Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess - Chapter 83

Chapter 83: Chapter 82- Brutality

Since most of the matches were concluded, the audience had already retired to their rooms. They have already watched some of the exciting battles, and many of the audience have their matches in a few days; that’s why more than half of the audience have already vacated the indoor gym.

When Austin entered the resting area, just minutes before his match, he found no one inside.

It was already evening and today’s event was about to come to an end. So it was not unnatural.

Sitting on the centric bench he exhaled a long breath.

This…was a serious battle. Unlike the Knight he faced back in the dungeon, here, Austin couldn’t go for the kill nor could he retreat. He just needs to either knock out his opponent or throw them out of the arena.

And for that, he would need to give it his all.

He was not going to use his Barrier originally since explaining his sudden awakening would have been a hassle, and now, he doesn’t have the option.

He could use his WhisperWing and his Shard, and with the help of those two, he was going to win this battle anyhow.

‘Show me my stats ..’ Earlier, he received a notification from the system, but Austin was in a panic about bringing Valerie to the infirmary so he didn’t pay attention to the notification

[Ding!]

[Combat: 38/100]

{Next reward at 40}

[Romance: 42/100]

{Next reward at 60}

[Durability: 50/100]

{Next reward at 60}

[Trickery: 21->30/100]

{Next reward at 35}

[Overall Progression: 40.5/100]

[Next Reward at 50]

…

Austin’s eyes widened, “How did my trickery stat go up so suddenly?” He had no idea.

[Ding!]

[The host tricked everyone by supporting Corwon Valerie using his Absolute Barrier. The number of people who got tricked in that instance resulted in a massive boost.]

“…” He got a reward even though his intentions never were to elevate his stats. It wasn’t like he would ever reject free points, but it was a little bizarre how some of the stats work.

‘System…if I throw myself down a building, will that increase my endurance stats?’

[Indeed, host!]

“…” Well, he was not a masochist so he would refrain from utilizing such methods.

“Austin, you are up.” The instructor informed him before the blond Prince removed his eyes from the system screen and got up.

He had already done his stretching, so he headed directly towards the arena.

The sound of cheering and people muttering completely surrounded him. However, Austin didn’t let it overwhelm him; utilizing his experience as a Prince and a rugby player act normal in front of so many eyes.

On the other side of the arena stood a short red-haired girl who had a cocky smile on her face.

‘She is a third year .. and unfortunately, I don’t know what her Shard could do.’

Her stance signified nonchalance, exposing how relaxed she was about the battle. Well, at least she wasn’t as brutal as the people…

“Huh? A D-rank bottom feeder will fight a B-rank?”

“Elara is gonna chew her on the mat!”

“Gotta see some punch bag show.”

“Hey, hey! Didn’t he defeat a third year recently….”

“Well, screw that! I just wanna see an absolutely intense battle!”

Austin took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He was having some butterfly feeling in his stomach because this was the first official duel he was facing.

“Don’t need to prepare. I will end this battle sooner than it takes to tie shoe laces.” Elara spoke; confidence dripping from her tone.

Austin didn’t respond to her and entered into his battle stance.

He was already carrying Wisp in his hand and summoned his Shard in the other.

The referee stepped forward and asked Elara, “Participant, ready?”

Elara summoned a short kunai in her hand that glowed with a greenish hue before she nodded, “Ready.”

‘Second-stage….’ Considering the details of her Shard, Austin could tell that she was on the second stage of evolution, meaning she could use magic.

“Participant, ready?” The referee asked, and Austin nodded,

“Yes.”

Bringing down his raised hand, the referee announced,

“Begin!”

*ZWOOSH*

Both participants shot forward at once, their form turning blurry just the moment it began.

However, much to Elara’s panic, the other one reached her even before she could have crossed half-court

“Shit-*clang*!” She had to bring her Shard downward to parry that attack which was aimed at her stomach.

She was pushed back a little despite her momentum, as the girl felt her arms vibrating because of the collision.

Looking up at him, she said with a strained smile, “You are strong.”

Austin didn’t entertain the idea of a conversation amidst battle and charged in once again.

Elara barely had the time to bring her Shard up so she ducked at the incoming Shard—big mistake.

**CRACK**

Austin knew she would bend low that’s why he lifted his knee and drove it into her face, knocking the girl back.

Elara gritted her teeth, twisting in midair. Just before she hit the ground, she flung a kunai—

*SHLINK*

Austin tilted his head, effortlessly dodging it. But that smirk on her face… it set off alarm bells.

*CLICK*

And then—she vanished.

His eyes widened.

**DHAK**

A sharp impact smashed into his skull, forcing him forward. His foot barely stopped short of the borderline.

