger than he was. It defied logic, but that was the case.

‘He’s most likely the most powerful among the Outers.’ His thoughts echoed as he felt his arm throb with pain.

Even with the pain, though…

“Haha… hahaha…. Hahahaha!”

… He began laughing.

Kuzon laughed so hard as his fist opened up, and he tightly grabbed the opponent.

“It’s my win now!” He screamed, now awaiting the effects of petrification that would descend upon his opponent. “Dieeee!!!”

Silence.

The silent gazes of everyone in the hall descended on Kuzon… Including the one who was supposed to have become a statue at this point.

“W-why…?” Kuzon could only croak amid the silence.

His heart raced, and a certain amount of doubt and fear arose within him.

‘Why isn’t he turning into gold?!’

*

*

*

[A/N]

The ends the fight.

Here’s the link.