[FLASHBACK — Two Days Ago]
Denzel sat on his bed, still trying to wrap his head around the whole situation. Not only was Leon gone, but the ability that once made him feel invincible was now having an incredible backlash.
He ran his hands through his hair, trying to make some sense of his current situation. Then, like a sign from Heaven, something appeared.
[Ping! Ping!]
[Your resilience and predicaments have brought you a gift...]
[Congratulations! You've unlocked ********. You can use this while trying to master Psycho Mode.]
-[The Creator loves you]-
(NB: Cannot be seen by Denzel)
Denzel finally saw a light at the end of the tunnel, though it wasn't a permanent fix. He grinned.
"Where can I test this one? Hmm... not many minotaurs around, are there?"
[END OF FLASHBACK]
---
"I was already looking for the perfect opportunity to use this."
Denzel's eyes began radiating aura.
"Stop blabbering and die, vermin!" Macmiller roared as his aura release skyrocketed. He balled his right fist, concentrating energy into it until his arm looked like a burning meteorite.
~[Extermination Punch]~
Denzel gritted his teeth and braced himself. He shifted his left leg, moving ever so slightly, and spun into an acrobatic dodge. Macmiller's punch missed its mark, but the sheer aura pressure still managed to slice across Denzel's cheek.
"Are you scared now? Hahaha!" Macmiller laughed, thrilled that his attack had actually touched Denzel.
Everyone was on the edge of their seats—the battle had reached its climax.
"The two of them are really entertaining. I'm loving it!" Gurritéz said, bursting into laughter as he swirled his wine.
Macmiller thought the battle was already over, but the look in Denzel's eyes told a different story.
"Still cocky, huh?" Macmiller scoffed, walking slowly toward him.
"Do you know why I got you to fight me?" Denzel asked, catching Macmiller off guard.
Macmiller stopped and laughed. "Was my punch really that scary? Geez, you're a weakling, aren't you? You wanted me to fight you? Please!" His eyes glowed faintly golden.
Denzel tilted his head in disappointment. "Sorry, meathead. You're not my goal anyway."
That did it. Denzel had finally snapped the last thread of Macmiller's patience.
He was about to pay the price.
Macmiller instantly closed the gap between them.
"Let's leave. The match is already over," a heavily tattooed man said, getting up from his seat.
"Well, you brought this on yourself."
Denzel's eyes glowed, and arcane markings began to spread across his body like a parasite.
---
Psycho Mode?
No. This felt different. Weaker.
(Like Nutella and Nutoca...)
[Ping! Ping!]
[System Notice: Congratulations! You've obtained a new ability — Pseudo Psycho Mode.
With this ability, you'll be able to use Psycho Mode techniques under constraints.]
Nobody saw it…
But they definitely felt it.
A surge of energy burst through the air, so distinct that everyone who sensed it instantly froze.
Denzel's left fist crashed into Macmiller's skull, sending him flying and smashing into the ground.
BOOM!
The arena shook violently.
Gurritéz was speechless. "Th-The winner is…"
He paused—realizing he didn't even know the escort's name.
"What's your name, young man?" he asked with a wide grin.
"Denzel De Rünter," Denzel replied.
"Hoho, Rünter?" Gurritéz repeated in surprise. "Okay, the winner is Denzel De Rünter!"
The arena fell into silence. The shock was immense. The pride of the U.S. had been shattered—by an escort. Humiliation.
---
"You felt it, right?" Su Bu Lang said in a not-so-playful tone to the Asian lady beside him. His bushy eyebrows furrowed. "For a moment, he surpassed everyone."
The lady's eyes glowed faintly behind her translucent red veil. "We have to monitor him."
Su Bu Lang chuckled. "I thought I was the strongest. My first day here and I've already met this many monsters?" His eyes glowed.
Treby was shaking vigorously in his seat. "F**k, Miller, you a**hole!"
Denzel had caused an uproar—a big one.
---
[Outside The Grâce]
"Hmm… looks like my time in Paris will be interesting after all," Fabio Alcaraz smirked.
END OF CHAPTER