Chapter 7: Showdown of Betrayal and Power

The air crackled with tension as Zhou Kai stood face-to-face with Liu Chen. Their eyes locked, hatred and contempt swirling between them. The city burned around them, the wails of the undead echoing through the streets.

Lin Mei's trembling form was caught between them, her eyes wide with fear and confusion. She looked at Zhou Kai as if seeing a ghost, her lips quivering.

> Lin Mei: "Z-Zhou Kai... how are you alive? We... we saw you die!"

Zhou Kai's gaze was cold and unyielding. So they really did plan my death together. His fists clenched, rage boiling beneath his calm facade.

> Zhou Kai: "Surprised? Did you really think you could get rid of me that easily?"

Liu Chen's face twisted in anger, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword.

> Liu Chen: "You were just a loser, a nobody. You had no power, no talent. You weren't even worth keeping around. How did you survive?!"

Zhou Kai's lips curled into a cold smile. If only you knew... I have a cheat system now. And I'm going to use it to crush you.

> Zhou Kai: "I survived because I'm stronger than you. And now, I'm here to settle the score."

Liu Chen's eyes blazed with fury. He unsheathed his sword, its blade gleaming ominously. Energy surged around him, the air distorting with his power.

> [Appraisal Activated]

[Target: Liu Chen]

[Level: 7]

[Strength: 15]

[Agility: 12]

[Skills: Sword Mastery (Lv.2), Energy Manipulation (Lv.1)]

Zhou Kai's eyes narrowed. Sword Mastery and Energy Manipulation... He's stronger than I thought. But I can take him down.

Liu Chen charged, his movements swift and deadly. He swung his sword with terrifying force, the blade slicing through the air towards Zhou Kai's neck.

But Zhou Kai was faster. He activated Shadow Step, his body fading into the shadows. Liu Chen's attack passed harmlessly through empty air.

Liu Chen's eyes widened in shock. He disappeared?!

Zhou Kai's voice echoed from the darkness.

> Zhou Kai: "Did you really think you could kill me twice?"

Liu Chen spun around, but Zhou Kai was already behind him. His knife flashed, slashing across Liu Chen's back. Blood sprayed through the air as Liu Chen staggered forward, a cry of pain escaping his lips.

> [Critical Hit! 200 EXP Gained]

Zhou Kai didn't give him a chance to recover. Using Shadow Step, he moved like a phantom, appearing and disappearing, his blade cutting through Liu Chen's defenses.

> [Ding! Skill Activated: Shadow Step]

[Effect: Increase Speed and Evasion by 50%]

Liu Chen's movements became desperate, his attacks wild and unfocused. He swung his sword in every direction, his face twisted in fury.

> Liu Chen: "Stop hiding, you coward!"

Zhou Kai's laughter echoed from the shadows.

> Zhou Kai: "Coward? Says the traitor who needed to backstab me to get ahead?"

Liu Chen's face contorted with rage. He thrust his hand forward, energy swirling around his sword.

> [Skill Activated: Energy Manipulation]

[Effect: Enhance Attack Power by 30%]

His blade glowed with power, arcs of energy crackling around it. He slashed downward, a wave of energy ripping through the air, tearing apart the ground as it surged towards Zhou Kai.

Zhou Kai's eyes widened. That's strong... but not enough to kill me.

He activated Shadow Step once more, dodging to the side as the energy wave obliterated the car behind him. The vehicle exploded, debris raining down around them.

Zhou Kai emerged from the shadows, his eyes gleaming with confidence.

> Zhou Kai: "That all you've got? Pathetic."

Liu Chen's eyes widened in disbelief.

> Liu Chen: "How... How are you this strong?! You were nothing before!"

Zhou Kai's smile was cold and merciless.

> Zhou Kai: "I was nothing because I trusted people like you. But now... I've changed. I'm not the same weakling you betrayed."

He moved with blinding speed, his blade slicing through the air. Liu Chen barely managed to block, their weapons clashing with a deafening roar.

But Zhou Kai was relentless, his attacks coming faster and stronger. He was pushing Liu Chen back, breaking his defenses piece by piece.

Liu Chen's eyes flickered with fear. He was losing. He, who always stood above Zhou Kai, was being overpowered.

> Liu Chen: "Impossible... I won't lose to you!"

He roared in desperation, his energy flaring wildly. But Zhou Kai saw through his every move, his Appraisal revealing Liu Chen's weaknesses and limitations.

> Zhou Kai: "I can see everything... Every weakness, every flaw. You're predictable."

Liu Chen's face went pale. He can read my movements?

Zhou Kai's blade flashed, cutting through Liu Chen's defenses. Blood splattered as his knife plunged into Liu Chen's shoulder, severing muscle and bone. Liu Chen screamed, his sword falling from his grasp.

> [Critical Hit! 300 EXP Gained]

Zhou Kai stood over him, his eyes cold and unfeeling. Liu Chen looked up, fear and pain twisting his features.

> Liu Chen: "P-Please... Have mercy... I-I was just following orders..."

Zhou Kai's eyes narrowed.

> Zhou Kai: "Orders? From who?"

Liu Chen's lips trembled, his eyes darting to Lin Mei. Zhou Kai followed his gaze, his expression darkening.

> Zhou Kai: "Lin Mei... you were behind this too?"

Lin Mei's face went pale, tears streaming down her face. She shook her head frantically.

> Lin Mei: "N-No... I... I didn't have a choice... They forced me..."

Zhou Kai's grip tightened on his knife. Lies... or the truth? His Appraisal revealed no deception, but his heart was filled with doubt.

> Zhou Kai: "I don't care about your excuses. You both tried to kill me. Now, you'll face the consequences."

He raised his blade, his eyes cold and merciless.

> [Ding! Quest Complete: Confront Liu Chen]

[Reward: 1000 EXP, Skill: Power Absorption]

[New Skill Acquired: Power Absorption]

[Power Absorption: Absorb the abilities of defeated enemies]

Zhou Kai's body surged with power, Liu Chen's energy becoming his own. He could feel it—the strength, the knowledge, the skills.

> [New Skill Acquired: Energy Manipulation (Lv.1)]

[New Skill Acquired: Sword Mastery (Lv.2)]

His lips curled into a dark smile. Now, I'm even stronger.

He turned his gaze to Lin Mei, his eyes cold and calculating.

> Zhou Kai: "Your turn. Start talking... or die."

Lin Mei trembled, her body sinking to the ground as she sobbed.

The truth was about to be revealed.

---

End of Chapter 7