Chapter 435: Putting Down a Stray

“Big Bear, huh… his power reminded me of Dad.”

Nikolai mumbled before sitting on the bench inside the filthy room, amazed at the dense aura that wrapped the huge bear man.

Inside the waiting room, Nikolai closed his eyes, a cool temperature flowing through his veins as he focused on the gifts he gained from his wives.

‘Ever since I’ve awakened… coming close to women has brought me great benefits.’

Nikita’s love granted him the ability to use the Fenrir’s blood art, explosively increasing his physical power for a short time. Then Selene… her gift was something he only recently discovered after taking Lunaria’s virginity.

The power of Fire and Ice.

A warmth spread across his rough, scarred palm.

“To think I didn’t realise these things until now…”

He channelled his vermillion essence, traces of ice floating through his veins, along with the crackling of lightning and wind that came from his union with Risa. In the past, Nikolai fought relying on brute force and the effects of his Obsidian Tide, which overwhelmed those without skill and finesse.

Kumiko’s gift was the most elusive…

Although he could mimic her clones, it was in a different style and method.

He gained the ability to multiply a single attack by the number of clones as if stacking clones and shadows upon his body.

Well, I should get ready, it’s almost time to fight.

“Challenger Nikolai Volkov, to the cage!”

As if on time.

Nikolai’s ears twitched as the loud chant of the crowd rose, along with the announcer who called his name…

“He’s a newcomer, without any proven record, but you all might know him, or recognise his name! The son of our former champion, it’s that name which brought such an explosive audience to their knees!” The announcer’s baritone voice gathered momentum as he stirred the crowd like a pot of porridge.

“Give it up for a young wolf whose strength remains hidden. But can he compare to the bloodthirsty beast who won two months ago with an unscathed record, Ivan Volkov’s Son! It’s Nikolai Volkov!”

***

A beam of light from the central stage broke the darkness above, and a roar of thunderous applause shook the Arena’s core like a stampede of wild boars.

Nikolai stepped into the cage without an intro song or fanfare. He hopped out of the cage and landed with a charming smile. The moment he lifted his arms, the crowd screamed in adoration, his blood red eyes flashing.

“Nikolai!”

“I want to mate with you!”

“Kyaa!”

“Oooh! Look, our challenger is popular with the ladies, but will that help him fight!? After all folks! His Opponent with 10 wins, 5 losses and 7 knock outs! It’s the Mangy Beast! The violent mongrel from the streets and master of the Iron Claw, Derry McWoods! THE STRAY!”

The light shifted to the opposite side of the cage, where the shivering man with wild fur and a deep-set scowl glared across the Arena.

“You think you can win, kid!?” The Stray shouted, his body quivering with excitement as if this was the moment he had waited for… he punched the air with some sharp snaps. Yet Nikolai just continued to manage himself.

The flow of his Vermillion Essence and Celestial Aura flowed calmly through his body, while he gathered his Obsidian tide in his chest, holding back as the cold of Lunaria and heat of Selene flowed through him.

He looked to the VIP box and noticed Clara and Ryan looking at him with concern.

So he waved at them.

***

Ryan watched his friend, his face filled with worry, while Aru lay on Clara’s lap as she rubbed the cat’s head with a gentle face. “Brother Nikolai looks so good.” The image of Nikolai wearing only a pair of shorts caused emotional damage to Ryan, who could see just how much Nikolai had improved in the past year.

“He does… but those scars.”

The pale white lines on his arms, chest and back made Ryan grit his teeth. He didn’t think about it before, since they fought against monsters and Nikolai was almost unscathed… but those thoughts now appeared to be foolish. “Some of them are so deep… as if something gouged out his flesh.”

“Brother, are you glad I brought you here?” Clara’s eyes carried a strange wisdom sometimes that made Ryan nervous; his sister would vanish, but it was true…

Thanks to Clara, he could once again argue and make jokes with his dear friend.

“I am, you’re the best sister.”

“Hehe~ I know.”

Though the look in her eyes that lingered on Nikolai wasn’t a gaze he recognised… it almost felt like a hungry beast eyeing prey.

***

“Now then! It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for! A battle until one falls and the other leaves! Our newcomer has a lot to prove, but can he do it!? The fight is starting NOW!

Iiiiiiiiit’s TIME!”

The announcer’s voice filled the Arena as Nikolai walked forward slowly.

He ignored the Stray who kept trying to talk trash. Instead, he focused on the flow of his powers, the cold and heat mixing, one wrapped in his right fist, the other lingering around his left knuckles.

