CH: 130 Afford the price

{Chapter: 130 Afford the price}

The Tyrant clutched his wounded shoulder and fled in haste. Unlike the mindless undead, he could still feel pain, and survival instincts compelled him to retreat.

Alice knelt down, cradling the duplicate Alice in her arms.

The replica's frail body trembled uncontrollably as she stared at Alice, lips parted as if she wanted to say something—but no words came. Her breathing weakened, and her eyes slowly closed.

A trace of sorrow flickered in Alice's gaze. She removed her coat and gently draped it over the duplicate's body, shielding her from the cold.

"I'm going to kill him," Alice muttered, her voice low yet filled with chilling resolve.

"Then let's go and do it," William said as he stepped forward.

Rounding a corner, William spotted a familiar knife lying abandoned on the ground. He bent down, picked it up, and handed it to Alice. "Your knife. Seems like he's still nearby."

Alice took it without a word, gripping the handle tightly. Her gaze sharpened as she scanned her surroundings. Then, she raised her voice.

"No need to hide. Come out. I know you're here."

A guttural roar echoed through the air. From behind a large stone pillar, a hulking figure emerged, his movements slow yet purposeful.

Alice's eyes were cold as steel. "I thought you'd keep hiding like a coward."

"You can't kill me," the Tyrant rasped, his voice hoarse yet filled with arrogant certainty. "I always believed you were the future of humanity. But now, I understand—I am the future of humanity."

William chuckled, shaking his head. "Looking at how stupid and ugly you are, I honestly don't get it. Who gave you the confidence to say something so ridiculous?"

The Tyrant's face twisted with rage. "You're looking for death!"

With a savage snarl, he thrust his right arm forward. Three massive, razor-sharp tentacles shot out, streaking toward William with deadly speed.

But before they could reach their target, William's pupils flashed. An invisible force of telekinesis surged forward, stopping the tentacles in their tracks, holding them in midair as if they had slammed into an invisible wall.

"How predictable," William sneered. "Now, my turn."

With a sharp command, his telekinetic power surged outward, transforming into a concussive pulse wave.

Boom! Boom!

Chunks of concrete exploded into the air as the pulse wave slammed into the Tyrant, sending him flying backward.

The hulking figure crashed through a reinforced wall, shattering it like brittle glass.

Dust and debris filled the air. Five seconds passed. Then, through the settling rubble, the Tyrant's form emerged. He brushed the dust off his shoulders and took a step forward, his eyes glowing with an eerie light.

"I told you," he growled. "You can't kill me."

With another thunderous roar, the Tyrant unleashed a powerful shockwave, the sheer force of it rushing toward William and Alice like a tidal wave of destruction.

William stood firm as his hair and clothes whipped violently in the gust. "Not bad," he said with a smirk. "Let's see how you handle this."

Summoning his own energy, he released a counter-shockwave.

Boom!

The two opposing forces collided, creating a massive explosion that ripped through their surroundings, leveling structures and sending debris flying in all directions.

As the dust settled, William pulled himself up from the wreckage. He dusted off his torn coat and cracked his neck. "Not bad at all. I haven't had this much fun in a while."

From across the battlefield, the Tyrant clawed his way out of the rubble, his blood-red eyes locking onto William. "I know you," he snarled. "You're William."

William gave a small nod. "That's right. And you are… already dead."

"I'm going to devour you," the Tyrant declared, his voice dripping with unshakable conviction.

William chuckled darkly. "Oh? Then let's see if you have the ability to back up that claim."

The Tyrant lunged at William, his three tentacles whipping forward in a deadly arc. "I am immortal! I will become the god of all mankind!"

William's smirk deepened. "Hah. I fight self-proclaimed gods on a daily basis. Your speed is pathetic."

Without hesitation, William reached out, grabbing hold of the tentacles mid-air.

Then, with a single, brutal yank—

Rip!

All three tentacles were torn from the Tyrant's body.

A bloodcurdling scream erupted from the monster's throat as crimson blood gushed from the mutilated stumps.

"You talk too much," William said coolly.

The Tyrant, despite his grievous wounds, roared in fury and lunged once more.

William's hand shot out, seizing the Tyrant's head in an iron grip. His other hand clamped down on the creature's shoulder.

With a sickening, wet crunch—

Rip!

The Tyrant's head was torn clean off his body.

A geyser of blood erupted from the stump of his neck, drenching the battlefield in crimson.

William tossed the severed head aside like a piece of garbage. "A mere Tyrant dares to act arrogant before me?"

The disembodied head landed on the ground, eyes still wide with disbelief. The mouth moved weakly. "H-how… is this possible? I… I am immortal…"

William stepped closer, gazing down at the still-moving head with an amused expression. "Not so immortal now, are you?"

Alice walked up, gripping her knife tightly. "Then let's fix that."

Without hesitation, she raised the blade and brought it down in a powerful stroke.

The Tyrant's head split cleanly in half.

William let out a low whistle. "That was beautifully done."

Alice smiled faintly. "It's a beautiful knife. Want to try it out, William?"

As soon as the words left her lips, she suddenly swung the blade at him.

William caught the knife effortlessly between his fingers. "Strong. But not strong enough to kill me."

Alice's gaze darkened. "Then we fight to the death."

Without warning, she lashed out with a sudden, powerful kick.

William released the knife and took a few steps back, a gleam of evil flashing in his eyes. "Alice, I won't let you die. But… are you prepared to pay the price?"

Alice let out a fierce cry and unleashed a concentrated burst of telekinetic force.

The invisible power struck William square in the chest, sending him flying backward. He crashed into the ground, his clothes torn, a deep wound slashed across his torso.

William stood up, inspecting the damage. "Impressive. That was a powerful blow."

But Alice staggered, a hand clutching her temple. The repeated use of her telekinetic abilities had taken its toll, a sharp, splitting pain hammering through her skull.

"Ready to bear my anger? My dear Miss Alice."

William vanished in an instant.

Before she could react, he appeared behind her.

Strong arms wrapped around Alice, pulling her close.

Alice struggled violently. "Let me go! Let go of me!"

William leaned in, his breath brushing against her ear as he whispered, "I can't be too lenient with you, Alice."

With a sudden, swift motion—

Rip.

Alice's sleeveless top was torn apart.

Her breath hitched. A shiver ran down her spine.

William's grip tightened slightly. "You're strong, Alice. But don't forget… I always play to win."

*****

I am transitioning to Subscribestar. Currently, there is no content available, but it will be added shortly.