The two spells surged toward one another until they finally collided, the impact unleashing a powerful explosion that shook the air around them.
Hifung and Ray held their ground, continuing to push their magic forward with unwavering determination.
Each time the spells clashed, they erupted in bursts of energy. The duel endured longer than either of them had expected.
Hifung: HUUAAAA!
Ray: HUUAAAA!
They pressed forward with greater force, magic crackling violently between them.
At last, the collision culminated in a massive explosion that hurled both Hifung and Ray far into the distance.
Bolts of lightning shot out from the blast, detonating around the battlefield.
Their right hands were wounded, visibly scorched by the overwhelming force.
The two were flung across the ground, landing hard and lying still.
The King and Feds had already regained consciousness. Struggling to stand, they spotted Hifung lying unconscious on the ground.
Far ahead of him, Ray was slowly trying to rise to his feet.
Ray: Huh...
His right hand was marked with burn wounds. Gritting his teeth, he looked toward the unconscious Hifung, then began limping toward him.
The King's eyes widened in alarm.
King: Ray!
Feds was equally shocked to see Ray approaching.
Ray finally reached Hifung and glanced around—seeing the overwhelmed King, Feds, and the unmoving Hifung.
Ray: Damn... my chi energy is almost drained.
King: Are you alright?
Feds: Hifung has grown powerful, but I don't understand why he lost control like that...
The King and Feds exchanged confused glances as Ray, worn out, collapsed beside Hifung.
Suddenly, Hifung groaned faintly and opened his eyes, startling the others.
Hifung: Argh... What happened?
Ray, hearing his voice, let out a relieved sigh.
Ray: You don't remember anything?
Hifung held his head, trying to recall.
Hifung: I remember facing you... and you awakened me. But after that, everything's a blur.
Ray: Oh...
Ray: You were overwhelmed by the truth. You couldn't accept it... so you lost control. You rampaged.
Hifung's eyes widened in disbelief.
Hifung: Me...?
He lowered his gaze, shame creeping into his expression.
King: In any case, we should return to the kingdom. Your injuries need attention.
Feds: The King is right. Don't trouble yourself, Hifung. What matters is that you've regained control.
Hifung looked at the King and Feds, guilt still clouding his face.
---
Back at the kingdom, Hifung lay sprawled on a couch in the royal chamber.
Meanwhile, the King, Feds, and Ray gathered to speak.
Ray: What!? The Milty Kingdom is now the ruling kingdom of this world?
King: That's right. After we defeated the Hakao Kingdom, the other nations called a council.
King: The council discussed how the Hakao Kingdom had been exploiting the resources of weaker nations for too long.
King: After their defeat, Hakao was reduced to a subordinate kingdom—now controlled by Milty.
King: And thanks to Milty's reputation and the trust of the council, they were chosen to lead the kingdoms of this fifth-tier world.
Ray: Uh... that's unexpected.
Feds: Yes—and they even formed an organization.
Ray: An organization?
King: The Grand Council—an alliance of all the world's leaders.
Ray: Grand Council...?
Ray tilted his head, clearly intrigued.
Suddenly, Hifung stirred awake, sitting up on the sofa and glancing around.
King: You're awake, Hifung?
Feds and Ray turned toward him.
Hifung: Yeah...
Ray: Are you alright?
Hifung: It still hurts... but I'm slowly letting go.
King: And your hand?
Hifung: Hm?
He looked at his right hand, then turned to the King.
Hifung: It doesn't hurt anymore.
King: Actually, I need to ask you something.
Hifung looked at the King with a slightly anxious expression.
Hifung: What do you want to ask?
The King took a breath and fixed Hifung with a serious gaze.
King: Your left hand... it wasn't supposed to recover for another three years. But now you're using it like nothing happened?
Hifung blinked in surprise, trying to recall the moment he first realized his left arm had healed.
Hifung: I was nearly killed by a giant spider. Suddenly, I instinctively used my left hand to strike it down.
Ray, Feds, and the King were stunned.
Ray: How is that possible? Your arm healed out of nowhere?
The King watched Hifung closely before continuing.
King: Alright. Next question.
King: Did you... kill anyone?
Hifung was visibly caught off guard.
Hifung: Eh?
King: Everyone knows eye powers can only be awakened by killing someone.
Hifung thought for a moment, then looked back at the King.
Hifung: But I don't remember killing anyone.
The three looked at him, utterly shocked.
King: What!?
Feds: That's impossible!
Ray: Maybe you forgot, Hifung...
King: The power of the eyes can only be unlocked by taking a life. That's a law of this world.
Hifung's confusion deepened, the pieces in his mind refusing to align.
Hifung: But I've never killed anyone...
King: Then how did you know you had eye powers?
Hifung tensed slightly.
King: When you used your eye power on the King of Hakao, it clearly wasn't your first time. You knew what you were doing.
King: You know what your eye power is.
Hifung hesitated to respond.
---
—One Year Ago—
Hifung sat on a thick tree branch in the forest, reading a book he'd taken from the ancient library.
Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps reached his ears.
Hifung looked up and spotted a man with a steel sword sneaking toward him.
As soon as the man noticed Hifung's gaze, he broke into a sprint, aiming his sword straight at him.
Hifung smirked.
Hifung: Funny.
Hifung (in his heart): "Perfect. I'll try spreading chi energy across my whole body and strike."
In a blink, the attacker's sword shattered, and the man was sent flying backwards.
Stranger: What!? He's too powerful!
The man scrambled away in fear.
Hifung simply watched him flee.
Hifung: Lately... more and more people have been attacking me out of nowhere. Strange.
Then, pain shot through his eyes. He clutched them, blood trickling down.
Looking at his stained palms, he gasped.
Hifung: What!? What's happening to me!?
---
—Back to the Present—
Hifung: After that... I realized I had eye powers.
Hifung: I tried using them from time to time—so yes, I know what my ability is.
King: Oh...
Feds: That's... bizarre.
Ray: But you're okay, right?
Hifung: I'm fine.
King: Then, that's enough for now. You should rest.
Hifung looked uncertain.
Hifung: O-okay...
He left the ro
om, Ray following behind him.
Once the door closed—
Feds: Are you sure this is safe, Your Majesty?
King: It's strange that he could defy the world's laws. But perhaps... it's not as complicated as it seems. Still, I'm not certain.