The fight lasted longer than Daniel expected.
Zeke was faster—more precise—than ever before. Each punch and kick came razor-close to breaking Daniel apart. He ducked, weaved, blocked, but couldn't find a clean hit. Every second that passed felt like déjà vu—like he was falling into the same pitiful defeat all over again.
If this goes on... it'll be just like last time.
He gritted his teeth, sweat dripping down his chin, and thought to himself.
What is it? What the hell is missing? What would make me stronger? What do I even fight for?
A flurry of fists forced him into a crouch. Zeke's foot missed his temple by a breath. His lungs burned, his vision blurred—and then, through the chaos, it hit him.
Not a punch.
A memory.
The laughter of betrayal. The fake friends. The lies. The rejection.
Tears welled in Daniel's eyes as he spun and countered a kick. Silent tears. The kind that burned hotter than fire.
It's not just revenge...
He parried. Blocked. Countered. But the thoughts cut deeper than Zeke ever could.
I want them to suffer. I want them to scream. I want to watch them beg for mercy... and then take it from them. I want it to feel better than sex—better than power. I want their fear. Their panic. Their blood.
A wide, wicked grin spread across Daniel's face.
A grin born not of anger—but bliss. A smile of pure satisfaction, a smile of devastating lust.
"Yes..." he whispered between blows.
"I will be the villain of this world... and rule it like a god."
Zeke faltered for half a second, sensing something had shifted.
"I will be the best of the best," Daniel muttered, "A god among humans. A beast denied by none."
Daniel's eyes gleamed with mania.
"I want to feel the fear in their eyes," he laughed like he was high on drugs . "I'll rip those bastards to shreds with my own bare hands!"
His expression twisted into a cocktail of euphoria and bloodlust—like he'd just tasted something divine. It was pure ecstasy that went above and beyond. Bigger than that of any human.
Then the gold system chimed:
[True Ego Found. The user shall now ascend.]
[Ascendency Achieved.] [Unique Skill Unlocked: Death-Crushing Skull]
Skill: Death-Crushing Skull Description: A devastating three-stage combo—
1. A bone-shattering kick to the chin that sends the target airborne.
2. A blinding mid-air follow-up kick to the skull.
3. A finishing knee strike to the neck upon descent.
Daniel stood taller. His golden aura erupted.
With tears in his eyes and an elated smile on his face.
This wasn't the same boy who lost twice.
This was an Ascendant.
And the world would soon know what kind of monster had just been born.