CHAPTER 46: CLASH AT THE BORDER

Zeran and Kai's squads investigate a newly formed dungeon on the Voltaris border, uncovering a hidden corridor where they face off against armed enemies. As they delve deeper, they discover a mysterious group retrieving a glowing crystal—forcing both teams to split up to intercept the escape.

"Ice Magic: Ice Dragon!"

A massive dragon of ice barreled toward Kai.

But Kai didn't flinch.

He raised a finger—and tapped the dragon's snout.

CRACK!

The dragon shattered into a thousand shimmering shards, falling like snow.

The ice mage's eyes widened. "What…?!"

Kai lowered his hand. "You call that an attack?"

He stepped forward, his squad right behind him.

"Your mistake," Kai said, lightning dancing along his fingertips, "was thinking we'd go easy on you." .

Blades clashed. Elemental spells flashed across the frozen walls.

Kai's squad surged into action, engaging the enemy squad in fierce close-quarter combat. The vice-captain stood behind them, eyes sharp, offering cover spells and shielding magic where needed.

Kai, however, stood at the heart of the storm—facing off against a singular, formidable foe.

A tall figure emerged through the mist—ice armor wrapped around him like a second skin, crystalline blades forming along his arms.

Without a word, the enemy lunged. Ice blades stabbed forward.

Kai blocked them cleanly, sparks flying from the clash.

"You're strong," Kai said, meeting the man's frosty gaze. "One of the top fighters here?"

The man smirked. "Indeed. I am Captain Glyn. It's only polite to exchange names before a proper duel."

"Kai Alden."

Glyn's eyes widened slightly. "Alden… of the Voltaris Empire? The lightning prodigy?" His smirk widened into a grin. "Defeating you might make me famous. Could even earn me a promotion."

Then Kai understood—they weren't just rogue raiders. They were elite agents from another empire, sent here to steal the treasure too.

With a sharp gesture, Glyn summoned a chilling gust.

Cold wind exploded outward, sweeping through the chamber.

A thin sheen of ice rippled across the floor, walls, even the ceiling—transforming the room into a frozen arena.

Kai exhaled, raising his blade.

Lightning danced up his arms, crawling like living snakes, then surged into his sword—from hilt to tip.

CLASH!

The first true blow echoed like thunder.

Lightning met ice—Kai's sword slammed into Glyn's conjured blade, and the sheer power cracked the stone beneath their feet.

The ice blades shattered.

But Glyn didn't falter.

"Ice Magic: Spiral Blizzard!"

A vortex of jagged ice shards erupted, swirling like a cyclone of blades. They roared toward Kai.

Kai spun, unsheathing his second sword.

His hand surged with light.

"Lightning Veil!"

A spinning dome of crackling electricity surrounded him.

The ice shards slammed into the veil, exploding into steam and vapor, but the momentum shoved Kai across the frozen floor. He skidded, boots slipping, but quickly recovered.

He vanished in a burst of speed.

Zigzagging like a lightning bolt, he closed the distance—

—but Glyn predicted the angle.

"Ice Bind!"

Spikes burst from the floor. One narrowly missed Kai's leg—

but one caught him. His ankle locked mid-step, frozen solid.

Kai gritted his teeth. "Bad move."

ZAP!

He unleashed a surge of current into the ice holding him. The electricity spread instantly—riding the frost straight to Glyn.

"Wha—?!"

Too late.

BOOM!

Lightning detonated at Glyn's feet. The captain flew backward, crashing into a stone pillar. Smoke rose from his armor. Frost melted beneath him in sizzling pools.

He stood, blood trailing from his lip—and grinned.

"Not bad…"

He clapped his hands together.

"Now try this."

"Absolute Zone: Sub-Zero Sphere!"

The air plummeted.

The world seemed to slow.

Kai's breath came in clouds. His movements—stiff, delayed. Muscles shivering. His heartbeat sluggish. Even his lightning pulsed slower.

"Damn… my body—it's freezing…"

Glyn stepped forward, calm as a glacier. "You're fast… but not in here."

He attacked with ruthless precision.

Blades. Punches. Ice-coated knees. Every hit rang like thunder.

Kai deflected what he could—lightning flickering from his wrists—but every impact jarred his bones.

Then—

Behind him!

Glyn teleported in a blur of mist.

"Glacier Fang!"

A colossal ice spear erupted from the ground, aimed for Kai's chest.

Kai spun mid-air.

Lightning surged around him—coiling like a dragon.

"Overdrive… Mode Two."

His body ignited in electricity.

Speed. Power. Clarity.

The world snapped into focus.

He kicked the spear with a lightning-charged heel.

CRASH!

The spear exploded into icy fragments.

Kai vanished.

A sonic boom cracked through the room.

He reappeared behind Glyn, a punch already flying.

Glyn twisted—

Their fists collided.

CRACK!

The shockwave split nearby pillars, ice cascading from the ceiling.

They both leapt back.

Breathing hard.

Kai's cheek was bloodied. Ice crept up his shoulder.

Glyn's left arm dangled, limp and burned.

They didn't hesitate.

Both warriors charged—final clash.

Kai roared:

"Lightning Claw: Tempest Fang!"

A massive, spectral claw of lightning surged forward—shaped like a beast, howling as it descended.

Glyn's eyes flashed.

"Frost Prison!"

A cage of spiraling ice trapped Kai mid-air—walls closing fast.

But the claw slammed through it, shattering the prison—

and crashed into Glyn directly.

SILENCE.

Then—

CRACK!

The frost coating the room shattered all at once, like breaking glass.

Glyn collapsed.

Unconscious. Ice clinging to his armor.

Kai knelt, gasping, shoulders trembling. Lightning flickered faintly across his arms.

He looked around the ruined chamber, the frozen terrain now steaming from residual heat.

"A truly worthy fight," he murmured.

"The temperature drop… it slowed my blood, numbed my limbs—

but that forced me to push harder, to burn brighter.

My lightning—my very body—had to adapt.

And when it did…

I moved even faster."