CHAPTER 49: WINNER PAPABEAR

But the man in the white suit was faster than his formal appearance suggested.

EthicalPummeler pivoted smoothly, his movements surprisingly graceful for someone wielding such a massive weapon. He brought the hammer around in a defensive motion, positioning the wide, flat face of the hammerhead between himself and the incoming attack.

The Dragon Claw struck the hammer with tremendous force. Sparks flew from the point of impact, energy crackling and dissipating as the attack was deflected away harmlessly. The hammer absorbed the blow without even trembling, its weight and solidity more than sufficient to nullify Jelo’s projection.

EthicalPummeler didn’t pause. He immediately pressed forward, taking the offensive, swinging the massive hammer in heavy, powerful arcs that filled the space around him with deadly momentum.

Each swing covered a wide area, making it nearly impossible to find safe angles to approach from. The hammer whistled through the air in figure-eight patterns, creating a zone of death that forced Jelo to stay constantly mobile.

Jelo backpedaled quickly, staying light on his feet, dodging left then right then left again as the hammer swept past him again and again. He was faster than EthicalPummeler, but the sheer reach of that weapon meant he had to cover a lot of ground just to stay out of range.

Then one swing caught him.

Jelo had been focused on dodging a horizontal sweep and didn’t react quickly enough when EthicalPummeler suddenly changed the angle, bringing the hammer down in a diagonal strike. The weapon caught Jelo across the shoulder with crushing force.

Pain exploded through his virtual body as he was sent stumbling sideways. His feet tangled beneath him and he nearly fell, barely managing to keep his balance through sheer force of will.

EthicalPummeler was already following up, the hammer rising again for another devastating blow.

Jelo gritted his teeth and activated his defensive ability. His skin shimmered as scales rippled across his body, hardening into that familiar draconic armor that had saved him so many times already.

The next hammer blow came down and struck his now-protected shoulder with a dull thud. The impact still hurt, still sent shockwaves of force through his body, but instead of crushing bone and tearing muscle, it simply bounced off the hardened scales without causing serious damage.

Jelo used the momentary reprieve to retaliate.

His hand shot forward, energy gathering quickly, forming into a fierce Dragon Claw projection that launched toward EthicalPummeler’s exposed side. The attack was fast, precise, aimed at the gap in his defense created by his overextended hammer swing.

The claw struck home.

EthicalPummeler grunted in pain as the energy construct hit him in the ribs, the force lifting him slightly off his feet and sending him stumbling backward several steps. His white suit showed damage now, torn fabric and scorch marks where the attack had connected.

But he recovered quickly, his expression never losing that serene, almost apologetic quality.

For a moment, EthicalPummeler seemed to regain complete control of the fight. He began twirling the massive hammer with surprising agility, spinning it around his body in complex patterns that demonstrated years of practice and mastery. The weapon became almost beautiful in motion, a deadly dance of metal and force.

Then he slammed the hammerhead into the ground with both hands.

The impact created shockwaves that radiated outward across the marble floor. Cracks spread like spiderwebs from the point of impact, and waves of displaced stone and energy surged toward Jelo like a miniature earthquake.

Jelo was forced to use Wingburst again, his body blurring as he dodged to the side. The shockwave passed through where he’d been standing, the ground fracturing and buckling behind him, chunks of marble flying into the air.

He couldn’t let EthicalPummeler control the pace like this. He needed to pressure him, force him onto the defensive.

Jelo began firing Dragon Claw strikes in rapid succession, one after another, each projection launched as soon as the previous one materialized. The attacks came fast and from slightly different angles, creating a barrage that was difficult to defend against completely.

But EthicalPummeler was skilled. Incredibly skilled.

He wove through the attacks with that same surprising grace, his body moving like a dancer despite the formal suit and massive weapon. The hammer swung in protective arcs, deflecting some strikes while his footwork carried him away from others. He made it look easy, effortless, his movements economical and precise.

Then he was closing in again, using a gap in Jelo’s attacks to advance. The hammer rose high above his head, both hands gripping the long handle, preparing for a devastating overhead smash.

Jelo could see it coming, the telegraphed windup, the committed stance, the amount of force being gathered for the strike. It would be powerful enough to crack the entire arena floor if it connected.

But it left EthicalPummeler completely exposed for a crucial half-second.

The hammer came down toward Jelo with apocalyptic force. The air screamed around it. The ground beneath EthicalPummeler’s feet cracked just from the pressure of his stance.

At the last possible instant, Jelo used Wingburst.

His body vanished from in front of the descending hammer and reappeared directly behind EthicalPummeler, having zipped around in a blur of motion too fast for the eye to properly track.

The hammer struck empty marble, creating another massive crater that sent cracks spreading across half the arena floor. Chunks of stone flew in all directions. Dust filled the air.

But Jelo was already attacking.

His hand drove forward, a Dragon Claw projection forming and slamming into EthicalPummeler’s back before the man could turn or defend. The impact was clean and powerful, catching him completely off-guard.

EthicalPummeler stumbled forward from the hit, his grip on the hammer loosening, his composed expression finally breaking into one of surprise and pain.

He tried to turn, tried to bring the weapon around to defend, his body pivoting as fast as he could manage.

But Jelo was already launching another attack. His other hand came up, energy gathering, another Dragon Claw forming and launching toward EthicalPummeler’s chest as the man completed his turn.

This strike broke through his guard entirely. The energy construct hit center mass with devastating force, and the impact was enough to send the massive hammer flying from EthicalPummeler’s hands. The weapon skidded across the marble floor, sliding away until it hit the colosseum wall with a resounding clang.

EthicalPummeler dropped to one knee, his white suit torn and damaged, his breathing labored, his defenses completely compromised.

Jelo didn’t hesitate. He closed the distance quickly, his hand already forming one final Dragon Claw projection. This one was precise, controlled, aimed not to kill but to definitively end the match.

The attack struck EthicalPummeler cleanly, the force knocking him fully to the ground. The man’s body went limp as he hit the marble, the game registering his defeat.

Text appeared above the arena:

**[WINNER: PAPABEAR]**

**[Victory: Knockout]**

**[Time: 5:12]**

**[Reward: +20 ESS]**

Jelo stood there for a moment, chest heaving with exertion, his teddy bear head somehow managing to look both triumphant and exhausted.