Solar Blood Masters (195)

Chapter 195 - Snow Maidens’ Wrath

Another contender who was fueled by the allure of the Snow Maidens and the prestige of becoming the next Snow Lord, leaped onto the stage.

He unleashed a flurry of ice shards that could freeze even a small lake. However, his efforts were futile. Yukiana didn’t even twitch as she unleashed an invisible force that had him flying backwards, and crashing into the crowd with a painful thud that had a few groaning.

Only four contenders remained.

‘What is that mysterious power she wields?’ Raphael pondered while observing Yukiana intently. ‘Could it be similar to Thienika’s Regal Counter? But she’s not even reacting to their attacks. She’s simply… blasting them away, as if their very presence… offends her.’

“Huh?”

Yukiana mistook Raphael’s intense gaze for admiration and flicked her long, blue hair and adjusted her gown slightly, accentuating her curves and revealing more of her chest.

“Who’s next?” she asked and her gaze settled on Raphael. It was a silent challenge and an open invitation.

“I’ll try,” a burly man declared and leapt onto the stage with an eagerness that had a few whispering bets behind their hands.

He charged his Solar Essence and unleashed a powerful punch straight for Yukiana’s face.

But she was ready and blasted him away again.

BOOM!

However, this man, unlike the others, was more resilient, or perhaps more determined, for her attack didn’t send him crashing into the spectators, but landed harshly on the stage’s surface. And his head shook from the impact. He grunted, then launched himself towards Yukiana once again.

“Hmph! I won’t be defeated that easily.”

He unleashed a barrage of punches and kicks.

BAM! BAM! BAM!      

Yet… Yukiana remained unscathed. Her invisible shield effortlessly repelled his attacks.

Raphael observed the battle. He still couldn’t decipher Yukiana’s technique.

Enel Snow noticed Raphael’s puzzled expression and seized the opportunity.

“You’re curious about her technique, aren’t you, youngster?”

“Indeed. Do you know of it?”

“Sure do. If I tell you, will you forfeit this duel?”

“I already told you, I’m not interested in those Snow Maidens. But if you have some food to offer, then I’ll consider it. Now spill the beans, geezer.”

“Excellent. That reassurance is good.” Enel Snow smiled thinly. ‘It’s a pity you won’t live long enough to enjoy it.’

He explained, “The Snow Maidens have cultivated a unique technique… the ‘Gender Neutral’ technique.”

“Gender Neutral? I’ve never heard of it,” Raphael said, intrigued.

“It’s a technique that allows them to repel anyone of the opposite sex, and attract those of the same.” Enel elaborated.

“Oh,” Raphael’s eyes widened slightly. “So THAT’S why those men can’t get close to her? Because they have… big hanging balls between their legs.”

Enel Snow chuckled, amused by Raphael’s blunt description.

“That’s one way to put it. But there are… flaws within that technique. Flaws I will soon exploit… and conquer them.” He glanced up at Labeach with a perverse grin.

Labeach sensed his gaze and turned to her sister. “Yuki, I’ll be going next.”

“KYAAH!”

The burly man’s scream echoed through the courtyard as he was blasted away by Yukiana’s ‘Gender Neutral’ barrier, landing heavily in the audience.

Yukiana hopped off the stage. “It’s all yours, sister. Give ‘em hell.”

“Mhm,” Labeach nodded, then leaped onto the stage. She immediately pointed at Enel Snow.

“You! Come. I’m tired of your being such an eyesore.”

“Well, well, well… You’d better get used to seeing me often. After all, we’ll be spending our nights together.” Enel gave Raphael a wink before he hopped onto the stage with surprising agility.

“It’s been a while, Labeach. You’ve grown even prettier with age. You can rest assured… After I marry you, I’ll take good care of your sister as well.” He licked his lips perversely.

“Sorry to burst your bubble, old perv, but… you’ve already failed.” Labeach said coldly.

“What do you mean? The match hasn’t even begun yet.” Enel Snow’s brow creased with confusion.

Labeach simply gestured towards his feet.

Enel Snow looked down. And in that instant, with blinding speed, Labeach unleashed a punch straight to his face.

“Gender Neutral Punch!”

The amplified force of her ability, at such close range, sent Enel Snow flying out of bounds. He crashed into a distant ice pillar with a jarring thud that had the spectators wincing.

“Enel Snow has been eliminated!” Flint Snow announced and a cheer of relief washed over the courtyard. They were happy to see that creepy old man defeated.

“Impressive.” Raphael smirked, observing Labeach intently. “She distracted her opponent with a simple trick, then capitalized on that key moment to eliminate him. I have a feeling she’s more capable than her sister. She doesn’t need to intimidate… Her strength speaks for itself. And those large breasts of hers… they didn’t slow her movements one bit.”

He paused.

“Huh, what the hell am I talking about? I’ve seen breasts before. Focus, Raphael. You have a mission. Time to explore this place…”

“Cough! Cough!” Enel Snow spat blood as he pulled himself out of the rubble.

“That’s… unfair! A sneak attack! She should be disqualified!”

Yukiana joined her sister on the stage and mocked him, “You’re weak as a pussycat, old man!”

Enel Snow was about to lash out when Xavier Snow’s stern gaze silenced him. He glared at the Snow Maidens with bitterness seething in his heart. ‘I’ll have my revenge… somehow.’

Yukiana high-fived her sister, then hugged her tightly. She turned towards Enel Snow, stuck out her tongue, blew a raspberry, and gave him a thumbs down.

Humiliated, Enel Snow hid himself amongst the spectators. His earlier bravado had completely vanished.

…

“Next contender!”

Flint Snow called out. “Only two suitors remain! No, wait… It appears one is forfeiting. Which means… only ONE contender remains!”

