Chapter 48: Let Him Go, I'll Fight
Vegeta staggered out from under the snow, coughing heavily.
On the pure white ground, drops of crimson blood fell, forming eerie and enchanting patterns.
Vegeta wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, clenching his fists tighter as his molars ground together.
"Damn bastard... how dare you toy with me!!" Vegeta roared to the heavens before leaping toward Rigor with incredible speed.
"Such a foolish man!" Separi, standing not far away, sneered in mockery. "Face reality, Vegeta! You can't win. Even though you've reached Super Saiyan 4, my husband hasn't even used half of his power…"
Seeing Vegeta's fist flying toward him, Rigor sneered disdainfully. "If our father saw you in this pathetic state, what do you think he'd say?"
"Why don't you go to hell and ask him yourself!" Vegeta growled through clenched teeth and delivered a full-force punch to Rigor's abdomen.
Though Vegeta used all his strength, the punch felt like it hit an iron wall, leaving his fist numb.
"Ha... is that all you've got?" Rigor smirked mockingly before punching Vegeta square in the face.
Ignoring Vegeta's cries, Rigor grabbed a fistful of his hair, bent his knee, and drove it hard into Vegeta's stomach.
"Ugh...waaah..." Vegeta let out a pained scream as his body tensed and curled up like a boiled shrimp.
"Vegeta!" Goku's furious roar echoed as he stepped into his Super Saiyan 4 form and rushed toward them.
"Hahaha... You're only fit to kneel at my feet. I've waited for this day for so long!" Rigor laughed derisively, watching Vegeta kneel in agony.
"Goku..." Piccolo called out, extending his hand to stop Goku, but Lin Qi intervened.
"Let them go," Lin Qi said indifferently. "The outcome was determined from the very beginning anyway."
"Damn it..." Vegeta struggled to his feet, aiming his palm at Rigor and launching his ultimate attack.
"Big Bang Attack!"
A terrifying surge of energy poured out, engulfing Rigor's figure in an instant. As the smoke cleared, Vegeta panted heavily, waiting for the result.
"Huff... Huff... How is this possible..." Vegeta muttered in disbelief as Rigor's figure reappeared unscathed.
Vegeta collapsed to the ground, too exhausted to stand. Goku arrived just in time to catch him.
"Vegeta, are you okay?"
"How strange... these guys can hide their true power?" Separi muttered from afar, rubbing her chin in thought.
"Oh, is this the full strength of a prince?" Rigor said mockingly, cracking his neck as a sickening grinding sound filled the air.
"I'm just getting warmed up, and you're already swapping fighters?" Rigor sneered, looking at Goku, who now stood protectively in front of Vegeta. "Loyal subordinates, I see."
"You bastard, I'll defeat you!" Goku said as he teleported Vegeta to Lin Qi's side.
"Oh... and how strong are you supposed to be?" Rigor scoffed, still unimpressed by Goku's Super Saiyan 4 transformation.
"Looks like you're stronger than Vegeta, though."
"You'll find out soon enough," Goku said, his eyes gleaming with intense fighting spirit. He stomped on the ground, leaving spiderweb-like cracks beneath his feet.
In a flash, Goku disappeared and reappeared behind Rigor, throwing a powerful punch.
Without even looking back, Rigor casually bent his arm and blocked Goku's attack.
Undeterred, Goku twisted his body and aimed a sweeping kick at Rigor.
"Not bad... not bad at all. You're a bit stronger than my useless brother," Rigor said, dodging Goku's attacks effortlessly, a mocking grin growing wider on his face. "At least you're giving me a decent warm-up!"
"Haaa!"
Goku's expression turned more serious as he focused all his energy into speed, desperately trying to land a hit on Rigor.
Despite Goku's relentless punches and kicks, to Rigor, it felt like child's play.
Even at his peak, Goku was beginning to follow Vegeta's path of defeat.
"Are you alright?" Lin Qi asked Vegeta, who sat on the ground in disarray. "You look like you've been through hell."
"Hmph..." Vegeta snorted, his gaze fixed on the aerial battle.
"Want me to step in and help you save face? Free of charge," Lin Qi said with a teasing smile, knowing full well Vegeta's pride was taking a severe hit.
"Looks like it's up to you now, Lin Qi," Piccolo said with concern, glancing at Vegeta.
Beaten so badly... Vegeta's pride must be in shambles.
"You're all so weak," Rigor muttered, growing bored with the fight. He threw a punch at Goku's face.
Boom!
Goku was sent flying, crashing into the ground and creating a massive crater as snow scattered in all directions.
"Kame...hame..."
Struggling to his feet in the crater, Goku gathered energy in his hands at his waist, aiming at Rigor in midair.
"Ha!"
The powerful energy wave surged toward Rigor, who casually kicked it into the sky with a disdainful smirk.
"How... how is this possible..." Goku stammered in shock as his attack was so easily deflected.
In that instant, Rigor appeared behind Goku and began his merciless assault.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Smack! Smack! Smack!
Rigor's fists rained down like a storm, leaving Goku no chance to retaliate.
"Ugh... Ahh... Gah..."
The brutal attacks left Goku battered and bruised, his clothes torn to shreds, a testament to Rigor's overwhelming power.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
Separi glanced at her scouter and smirked. "His power level is dropping... looks like we've dealt with another one."
This was turning out to be an easy trip.
Goku was sent flying once again, crashing into the snow and forming another crater. Snowflakes fell and melted on his battered body.
Looking at the fallen Goku, Rigor wore a mocking smile. "I thought you'd be better than Vegeta... but you're just as disappointing."
"Pathetic."