Chapter 9: Breakout from the Forbidden Wing

The walls of the Forbidden Wing trembled as Mark's aura surged, his eyes glowing with crimson light. The chains of light that had once held him shattered, dissolving into mist. Power flowed through his body, electric and wild, igniting his spirit.

His fists clenched, his heart pounding with newfound determination. "I won't be trapped here. I have to find the Abyssal Gate… I have to protect my family."

The heavy iron door loomed before him, etched with ancient runes that shimmered ominously. A barrier meant to hold even the strongest Hunters. But Mark felt the energy coursing through his veins, raw and uncontainable. This power… It was limitless.

He stepped forward, his aura flaring. The runes glowed brighter, resisting his approach, but he didn't falter. His eyes narrowed, focusing on the flow of energy. He could see the weak points, the fractures hidden within the ancient symbols.

His instincts took over.

[Skill Activated: Abyssal Strike – Max Level.]

His fist surged with black and red energy, swirling like a raging storm. He struck the door with all his strength, the impact shaking the entire chamber. The runes flickered, cracking under the force.

BOOM!

The door exploded outward, the shockwave ripping through the hallway beyond. The air was filled with dust and debris, the remnants of the once-impenetrable barrier.

Mark stepped through the wreckage, his aura flaring. "No more cages. No more chains."

Alarms blared through the facility, red lights flashing as guards rushed toward him, their weapons drawn. They were elite Hunters, their armor gleaming with enchantments. Their eyes were cold, unyielding.

"There he is! The monster who destroyed the Abyssal Dragon!" one shouted, his blade crackling with lightning. "Don't let him escape!"

Mark's heart tightened, his fists trembling. He didn't want to fight them. They were just doing their job, following orders. But he couldn't be captured—not now. Not when his family's safety was on the line.

He took a deep breath, his aura flaring. "I'm sorry… But I won't let anyone stop me."

The first guard lunged at him, his blade slicing through the air. Mark's eyes flashed, his body moving on instinct.

[Skill Activated: Speed Mirage – Max Level.]

His form blurred, vanishing just as the blade struck. The guard's eyes widened, his stance faltering. "What—?!"

Mark appeared behind him, his movements fluid and precise. A quick strike to the back of the neck, and the guard collapsed, unconscious before he hit the ground.

The other guards hesitated, fear flickering in their eyes. "He's too fast! Fall back—!"

But Mark was already moving, his body weaving through their ranks like a shadow. His strikes were swift and calculated, disabling each guard without causing serious harm. In seconds, they were all down, lying unconscious in the hallway.

Mark's chest tightened, guilt gnawing at him. "I didn't want to fight… But I can't stop now." He stepped over the fallen guards, his eyes focused on the exit.

But as he moved forward, a chilling presence filled the air. His body froze, his instincts screaming danger. A familiar voice echoed through the hall, cold and merciless.

"I warned you not to lose control, Mark Fernandez."

Mark's blood ran cold. He turned slowly, his eyes widening as Quintin Mendrez stepped out of the shadows, his long coat billowing behind him. His eyes gleamed with cold fury, his aura crackling with power.

Quintin's voice was low, his tone deadly. "You've proven my fears correct. This power… It's turning you into a monster." His fingers crackled with blue energy, his aura flaring. "And I'm going to put you down before you become a threat to our world."

Mark's heart pounded, his body tensing. "Quintin… I don't want to fight you. But I can't stay here. I have to find the Origin Core… I have to protect my family!"

Quintin's eyes narrowed, his aura growing colder. "You think I'll believe that? You've already lost control once. Who's to say you won't become the very thing you're fighting against?"

Mark's fists clenched, his aura flaring. "I won't let that happen! I'll master this power… I'll prove that I'm still human!"

Quintin's expression darkened, his aura surging with icy intent. "Then prove it… by defeating me."

Mark's eyes widened as Quintin's body blurred, his form vanishing in an instant. A chilling wind swept through the hallway, sending shivers down Mark's spine.

[Skill Activated: Spectral Shift.]

Mark's instincts screamed, his body moving on reflex. He twisted just as Quintin's figure materialized behind him, a blade of blue energy slicing through the air. It missed his neck by inches, the cold aura biting at his skin.

Quintin's eyes gleamed, his voice cold. "Your reflexes are impressive… But let's see how long you can keep up."

He vanished again, his form flickering like a ghost. Mark's heart raced, his senses straining to follow Quintin's movements. He was fast—faster than anything Mark had ever faced.

But Mark's eyes glowed, his vision sharpening. He could see it—the faint distortions in the air, the ripples of energy as Quintin shifted through space.

His instincts flared.

[Skill Activated: Speed Mirage – Max Level.]

His body blurred, dodging just as Quintin's blade sliced through his afterimage. Quintin's eyes widened, his stance faltering. "What?!"

Mark reappeared behind him, his aura crackling. "You're fast… But I'm faster." His fist surged with Abyssal energy, the force radiating through the air. He struck, his blow colliding with Quintin's back.

BOOM!

Quintin was thrown forward, his body crashing through the stone wall. Dust and debris filled the air, the impact shaking the hallway.

Mark's body trembled, his aura surging with power. He could feel it—the darkness swirling within him, hungry and wild. But he wouldn't let it control him. Not now. Not ever.

Quintin's voice echoed from the rubble, cold and furious. "You… really are a monster." He emerged from the debris, his aura blazing with icy energy. His eyes burned with determination. "But I won't let you destroy everything we've sworn to protect."

Mark's heart tightened, his fists clenching. "I don't want to destroy anything… I just want to protect my family." His eyes glowed, his aura flaring. "And I won't let you stop me."

Quintin's expression hardened, his blade crackling with blue lightning. "Then prove that you're still human… by facing me with everything you've got."

Their auras clashed, the air crackling with power. Mark's body tensed, his instincts sharpening. This was no longer a battle of strength… It was a battle of will.

To prove his humanity… To prove his resolve.

He would face Quintin with everything he had.

And he would not lose.

End of Chapter 9