“What?!” Yukiana and Labeach exclaimed in unison, surprised by the announcement.

They looked towards the remaining contenders, and their eyes widened in disbelief as they recognized the figure walking away. It was Raphael, casually strolling towards the exit as if their beauty wasn't even worth a second glance.

“Hey! Yellow-hair! Where do you think you’re going?! Are you… scared? Is THAT it?!” Yukiana taunted him, and her pride was wounded.

Raphael glanced over his shoulder and waved a dismissive hand. “I’m not interested in marrying anyone, so… I’m forfeiting.”

A wave of stunned silence washed over the courtyard. The remaining contenders stared at Raphael, dumbfounded. Even the soldiers, usually so stoic and disciplined, exchanged baffled glances.

Yukiana was livid.

“You’re… not interested in US?! Sister! Did you HEAR what he said?!”

“I heard,” Labeach replied calmly and crossed her arms beneath her breasts.

“Men would go to great lengths just to sit and chat with us! Yet this brat… he’s not interested?! Hey! Get back here! I still have to punish you for slaying my mount!”

WHOOSH!

She materialized her Snow Bunny Carrot and tossed it towards Raphael’s back.

He turned and instinctively blocked with his arm.

And in that instant, he found himself standing on the circular stage directly before the Snow Maidens.

“What the…?! I teleported? That rabbit…?” He quickly understood. The moment the Snow Bunny made contact, he’d been transported. It was a sneaky trick, and he’d fallen for it.

“You have nowhere left to run. Face me, if you have the guts,” Yukiana taunted him.

“Sister, you can step back. I’ll take care of this. I’ll prove to Daddy that his power isn’t that impressive.”

Labeach stepped back, giving her sister the stage.

Raphael stared at Yukiana as she cracked her knuckles and smiled smugly.

‘She’s confident in her Gender Neutral ability. I wonder… will it also work on… me?’

“Since you’re so pushy… I’ll give you the time of day,” Raphael told Yukiana.

“You… give ME the time of day? Get real!” She scoffed, then commanded her Snow Bunny Carrot to multiply. Two identical rabbits now hovered beside her.

Raphael dashed towards her.

As he got within two meters, an invisible force slammed into him and repelled him further away, causing him to stumble backwards.

‘Oh, so it affects my body as well. Guess I’m a true male after all. Sindoll did a wonderful job,’ he smirked, pleased with this confirmation.

“What are you smiling about, twerp? Are you that happy to be repelled by me?” Yukiana misunderstood his reaction.

‘Her ability can repel me. But what about…?’ Raphael stomped the ground with a powerful, earth-shattering force that had those nearby spectators losing their footing.

CRACK!

The earth beneath his feet split open. He lifted a large chunk of rock into his hand.

He casually flicked it towards Yukiana, which moved so fast it even had Labeach’s eyes twitching.

She dodged it effortlessly.

“She dodged. That confirms it.” Raphael mumbled, now understanding the flaw in her technique.

“Hmm, that kid… He’s already figured out the technique’s flaw,” Xavier Snow commented with a mix of admiration and concern.

Yukiana was about to retaliate, when Raphael turned around and started walking towards the edge of the stage as if he was about to leave.

“Hey! Where are you going?”

“I’ve confirmed what I wanted to know,” Raphael replied casually, without even glancing back. “You’re mediocre at best.”

“What?! Mediocre? That’s a bold assumption… for such a small person who only knows how to show a girl his back. We have unfinished business! Now turn around and face me!”

Raphael ignored her and continued walking.

“Such a despicable character!” Yukiana yelled bitterly. “Didn’t your mother teach you how to act in the presence of royalty?! Or could it be… that she too… was a piece of trash?! Then allow ME to educate you… with MY fists!”

“My mother… a piece of trash?”

Raphael glanced over his shoulder just as Yukiana’s fist, radiating icy energy, came swinging towards him.

And within his blood-red eyes… a deadly change occurred.

 ‘My mother… Ewa Nier… and that bitch, Tajmani… I haven’t forgotten… I’ll make them both pay! Starting with… YOU!’

A burning rage ignited within his heart.

“Royal Guard!”

BOOM!

Yukiana froze in mid-air before her fist could connect its mark. He grabbed her arm, twisted it, then with a powerful slam, drove her body into the ground.

CRACK!

The stage shattered. Huge chunks of rock exploded outwards, showering the courtyard like deadly hailstones. Several spectators screamed as they were struck by the debris.

“KYAAAAAH!”

Yukiana’s scream reverberated through the courtyard as she was embedded in the shattered stage, and her Solar Essence flickered like a dying ember.

“Yuki!” Labeach cried out. Her ocean-blue eyes blazed with fury, and without a second thought, she dashed towards Raphael with an ice dagger materialized in her hand. Her intent… to kill.

“How dare you injure my sister?! Hell Bound Elipto!”

Sparks flew from her dagger. They spiraled around Raphael, transforming into curved blades that swung towards his head.

With Yukiana still in his grasp, Raphael activated Electro Speed.

WHOOSH!

A burst of golden lightning.

And they vanished.

He reappeared behind Labeach with a chilling grin.

He grabbed her hair from the back.

And slammed her face-first into the stage.

BOOM!

Another crack spread across the already damaged platform.

“ARGHH!”

Labeach groaned in pain.

The crowd gasped.

“That kid… He’s a monster!”

“How can he be so cruel to the Snow Maidens?!”

“For a cute little kid… How could he turn into such a devil?!”

“I regret ever offering him affection!”

Enel Snow, peeking through the crowd, watched the scene unfold with growing anger.

“Dammit! That brat! He promised me he wouldn’t participate! And now… he’s dominating the Snow Maidens?! Unforgivable!”