I Became the Guild Leader in Exile

53 – 10# Creta Guild (4)

The start of a fight always begins with a roar that ignites determination. Asterios’s roar was so intense that an ordinary person would instantly lose their determination, yet…

Naturally, it had no effect on Isaac. Instead, Isaac rushed toward Asterios, who let out a massive roar. There was no hesitation in his actions.

His tightly coiled arm shot out like a spring. Fist met fist in the air. Literally a clash of strength, but victory or defeat wasn’t found there.

Surprisingly, Asterios managed to withstand Isaac’s full force head-on. Isaac inwardly clicked his tongue. Even the Lion King Urkhan was pushed back by me head-on.

Well.

This much is necessary to challenge Hades.

On the other hand, what surprised Asterios inwardly was also the same. He never dreamed that a being capable of directly confronting him in a contest of strength existed within Gideon.

‘Even she couldn’t withstand my attack head-on.’

If strength is equal, then the difference lies in experience and skill. That’s what determines the outcome. Having concluded that, Asterios exhaled shortly and stepped forward.

Thud!

As he took a step forward, Asterios’s shoulder sharply pierced Isaac’s chest. Unable to withstand the immense weight, Isaac was pushed backward.

But that was it.

Seeing Isaac moving unharmed, Asterios clicked his tongue. He considered himself capable of easily shattering considerable defenses.

“There’s truly no difference from an iron fortress.”

It felt as if besieging a stronghold without a siege engine, as if he had done it before. It was awfully strenuous, yet surprisingly manageable. Asterios immediately charged.

‘The strength is at an equal level. The issue lies in experience and skill.’

Simply comparing strength, they were evenly matched. He had a strength that rivaled Hera’s power. But that wasn’t a reason for Isaac to give up the fight.

There was never a thought of surrender from the start.

Clashing here is a matter of belief.

They clash, gritting their teeth, to see who is stronger. There’s no need for complex calculations in such a simple fight. Isaac, likewise, rushed forward.

Honest strength and a contest of strength. With each collision of fists, a thunderous roar echoed, and the firmly planted maze shook, asserting its presence.

Strong. Truly strong.

Stronger than imagination.

That’s why it infuriates even more.

Why can’t you see reality? Your mentor is right in front of you. You must give up what needs to be given up to protect those who remain. That is the essence of reality.

There is a saying that men communicate with their fists.

True to that saying, Asterios swung his fist with all his might, hoping his will would be conveyed. However, in contrast, it was Isaac’s will that reached him.

No more words are needed.

There is no compromise. No one.

Not a single person sacrificed.

It was like an unyielding will of steel. A will that Asterios slowly began to overwhelm. Did he mention a fortress earlier? Cancel that statement.

He is not a fortress.

A towering mountain that endlessly rises.

No matter how deep you dig, there is no end in sight.

A man like a mountain.

Asterios surprisingly came to a resolution quickly. He knows that such a man belongs to the category where persuasion is futile. So, he will use all his strength to break his opponent.

“Until now, I believed I could persuade you.”

“So?”

“I apologize. I showed a bit of hope, it seems.”

“…?!”

The axe he is holding started emitting a red glow, resonating. It seemed like the axe was howling. Something unusual was happening.

Asterios.

The cursed child born through the king’s curse and brought forth through intercourse. Is it because of his lineage or because he was abandoned at birth? The origin of his power was undoubtedly anger.

Pasiphae.

The name given by Asterios to the axe he crafted from hunting monsters and using their spoils. Also, the name of the mother who abandoned him right after giving birth.

“I get angry just by looking at this axe.”

To the point of losing oneself.

Eventually, a crimson blaze surged from the axe, covering Asterios’s entire body. His eyes were already filled with a profound blood-red. It was truly a demon.

A demon returned from hell.

It was precisely at that moment, in response to the sudden change, that Isaac attempted to react. In an instant, Asterios’s form disappeared before Isaac’s eyes. Thanks to that, his reaction was slightly delayed.

Bang!

