One Punch Man: The Judge

With a flourish of his sword, Haruto prepared to press the attack and finish off the monster. But just then, a series of *beep-beep-beep*sounds rang out.

Looking down, he saw the transparent sphere on his chest plate flashing red and emitting constant beeping.

"No way! Ultraman?!"

...

As Haruto hesitated—since the Apprentice Judge handbook did not mention time limits for battles, the System's cold feminine voice chimed in...

[Energy below 50%, Apprentice Judge, please be cautious]

"For crying out loud—" Before he could finish, the Mantis Monster dived at him, forcing Haruto to refocus on the fight.

Haruto shouted the skill name again, then reversed his grip on the dual swords, swinging them fiercely at the Mantis Monster, sending a cross-shaped energy slash towards it.

Having experienced the Cross Slash before, the Mantis Monster frantically used its sturdy blades to protect its vital areas.

*Boom!*

[Energy below 20%]

Ignoring the system's warning and the incessant beeping from his chest, Haruto charged at the Mantis Monster, following the Reverse Cross Slash.

While charging, he discarded the swords and clenched his fists.

The Mantis Monster staggered back several steps under the Reverse Cross Slash's impact, its razor-sharp blades showing noticeable chips. But before it could catch its breath, Haruto lunged at its chest, fists glowing with a powerful cyclone.

*Thud—*

With a muffled thud, the Mantis Monster was sent flying by the impact.

"This isn't over yet!"

Wide-eyed, Haruto leaped into the air, landing above the Mantis Monster.

*Boom!*

Still airborne, the Mantis Monster was forcefully stomped into the ground by Haruto, shrouded in a cloud of dust.

"Damn prey! Die!" Cried out the monster.

A flash of cold light.

Haruto instinctively shrank back, feeling two sharp blades sweep past head to foot... it must be the Mantis Monster's counterattack.

"You won't have another chance." Looking down at the Mantis Monster's triangular head, Haruto clasped his hands together and raised them high.

Seeing the hammering fist coming down at lightning speed, the Mantis Monster was filled with terror, "No—you can't—"

"Die!" Roared Haruto.

*Thud*

The Mantis Monster's head exploded like a smashed watermelon, brain matter and bone fragments splattering everywhere. Its massive body collapsed lifelessly, blood quickly soaking the ground.

Sitting on the headless corpse, Haruto murmured, "*Phew*... if you could still regenerate from this, I'd have no choice but to run." He looked up at the city's deep blue night sky, "It seems our clan ancestors' martial arts are more effective. At least they don't consume the suit's energy."

Both the Judgment Skills and the Judge suit Haruto wore required energy. Once the energy was depleted, Judgment Skills couldn't be used, and though the Judge suit could still be worn, its enhancement effects would vanish.

Considering it was his first real battle, Haruto had deliberately tested the two Judgment Skills available to him... and ...

"Oh, there's one last step." Suddenly remembering the Apprentice Judge handbook's instructions, Haruto realized he had to complete one final step to officially finish the task.

"Redeem Judge's Flag."

[Deducting 10 Judgment Points, redeeming Judge's Flag...]

A one-meter-high black flag with a white scale emblem appeared in Haruto's hand... This was the Judge's Flag.

Standing up, Haruto firmly planted the flag on the headless Mantis Monster's neck. Watching the black flag fluttering in the wind, he clapped his hands and nodded with satisfaction.

[Congratulations, Apprentice Judge, for completing C-level task 'Execution of the Mantis Monster']

...