Elara saw her chance. She lunged, aiming to shove Austin off the stage—but he twisted on his feet with beast-like instincts, catching her by the head and aiming to throw her away.

…but it happened again.

*Click*

Austin’s fingers clenched nothing but air as Elara reappeared, standing safely in the middle of the arena, her smirk as sharp as a blade.

“Now that you’ve seen what my Shard can do… wanna give up?” she teased, tilting her head.

Austin’s eyes darkened. Without hesitation, he commanded Wisp to strike from behind.

But—

*SHLINK*

Wisp cut through nothing. Elara had already disappeared, leaving only her Shard floating in her place.

“Tch.” Austin clicked his tongue and hurled his Shard behind him on instinct.

Bad move.

**DHAK**

A brutal kick slammed into his ribs from the side. He barely flinched before—

*Click*

She was gone again.

Austin staggered, but his instincts roared—he spun, scanning for her.

Too late.

**DHAK**

A knee crashed into his back, forcing him forward.

*Click*

She vanished again.

**THWACK**

A kick hammered his jaw from below, snapping his head back.

*Click*

Gone.

Austin barely steadied himself before—

**CRACK**

An elbow smashed into his ribs, knocking the air from his lungs. He coughed, but before he could recover—

**DHAK! CRACK! DHAK**

Blow after blow, Elara rained down attacks, appearing and disappearing like a ghost. His body jerked with every hit—his shoulders, his stomach, his legs—each strike carrying raw, ruthless force.

Austin’s vision blurred. His stance wavered.

“Phahahah! She is brutaaaaaaal!”

“Damn, bro, she violated him.”

“Man, I can never be him.”

“Seriously, putting a D-rank against a B-rank? Was the headmaster wanting to enjoy some punchbag session?”

Valerie couldn’t think of hearing anything at the moment as she stared at the arena with her hands clasped.

Seeing her Lord getting hurt before her eyes yet not being able to do anything was the worst feeling.

Her heart trembled and her Soul Energy was barely within restraints…as she continuously kept looking at him….

‘I know you can do it…please…’

Back in the arena, Elara reappeared—this time for longer than a flicker. With a playful grin, she draped an arm over Austin’s shoulder.

“Told ya to retreat. It’s impossible to keep track of slippery beauty like me.”

Austin didn’t respond. His head hung low, shoulders still, but his hand slowly rose—gripping the edge of her hood.

Elara sighed. “So you’re still trying to—”

The moment he pulled, she disappeared.

*Click*

She reappeared behind him, eyes narrowing. Now was the time.

Her fist cocked back, aiming straight for the back of his neck. One clean hit and it was over.

‘You were a great punching bag, but now it’s over—’

**GHAK**

A dull, sickening crack.

Elara’s world twisted as Austin’s elbow slammed into her gut. Air fled her lungs. A sharp, numbing pain tore through her stomach.

She staggered. Her knees buckled.

Clutching her stomach, she gasped, barely forcing herself upright. “How did you—?!”

But Austin was already moving. He spun, foot rising—

*Click*

Elara vanished again, but this time, she wasn’t as quick.

A single heartbeat later—

**BOOOOM**

A sharp, agonized scream tore from her throat.

She hadn’t even fully materialized before Austin’s fist crashed into her stomach—again, in the exact same spot.

Her body jerked violently. Blood rushed to her head. Her vision swayed.

Austin’s face remained cold, detached, as his hand shot up—fingers reaching for her throat.

*Click*

No. She refused to let him.

She flickered away, appearing farther this time, her breaths ragged.

“How the hell are you tracking me?!”

Austin didn’t answer. He simply turned, summoning his Shard.

Elara clenched her teeth. Her body screamed in protest, but she forced herself to steady. If she just—

A blur.

Austin was already on her, dagger flashing as he aimed for her shoulder—

*Click*

Gone.

A shuriken whirled through the space where she had been.

Austin halted, his stance relaxed, but his gaze was sharp.

And then—

Elara reappeared.

Right where she had vanished.

A mistake.

With a vicious expression she cried, “Got y—” however,

**DHAK**

Her pupils shrank. A shudder ran through her body.

The third strike—right into her stomach. The exact same spot.

Her body gave out. Eyes wide, mouth slightly open, she crumpled to the ground.

The arena fell silent.

She had speed. She had skill.

But against sheer, calculated brutality—she didn’t stand a chance.

The referee came forward to check on Elara before he declared, “Austin wins!”

*Clap* *Clap*

There was only a single person clapping in the audience since the rest of the crowd was too stunned in disbelief to react.

Austin finally gave a reaction.

Looking at the crying Valerie who was clapping for him to congratulate him, he couldn’t stop himself from smiling.