The Nexus fell silent for a moment, the echo of the dissipated Dominion Expanse still resonating in space. On the platforms, the heroes watched the outcome of the second duel.
On Team Alpha's platform, Rimuru Tempest, though slightly exhausted, landed again. The victory felt well-deserved after the mental and conceptual battle against Gojo.
"Amazing, Rimuru!" Cid Kagenou exclaimed, his voice deep and enigmatic. "You overcame 'Infinite Void'... an admirably complex technique for a mid-level extra." Cid (Thought): The slime did it. It used its skills to dismantle the guy's 'spatial illusion'. Just like a Shadow Eminence expects their subordinates to solve minor problems. My 'Abyssal Corruption' (which I believe I taught it) worked perfectly. Good work, slime. Now for the last 'extra'.
Rimuru shrugged. "It was difficult. His ability was... problematic. But Ciel found a way." He looked at Saitama, who was still sitting, staring into space. "Now... it's just you, Saitama."
Saitama slowly stood up, stretching and letting out an audible yawn. "Hmm. About time. Are you guys done doing weird stuff with space?"
Rimuru and Cid exchanged a look. Rimuru (Thought): Ciel, has his alertness level changed? [Ciel: Individual Saitama's Alertness Level: Unchanged. Danger Assessment: Maximum.] "No, his level is still 'Maximum'," Rimuru muttered to himself, feeling chills.
On Team Beta's platform, Sung Jinwoo watched Gojo Satoru, who had been relocated back, panting and leaning on one knee, but with an amused smile on his face.
"I lost," Gojo said, laughing breathily. "I lost to a slime. Can you believe it, Jinwoo? My domain... broke it. Or corrupted it. With an 'Abyssal Corruption' skill, the System said. A fucking broken skill."
Jinwoo approached Gojo. Though exhausted, the Monarch remained serious. "His adaptive ability is exceptional. Near-instant analysis and counterattack on a conceptual level." He looked at Alpha Team's platform. "Now they only have one left... Saitama. I feel no power from him. It's a void. But that void feels... dangerous."
They both looked at Mash Burnedead, who was still standing there with a puzzled expression. He was the last member of Beta Team.
"Well, muscles," Gojo said, catching his breath. "Looks like it's all up to you. The last guy on the other team... Saitama. Honestly, I have no idea how strong he is, but if he's on that team with the all-powerful, over-the-top slime, he's probably no joke."
Mash blinked. "Me? Fight?" She looked at Jinwoo and Gojo. "But... you're strong. Why me?"
Jinwoo nodded. "You're our last participant. The System rules. He's his."
Gojo smiled, albeit with a hint of exhaustion. "Exactly. You're our number 3. He's his number 3. It's your turn to shine, muscles. Beat him."
Mash scratched his head, still a little confused, but if his friends said he had to fight, then he would. It looked like there would be no profiteroles until this was over.
The voice of El Sistema resonated, announcing the final phase.
[The System: Alpha Team leads 1-0. The final battle will determine the outcome.]
Rimuru (Thought): 1-0? But the first match was a technical draw... [Ciel: Correction. The System has adjusted the scoring. Victory is awarded to the team with the participant who showed the greatest ability to continue the match, or who achieved a conceptual 'victory'. In the 1 vs. 1 match, Cid Kagenou was rated 'Optimal' while Sung Jinwoo was 'Critical', awarding one point to Alpha. In the 2 vs. 2 match, Rimuru Tempest managed to incapacitate the opponent, awarding an additional point to Alpha. The current score is Alpha 2 - Beta 0. An error in the previous announcement has been corrected.]
Rimuru blinked. The System was... changing the rules or correcting its announcement. They won the first two points. Then, the last match...
[The System: Next fight: 3-Alpha vs. 3-Beta.]
Saitama and Mash raised their heads upon hearing their names.
[Participant 3-Alpha: Saitama. Participant 3-Beta: Mash Burnedead. Prepare to enter the Combat Area.]
The Nexus area began to transform once more. But this time, the transformation didn't involve shadows, emptiness, or spatial distortion. The ground became incredibly dense, a dark gray and solid, with walls that seemed made of an indestructible material. The air grew heavy, as if gravity itself were increasing. This wasn't a stage of magic or concepts; it was a stage designed to withstand an immeasurable force. A coliseum made of pure material tenacity.
Saitama stepped forward onto his platform, lazily walking toward the edge that transformed into a ramp down into the arena. "Well, I guess it's my turn. Let's get this over with so I can go home."
Mash, on the opposite platform, nodded, her muscles tensing slightly. If she had to fight, she would fight.
Cid (Thought): Ah, the final act. The bald guy versus the muscle man. Both lack any perceptible 'mana,' but the bald guy... Ciel said his danger is 'Maximum.' Fascinating. Is it a perfect concealment technique? Or something more? I'll watch closely to see how this high-level "extra" handles the situation. Perhaps I can learn something about completely concealing my presence.
Rimuru (Thought): Saitama... versus Mash. Both have physical strength that defies the laws of their worlds. This won't be a duel of complex skills like the previous ones. This will be... raw strength at its finest. I hope the stage holds up.
Sung Jinwoo (Thought): Saitama vs. Mash. The energy-less anomaly vs. the physical anomaly. I can't feel Saitama's power. But Mash... I felt the density of his muscles. He's strong, in a simple yet absolute way. Who will prevail in a clash of pure strength?
Gojo (Thought): Saitama vs. Mash. This is so great! The guy who looks normal but scares even Jinwoo, versus the guy who breaks magic with his muscles. I have no idea what's going to happen, and that's what's exciting! I hope the stage doesn't blow up.
Saitama and Mash stepped onto the hardened stage, the air heavy around them. They stopped, facing each other, a considerable distance away. One with an expression of eternal boredom. The other with an expression of simple concentration. There were no dramatic auras, no flashy energy flares. Just two figures, planted on a stage built to withstand a cataclysm.
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