"Begin!"
The signal was given, but no one moved. My gaze was fixed on Alex as I wondered what was so special about this person that the voice had to dish out warnings.
It's not that I didn't trust the voice, but I've become rational like it—I only trust what I see.
The person standing before me had smooth skin, which was proof he had never been involved in any form of manual labor or experienced hardship in his life.
However, the way people cheered like the battle had already been decided made me uncomfortable. Many even had their phones out, recording the fight.
Everyone wanted to see me fall.
[Fool, read the eyes not the body. Haven't you heard that the eyes are a reflection of the soul?]
The voice scolded, and I frowned.
My gaze shifted to meet Alex's—and my brows tightened upon noticing something in his eyes.
Calm confidence...
He wasn't confused or anxious. In fact, he felt extremely relaxed, like this was just another day in his life.
"Are you not going to make the first move?" Alex asked in a calm, inquisitive tone.
Slowly, I shook my head.
"I'm afraid if I strike first, I won't get the chance to see what you're capable of," I responded honestly.
I noticed General Steel and Miss Joanne's eyes twitch at my words, and even students gasped. But Alex simply nodded.
"I understand," he replied. "Since that's the case, I'll make the first move."
Swish!
In a swift motion, he sprang forward, shooting at me at a terrifying speed.
"Fast," I admitted with a slight frown but made no move.
This boy's movement was strange. He hovered slightly above the ground and moved like he was being pulled forward by an invisible force.
'What kind of movement is this?' I was deeply troubled by the sight.
There was little effort in his leap, yet he moved fast and silently.
[That's martial arts. Didn't I tell you he wouldn't be an easy opponent?]
The voice scolded.
Bam!
Alex suddenly stomped the ground, raising some dust as he spun into the air rapidly.
"Take this kick!" Alex's voice boomed from above as his ascending figure abruptly halted mid-air.
Swoosh!
In an instant, his body began descending—twice as fast as before. His leg swung down like a hammer capable of splitting the earth in two.
'Not strong enough!' My eyes narrowed.
The build-up to the attack was magnificent and breathtaking, but it was far from enough to harm someone like me.
Bam!
Alex's feet struck my shoulder with a loud bang. Dust jetted into the air in response, but I remained unmoved. I watched his gaze shift from calm confidence to slight shock.
He was shocked, but not panicked.
'This is not the full extent of his strength?' I deduced.
'I guess I'll have to force him to show me what he can do!'
Without hesitation, I launched an open palm at Alex's chest, expecting him to dodge—but to my surprise, he didn't.
Bang!
Alex hurled backward under my strike. He hit the ground hard and rolled a couple of times before springing back to his feet. A trail of blood rolled down his lips while he grabbed his chest with a small smile.
"Super strength. Pretty decent," Alex complimented, and my brows knitted.
I guess that's why he let my attack land. This boy was gauging my strength just as much as I was gauging his.
Does he think we're at the same level?
"What are you talking about? I haven't used my ability yet," I said with a blank expression.
Buzz!
The air shifted and the room fell silent. Many rose to their feet, and even our teachers exchanged shocked glances.
'Why are they surprised?' I couldn't help but ask.
[The Briggs family are known to have evolved differently from other humans due to their unique genes altered by the demonic martial arts they practiced. This gave them superhuman physical capability rated C to B—without using their martial techniques.]
[With the addition of those deadly techniques, they easily gained the potential of an S-rated Guardian. Everyone from this lineage has the potential to be S-rated if they put in the effort. So when you revealed your superior strength has nothing to do with an ability, it's basically saying your bloodline is better than theirs. It's only natural they react this way.]
That explained everything, but it also raised more questions.
'I thought the world only valued abilities like my Hand of God. When did martial arts become a thing?' I asked.
[Humans evolved in different ways. Some unlocked unique abilities. Others unlocked martial potential, which is rarer and more valuable than abilities. But that's a discussion for another day. Focus!]
"I held back earlier because I doubted your capabilities. I apologize for that silly mistake," Alex said as he cupped his fists and gave me a small bow. "Allow me to rectify my mistake!"
Bam!
