Chapter 38 "Trial by Fire: James vs. Lizard"

A/N:

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Just as Lizard was about to let out a roar of rage, a fist as hard as steel landed on his cheek.

Caught off guard by the punch, his roar was stifled in his throat, nearly causing him to bite his tongue. Lizard staggered back, fury burning in his eyes.

"You little punk...uff!"

James closed the distance, delivering another punch to Lizard's cheek, cutting off his voice once more.

"Do you want everyone to witness your newfound power, Connors?"

"You...!"

Despite his justified anger, Lizard couldn't tolerate being interrupted multiple times. His genetically enhanced prowess demanded respect, and James' repeated interruptions only fueled his rage. With a swift movement, Lizard raised his arm to block the incoming fist and extended sharp claws from his other hand, aiming to puncture his opponent's defenses and teach the impudent child a lesson.

But the expected strike never landed, and James managed to evade the sharp claws. In a fluid motion, James landed a solid blow to Lizard's chin, sending him flying backward.

Thud! Lizard crashed onto the floor, the impact reverberating through the entire room.

James landed, feeling a twinge in his fingers.

Lizard's defensive capabilities were no joke; even with James' strength and physical prowess, he barely made a dent.

Although the fight was exhilarating, Lizard emerged unscathed, not a drop of blood spilled.

Lizard rose, his anger ready to explode. "You'll regret crossing me, you insignificant pest!"

Seeing Lizard unharmed, James smirked. "Good, I was getting bored of holding back."

With those words, James burst into flames, emitting a high-pitched phoenix cry. Transformed into a fierce firebird, he soared at Lizard.

Caught off guard, Lizard was knocked back by the Firebird, propelled backward. Not far behind him stood a large French window.

Crash! The window shattered into pieces as James and Lizard flew out of the Osborne Building, James wasting no time and ascending to the building's rooftop.

Although the company of Connors was deserted, being in the Osborne Building meant discreetness was essential. Neither James' nor Lizard's current appearances were suitable for public viewing.

With 108 floors, the Osborne Building towered over nearby structures, including the iconic Empire State Building, visible from a distance of ten floors.

Night cloaked the sky, ensuring their activities remained unnoticed unless spotted by a helicopter.

Once landed, the fiery aura around James dissipated, along with the flying attire.

Facing a formidable opponent like Lizard as a pure Zodiac Knight candidate was both a trial and a learning experience for James.

Lizard rolled to the side, his lizard instincts kicking in, focusing solely on James as the enemy.

His sharp claws, fierce teeth, and powerful tail were itching for action!

With a thunderous roar, Lizard leaped forward on all fours, muscles bulging with immense strength, propelling him like a cannonball.

Midair, Lizard extended his claws aiming for James' chest, intending to strike deep.

Perfect!

James, without relying on cosmic energy or his armor, met the attack head-on. As the two clashed, James deftly maneuvered to open Lizard's wrist with one hand and landed a firm punch to his abdomen with the other.

Boom! Both were sent flying, but neither showed discomfort.

James felt his left arm go numb, unable to move, while Lizard's abdominal muscles bore the brunt of James' punch.

With this initial exchange, both fighters gained insights into each other's capabilities, preparing for the next round.

James knew his strength without cosmic augmentation was limited. Pushing too hard might lead to a disadvantage, but he was undeterred.

Bruised but determined, he pressed on, ready to put on a show of strength.