The tunnel ahead loomed, signaling the transition into the first obstacle zone. But amidst the rushing competitors, Xuanyu's brute force remained a spectacle. The path of shattered ice behind him served as a clear reminder — sometimes, raw strength spoke louder than any elaborate strategy. Yet the crowd's growing anticipation wasn't just for him. Everyone knew what was coming next.
"ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT! BUT DON'T GET TOO COMFY, FOLKS!" Present Mic called out, his voice echoing through the stadium. "THE FIRST OBSTACLE IS JUST AHEAD, AND IT'S GONNA BE A BIG ONE!"
The massive screens flickered, switching views to a distant feed of the upcoming terrain. The roar of engines and the rhythmic thud of colossal footsteps filled the air. Towering mechanical forms loomed ominously in the distance, casting long shadows over the cracked earth. Their steel frames gleamed beneath the sunlight, each movement accompanied by the hum of powerful machinery.
"THAT'S RIGHT! IT'S TIME FOR OUR STUDENTS TO FACE OFF AGAINST SOME OLD FRIENDS!" Present Mic's voice boomed, the crowd roaring in response. "THE ZERO POINTERS ARE BACK, AND THEY'RE BIGGER AND BADDER THAN EVER!"
The camera zoomed in on one particularly massive Zero Pointer, its gleaming red sensors glowing menacingly. Sparks flared from its joints as it began to lurch forward. Then another. And another. Three of the colossal robots moved in tandem, their immense weight making the ground tremble beneath them. Students skidded to a halt, eyes widening in disbelief.
The crowd's excitement surged as Bakugo Katsuki shot ahead without a second's hesitation. Using the explosive power of his Quirk, he rocketed upward, propelling himself high above the looming machines. A feral grin spread across his face.
"COME ON, YOU BIG TIN CANS!" he roared mid-air, twin blasts igniting from his palms. "I'LL BLOW YOU TO PIECES!"
"AND BAKUGO MAKES HIS MOVE!" Present Mic cheered. "HE'S GOING STRAIGHT FOR THE OFFENSIVE!"
"He's bold," All Might said with a chuckle, though concern flickered beneath his grin. "But explosions alone won't topple something that massive."
"Unless he targets the joints," Shisui countered. "If he's smart enough to focus on the weak points, he might just pull it off."
Meanwhile, Todoroki Shoto had no interest in direct combat. With a flick of his hand, ice surged from the ground, forming jagged spires beneath one of the Zero Pointers. The frozen mass quickly encased the robot's legs, the extreme cold slowing its movements.
"AND TODOROKI GOES FOR A STRATEGIC FREEZE!" Present Mic exclaimed. "LOOKS LIKE HE'S TRYING TO IMMOBILIZE THE BIG GUY!"
"Not bad," Acier noted. "But large machines are rarely that simple to stop. He'll need a follow-up plan."
But while Todoroki and Bakugo faced the mechanical beasts head-on, Izuku Midoriya calculated his next move. The green lightning of One For All crackled around his limbs as he gauged the distance. At 10% power, his body moved with exceptional speed and agility. Rather than engaging, he sprinted toward the legs of the Zero Pointers, aiming to weave through the chaos.
"Midoriya's going for mobility!" Present Mic roared. "SMART THINKING! NO NEED TO FIGHT IF YOU CAN OUTRUN 'EM!"
"He knows his limits," All Might praised. "A true hero doesn't waste strength when it's unnecessary."
Yet, while Midoriya relied on agility and strategy, Xuanyu remained unwavering.
Xuanyu took a single deep breath. He wasn't going to dodge or find a way around the Zero Pointers. No, that wasn't necessary.
Within his spiritual space, the World Origin Rune glowed brilliantly — a vast, intricate construct that pulsed with unimaginable power. Unlike most runes that represented specific elements or forces, the World Origin Rune held fragments of every rune in existence. Through it, Xuanyu could manipulate countless powers.
But there was a limit. Limits of his own strength.
His body simply wasn't strong enough to bear the burden of the runes' true power. If he exceeded that threshold, his bones would shatter, his muscles would tear, and his internal organs would rupture. Even so, this was more than enough.
As the rune blazed within his mind, Xuanyu's eyes flashed open. They were no longer the calm, human eyes he had before. Instead, nine vibrant colors swirled within them, glowing with draconic majesty. The pupils elongated into narrow slits, shimmering with immense energy.
The World Origin Rune's influence surged through his veins. No glowing marks or external displays of power marred his skin. The strength was internal — a perfect harmony of ancient power and refined control.
"Strength Rune."
The first rune activated, a primal force coiling through his muscles. His already impressive physique pulsed with power, every fiber of his being enhanced to monstrous levels.
"Gravity Rune."
Next, the weight beneath his feet shifted. The rune altered the gravitational pull around him, grounding him with immense force to steady his movements. Each step would now deliver unimaginable force without wasting excess energy.
"Reinforcement Rune."
Finally, a golden glow enveloped his bones and muscles within. This rune fortified his body, reducing the strain of the immense power flowing through him. It was a buffer, ensuring his ten percent remained manageable.
"IS HE… IS HE REALLY GOING STRAIGHT FOR IT?!" Present Mic's voice cracked. "THIS GUY'S GOT GUTS!"
Without hesitation, Xuanyu shot forward. The ground beneath him cracked, spiderweb fractures racing across the concrete. His footsteps echoed like thunder as he accelerated.
A Zero Pointer loomed before him, its massive arms raised. The red glow in its eyes locked onto him as it prepared to strike.
"NO WAY! HE'S NOT EVEN SLOWING DOWN!"
But Xuanyu wasn't concerned. The force building within him surged like a tidal wave, coiling around his arm. The invisible might of the Strength Rune gathered, his bones groaning slightly from the pressure.
And then—
BOOM!
Xuanyu's fist collided directly with the Zero Pointer's metallic torso. The force of the impact was immediate. The thick steel plating warped and shattered beneath the pressure. The sound of rupturing metal echoed like an explosion. Sparks and debris flew in every direction.
The colossal machine didn't stand a chance. It crumpled backward, its massive body crashing to the ground with a deafening impact.
"ARE YOU SEEING THIS?!" Present Mic roared, his voice barely containing his excitement. "HE TOOK DOWN A ZERO POINTER WITH ONE PUNCH!"
Xuanyu stood amidst the wreckage, his breathing steady. His fists remained clenched, though a faint soreness lingered. Even with the Reinforcement Rune active, the backlash from using ten percent still wore on his body.
Booma:- And that's called power. The power to crush everything in out path through overwhelming strength.
Almight:- No need for strategy when you have the power to crush everything in your path.
While the group were animatedly discussing, Albedo looked at her master and smiled.
"That's the limit for now," he thought, his glowing eyes narrowing. "But it's enough."
He didn't waste another second. Leaping over the broken remains of the Zero Pointer, he sprinted forward. The crowd's cheers echoed through the stadium, but Xuanyu's focus remained locked on the path ahead.