Chapter 50: Is That All You've Got?
"BOOM!" Aria screamed as he was sent flying backward like Gajeel before him, crashing through countless buildings in succession.
Seeing the guild reduced to rubble without Guild Master Jose even showing his face, Dino gave up waiting for now. That bastard clearly had no intention of coming out.
"Seems like Jose's too scared to face me. Guess I'll leave him a parting gift he won't forget."
Dino gathered magic power in his legs. "BOOM!" The ground beneath him shattered into a small crater.
"Wha—!" His body rocketed into the air like a cannonball. Drawing back both fists, he channeled the Tremor-Tremor Fruit's power and punched downward. A massive spherical shockwave descended on the guild below.
"BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!!"
The Phantom Lord guildhall shattered instantly, and the ground continued fracturing outward. The entire city of Oak Town trembled, sending terrified citizens screaming into the streets.
When the dust finally settled, the Phantom Lord guildhall had completely vanished, replaced by a massive crater that seemed bottomless.
"Bang!" Dino landed lightly on the ground.
Suddenly, a group of men in white uniforms wielding spears materialized around him, encircling him completely. "HALT!!!" they shouted in unison.
"The Magic Council?"
A frog-faced man wearing Council robes stepped forward. "I am an envoy of the Magic Council. Fairy Tail wizard Dino Maxim—according to Article 22 of the Guild Management Regulations, inter-guild combat is strictly prohibited!"
"Not only did you violate these regulations by injuring multiple members of Phantom Lord, you also destroyed their guildhall, triggered seismic activity, and caused catastrophic damage to Oak Town."
"The evidence is irrefutable. By order of the Magic Council, you are under arrest!"
A smile crossed Dino's face as he spoke casually. "Jose, is this your little insurance policy?"
"Whoosh!" An image gradually materialized—a purple shawl, a tall pointed hat, and that sickly pale complexion. Jose Porla, one of the Ten Wizard Saints and Guild Master of Phantom Lord, appeared as a projection.
Dino's voice dripped with mockery. "You don't even have the guts to face me in person—just a Thought Projection while you hide behind these small fries. Gramps was right about you. You've always been the type to rely on dirty tricks."
Jose remained calm despite the insult, a cold smile on his lips. "I simply chose the most efficient path to victory."
"'The Catastrophe' Dino Maxim—Fairy Tail's strongest mage. Though you haven't been named one of the Ten Wizard Saints, everyone knows you possess that level of power."
"If we fought seriously, this entire city would be annihilated."
"No, you're overestimating yourself. Killing you wouldn't be that difficult." Dino waved his hand dismissively.
Jose's expression twisted into a snarl. "You insolent brat!"
Dino laughed. "There it is! That's the face I wanted to see. This despicable villain look really suits you."
"I beat up your members, demolished your guild, and you're still trying to act all high and mighty?"
"Damn you! I won't waste my breath on you. The Magic Council will handle you properly!" With that, Jose's projection vanished.
The Frog Envoy waved his hand. "Restrain him with Magic-Sealing Handcuffs!"
Several Council soldiers moved forward to bind Dino. "Get lost!"
Dino casually snatched the handcuffs away. Using the vibration power of his Devil Fruit, the supposedly indestructible cuffs crumbled to dust in his palm.
The Frog Envoy's eyes bulged. "Dino Maxim! You dare defy the Magic Council?!"
"Whoosh!" The surrounding soldiers immediately aimed their staffs at Dino.
Dino's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I said… shut up."
"Bzzzzt~~!!"
White shock waves rippled outward from Dino's body. Every staff in the soldiers' hands shattered instantly.
"RIBBIT! GAAAH!" The Frog Envoy's fingers fractured from the vibrations, sending him into screaming agony.
"Five years ago, the entire Magic Council didn't dare speak to me that way. Seems like the new generation has gotten awfully bold."
With their weapons destroyed, the Council soldiers stood frozen in terror. The Frog Envoy, accustomed to intimidating smaller guilds that never dared resist, had never encountered someone like Dino—someone who'd actually strike a Council envoy. Looking at those cold eyes, he realized any more complaints might actually get him killed.
"You know what? I haven't visited the Council headquarters since that incident five years ago. Might as well tag along this time. I wonder how many familiar faces are left. Let's go!"
The Frog Envoy and his soldiers hurried after him, not daring to breathe loudly.
After Dino departed, Jose's figure reappeared alongside several others—the remaining Element 4 of Phantom Lord.
"Master! We found Aria and Gajeel. Both are seriously injured."
"Gajeel?"
Gajeel gritted his teeth, spitting blood. "Tch… I'll be fine. Wounds like this heal fast for me."
This defeat had shaken him to his core. He'd never imagined his supposedly impenetrable Iron Dragon Slayer defense would be utterly worthless against Dino—couldn't even buy a few seconds. Since becoming an S-Class mage, he'd never suffered such a crushing defeat.
Sol, the Earth mage of the Element 4, spoke nervously to Jose. "Master… should we really continue with the plan?"
"'The Catastrophe' Dino Maxim lives up to his reputation. That guy's an absolute monster." Sol had used his Earth Magic to try restraining Dino's movements from underground.
Thank god he'd cast from maximum range—if he'd been any closer, he would've vanished along with the guildhall.
Jose's face contorted with rage. "OF COURSE we continue! That damn Dino destroyed my guild! And that bastard Makarov… the humiliation he brought me will be repaid in blood! I can't wait to see that brat's face when he returns to find his precious guild reduced to rubble."