Chapter 14：Damn thing…

Nolan let out a low growl and suddenly lunged forward, his fist enveloped in an eerie black glow, aiming straight for the ghost.

The ghost wasn't about to back down. It swung a heavy punch to meet Nolan's attack head-on.

Their clash was unbelievably fast. In the dimly lit Boundary Passage, no ordinary person could have kept up with their movements.

Two black flashes collided repeatedly in the air, the intensity of the fight filling the atmosphere with tension.

But soon, the difference in strength and the oppressive environment started to take their toll.

After countless exchanges, Nolan's body was slammed hard against the wall. He slowly slid down, a pained expression on his face.

His breathing was ragged, and his mind was clouded.

Even after taking the enhancement drugs, he still couldn't defeat the ghost.

"I'm just… too weak," he muttered with a bitter smile, his eyes hollow, black markings spreading across his body.

He had already resigned himself to death.

Just then, a dull thud echoed through the passage.

The ghost's scythe of death clattered to the ground as it clutched its groin with both hands, barely able to stay on its feet from the pain.

Nolan was stunned!

As he tried to figure out what had just happened, a young voice called out from nearby: "Hey, punk! You came here to die? Check out my 'Family Heirloom Slam'!"

Nolan's mind raced. Could it be backup from the Phantom Sentinel?

But he quickly dismissed the thought.

The voice was too young, and the tone didn't match the Phantom Sentinel's usual style.

Could it be a regular person who accidentally wandered into the Boundary Passage?

That seemed even less likely. The entrances to the Boundary Passage were tightly controlled by the Phantom Sentinel, and no ordinary person could just stroll in.

Unless… it was a newly awakened Metahuman who stumbled upon a crack and wandered in by accident.

Nolan shook his head. That possibility was slim to none.

He was about to speak up when a wave of intense pain surged through his body, and a crushing weakness washed over him. He staggered and collapsed to the ground, barely able to watch as the fight continued.

[HP: 24%, SP: 60%, Soul Energy (SE): 40. Ghost hit by The Ultimate Low Blow!]

The ghost's health bar dropped slightly.

Ethan quickly jumped back. Even though the ghost was powerful and incredibly fast, its HP was almost depleted.

As long as he didn't get hit, Ethan still had a fighting chance.

"This thing's almost out of health. I might actually have a shot!" Ethan thought, his heart racing as he decided to keep fighting.

He knew that if things got too rough, he could always retreat.

The ghost, clearly enraged by the sneak attack, let out a sharp screech and charged at Ethan.

Ethan quickly grabbed the ketchup bottle in his hand, leaping into the air and smashing it down toward the ghost's head.

The ghost swung its scythe to counter, and the bottle exploded on impact, sending deep red liquid splattering everywhere. Ethan barely dodged the ghost's attack.

His right arm tensed as he threw a punch, and the ghost's HP dropped again, this time to 23%.

After several exchanges, Ethan had started to figure out the ghost's attack patterns.

It either swung its massive scythe or formed a fist with its bony claws, aiming directly for the opponent's head. Now that the scythe had been knocked away, the ghost was down to just one fist, and Ethan felt like he had the upper hand.

Seizing the opportunity, he grabbed at the bleeding wound on the ghost's body and yanked hard.

The ghost's HP dropped from 23% to 21%, another hit!

Just as Ethan was about to press the attack, the ghost's body suddenly convulsed. A bone whip shot out from its spine and lashed across Ethan's chest.

"Thud!"

A dull impact rang out, followed by the faint sound of cracking bones.

Ethan was sent flying, slamming hard into the solid wall.

His face twisted in pain, and for a moment, he was completely dazed.

A few seconds later, a wave of intense pain washed over him. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to get up.

He couldn't stop now—the ghost was coming at him again!

"Screeeech!" The ghost let out a piercing scream that drilled into Ethan's ears, making his head throb with pain.

"Its right ribs are badly injured—hit there!" Nolan, leaning against the wall, gritted his teeth and called out.

"Got it," Ethan replied, charging forward. But the ghost had already realized its weak spot and twisted its body to the left, trying to hide the injury.

"Damn it," Ethan cursed under his breath. He quickly adjusted his angle, charging up his left fist. Dodging the ghost's attack, he swung a backhand punch into its abdomen. The ghost's HP dropped again, now down to 19%.

With its HP below 20%, the ghost's agility noticeably decreased. It was almost dead! Ethan realized this and felt a surge of hope.

But the ghost was still ferocious. Its fist snapped back and slammed into Ethan's stomach.

Ethan's eyes widened, bloodshot, as his body was launched like a cannonball, crashing into the wall with a sickening force.

This hit was even stronger than the bone whip! His insides churned violently, and it felt like his organs had shifted out of place.

Ethan lay on the ground, limbs limp, his chest heaving.

His head buzzed, and his vision blurred. That punch had nearly killed him, even though the ghost's HP was down to less than 20%.

"Damn thing…" he muttered through gritted teeth, fury burning inside him. The monster was almost out of health, yet it had nearly taken him out with one punch.

Struggling to his feet, every movement was agonizing, his entire body wracked with pain.