The ruined road was silent except for the faint crackle of distant fire.
Luke and Mark faced each other, eyes locked — predators measuring prey.
"Then we have nothing else to talk about," Mark hissed, his cruel grin spreading across his twisted face.
Before Luke could react, he vanished from where he stood. His crab-like arms shot forward like blades, aiming straight for Luke's neck.
This time, Luke was ready. His skin shimmered under a coating of rock-like armor and swirling mana, his muscles taut with strength.
Luke caught the arm mid-air with a sharp CLANG.
"You fucker," Luke said, his eyes glowing bright blue. "You think you're strong? You only got my arm because I was careless!"
He yanked the arm toward him, aiming for an uppercut—but Mark twisted just in time, moving his face aside and springing backward on his grasshopper-like legs.
"Hah… so you still have some juice left?" Mark sneered, landing lightly.
"More than enough to beat the crap out of your insect ass," Luke shot back, a mocking grin spreading across his face. "Hey, I have one question though… do you even still have your pole down there, or did that also turn into bug parts too?"
Mark froze, his mandibles twitching. Rage flared red in his eyes.
"You fucker!" Mark roared, his mandibles snapping.
Luke's laugh cut through the chaos, sharp and mocking. "Ah, so it's gone! Good to know! "
"Hahaha—give me a minute, this is too funny." Luke bent forward laughing. "A man losing his thing yet still lusting after women. Are you some new gender?"
The air around Mark went cold. Luke's laughter hit him like a hammer, the insult vibrating through his monstrous body. His head dipped, his compound eyes locked on Luke.
A guttural sound tore from his throat—something between a roar and a choke.
Without a word, he grabbed a massive chunk of asphalt and heaved it at Luke. At the same moment, he vanished.
Luke stomped on the ground. Jagged stone spikes erupted instantly, smashing the asphalt mid-air. It shattered, raining debris around him.
Luke scanned the empty street, smirk widening
"Where did you go, little insect? Come out… the one with no pole. Didn't you say you wanted to kill me?"
A faint click echoed from above.
"Here I am!" Mark's voice rang out. He landed atop a bent streetlight, insect legs bracing the metal as his mandibles twitched. "Come and attack me, if you dare."
Luke tilted his head "Oh, I'll attack… but first, let's see if your bug brain can actually keep up."
Mark lunged. Luke stomped again—the ground erupted into jagged stone pillars that collided with Mark mid-air.
"Too slow!" Luke taunted, slashing a spike forward. Mark twisted aside, barely grazing the edge.
Mark's mandibles clicked in irritation. He pulled out a petrol-filled bottle, lit it, and hurled it straight at Luke's face.
"Hahaha! Idiot! Didn't see that coming—now burn!" he shouted, springing back with a cruel grin.
'Hmph… what if you're strong? I'm intelligent,' Mark thought, watching the flames rush toward Luke. No way can he dodge this?
Flames engulfed Luke, fire swirling around his figure. Mark laughed, his head thrown back. "Hahaha! See that? That's what happens when you get cocky!"
Then a voice cut through the roar of the fire—calm, sharp.
"Why the hell are you laughing?"
Mark's head snapped down. His laughter stopped.
Luke stood there—completely unharmed. Flames licked his body like obedient pets, not even scorching his clothes. His expression? Bored. He was casually picking his nose.
Mark froze. His claws twitched. How… how is this possible?
"Seriously? This is all you've got? Come on—show me the real insect power."
He was honestly disappointed in this guy. He'd expected more from him. This guy had nothing except speed and some strength—no special powers, nothing else.
"You forced me," Mark growled, his voice trembling with rage. "I didn't want to use this…"
CRACK! Bones snapped and twisted beneath his skin.
SNAP! POP! Muscles ballooned, tearing through fabric as black veins pulsed under his flesh. His skin split open with a wet shrrrkkk! as dark chitin burst through.
Burnt-iron plates clanked into place—CLANK! CLANK!—each one glowing faintly red.
Within seconds, the insectoid was gone.
In his place stood a ten-meter monster. Grasshopper legs coiled like springs beneath him, cracks spidering under his weight.
Massive claws flexed open—SHHHRRKK!—each finger sharp enough to rip through steel.
Then, with a thunderous WHOOOOSH, jagged wings tore from his back, scattering dust and sparks through the air.
Mark raised his monstrous head, mandibles clicking like blades. His voice rumbled like distant thunder.
"Now… face me."
Luke didn't flinch. Flames licked his body, sparks dancing across his blue aura, but his stance remained relaxed, almost casual. "Hah… finally decided to show me something," he muttered, a smirk curling his lips.
Mark's voice thundered, echoing across the shattered city. "Now you'll regret underestimating me!"
"No, I never underestimated you… until now," Luke said, his grin sharp. "I overestimated you."
He snapped his right hand, and a low hum filled the air.
'Meteor Flame Strike!'
Behind him, dozens of fiery orbs appeared, each the size of a car, hovering and spinning with lethal energy. They hovered like a deadly constellation, ready to rain down.
Mark's smirk froze mid-sneer. His inhuman eyes widened.
'Fire… he still has moves like this…'
'Don't tell me… he has more tricks up his sleeves?' ' He thought, panic flashing through his towering monstrous form.
Luke waved his hand, and the fireballs lunged forward in perfect unison, streaking like meteors toward the ten-meter-tall insect-monster.
Mark swung his massive claws wildly, trying to block them all, but the sheer number and force were overwhelming.
The first few orbs struck with deafening BOOMS, sending shockwaves that cracked the asphalt and hurled debris in all directions. Sparks and fire cascaded across his chitinous armor, leaving scorch marks even on his thick exoskeleton.
"Now… try not to die!" Luke called, his tone teasing yet deadly, watching as the blazing orbs pummeled the monstrous figure.
Mark staggered under the bombardment, the explosions rocking his massive form. Smoke and flame licked his claws and legs as he roared, the ground trembling with each movement.
*****
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