Alex stomped the ground and assumed a fighting stance. My frown deepened as I noticed an instant change in his aura. His once unnoticeable presence became oppressive and vile, with red residual energy subtly escaping his body.
Alex's lean body began bulging with muscle, and veins popped across his frame—pulsating with crimson light.
All the veins traced back to his eyes, which had turned scarlet red.
A chill ran down my spine as I met his gaze. I wasn't scared—my instincts were screaming danger. For the first time since I left the mines, I felt the threat of death looming over me.
Instinctively, I abandoned my casual stance and crouched like a beast ready to pounce.
'What is this?'
I had never felt a presence so sinister and evil.
"Hahahahaha! It's over now!" someone laughed.
"This kid is as good as dead!" another screamed.
But I paid them no attention. I couldn't afford to take my eyes off Alex—or I might actually be killed in an instant.
"Demon-Kin First Form: Flow!"
Alex's eyes suddenly turned pitch black, and the bright red veins turned black as well.
Bam!
His body shot forward like a missile—twice as fast as the last time—catching me off guard.
"Shit!"
I quickly crossed my hands over my face and took the direct hit.
Bam!
My bones rattled from the strike. My hands suffered a strange stinging pain like they'd been impaled by a thousand needles, but it still wasn't enough to move me.
Without hesitation, I parted my arms—but to my surprise, Alex was already retreating to a safe distance.
"Escape? I won't allow it!"
Bam!
I sprang forward, charging toward Alex, but to my greatest surprise, he halted his retreat and lunged forward.
"Escape?" Alex scoffed. "You flatter yourself."
"Die!" I bellowed, punching forward with all the strength I could muster.
Swoosh!
My eyes widened as I saw my fist narrowly breeze past Alex's face while he gazed at me with contempt. Within that split second, I noticed a red rune carved into his eyeballs.
Demon-Kin Second Form: Perceive!
'What the hell is this power?'
Goosebumps spread across my skin.
This felt more spiritual than physical.
Demon-Kin Third Form: Kill!
I noticed Alex's clenched fist. All the bulging veins across his body had converged into his arm, which shimmered with red light.
I was still in mid-attack, so I had no way to react. I could only watch as his burning red fist struck my abdomen.
Boom!
I was hurled back uncontrollably, covering several meters before crashing into the ground and bouncing off it.
"AAH!"
All the wind in my lungs rushed out. I rolled a few times before summoning the strength to push myself off the ground and land on my feet—just like Alex had.
Bam!
Standing, I noticed everyone's eyes on me as if they were waiting for something. The punch wasn't particularly painful, but I could feel something chaotic ravaging my insides.
I tried to keep a straight face and act unaffected, but after a few seconds, I couldn't hold it in anymore.
Blegh!
Blood squirted out of my mouth as I staggered back, clutching my belly. My vision blurred for a second, and the stench of blood filled my nose.
[The first form of the Demon-Kin martial technique boosts his physical attributes. The second form improves his perception and foresight. The third form allows him to unleash demonic force while striking—bypassing physical defenses and damaging your organs directly.]
'It's not that bad…'
I grinned, revealing my bloody teeth.
My smile got people talking. Even General Steel was taken aback. Clearly, no one expected a ten-year-old to be this resilient.
[A few more hits like that and you'll pass out.]
The voice warned, but I wasn't given the chance to respond.
My attention shifted to Alex's approaching figure—and this time, he wore a stern expression.
"Don't you think it's time you fought me seriously—with your ability?" Alex snarled.
[He has a point. You need to end this fast.]
The voice agreed.
Hahahahaha!
I wasn't sure why—but I started laughing.
Was it the fight?
Was it the pain?
Was it the possibility of death?
My empty heart was filled with a strange hunger for more. This hunger felt like something that could fill the void I'd been feeling since acquiring this power.
"I haven't had this much fun in a long time… so why would I try to end it so quickly?" I laughed.
Saying that, I grabbed my shirt and ripped it off in one pull, revealing a blood-red fist print on my abdomen.
[Don't act recklessly.]
The voice warned, but I ignored it.
I planned to rely on my recovery ability to last longer in this fight. With time, I was certain I'd see flaws in Alex's fighting style.
There was no reason to go all out—yet.