Clash of Power

Zaren stood before Jaxon, their eyes locked in a silent challenge. He analyzed Jaxon carefully, thinking, This guy must be strong to hold such a rank. That means he's stronger than me... for now. But he doesn't have what I have—my system, Lumis. With it, I can level up even faster than he thinks.

With a low whisper, one that no one could hear, Zaren asked, "Lumis, can I win this fight? What do you think?"

Lumis responded instantly, "Sir, you can win this fight, but it won't be easy. Jaxon is an SSS+ hunter, and he wields lightning power. I can generate infinite skills, but for that, you must fight or clear dungeons. If you want to win, you must go all out, meaning you'll have to use Red Eye. However, it consumes an immense amount of power. Still, it's worth it, as it's the only ability that can overpower Jaxon."

Zaren smirked, thanking Lumis. "What are my chances of winning?"

Lumis paused before saying, "Sir, the percentage is..."—Zaren filled in the gap himself—"...70%. If you play this right, you will win."

Jaxon's eyes began glowing with lightning, a sign that he was preparing himself. Meanwhile, in the VIP section, King Alaric watched with unease. "A battle between an SSS-rank and an SSS+ hunter... This entire training ground might be destroyed," he muttered to himself, his hands gripping his throne.

Zaren stepped forward. "Sir, if we are to fight, use your full force."

Jaxon was taken aback but then smiled. "As you wish."

A guild official stepped between them. "Take your positions. The match begins now."

As both warriors moved back, the entire guild erupted into cheers. The crowd was divided—some were die-hard fans of Jaxon, while others cheered for Zaren.

With a crackling burst of energy, Jaxon summoned his lightning fists and donned his armor. His entire being radiated with lightning energy, his eyes glowing like thunder itself.

Zaren shouted, "Red Eye!" Instantly, his eyes turned crimson, his aura surging to an overwhelming level. His snake-like weapon coiled around him, pulsating with power. The very ground trembled under their presence.

"Is this an earthquake?" Varric asked, concerned.

Noric shook his head. "No. This... This is the force of two titans colliding."

Suddenly, Jaxon vanished in a flash of lightning. Zaren barely had time to react before Jaxon was behind him. "You haven't trained enough, boy," Jaxon whispered.

But before Jaxon could land a hit, Zaren grabbed his wrist. "Really?" he smirked, throwing a punch with his red aura-infused fist. Jaxon dodged it at the last second, his speed overwhelming.

Zaren narrowed his eyes. He's fast, like actual lightning. Now I understand why they call him the Ruler of Lightning.

Jaxon stepped back, impressed. "Not bad. No one has ever surprised me like this before. You have potential."

Zaren spoke to Lumis in his mind. "Lumis, how do I counter his speed?"

"Increase your own. I can enhance it for you."

"Do it."

Jaxon launched another punch, but in an instant, Zaren appeared before him, moving with a flash of red light. He slashed Jaxon's face with his red flame sword, drawing a thin line of blood.

King Alaric stood up. "Is this real? Can Zaren actually defeat him?"

The VIPs dismissed the idea. "Impossible. He only managed to scratch him."

Yet, before Jaxon could react, Zaren was behind him again, landing a devastating punch that sent Jaxon flying. The ground cracked, and the guild walls trembled from the impact.

"Can a hunter be this strong?" Varric whispered. "If I had recruited Zaren, my guild would have been the strongest in the world."

Jaxon crashed into the training ground's walls, leaving a gaping hole. Blood dripped from his mouth as he stood up, smiling. "I underestimated you. I won't hold back anymore."

Maria gasped. Zaren hesitated. "Sir, we can still stop this duel."

Jaxon smirked. "Afraid of me going all out?"

Zaren chuckled. "As you wish."

He summoned two flame swords—one blue, one red. His aura flared violently, and his eyes burned with unshakable resolve.

In an instant, Zaren was upon Jaxon, slashing. But Jaxon disappeared again. Where did he go?

"Wake up, boy. You're in reality now." Jaxon appeared beside him, landing a lightning-powered punch that sent Zaren flying. Blood spilled from Zaren's lips as he hit the ground, barely conscious.

His mind drifted—to memories of Corvin, training together, watching sunsets, and laughing. Am I really not strong enough?

Jaxon strode forward. "Is an SSS+ hunter a joke to you?"

Alaric stood, alarmed. "Should we stop this?" Varric asked.

Maria shouted, "Go, now! He'll kill him!"

Then, a deep red glow emerged from the dust. Jaxon hesitated. Is he alive... or...?

Inside Zaren's mind, a dark entity grinned. "You again?! Who are you?!" Zaren shouted.

Back in reality, Jaxon saw Zaren standing—but something was different. A sinister smile played on his lips, his aura darker, heavier.

"That's not Zaren," Maria whispered, horrified.

In a millisecond, Zaren reappeared in front of Jaxon, his hand piercing Jaxon's stomach. Blood gushed from Jaxon's mouth.

Hunters rushed in, pulling Zaren away. Jaxon collapsed, unconscious, as healers scrambled to save him.

Zaren, too, fell unconscious. Varric carried him to his hotel room, where Maria, Noric, and other hunters gathered.

Maria looked around Zaren's room and blushed slightly. This is his room...

Meanwhile, in the training ground, the VIPs sat in stunned silence.

"He almost killed him in a friendly duel," one of them murmured. "And that eerie smile... What was that?"

King Alaric exhaled. "I don't know. But our kingdom just might have the strongest hunter in the world."

In the palace, Jaxon woke with a gasp, haunted by the memory of that sinister smile. What was that? He clenched his fists. Zaren... He's more powerful than I ever imagined.

He stood and walked toward Alaric's throne. "I have a request," he said, handing the king a letter. "Give this to Zaren."

Later, in his hotel room, Zaren jolted awake. "Who are you?!" he shouted. Then, he froze. Maria, Noric, and Varric were staring at him.

Zaren blushed. "Uh... Hey, guys. What are you doing here?"

Varric smirked. "Don't you remember? You fought Jaxon—and you won."

Zaren blinked. "I... did?"

Maria smiled. "You should rest now."

As they left, Zaren leaned back. That entity... It was there when I was dying. And it was smiling...

(Chapter 20 Fin)