Chapter 25: Wrath
POV Ren:
My body felt like it was burning from the inside.
Every muscle fiber trembled, my blood seemed to boil. A blue light enveloped my body, radiating wildly out of control.
"—Aaaaaaaghhh!!!"
My scream echoed throughout the forest. Lightning struck the ground around me, creating small craters.
The air violently trembled. The sky above us turned dark, filled with black clouds swirling like a vortex of rage.
Lucen stared at me from a distance, his eyes narrowed. "Another power?" he muttered softly, "This kid..."
ZRAAAAAK!!
I disappeared from where I stood—not running, but truly vanishing. In a split second, I was in front of Lucen, slashing my sword, which was now filled with lightning flashes.
"Hahahaha!! Die, you bastard!"
BOOOMM!!!
My slash hit his defense. A massive explosion bounced in all directions, creating an electrical storm that consumed the surrounding trees.
Lucen blocked the attack with his left hand, which was covered in black aura, but part of his arm was scorched.
"Why? Does it hurt? This is not over yet! Haha!!" lightning crackled from my body—I was losing control.
"Ghh... this much power from a kid like you!?" he growled.
I didn't answer. My breath was ragged, but my mind was blurred.
All I saw was the enemy in front of me—the world around me faded, only lightning and rage remained.
"Finish him, finish him!, finish him!!!"
Marcus, lying on the ground, looked at me with wide eyes.
"Kid... stop! You will—"
ZRAAAKK!!
Lightning struck between them, cutting off his voice. The ground beneath me cracked; the air felt heavy and full of pressure.
'...Marcus's voice? Who is that? What—... no, kill the enemy first!'
Strange thoughts echoed in my head. My own voice, but it sounded alien. Lucen jumped backward, creating distance.
"Very strong. Looks like I need to get a little serious," he said.
Dark aura from his body exploded in all directions. Black shadows rose from the ground, forming demonic wings on his back. His face changed; long black horns grew on his temples.
"Hahaha! Come on, kid, unleash all your power!"
He raised his hands, making a hand seal, and from the ground emerged dozens of large black hands—reaching out for me. I raised my sword, lightning enveloping my entire body.
"Haha... I'm coming!!"
ZRAAAAK!!!
I lunged forward, slashing all the demonic hands trying to grab me. Every slash produced a lightning explosion that shook the forest.
The sky seemed to collapse, the ground split. Lightning and darkness collided, creating a deafening white and black light.
Marcus covered his face from the blast. "Kid!! Stop!!"
But Ren no longer responded. His eyes shone pale blue—emotionless, unconscious, only a wide, angry smile.
I slashed Lucen. He dodged, then quickly ducked and kicked me. I parried it with my sword.
Kraak!
My sword snapped. My eyes widened seeing it. Seeing that, Lucen smiled broadly, "Got you."
He channeled aura into his hand, clenching his fist. Then Lucen punched me while I was still in the air. The force of the punch sent me flying into the sky like a blue star; I pierced through the air.
Swuuushh!!!
The sound of the rushing wind was heard as I flew into the sky. I gritted my teeth, but my sneer didn't fade, instead, it grew wider. I balanced myself in the air.
Raising my hand to the sky, I spoke loudly.
"I am the lightning! Lightning bows to me!" I said.
'I am the voice of the heavens and the wrath of the earth!'
Lightning roared from the sky. With every word I spoke, the lightning struck harder. Then with the final words:
"Now I command you!" The lightning in the sky struck my hand, slowly forming a weapon—a lightning spear.
"Finish the enemy blocking me with your might!" I said loudly, gripping the lightning spear in my hand and grinning widely.
Lucen on the ground widened his eyes, shocked and stunned. "Impossible... A power like that..."
Then, as if time itself had stopped, I hurled the lightning spear toward Lucen.
[Lightning Spear!]
The sky rumbled. The spear shot toward Lucen with lightning speed; the air exploded with a deafening thunder sound.
Seeing it coming, his instincts screamed to dodge, "Damn, no time!"
'I have no other choice!'
He spread and stomped both his feet to the sides, clenching both hands, he muttered:
[Hell Shackles Technique: Death Strike!]
The lightning spear arrived in front of Lucen and—Lucen's fist and the lightning spear collided.
BOOOOMMM!!!
A massive explosion occurred in the forest. The sound of thunder and red aura burst forth in the area where the forces clashed. Marcus shielded himself with his remaining aura; he was far from where the attack occurred.
I fell from the sky at a steady speed. Tendrils of lightning emerged from the explosion. As I stepped onto the ground, I laughed.
"Hahaha!! Take that, bastard!"
Moments later, the lightning flash disappeared, leaving behind wild-flying black dust and a large black crater. Then a silhouette emerged from the dust, revealing Lucen. Half his clothes were burned.
He snarled angrily, "You... You damn brat!!"
Seeing him, I was shocked. "You're still standing!?" I said, laughing wildly. I raised my hand, taking a fighting stance again, lightning flashing from my hand.
Lucen walked slowly while channeling aura into his hand. The aura was deep red mixed with black, coiling as if it were alive. His horns grew longer.
"You will bear the consequences for making me use my technique!" Lucen said angrily.
I just laughed mockingly, "Oh really? Then do it!"
Lucen let out a deep breath, taking his own fighting stance.
At that moment, we both shot forward simultaneously. I exchanged punches with him. He grabbed my hand, twisted it, then punched my ribs. I dodged and retaliated with a punch to his stomach.
[Your body has adapted to the enemy's attack!]
[Reducing attack impact by 50%]
We continued to fight for several minutes until finally, I coughed up blood in the middle of a clash.
"Ukhh...!"
Lucen laughed maniacally. His body was covered in scorched marks, but he was still laughing.
"HAHAHA! That's incredible power! But too bad, your body can't handle it, kid!"
Taking the opportunity, he punched my chest with a force that made a loud tearing sound. I flew backward from the attack.
Booom!!!
Dust flew where I fell. I tried to stand up but fell again. I tried again and again, until finally the system message sounded:
[Body in critical danger!]
[Forcibly shutting down Lightning Wrath!]
[Initiating Instant Regeneration....]
[Because the Host is depleted of mana and endurance. Healing is slowed!]
At that moment, my consciousness returned. I was breathing heavily as if I hadn't breathed for a long time. My body was covered in blood and wounds. My skin was cracked; blue veins appeared all over my body, especially the arm that held the spear. I stood up, trembling, unwilling to give up.
My consciousness faded and my vision darkened, but I was still standing. Lucen intended to step toward me. However, before he could step forward—
A heavy voice echoed from behind the smoke.
"Enough."
A red explosion swept out like a storm, pressing down on Lucen.
Lucen, who had been stepping forward, suddenly stopped. Then he turned toward the forest where the voice and the aura storm were coming from.
From behind the electric mist, someone stepped forward calmly. His long black robe fluttered in the wind; his eyes were deep black, staring directly at Lucen.
Lucen narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"
The man didn't answer.
His hand slowly lifted, and the air around him suddenly became silent—too silent. There was no sound of wind, no leaves moving.
Only one sentence came out of his lips.
"Be gone or die."