Chapter 41 Ready, Set, Go

"Taken out by a single blow… Interesting." Mordrakk mused, amusement lacing his thoughts.

Kai's gaze slowly lifted, locking onto Mordrakk.

"Fascinating… On the outside, he looks like a normal human… But on the inside—" Mordrakk chuckled, his wicked laughter filling the air.

Kai shot forward, vanishing into a blur. The ground beneath him shattered from the sheer force of his launch.

In the same breath, he was in front of Mordrakk—one foot planted firmly, right arm coiled, ready to strike.

"And he's fast too."

Kai's fist rocketed toward Mordrakk's face—yet Mordrakk didn't so much as flinch.

A blue, shimmering portal materialized before his face.

Kai's fist plunged into it.

His eyes widened in shock as an identical portal opened—directly in front of his own face.

BOOM!!

His own knuckles smashed into his skull, the force caving in bone. The impact sent him hurtling backward, tumbling across the shattered ground before skidding to a halt.

Mordrakk watched, rubbing his chin. "Such strength… How can a normal human possess this much power? Is there something hidden in him?" His sharp eyes narrowed, scrutinizing Kai.

"No… There's nothing. So what is it?"

A smirk crept onto his lips. "Well, whatever it is, this kid is worth keeping alive. I'll kill the red-haired bastard over there first—then move on to full-scale city destruction."

Without sparing Victor a glance, Mordrakk spoke.

"I see you're up."

Victor's form had completely changed. His jacket was gone, his shirt torn to shreds, exposing a battle-worn, muscular frame. His hair was a tangled mess, dirt and tears staining his outfit. But most of all, his calm demeanor had shattered—leaving behind nothing but pure, unfiltered rage.

Mordrakk smirked. His gut told him this fight was going to be fun. He turned, locking eyes with Victor, silence stretching between them.

Then, his menacing voice echoed through the ruins.

"Ready… Set… Go!"

BOOM!

They shot toward each other, Victor trailing fire, Mordrakk leaving streaks of crackling blue energy in his wake.

Their fists collided with devastating force. The impact shook the air itself, their feet sinking into the ground as the earth beneath them shattered. A massive shockwave exploded outward, sending debris skyward.

Kai braced himself, arms crossed over his face, eyes shut tightly. Even standing his ground was becoming impossible as the very earth beneath him was wiped away.

A sharp smirk spread across Mordrakk's face, flashing his teeth. Then, both fighters unleashed a relentless barrage of blows.

The air distorted. The ground erupted.

Kai's efforts to stay put were futile—he was sent flying, chunks of rock pelting his body like a firing squad.

Victor gritted his teeth, pain shooting from his knuckles to his shoulders with every clash. But Mordrakk? He felt nothing but exhilaration. Every punch fueled his excitement, his hunger for battle growing stronger.

In less than ten seconds, a school that had stood for fifty years was reduced to dust—its buildings, walls, and concrete foundation wiped from existence.

Mordrakk caught one of Victor's punches, bringing their relentless assault to a sudden halt. Without hesitation, his other fist crashed into Victor's jaw, launching him skyward like a rocket.

With a single leap, Mordrakk followed, shattering the already broken ground beneath him. His clawed fingers clenched tightly around Victor's ankle, halting his ascent. Then, with a casual spin, he hurled Victor toward the main city, his body tearing through the air like a meteor.

The tremors faded.

Kai sat slumped against a crumbling wall, arms wrapped tightly around his head, his knees drawn in. His entire body trembled—from both pain and fear. Every inch of him ached. His breath was ragged, unsteady.

Slowly, he lifted his head, chest rising and falling in deep, shaky sighs.

"I have to help Victor." His voice was barely above a whisper, laced with uncertainty. "He can't keep fighting like that forever. He'll break before that monster does."

Summoning what little strength he had left, Kai forced himself to stand. The moment he did, pain exploded through his body, sending him crashing back down. A grimace twisted his face.

"Damn it… I can't even stand."

Gritting his teeth, he pressed a trembling palm against the wall, using it for support as he dragged one foot forward, then the other. A flicker of hope sparked in his eyes.

Then—

His legs buckled.

Kai collapsed hard onto the ground, fresh agony surging through him. He lay there, pain radiating from every muscle, every bone. It was only now, after countless battles and relentless training, that the truth hit him—

He was still just a human.

His knuckles throbbed, the skin raw and swollen, each strike he had landed against that monster now repaying him in full.

Kai's eyelids grew heavy, slowly drifting shut. "We're not done yet… Come on, get up," he urged himself, his voice barely a whisper. But his body refused to move. His eyes finally closed, and he passed out on the cold pavement.

****

The city streets were still alive, buzzing with cars and pedestrians. Streetlights bathed the sidewalks in a warm glow, laughter and conversation filling the air. Friends, families, lovers—all moving through the night, unaware.

Until—

BOOM!!

A figure crashed into the street like a meteor. Dust and debris exploded outward as his feet tore deep into the pavement, skidding backward. The force of his impact cracked the road, sending shockwaves rippling through the concrete.

Panic erupted.

Screams filled the air as crowds scattered, a stampede of terrified people fleeing in all directions.

Above, a streak of wind split the sky, plummeting toward Victor at terrifying speed. The sheer velocity of its descent distorted the air.

Victor braced himself, bending his knees, his palms open and waiting.

BOOM!!

Mordrakk slammed into him like a living missile. Their palms met in a thunderous clash, the force behind it sending tremors through the ground. Behind Victor, the pavement erupted, a massive crater splitting the street in a straight line.

Both warriors increased the force behind their push, the ground beneath them fracturing as cracks spidered outward. Victor's palm glowed a fierce orange, heat radiating from his skin as he held Mordrakk in place.

Then—

A sudden burst of inferno erupted from Victor's palm, engulfing Mordrakk in flames that roared high into the sky. The sheer force of the blast sent Mordrakk's palm slipping from his grip.

Victor staggered slightly, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. Sweat dripped down his face, his damp hair clinging to his forehead. His eyes remained locked on the swirling smoke, waiting—watching.

Then, a voice cut through the air.

"My turn."

Mordrakk's voice was calm, but laced with something sinister.

"Rune Magic: Primordial Eminence."

His words were grave.

Victor's eyes widened. He could feel it—something immense was coming.