I can’t quite use it how I want…

However, this was just the first step, the first combination of Lunaria and Selene’s powers. Now, he needed to learn how to use them with his body and his style. “Let’s see what happens.”

Ding Ding!

The Stray rushed at Nikolai the instant after the bell rang; he threw a powerful right jab.

Nikolai’s wolf-like eyes watched the punch, but he didn’t move. Instead, his aura condensed, and the temperature dropped as he tilted away from the blow and threw an uppercut with his left—the sharp counter cut through the guard of the extended right. The ice coating his knuckles formed a sharp edge that tore through the Stray’s cheek.

Thud!

After a visceral noise, Nikolai sent the Stray flying.

A burst of blood sprayed outward, and Nikolai’s eyes widened with shock.

This power!?

“Fuck you!” Derry screamed in anger as he stood up quickly. “Damn kid, you got some moves. But don’t get fucking cocky!”

“And so do you…”

Woosh!

Both bodies vanished, like bolts of lightning, striking at each other with rapid testing blows. Neither tried to kill the opponent, but rather to feel them out, gauge their abilities… and as Nikolai expected.

The Stray was tough.

If I had entered this tournament or Arena a month or two ago.

I wouldn’t have stood a chance.

Even the weakest fighter Nikolai faced was at the Level of Early Mature Supernatural. This kind of strength was more dangerous and stronger than most.

Nikolai pulled back his left arm, charging up his Celestial aura with the chill of Lunaria’s Ice, while letting his left guard burn with Selene’s fiery blood art.

“Nothing special!”

He taunted the panting Stray, who took blow after blow, each time the damage growing as Nikolai increased the strength and speed he used.

20%

He thought to himself as the image of Risa appeared in his mind, her dancing hands and feet as she fought like a storm of wind.

A flicker of electricity jolted from his boots as Nikolai flashed into the range of Derry. His right hand cut through the air and slammed into the Stray’s chest.

“Argh! You little fuck!”

Bang!

“Amazing, look at that power and speed, folks.”

After a sudden faint, Nikolai’s left hook and right jab knocked Derry against the cage with a thunderous strike.

The impact rocked the entire cage.

“And he has such beautiful crimson eyes. I can’t help but fall for him…”

Nikolci glanced at the speaker while covering, breathing heavily, his feet bouncing as he built up more momentum. “When was there a female commentator?” He questioned, noticing that the other commentator looked just as shocked.

Derry fell, clutching his stomach as a trail of blood leaked from the corner of his mouth. The right and left hooks almost tore through his chest.

“It’s… over already!?” The commentator shouted. However, Derry stood up and glared at Nikolai before spitting out a broken canine.

“You little bastard, don’t get cock!” He slammed his gloves together before Derry’s muscles bulged, his height grew five inches, and the fur on his back turned dark as he lowered himself. “No one ever said how I got my name!”

He jumped up, like a wild dog and dashed for Nikolai.

Not only fists, but claws and his fangs snapped at him with each move.

He’s gotten much faster!

Nikolai bounced back, his eyes open wide as the Stray’s sharp claws tore across his face, almost ripping out his eyes in one swipe.

“Shit!”

“You fucking bastard!” Stray grunted, angry and annoyed.

30%

Nikolai’s face tensed, his muscles bulging slightly as the veins under his skin throbbed, pumping more blood and essence to his limbs.

His left hand cut through the air in an uppercut motion, and the force of the wind sliced apart the Stray who tried to dodge. Yet, Nikolai’s body spun with a brutal right elbow aimed at the dog’s eye socket.

Thud!

The blow landed on Derry’s temple, forcing his head down and exposing him to Nikolai’s knee.

That’s right, this isn’t fucking boxing!

Like a panther, he jumped… Nikolai’s thick thighs exploded with power as he smashed into the Stray’s nose with his knee cap. A sharp crack echoed, bones snapped, and blood spurted out from all over the Stray’s face. He fell onto his back, coughing. Drowning!

“That’s it folks! He’s down!”

Even the announcer cheered.

The crowd watched as Nikolai walked over with a chilling smile on his lips.

Then he stopped, grabbed Derry by his neck, and slammed him against the cage. Blood poured from the broken nose and deformed eyes of the Stray, his arms limp without resistance.

“WOOAAAAH!!!”

Like a barn fire, the crown exploded into life, shouting, screaming, wolf whistles.

“You’re lucky I only wanted to win… but next time. I won’t let you walk out of here.”

Nikolai’s eyes gleamed like pools of blood as he tossed the man onto the floor, as the Stray’s transformation faded.