Location: Far from the Sacred Temple
The sound of hovering vehicles echoed through the air, but what dominated the surroundings were explosions and the violent clash of metal. Two figures were fighting.
Normally, such a battle would have devastated the city, yet not a single structure suffered damage. A massive barrier covering the entire city absorbed every impact.
From below, the fighters appeared to be gliding effortlessly through the air. In reality, the momentum behind their movements was overwhelming. Each time they slowed or halted, they used rooftops or glass surfaces as footholds to redirect themselves.
The man wielding the hammer was hurled backward as if thrown by an invisible force. Pursuing him was a scythe-wielding warrior, leaping from building to building with terrifying speed. Both combatants moved at nearly two hundred kilometers per hour.
The crimson energy surrounding the scythe bearer was gradually fading, as though the weapon itself was draining his life force.
He lunged toward the man sent flying backward and spoke mockingly.
Revenant: Is that truly the best you can do, King of Justice?
As his momentum began to fade, the airborne warrior clenched his teeth. A cracking sound escaped his jaw as anger surged within him.
Marcus: I'm only getting started!
Revenant raised his scythe for a decisive strike. The weapon emitted something resembling a distant scream.
Marcus lifted his hammer, channeling his fading golden energy into it. Both warriors spoke at the exact same moment.
Revenant: Soul Sever!
Marcus: Judge's Final Verdict!
Their weapons descended.
Before the scythe and hammer could collide, a gap formed between them then a radiant distortion appeared.
An Energy Clash.
When two immense energies collide, a void forms where they meet the point where both powers struggle for dominance. Ironically, the one who pours greater raw power into the clash risks losing control first.
As the clash unfolded, both fighters were lost in their thoughts.
Revenant (Thinking): This is the first time I've fought someone this strong up close… and it's exhilarating!
The thrill of battle consumed him.
Marcus, however, felt something entirely different.
Marcus (Thinking): What kind of physical strength is this?! An ancient relic should consume massive energy… yet he's still keeping up!
Shockwaves spread outward as their energies collided. Violent winds erupted, rippling across the sky. Birds caught in the overwhelming energy lost consciousness and fell from above.
People and vehicles below came to a halt, mesmerized by the breathtaking spectacle overhead.
The energy between them began to destabilize.
Then-
A massive surge erupted.
A violent shockwave blasted outward, and the clash detonated.
The victor became clear.
Revenant.
He remained standing firmly in place.
Marcus, however, was blasted backward, crashing into a building at incredible speed. Even the city's barrier rippled and trembled from the impact.
Blood trickled from Marcus's forehead.
Marcus (Thinking): Damn it! If I had poured just a little more energy into that strike, I would've won!
He immediately readied his hammer again.
Revenant crouched atop a nearby rooftop, poised like a predator preparing to sprint. He drove his right foot forward and launched himself ahead, accelerating like a racing machine.
Marcus tracked every movement with intense focus.
Marcus (Thinking): If I keep attacking with the hammer, I'll always be slower than him… The smarter move is to activate my Super Technique declare him guilty and grant myself double power.
A grin spread across Marcus's face as he shouted.
Marcus: Come on! Try and land a hit!
Revenant was already closing in only ten meters away moving in for a devastating strike.
But something was different.
The scythe was gone.
Instead, a dark knuckle weapon stained as if with blood covered his fist.
His weapon could change form.
At fifty centimeters away, Revenant swung his punch toward Marcus. Crimson energy erupted from his arm but it wasn't ordinary energy.
It looked like flames.
Marcus sensed it at the very last moment.
Marcus: Damn it…
Revenant: Death…!
The energy around his hand transformed completely into fire.
And the name of that moment was-
Revenant: Strike!
His fist drove directly into Marcus's abdomen.
Flames burst outward from the impact point, engulfing Marcus's position. Revenant remained unharmed it was his own energy.
Revenant (Thinking): Did I… actually hit Flaming Energy?
Flaming Energy amplified the user's normal power by one and a half times. It marked a critical stage of evolution for any fighter. Only six individuals in history had ever experienced this phenomenon.
The user's energy underwent a complete transformation, adopting an entirely new form while restoring ten percent of the energy previously lost.
But achieving it was nearly impossible.
It required perfect, flawless friction between two energy surfaces. Absolute control was mandatory shape, density, timing, flow everything had to be consciously regulated.
Even a change lasting 0.000001 seconds had to be perceived and controlled.
That level of mastery bordered on the impossible.
Even Arthur had once said:
Achieving Flaming Energy was something no one should devote their entire life attempting.
Marcus, now heavily wounded, began thinking rapidly.
Marcus (Thinking): I was struck by Flaming Energy! Fighting like this will be difficult… but my brain is intact. I can still use my Super Technique!
Despite his injuries, Marcus raised his hand and began gathering energy.
Revenant noticed instantly. He leapt backward, creating distance, and began channeling energy into his own hand.
Their eyes glowed, reflecting the colors of their power.
At the exact same moment, both shouted-
Marcus and Revenant:
Super Technique!