CHAPTER 34

Chapter 34

The night sky hung overhead as Choi and Ignel stood in the middle of a vast, open field, devoid of life, a place chosen specifically for the intensity of the battle about to unfold. Choi exhaled, stretching his neck from side to side before raising a single hand. Within moments, the air shimmered, the space around them distorting. A powerful barrier enveloped the area, creating a subspace similar seen in Eleceed. This would ensure that their battle wouldn't cause any unintended destruction to the world outside.

Standing about five meters apart, Ignel lazily stretched, yawning. Choi, hands in his pockets, observed him with sharp eyes. "Ignel, show me how strong you are now. You've just been sleeping without doing anything."

Ignel let out another yawn before grinning. "Because sleep is important for someone's growth."

Choi's brows furrowed slightly. "Who told you that?"

"Mina," Ignel answered without hesitation. "Mina told me that a child will grow big if he sleeps and eats well."

Choi sighed deeply, shaking his head. What did you feed this child's brain, Mina? Mina was a skilled A-class tank hunter and a member of Dragon Knight. Choi had once assigned her to take care of Ignel when he was still young, and it seemed that Ignel had taken quite a liking to her—almost as if he saw her as an older sister.

But now wasn't the time for casual thoughts.

In a blink, Ignel vanished from Choi's sight. Instincts kicking in, Choi barely had time to register as Ignel reappeared beside him, his leg swinging fast toward Choi's head. Raising his arm, Choi blocked the kick with ease before swiftly retaliating with a punch aimed at Ignel's gut. The force sent Ignel flying backward, but mid-air, he twisted his body and spewed a stream of searing flames toward Choi.

Choi dodged, shifting sideways with effortless speed. The moment his feet touched the ground, Ignel was already behind him, claws extended, slashing downward. A direct hit.

However, the figure of Choi burst into flames, revealing itself to be nothing more than a clone made from fire. The explosion sent Ignel skidding back, his eyes widening. Before he could react, Choi appeared several meters away, standing relaxed with his hands in his pockets.

"Come on, Ignel," Choi called out, his tone laced with amusement. "You can't even give me a sweat like this."

Ignel clicked his tongue in frustration. "Not like I have the liberty of not taking this seriously when facing you."

Without another word, he charged forward, fists flying in rapid succession. Choi calmly deflected each strike, his body moving fluidly like water. A fist, a kick, a claw swipe—each of Ignel's attacks met empty air as Choi dodged with ease. However, Ignel had one more trick up his sleeve.

With a sudden flick of his body, his tail—now partially transformed into its draconic state—whipped through the air, catching Choi off guard. The impact sent him flying several meters away. Before Choi could fully recover, Ignel dashed forward, grabbed his face, and slammed him into the ground, dragging him across the dirt before delivering a powerful punch that sent Choi soaring.

Choi flipped mid-air, landing smoothly. He dusted off his clothes and grinned. "That's more like it, Ignel."

A shiver ran down Ignel's spine. Oh no.

The atmosphere changed. Choi's previously casual demeanor was replaced by something much more terrifying. His eyes gleamed with power, the flames surrounding his body flaring with untamed intensity.

Ignel, sensing danger, spread his wings and took to the sky. But before he could get far, Choi's hand suddenly grasped his ankle.

"Where do you think you're going?" Choi's voice was almost playful, yet laced with undeniable menace. With a mighty yank, he pulled Ignel downward, meeting him mid-air with a devastating kick that sent the dragon crashing to the ground with enough force to create a crater.

Ignel groaned, but there was no time to rest. Before he could move, Choi descended like a meteor, fist glowing with energy. He struck, the sheer force shaking the ground. Ignel barely managed to roll away, avoiding a direct hit, but the shockwave still sent him tumbling.

The fight raged on. Fire clashed against fire, each impact shaking the surrounding space. Ignel's draconic strength was formidable, but Choi's battle experience and sheer skill kept him firmly in control. No matter how much Ignel attacked, Choi seemed to always be one step ahead, countering with precision and overwhelming power.

Eventually, as the battle wore on, Ignel's stamina waned. His breath came in ragged gasps, and his limbs felt heavy. Choi, on the other hand, barely looked winded.

With one final clash, the fight came to an end.

Now, Ignel lay sprawled on the ground, back in his full dragon form, while Choi casually sat on his back, lighting a cigarette. He took a slow drag before exhaling. "That was a good sweat, Ignel."

Ignel groaned. "You're a monster."

Choi chuckled. "And you're getting stronger. But you still have a long way to go."

Ignel muttered something incomprehensible before closing his eyes, too exhausted to argue.

The night was calm once more, the only sounds being the distant wind and the slow burning of Choi's cigarette.

The fight had ended. 

Chapter End.