Chapter 88 – No Soul Beast?
Yet, the person she was up against was Barton, the king of defense. Every punch she executed had been blocked by his shield. While Barton had a large physique and held a heavy shield, he was perfect with respect to his defence and was able to shift his stance easily to better defend himself at any angle. Any close combat or melee combatant could only cry when faced against him.
It would be unwise for Laura to rely on her flames in order to break through his defences. After all, it was commonplace for one's defenses to be able to not block material attacks, but also special abilities.
Everyone had no idea to what Laura was planning. After all, they knew Laura's brain and chest were equally big. This time though…
BANG!
Barton, who had been on the defense all this time, felt that something wasn't quite right. He suddenly spun his shield into a rotation before smashing it against Laura's strike. The collision actually forcefully sent him back ten meters.
After being knocked away, Laura slid across the ground in a relaxed manner as she stretched her arms.
As for Barton, the arm holding the shield seemed to be trembling slightly.
"The Potter clan's Flame Void Fist does indeed deserve its reputation!" Barton said in a deep voice. Although he used his shield, he was still smashed back by Laura to the point where his wrist almost broke.
The entire crowd started to whisper. Flaming Void Fist?
Wasn't it said that Laura's physique wasn't suited for it?
No wonder each of her blows had created a roar akin to muffled thunder. This was a fist technique that contained the mysteries of blazing implosions. This kind of combat skill was known for having flame void energy, and it could be transformed into various types of techniques.
While it could be said that Laura's previous attack didn't seem fierce, the power behind her attacks can reach as high as 180 grassos of power.
Everyone who had seen this scene was stunned. No wonder why Laura didn't immediately call out her soul beast when she entered the arena. This kind of attack was enough to eliminate a large majority of heavy soldiers.
The image of her as the Beast Lady was about to be overthrown. Laura's Explosive Bear had been too famous, which made everyone forget that fact that she had come from the world's top empty-handed fighting clan—the Potter clan!
As the clan with the ultimate empty-handed style, the Potter clan stood at one of the highest pinnacle of the world amongst numerous combat styles. With the fusion between the mind and body, the collision and control of soul power and movements, they had became known as 'humanoid weapons'. Every single punch and kick from them emitted a superhuman strength that far exceeded the limits of the body.
It was, however, regretful that Laura was currently facing the Shield of Austin. While everyone stared with shock at Laura's Flame Void Fist, Barton—who had perfected his Spiraling Shield Resisting Technique—prevented the Flame Void Fist from displaying even a shred of its true might since she couldn't reach him. Coupled with his proficient use of defensive techniques, he had the ability to redirect the majority of the force to the ground.
What the common man could only see was Barton defending warily, but experts could clearly identify the technique he used, which was marvelous. About 70% of Laura's strength had been absorbed by the shield and into the ground. This kind of energy consumption wasn't something Laura keep up with ease.
No matter how outstanding her physique and talent was, it still couldn't compare to that of a heavy soldier's.
Barton gradually began to increase the pressure on Laura as he switched into a suppressing stance while advancing. Laura was forced to continuously launch attacks to counter Barton's moves, but the space she could attack from was obviously growing smaller and smaller. With the loss of this space, the might of Flame Void Fist was clearly reduced. Even the number of places she could move to was gradually diminishing.
Barton was like a tank pushing slowly forward. Any number of guns could rain down bullets on him, but it would be of no absolute use. One can only stand there and watch as the cannon loomed closer and closer.
"It's a pity Laura was too confident in herself. If it were any other opponent, then her Flame Void Fist would've been a great killing tool!"
"It will still be a glorious defeat. After all, the restriction posed by his combat style was too hampering to her! It's enough for us to anticipate the Ball Queen's future performances."
"Barton's defense is simply too disgusting! I don't ever want to battle him"
"Why didn't she use her soul beast? If she just wanted to test her new Flame Void Fist technique, then fighting to this point shouldn't be necessary, right?"
Murmurs from the crowd began to fill the viewing gallery.
This wasn't only due to Laura's current disadvantage.
A soul beast master who didn't use their soul beast would unavoidably give others a feeling of one not fully utilising their full strength. Even if her strength in other areas was also strong, it was still a reckless waste of natural resources!
"Is there something wrong with Laura's soul beast?"
No one knew who had said these words, but it made everyone instantly shocked. On the surface, a soul beast master held unlimited fame and prestige, yet it was also a high risk venture. If any little problem were to surface during training, then the little boat made from the friendship of the soul beast would have a possibility of capsizing. There were too many examples of this issue happening.
Laura had not used her soul beast and was training in some fist techniques. Could it be…
☀
Sharmie also had her skylink on, so it was natural for her to watch her rival's match.
When she saw Laura's Flame Void Fist, Sharmie felt slightly stunned by it. Additionally, the soul beast she was most envious of wasn't present. As for the Flame Void Fist… in all honesty, it wasn't of any use. Due to her inherent qualities, her physique just wasn't suitable for utilising the Flame Void Fist to its full strength.
Having a large chest… was an achilles heel!
The reason why Emily could be an assassin was because… certain parts of her were a bit lacking… yet this could also be an achilles heel in a way…
Sharmie wrinkled her brows. Why did Laura not use her soul beast? To fight till this point, it should be clear that the Flame Void Fist is lacking in strength against Barton. If this continues, then the one who ends up losing will be Laura. If she is going to wait before summoning her soul beast, then with her soul power so exhausted, it will only reduce the duration the soul beast could exist in combat. Afterall, a soul beast isn't omnipotent. If her opponent chooses to deal with the soul beast properly, then it'll still end up as her loss.
Could it be that these fellows are speaking the truth? Is there a problem with Laura's soul beast? Or was the consumption from the Flame Void Fist a complete drain of her energy reserves, so she couldn't summon her soul beast?
This cannot be!
Even if this fellow were to fall, she can only fall by my hands! How can she be so weak for some unfathomable reason!?
"I wager that there should be some issue with her soul beast," Mario said as he gazed steadily at Laura. This guy's observation ability was topnotch, and there were very few times when he had made a wrong judgement. "Boss, take a look. Both Arnold and Anlor have haunted looks on their faces. It does seem that some problem had occurred that led to this outcome."
As her squadron mates and faithful fanatics, their current expressions were quite solemn. With a dignified bearing, they were frowning so hard that that three lines had appeared on their forehead.Their faces were filled with pain and bitterness. It was simply too sad, and it appeared as though they were about to cry.
"You shut it! How is this something to be happy about?" shouted Sharmie. She didn't feel a trace of happiness since she could see that there really was a problem.
She also knew about the instabilities behind soul beasts, but… it currently shouldn't have happened to Laura!
"Uh…" Mario's face instantly withered. Why have my bootlicking skills declined by so much?
Sharmie's face was brimming with murderous intent as she looked at Mario. "Let's have a bet. If Laura wins, then I, your sister, will blast you with a hundred cannon shots!"
"Wh, what if she loses?" Mario replied. He couldn't stop himself from trembling. If captain loses and goes on a date with him, then he would have won the jackpot!
"If she loses, then I, your big sis, shall blast you with a THOUSAND cannon shots! I'll stuff your ass into the cannon barrel itself!"
Mario's face instantly turned stiff and he almost burst into tears. "B… but can't you… ah, nothing!"
He forcibly swallowed back the last few words he was about to say. If he didn't take the bet, then he'd simply be blasted into pieces.