Rudra stood on the rooftop like a crimson god.
Arjun stood below like a shadow that refused to die.
One was an inner disciple ranked in the top ten.
The other was supposed to be trash.
Yet the moment Arjun appeared in front of him—
Rudra's smile disappeared.
Because Arjun's fist was already coming.
💥 IRON BONE FIST!!!
The air cracked.
The pressure crushed the tiles.
Outer disciples watching from afar felt their lungs tighten like invisible hands were choking them.
Rudra's eyes sharpened.
He raised his arm.
Not a weapon.
Just his bare forearm.
BOOM!!
Fist met flesh.
A shockwave exploded outward.
Windows shattered.
Dust rose like smoke.
Even the hanging bodies in the courtyard swung violently from the impact.
For one second…
Nothing moved.
Then—
Rudra slid back half a step.
A single step.
But it was enough to make the entire sect freeze.
Because Rudra…
never moved backward.
Arjun landed lightly, eyes cold.
He stared at Rudra's arm.
A faint crackling sound came from Rudra's bones.
A small bruise appeared.
Rudra stared at it, almost confused.
Then he laughed softly.
"Hah…"
He looked at Arjun.
"You really are interesting."
Arjun didn't reply.
He simply stepped forward again.
The fog of killing intent around him thickened.
🩸 CRIMSON KILLING INTENT!
The air darkened.
Even the distant disciples couldn't breathe properly.
Some fell to their knees.
Some vomited.
Some crawled backward like insects.
Rudra's face finally turned serious.
"That aura…"
"It's not normal."
Arjun's lips moved.
"Neither is my hatred."
Then Arjun vanished.
✨ SHADOW STEP!
A blur.
A ripple.
A ghost.
He appeared behind Rudra, fist aimed at his spine.
But Rudra reacted instantly.
He twisted his body midair like a serpent and kicked.
BAM!!
His heel smashed into Arjun's ribs.
Arjun flew like a cannonball and crashed through a stone wall.
Dust filled the courtyard.
A disciple screamed.
"He's dead!"
Another laughed nervously.
"No one survives that—"
Then the dust split.
Arjun walked out.
Slow.
Calm.
Blood dripping from his mouth.
His ribs were fractured.
His organs hurt.
But his eyes…
His eyes were still alive.
Still hungry.
Still burning.
Arjun wiped the blood from his lips with his thumb.
Then he looked at Rudra.
"That kick…"
"Is that how you killed the weak in secret?"
Rudra raised an eyebrow.
"So you can still speak."
Arjun stepped forward again.
Every step made the air heavier.
The hanging corpses behind him swayed like they were bowing to a king.
Arjun spoke softly:
"Rudra."
"You wanted my head at the gate?"
Rudra smiled.
"Yes."
Arjun nodded.
"Then I'll take your entire body…"
"…and feed it to the dogs."
The courtyard gasped.
Rudra's smile became twisted.
"You still don't understand your position."
He raised his hand.
And the air around his palm formed a crimson pattern like burning veins.
A technique.
A real inner disciple killing technique.
"Let me educate you."
Rudra's voice echoed like thunder.
🔥 BLOODFANG PALM!
He struck forward.
The palm didn't just hit.
It bit.
A wave of blood-red energy shaped like fangs tore through the air toward Arjun's face.
Arjun didn't dodge.
He clenched his fist.
His bones screamed.
His muscles tightened.
His Iron Body realm roared to life.
💥 IRON BONE FIST!!!
BOOOOOOM!!!
The two techniques collided.
A violent explosion erupted.
The stone floor cracked and sank.
Blood mist sprayed across the courtyard.
Arjun slid back, boots carving lines into the ground.
His arm went numb.
His bones trembled.
Rudra didn't move.
But his expression…
Changed.
Because there was blood on his lips.
Rudra touched his mouth slowly.
And stared at the red on his fingers.
Then he smiled.
This time, it wasn't arrogance.
It was delight.
"You injured me…"
Arjun's breathing was steady.
But inside—
His system panel flickered wildly.
🔊 [WARNING: Host body integrity falling.]
📌 Ribs: fractured
📌 Internal damage: moderate
📌 Recovery pills remaining: 7
🔊 Suggestion: Retreat or use healing items.
Arjun ignored it.
He stared at Rudra and whispered:
"If you bleed…"
"You can die."
Rudra laughed.
Then he lifted his hand and pointed at Arjun.
"You've proven you're more than trash."
"So I'll give you a reward."
Arjun narrowed his eyes.
Rudra's smile widened.
"I'll break your limbs first."
"And after that…"
"I'll drag you by your hair…"
"…and make you watch me slaughter everyone who ever spoke your name."
Outer disciples trembled.
Some cried.
Some fainted.
But Arjun…
Arjun smiled.
A smile full of darkness.
"Do it."
Rudra's eyes narrowed.
Arjun's voice dropped into a whisper, sharp like a knife:
"Because the moment you touch someone innocent…"
"I'll stop calling it revenge."
"I'll start calling it…"
"cleansing."
Then Arjun raised his fist again.
And the System chimed.
🔊 [Hidden Condition Met: Host's hatred stabilized into pure intent.]
✅ New Feature Unlocked: Talent Seal Fragment Resonance
📌 Progress: 1/3
A strange warmth awakened inside Arjun's chest.
A sealed door began to crack open.
Rudra felt it too.
His face changed.
"What… are you hiding?"
Arjun stepped forward.
His eyes glowed like burning coals.
"You'll find out…"
"…when you beg."
And then—
Arjun disappeared again.
✨ SHADOW STEP!
This time…
He didn't appear behind Rudra.
He appeared above him.
Like judgment.
Like death.
And his fist came down—
Not like a punch.
Like an execution.
💥💥💥 HEAVEN-CRUSHING STRIKE (IMPROVISED)