The finals of the International Sports Festival had been decided.
Tomorrow—
One of us would stand above the rest.
As we stepped onto the podium, the stadium exploded with sound. Applause thundered from every direction, rolling over us in crushing waves as four figures stood beneath the blinding lights.
This wasn't just another competition.
This was the International Sports Expo.
The final four.
I swallowed slowly, feeling the weight of thousands of eyes pressing down on me.
So this is it…
The announcement echoed through the stadium, amplified until it felt like it was vibrating inside my bones.
"The first match of the finals—begin!"
A brief pause.
Then—
"Izuku Midoriya… versus Arjun Dev."
The roar that followed was deafening.
---
Arena — Finals Match One
We entered the arena from opposite ends.
The moment my foot touched the ground, the atmosphere changed.
The air felt heavier. Denser. As if the arena itself was holding its breath, waiting to see which of us would break first.
Arjun Dev stood across from me, posture relaxed yet immovable—like a mountain that had decided to take human form.
"I've been looking forward to facing you, Izuku," he said, settling into his stance.
Calm.
Grounded.
Unmoving.
No wasted motion. No arrogance.
I mirrored him, tightening my fists as energy surged through my limbs.
"Let's see how the tournament favorite really fights," I replied.
One For All—Full Cowl. 80%.
Green lightning wrapped around my body, power flooding my muscles.
No restraint.
Not against him.
The instant the signal sounded, I vanished.
The ground cracked beneath my feet as I closed the distance and drove a punch straight into Arjun's torso. The impact detonated like an explosion, shockwaves rippling across the arena floor.
He should've staggered.
He should've slid back.
He didn't move an inch.
"Good," Arjun said with a small smile. "That's exactly what I expected from you, Izuku-kun."
"…What?"
My instincts screamed.
The pressure changed.
Something descended.
Not physically—but spiritually.
Spiritual Manifestation.
Orange light erupted from Arjun's body, roaring outward like a living flame. The aura twisted and solidified, forming the towering silhouette of a god behind him—vast, powerful, overwhelming.
Hanuman.
"…Even among gods," I muttered through clenched teeth, "he's one of the strongest."
Arjun stepped forward.
His fist came down.
It wasn't fast.
It was inevitable.
The punch slammed into my guard like a collapsing mountain. My arms screamed as the force blasted me backward, boots carving trenches through solid stone before I was finally thrown into the air.
"What is this power…?!" I gasped, barely stabilizing myself before landing.
"You know already," Arjun replied calmly. "I'm an Omnith. If I truly believe in a god… I can borrow their strength."
The sky darkened.
Thunder roared so loudly my ears rang.
A bolt of lightning tore through the air and struck me head-on.
"Gah—!"
Pain exploded through my body as electricity ripped across my suit. Smoke rose from my skin as I skidded across the arena, barely managing to stay conscious.
The aura around Arjun shifted.
Orange turned to deep, crackling blue.
…Zeus? Thor? I thought, forcing myself to my feet.
"Don't be surprised," Arjun said, his voice low and unyielding.
"You know what they call me now… the gods' chosen emperor."
The aura changed again.
Gold.
Brilliant. Blinding.
And then—
He vanished.
Too fast—!
I barely had time to raise my guard before impact slammed into my side. My body crashed into the arena wall, ribs screaming as the stone behind me shattered.
I coughed, forcing myself upright, breath coming in sharp bursts.
"…Sorry, Arjun," I said, green lightning flaring brighter around me.
"But if you're this strong…"
I smiled.
"I can let loose too."
"…Kid," Kudo's voice echoed inside my head, tense. "Are we doing this now?"
"Yes," I answered without hesitation.
"Right here. Right now."
Everyone—get ready.
We're going all out.
Third—Fa Jin.
Energy coiled deep within my muscles, stored power screaming to be released.
I launched forward.
The moment my foot hit the ground, Fa Jin detonated, stacking force upon force. My punch connected squarely with Arjun's chest, finally sending him flying backward.
He slid across the arena—but I didn't give him time to recover.
Blackwhip snapped out, wrapping around his arm and torso, yanking him back toward me.
Gearshift. Fa Jin. One For All—synchronized.
The world slowed.
My speed skyrocketed.
Power surged until my body felt like it might tear itself apart.
I pulled him in and unleashed everything in a single, devastating strike.
"You call yourself the gods' chosen emperor!" I shouted.
"Then I'll become—"
My fist burned, glowing with overwhelming force.
"—the demon king who defeats you!"
The impact shattered the arena.
Stone disintegrated.
Light consumed everything.
---
Silence.
Dust drifted through the air.
When it settled, Arjun lay motionless in the fractured ground.
---
Arjun Dev — POV
The cheers reached me even through the rubble.
"Izuku Midoriya—WINNER!"
I lay still.
Dust clung to my skin.
The ground beneath me was completely shattered.
Defeated.
The word echoed in my mind.
And—
My heart raced.
So this is defeat…
The pain was real.
That final strike—
Magnificent.
For a single heartbeat, my consciousness had wavered.
For the first time in years—
I had genuinely wondered if I had lost.
"…Amazing," I thought quietly.
Not fear.
Not anger.
Excitement.
The gods within me were silent—not disappointed, not resisting.
Watching.
Accepting.
Izuku Midoriya…
A power that didn't bow to gods.
"The Demon King who defeats the gods," huh…
My lips almost curved into a smile.
An absurd title.
A terrifying one.
And yet—
It fit.
For the first time, something became clear.
I wasn't angry about losing.
I wasn't ashamed.
I was—
Motivated.
If someone like him exists… then I can't remain as I am.
Defeat wasn't an end.
It was proof.
Proof that I could still grow.
That I must grow.
Rest well, Demon King.
Stand proud in your victory.
Because next time—
I'll meet you again.
Not as a god's emperor…
But as someone strong enough to challenge you properly.
---
"Izuku Midoriya—WINNER!"
The stadium erupted.
Cheers.
Screams.
Applause.
I stood there, breathing hard.
Victorious.
…Yet—
Something felt off.
As I turned away, a strange unease settled in my chest.
Did I really… finish it?
For just a moment—
I felt like I was being watched.