In an instant, Asterios closed the distance, reaching out to grab Isaac’s head. He slammed it into the ground, dragging him like a sack.

“Kuk!!”

The only emotion that Asterios felt now was anger. A tremendous rage that could consume everything in this world, not even sparing his own life.

His previously equal strength with Isaac had begun to tilt in Asterios’s favor. Despite possessing the power of Hera’s glory. Isaac quickly turned his head.

Perhaps Asterios’ power was similar in nature to Hera’s glory. The difference was that Asterios’ power became stronger through anger.

“Instantaneous explosiveness is powerful but has a low sustainability.”

Even in the chaotic situation, Isaac remembered Asterios’s weakness. In the original story, Asterios’ rage was depicted as ironic.

Because in the original, Asterios was consumed by an inexplicable rage.

And eventually became a monster of myth.

Nevertheless, Isaac was well aware of the weaknesses. As long as he could withstand Asterios’ rage for a while, he would be able to win. And that was the wisest approach.

Even Hades managed to avoid a direct confrontation.

But Isaac didn’t avoid it. On the contrary, he grabbed Asterios’s wrist, held onto his own head, and used brute force to beat him. Isaac shouted through gritted teeth.

“Do you think I’m going to run away?!”

At least when it came to family, Isaac didn’t compromise or run away. Yes, that was the concept Isaac had set for himself. So, he had to uphold that concept.

Crack! Crunch!

Unlike earlier when he was easily pushed back by force, now they were evenly matched in their fight. Isaac struck Asterios’s abdomen invaded by the crimson fury.

However, Isaac deliberately didn’t block it.

No, it wouldn’t have made any difference if he had tried to block it from the beginning.

The impact was too strong, it would break through any defense. Of course, if he kept defending and dragging the time, he would certainly win. But when it came to the issue involving his family, he would never run away.

If he abandoned his concept just because the situation was unfavorable.

How could anyone call him a man of principles?

When Asterios’s fist struck Isaac’s abdomen like a raging bull. Isaac also struck Asterios’s chin without yielding. His head briefly jerked back.

But soon after, Asterios returned his head to its original position. Fortunately, the axe Asterios was holding had flown far away, but his condition remained the same.

Finally, Isaac and Asterios started exchanging punches. A direct confrontation without defense or evasion, just trading blows. Truly a fight between men.

* * *

Being abandoned from birth because they were considered monsters.

By the king, by their parents, and by the people.

And maybe that’s why their attention was drawn to their comrades.

At first, they thought it was because of vengeance.

But later, they couldn’t help but admit.

The time spent with these guys was too enjoyable.

Even thoughts of revenge had become forgotten.

But it shouldn’t have been that way.

Back then, I had confidence. I believed I could overcome anything as long as I was with my comrades.

I believed that. However, I soon faced it. It was an overwhelming force.

A terror of death that could not be resisted. Because of it, I lost my comrades.

Despite the differences in strength and roles, each one of them was a precious comrade. Yet, I lost them due to my arrogance in claiming to be the strongest.

And now.

There is someone, similar to me who made foolish choices in the past. Maybe that’s why I’m even angrier. He was so much like my past self…

At least, I hoped he wouldn’t experience the same pain as me.

But I didn’t want to crush him with force. I knew that wouldn’t work from the beginning. So, I approached him in an unconventional way.

In the end, it turned into a provocation.

But I considered it better that way.

He’ll realize the overwhelming difference in strength on his own.

He’s not that much of a fool.

But what the hell. Even I, consumed by anger, couldn’t help but feel something odd. Clearly, he was covered in blood and wounds, yet he didn’t fall.

No, rather.

Now, I am being pushed back by his strength.

Even though my anger hasn’t subsided yet!

But even as I’m gradually losing in strength, surprisingly, it doesn’t feel that bad. There hasn’t been anyone who has faced me in anger until now.

Actually, perhaps.

He wasn’t trying to save me.

Otherwise, there’s no way he would directly face someone who has become a monster.

Not that he’s a fool.