Chapter 37: Unstoppable Farrell

Boom!

The underground passage shook violently as a deafening explosion echoed through the space. Chunks of rock and debris rained down, a thick cloud of dust filling the air. Amid the chaos, two figures clashed in a brutal, high-speed battle.

Sir Jack Spencer and William Farrell.

Locked in fierce combat, the two warriors exchanged devastating blows, but it was clear—Sir Jack was losing. Badly.

"Ahh!" Sir Jack roared, his body twisting midair as he clashed once again with William. Their gazes were sharp, unwavering, and neither willing to back down.

Sir Jack lashed out with a sharp jab aimed at William's chest. But William caught his wrist effortlessly, a wicked grin spreading across his face as he twisted.

Snap!

A sickening crack echoed as the bones in Sir Jack's wrist snapped, piercing through his skin.

"AAARGH!" Sir Jack howled, pain surging through his arm. Desperate, he swung with his other hand, aiming for William's jaw.

But once again—William caught it.

With a sadistic chuckle, he wrenched both of Sir Jack's arms backward. CRACK. The bones twisted unnaturally, rendering them useless.

Sir Jack's vision blurred with agony.

William took a step back, lifted him effortlessly, and hurled him into the air. Clenching both hands together, he brought them down in a hammering blow to Sir Jack's chest.

CRACK.

Sir Jack's ribcage partially caved in from the impact. Blood spewed from his mouth as his body spiraled downward, slamming into the ground with a sickening thud.

William dusted off his gloves, stepping toward his fallen opponent. "Tsk. Not so tough now, are you?"

Sir Jack coughed violently, struggling to his feet despite his shattered arms. Pain wracked his body, but he refused to fall. He had to stay up. He had to fight.

"What… what the hell did you take?" he rasped, barely able to keep his balance.

William's grin widened.

"Oh, this?" He gestured to himself smugly. "Just a little something to boost my Qi absorption. Makes my suit work better—hell, makes me better." He chuckled darkly. "You didn't really think you could beat me, did you?"

Sir Jack's eyes narrowed. "That… that was a serum, wasn't it?"

William's laughter echoed in the cavern. "Bingo."

Sir Jack clenched his teeth. His mind raced. If William had taken a serum that enhanced Qi absorption, that meant even Hunters with poor Latent Talent could reach levels far beyond their natural limits. That was dangerous.

"How does it work?" Sir Jack asked, feigning exhaustion, trying to buy time.

William scoffed. "You seriously want a lecture while you're on death's door? Fine, I'll humor you." He rolled his shoulders. "The serum forcefully increases the body's Qi absorption rate. Doesn't matter how weak someone is—after taking it, their Qi capacity skyrockets."

Sir Jack's eyes darkened. That meant anyone, even the weakest Hunter, could become a powerhouse with the right dose. If the serum spreads unchecked, the consequences would be catastrophic.

"Where did you get it?" he pressed.

At that, William's expression twitched, but his smirk remained. "Can't say. But let's just say…" He leaned closer, eyes glinting. "The Organization has its hands in deeper things than you think."

Sir Jack's stomach twisted. The MHO was involved?

"And this," William continued, flexing his fingers, "is just one type of among many others —the Burst variant. Which allows me to push my strength way past its limits for a short time."

Sir Jack's blood ran cold. He was right—the effects weren't permanent. But short-term or not, in the wrong hands, this could spell disaster.

"You've talked enough," William snapped. "I see what you're doing, old man. Stalling for time? Pathetic!" He shouted in scorn as he moved.

Sir Jack barely had time to react.

Whoosh!

William vanished—then reappeared in front of him, his gauntlet-clad claws slicing toward his throat.

Sir Jack's body was frozen, his strength drained, his mind screaming for a counter—but he was too slow.

This was it.

CLANG!

A metallic impact rang through the tunnel.

William's attack… had been stopped.

His eyes widened in fury. His gaze followed his gauntlet—trapped against a dagger's blade. A hand gripped the dagger's hilt firmly.

A hand that belonged to…

Hal.

His red hair was dusted with dirt and blood, his blue eyes radiating pure, murderous intent.

William's expression darkened.

"You…?" he growled.

Swish!

William swung his other fist at Hal's face.

But Hal simply tilted his head—letting the strike pass harmlessly by.

'What?!'

This time it was Hal who displayed surprise.

William quickly freed his hand with such force that made Hal stumble forward a few steps.

Hal took a step back, his face unreadable.

William's eyes narrowed. Then he smirked. "You've got blood on you." His voice was amused, but his eyes were calculating.

"Yes," Hal answered flatly. "The blood of those C-rank Hunters you left behind."

"...."

William's grin faltered. His fists clenched. "You're telling me… an E-rank Hunter—a pathetic, bottom-feeding nobody—killed four C-ranks?" His voice trembled with barely contained fury.

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

William's breath hitched. His anger flared. "How? HOW?!"

Hal's gaze remained calm. Cold. Deadly.

"It doesn't matter," he said. His left eye gleamed—a deeper, darker shade of blue.

"All that matters… is that I'm going to take you down."

William's eyes twitched. Then....

He laughed.

A cruel, mocking laugh that echoed through the tunnel.

"Hahahaha! Oh, this is rich." He wiped a nonexistent tear from his eye. "Your mentor couldn't even put up a fight. And now you think you can?" he said with a face that showed no sign of fear.

Careless, unperturbed.

His wrong.

Hal's expression didn't change.

"I don't know," he said.

"But I guess we'll find out."

The air between them grew thick with tension.

Hal needed to stop Farrell one way or the other.