While Kuro and Alex clashed inside the massive hall, their battle erupted with overwhelming intensity.
Kuro kept firing lightning swords—each one unleashing a powerful explosion the moment it struck the ground. Alex flash-stepped at top speed, weaving between the attacks with an excited smile. The hall trembled continuously from the destruction both of them were causing.
Kuro, grinning with excitement, created another giant sword made entirely of lightning and hurled it at Alex. He showed no sign of slowing down. Alex, on the other hand, was also enjoying himself, running, zipping and flash-stepping across the ancient hall with insane speed as he dodged the lightning fast attacks.
As Alex darted past a barrage of lightning swords, he couldn't help but think:
"This guy is pretty cool. He's giving me a real challenge."
But getting carried away for even a moment was a mistake. Before he realized it, over a hundred lightning swords were all flying straight toward him. Alex immediately created a Blade of Death, and with a powerful slash of energy, he was able to counter the lightning attacks with a powerful explosion being the result.
His inner demon instantly spoke up:
"Hey kid, don't get carried away. I know you're enjoying yourself, but stay focused. Just one of these lightning swords could seriously injure you. One strike could wipe out anything."
Alex answered with confidence:
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. Just watch me!"
Performing several hand signs, Alex called out:
"Multiple Flash Fists!"
Numerous fists of energy materialized around him. Kuro smirked at the sight.
"Creating multiple attacks to counter what I'm throwing at you… You're smarter than I expected, Alex."
Alex fired his Flash Fists in rapid succession, while Kuro unleashed an equal barrage of lightning swords to counter them. The collision created a chain of devastating explosions that filled the hall with smoke.
Using the smoke screen as cover, Alex burst out at high speed, aiming for a clean strike—but Kuro wasn't fooled.
"You're smart. Very smart. But you can't fool me."
He caught Alex by the fist and blasted him with a massive surge of lightning. The impact made the entire ruins tremble violently.
Meanwhile…
Sōn was unleashing enormous fireballs throughout the city, but Lisa—moving at incredible speed—sliced through each attack using her lightning needles as she skillfully jumed from building to building. As she danced between the flames, she spoke calmly:
"You're obviously strong. But as long as you lose your cool, I'll always see the openings you leave."
She leapt high into the air, descending with a massive lightning needle aimed to stab him. But just as it was about to strike, Sōn slowly looked up with a crazed smirk, dodged aside, and shouted:
"Now die!"
He blasted a monstrous wave of flames upward—burning down a huge portion of the city as the explosion erupted.
When the smoke began to clear, Sōn collapsed to one knee, completely exhausted. He struggled to stand "Did i win?", he asked himself … until something pierced violently through his back.
He looked back—his body was impaled by countless lightning needles.
Shocked, he thought:
"How…? When did she—?"
Lisa calmly walked toward him from the smoke.
"You were overwhelmed with anger," she said. "Your recklessness made you predictable. I simply used it against you."
Annoyed beyond measure, Sōn cursed at her "Fucking hell...! Just die already.". Lisa formed another lightning needle and replied:
"Don't take it personally. This is just a match to see which soldiers are stronger—the City of Kagahara's or the Lightning Country's."
Sōn's thoughts spiraled:
"Damn it, I can't lose! I have to get up! If I can't win a fight like this, how can I beat Saito… and save Dad from the disaster he created?"
As Lisa prepared to finish him off, Sōn's vision blurred—and in that instant, Saito's voice echoed inside his blank mind:
"Let's have fun when next we meet. It will be our battle as brothers."
Back at the ruins…
Alex lay unconscious on the ground, covered by the settling smoke. Kuro approached him slowly.
"You really pushed me. Honestly, I can't believe I almost lost."
He formed a lightning sword in his hand.
"Sorry, kid… but you lose."
Just as he swung downward, Alex smirked in his sleep. He suddenly flipped up, kicked the sword out of Kuro's hands, and struck him with a Blade of Death (Ultra)—sending Kuro crashing across the hall. The ruins shook from the impact.
Alex stood proudly.
"Who did you think would lose? Definitely not me."
Kuro got up inside the smoke, smiling. His clothes were roughed up from the blast Alex had shot at him, he also had a few injuries.
"It seems I underestimated you. You're far stronger—and more persistent—than I expected."
His arms transformed into lightning shaped like twin blades. Alex was shocked.
"Huh? Was he holding back?"
His inner demon's voice echoed:
"I warned you. His power is extremely high. You're lucky you survived his last attack. This guy is not to be taken lightly."
Alex quickly formed a hand sign.
"Hey! You're the one who regulates my demon power, right? Give it to me!"
The demon sighed.
"I can only release your power when you're on the brink of death, that was the agreement i made with your dad. You're on your own, kid."
"But I am on the brink of death!" Alex yelled.
Kuro then launched himself at lightning speed. Alex braced himself "SHIT!", he cursed.
But then, a powerful purple lightning bolt suddenly shot down from the ceiling, blasting Kuro straight into the ground again.
When the smoke faded, Alex's eyes widened.
Kazuki was standing right in front of him, his purple stray jacket blowing softly.
Kazuki looked back with a smirk.
"Looks like I've found you. You hopeless loser."
END OF CHAPTER.