Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess - Chapter 81

Chapter 81: Chapter 80- Defeat of the Undedeatable

The training hall was engulfed in deep silence.

Austin’s eyes widened in shock, his mouth slightly agape.

Everything came to a standstill the moment Valerie hit the ground, her spear flung out of the arena.

It felt like a dream—because something this unimaginable could only happen in a dream.

But this was reality.

And in this reality, Valerie—the undefeated warrior—had fallen after receiving just a single strike from her opponent.

The entire audience held their breath, watching in sheer astonishment.

Valerie had started the match with her natural flow, her movements swift and relentless, pushing Ryan into a corner. Her attacks left him barely any room to breathe, and it seemed as though the match was already decided.

Yet, showing the experience as a third year, Ryan somehow managed to maintain a steady pace, preventing himself from getting overwhelmed.

And then, it happened.

With a sudden burst of movement, Ryan launched a surprise attack. His blade cut through Valerie’s defenses, leaving a deep gash on her left arm. The sharp edge of his strike even tore her shirt slightly.

But the most shocking part wasn’t the wound—it was Valerie’s reaction.

Instead of retaliating, she collapsed.

“Huh?” A labored breath escaped her lips as she stared at her opponent’s feet, her body completely unresponsive.

Ryan exhaled sharply and took a step forward. “Sorry, Valerie. I can’t take any chances, so I’m using my Shard’s ability from the start.”

His Shard, Death Fang, had a simple yet terrifying effect—it paralyzed an opponent for several minutes upon tasting their blood.

Ryan had never used this ability against fellow students before. He had always relied on his skill, never on his Shard’s full potential. But this time, he had no choice. If he wanted to secure a spot in the upcoming tournament, he had to defeat the best. And to defeat the best, he had to use everything at his disposal.

Valerie clenched her teeth and tried to move. Her fingers trembled as she pressed her hands against the mat, desperately trying to push herself up.

But it was futile.

Her body refused to obey.

Despite the storm brewing in her mind, she couldn’t even lift a finger.

Austin, watching from the stands, clenched his fists. His body tensed as he watched Ryan approach Valerie. He shifted in his seat, torn between wanting to jump in and help her (which was, of course, against the rules) and trusting her to find a way out.

The audience was in disbelief.

An S-rank warrior, someone considered nearly unbeatable, had been brought to her knees by someone of a lower rank.

It was like watching a towering mountain crumble from a single, well-placed strike.

Ryan finally reached Valerie. He bent down slightly, intending to lift her off the ground to secure his victory.

However, the moment his fingers brushed against her hair—

**CRACK**

The ground beneath the mats fractured as an overwhelming aura erupted from Valerie’s body.

A violent silver storm of energy swirled around her, howling like a raging tempest. The sheer force of her aura made Ryan stumble backward, his arms raised to shield his eyes from the intensity.

But he gritted his teeth and forced himself to move forward.

“Now or never!” he roared, determined to end this battle before she could recover.

With a fierce battle cry, Ryan raised his foot, aiming to kick Valerie out of the arena.

Just as his foot swung forward—

*CLANG*

A silver spear materialized before him, stopping him just in time. Had he not halted, his foot would have been impaled.

Gasps echoed throughout the training hall.

Controlling one’s Shard without even being able to move? That level of mastery was unheard of!

In the stands, Rhea stared in disbelief.

She could barely keep her sword floating for thirty seconds using mental control alone, yet Valerie—

“Shit… such precise control over your Shard?!” Ryan growled, but a smirk stretched across his lips, excitement flaring in his eyes.

He gripped his battle axe tightly and lunged toward Valerie. His opponent was still paralyzed—he just needed to finish the fight.

Feigning left to avoid the spear, Ryan suddenly twisted right before ducking low.

However—

**CRACK**

“Ghuaagh!!”

A tremendous force slammed into him, and his bones cracked under the weight of the augmented Shard. Ryan crashed to the ground, groaning in pain.

The audience erupted in cheers, though some winced at the sickening sound of the impact.

Austin just stood there, in the back, marveling at the sight of a true genius showing how a Shard is actually a part of one’s being.

‘She is the true definition of what happens when talent meets hard work.’

In the arena, Valerie, barely able to move her eyes, commanded her spear, Shiverfall, to retreat.

She needed to finish this.

Her Shard shot forward once more, aiming straight for Ryan’s shoulder. If she could wound him beyond resistance, the match would be over.

But she underestimated him.

*CLANG*

Ryan, without even turning, parried the strike before launching himself back to his feet, still blocking the spear.

“That’s one tough Shard,” he muttered, flinging Shiverfall aside.

Then, gripping his battle axe tightly, he activated his own augmentation.

The weapon’s size doubled, its sharp edges gleaming menacingly. Coupled with weight amplification, the axe now looked more like an executioner’s blade.

“But it’s not just you who has tricks.”

Ryan charged at Valerie once again, this time fully prepared.

*CLANG*

As Shiverfall aimed for his head, Ryan swatted it away with the blunt end of his axe.

‘He tracked it?!’

The realization struck Valerie with the same force as the kick that came straight from her stomach.

**DHAK**

A loud impact resonated as she was sent flying.

The audience collectively held their breath as Valerie slid across the mat, heading straight toward the boundary. If she crossed it, the match was over.

For two agonizing seconds, everyone watched, waiting for the inevitable.

Then—

*Ting*

Her body stopped.

A single strand of her hair hovered just above the borderline.

The referee immediately raised a hand. “Safe! Continue!”

Ryan’s eyes widened.

He knew he had kicked her with enough force to knock her out of the arena. So then… how?

He didn’t have time to think.

“Forget it,” he muttered, tightening his grip. He rushed forward to end the match once and for all.

But suddenly—

**SQUELCH**

Pain exploded in his shoulder.

His eyes darted down. Shiverfall had impaled him from behind, its icy edge stabbing into the mat and locking him in place.

Frost rapidly spread over his body as he struggled against the freezing pain.

“Aaah!” Ryan howled, trying to pull the spear out.

Then—

“You won’t need to do that.”

A cold voice sent a chill down his spine.

Slowly, he lifted his head and found Valerie staring straight into his eyes.

The intent she possessed sent a chill down his spine as Ryan turned motionless instantly.

Then, just as she lifted her hand, preparing to push herself off the ground—

“I surrender.”

Ryan’s voice echoed through the hall.

Silence followed.

Then, the entire training hall exploded into an uproar.

A battle filled with twists and unexpected turns had reached its conclusion.

And in the end, the victory belonged to the one who was expected to win.