Chapter 9: Instinct Unleashed

The arena was deathly silent.

Moments ago, Kairos had been on the verge of collapse, overpowered by Leon's overwhelming speed and strength. Now, he stood firm, body thrumming with energy, his breath steady. His newfound strength wasn't just physical—it was a shift in perception. Every movement, every strike, every slight shift in Leon's stance made sense in a way it never had before.

The crowd, once roaring in support of Leon, now watched in stunned disbelief.

"What just happened?"

"He was losing a second ago… but now—"

Leon rolled his shoulders, his smirk returning, though his eyes burned with curiosity. "Heh… I don't know what just clicked in that head of yours, but it looks like I won't be getting my easy win after all."

He stepped forward, his aura surging. "Let's see if you can handle this."

Then he moved.

A burst of speed—so fast that a normal person wouldn't even register the motion. One second, he was standing still; the next, he was right in front of Kairos, his fist driving forward like a bullet.

But this time, Kairos saw it.

Not just the movement, but the intention behind it.

His body reacted before his mind even processed the attack, twisting to the side with perfect timing. The punch missed by inches, and in that instant, Kairos countered. His knee shot up, aiming for Leon's ribs.

Leon barely blocked, his arms crossing just in time to absorb the impact. Even so, the force of the blow sent a shockwave rippling through the air. He skidded backward, his shoes grinding against the arena floor.

Gasps echoed from the crowd.

"He made Leon move?"

"No way… this guy was struggling a minute ago!"

Kairos exhaled slowly. His body felt weightless, precise. He wasn't thinking about dodging—his body knew what to do. Every movement felt preordained, as if he had practiced them a thousand times before.

This is instinct.

Leon flexed his fingers, the grin never leaving his face. "Interesting. You weren't moving like this before." His eyes gleamed with something close to excitement. "You adapted to my speed. I like that."

He shifted his stance, this time lowering his body, his aura thickening around him.

"But let's see if you can keep up with this."

He blurred again—this time faster, more erratic. Left. Right. Above. Behind.

A normal opponent wouldn't even know where to look.

But Kairos' eyes tracked every movement.

Leon's approach wasn't random—it followed a pattern. A deliberate feint, a moment of hesitation, then the real attack. Kairos' body reacted on its own. He ducked under a punch aimed at his jaw, twisted around a sweeping kick, then met Leon's next strike head-on with a counterpunch.

Their fists collided, sending out a deafening shockwave.

The arena trembled.

Leon's smirk widened. "Good. Let's take it up a notch."

He vanished again.

Kairos didn't hesitate.

He stepped forward—not running, not chasing, but meeting Leon's movement head-on. Their bodies blurred as they clashed at the center of the arena, exchanging strikes at a speed no one else could follow.

Fists. Kicks. Blocks. Counters.

Each attack carried more weight, more force, the sound of impact echoing across the arena. The crowd could only watch in stunned awe.

Kairos wasn't just keeping up.

He was matching Leon's every move.

Leon clicked his tongue as he narrowly avoided a high-speed palm strike aimed at his temple. "You're learning as we fight?" He sounded almost annoyed—almost. But beneath the irritation, there was something else. Excitement.

Kairos didn't answer. He didn't need to.

He could feel it—something deep inside him stirring, responding to the battle. His system wasn't just making him stronger. It was guiding him, sharpening his instincts, unlocking something buried within him.

This power… it's not just about stats or levels.

He knew it now.

This wasn't his limit.

He could still go further.

And as Leon lunged forward for another strike, Kairos did the same—this time, not just reacting.

This time, he was fighting back.