The Strongest With Nothing Left

Rein sprinted through the ruined halls, his body moving on instinct, weaving through broken pillars and shattered walls. His heartbeat pounded in his ears, but his mind was clear. He had to lead Li Vrak away.

Away from his allies. Away from more pointless slaughter. But just as he reached the castle's main corridor— A hand clamped onto his face. The grip was iron. Unbreakable. Rein's golden eyes widened. 

"—!?" Then— His skull slammed into the stone floor. The world blurred as his body was dragged at an impossible speed. The rough stone ripped at his skin, sparks flying as his armor scraped against the ground.

Walls crumbled as Li Vrak plowed through them, dragging Rein like a ragdoll. Every impact sent shockwaves through the castle, leaving nothing but destruction in their wake. Dust and debris filled the air as Rein's body was yanked through another pillar—then another.The pain was immediate. But Rein gritted his teeth. 

He's fast—too fast!He struggled, trying to pry himself free, but Li Vrak's fingers were like a vice, unyielding. The world spun again as Li Vrak suddenly swung his arm— And hurled Rein straight through a massive stone wall. The impact sent a violent shockwave through the ruins, shaking the very foundation of the castle. 

Dust and rubble rained down. A deep trench now carved into the floor where Rein had been dragged. For a moment, there was silence. Li Vrak stood at the edge of the destruction, rolling his shoulders, his purple eyes glowing faintly in the darkness.

Then, his voice—calm, mocking—cut through the dust. "You're not running anymore?" He took a slow step forward. "Did you think speed alone would save you?" Another step.

"Go on." His voice dropped lower. "Get up." Rein's fingers twitched within the rubble. Blood dripped down his forehead, but his golden eyes still burned. And then—

He moved.

A chunk of rubble slid off as Rein pushed himself up, spitting dust and blood onto the shattered ground. His body ached—his face burned from being dragged, his muscles screamed in pain, and yet— Something was different. His golden eyes gleamed. 

The moment he staggered to his feet, his body felt lighter. Faster. His heartbeat steadied, and the pain? It was fading. No—not fading. Converting. Every broken bone. Every torn muscle. Every bruise. 

It was fueling him. Rein rolled his shoulders, feeling the strength surging through him. He clenched his fists, smirking despite the blood dripping from his forehead. "Shit," he muttered, cracking his neck. "That actually hurt a little." 

Li Vrak raised an eyebrow. He could sense it—the change. "Oh?" His voice remained calm, but there was a flicker of interest in his gaze. "You're standing? Impressive."

Rein exhaled sharply, shaking out his hands. The air around him shifted. Just seconds ago, he had been completely outmatched. But now? Something was building. Li Vrak's lips curled slightly.

"Show me," he said simply. Rein grinned. Then—He attacked. Rein's body vanished. A crater formed where he had stood just a second ago.

Li Vrak's eyes flicked upward—"Tch." He raised his arm—just in time. Rein's fist collided with Li Vrak's forearm, the impact echoing through the ruins. A shockwave erupted from the force. 

For the first time—Li Vrak blocked. Not because he wanted to play along. But because—if he didn't—that would have actually hurt. Rein didn't give him time to think. His movements were sharper—faster. His blows weren't just wild swings of frustration anymore.

They were calculated. BAM! Li Vrak blocked another punch, his arm slightly pushed back. BANG! A kick came next he redirected it, but Rein was already twisting midair, following up with another devastating strike.

Li Vrak's feet dug into the stone as he deflected the attack, his eyes narrowing. He exhaled slowly. "…So that's how it is." Rein grinned, shaking out his fist. "You noticed, huh?" He rolled his neck, his body thrumming with power. "The more you hit me, the more I grow."

Li Vrak remained still, watching him. Rein clenched his fists. "That first hit you took on the face? It wouldn't do shit before." He tilted his head, his golden eyes shining. 

"But if you let me land that same punch again…" His smirk widened."You're gonna feel it." Li Vrak stared at him for a moment—then chuckled.

"I see." His fingers flexed slightly before curling into a fist. "Then I simply won't let you hit me again."

The fight raged on. Rein's fists came fast and relentless, his movements honed by every strike he had endured. Yet—none of his attacks landed. Li Vrak's arms moved with perfect precision, blocking everything. Not dodging blocking.

Because even now, even after Rein's power had increased—Li Vrak was still faster. And then— Rein's ribs shook from a brutal knee to his stomach. His vision blurred as he was sent crashing into a wall, the impact leaving cracks across the stone. 

"Tch—!" Before he could recover— A flash of lightning tore through the battlefield. A spear of pure lightning streaked toward Li Vrak, the air sizzling as it closed in on him at blinding speed.

Rein's eyes widened. Finally! A chance!A direct hit could— His breath caught in his throat. Li Vrak caught it. With one hand. Not only did he catch it—he redirected it. With a flick of his wrist— The same lightning spear pierced straight through Rein's abdomen. "Guh—!" 

His body lurched as the electricity ravaged his insides. Blood dripped from his mouth as he staggered, barely able to stand. Li Vrak exhaled, looking mildly amused as he let the lightning dissipate from his fingers. He turned toward the direction the attack had come from, eyes narrowing slightly.

"That was rude." Then, he looked back at Rein. "...You should be grateful."His voice was calm. "If that was aimed at you, you'd be dead." Rein coughed, his golden eyes flickering as he clenched his fists, still standing. This moment cements Li Vrak's dominance. Even a surprise attack wasn't enough—he turned it into a weapon.

"Khack—!" Rein lurched forward, blood spewing from his mouth as the lightning spear remained lodged in his abdomen. His vision flickered, his body shaking from the sheer agony tearing through his insides. Li Vrak watched with calm amusement, rolling his wrist as if that exchange had been nothing.

"Still standing?" He smirked. "Not bad. But you should be smart enough to—" Li Vrak's head snapped to the side. The sound of bone crunching echoed through the ruins. A fist, charged with newfound strength, had slammed into his face.

Dust and debris shot outward from the sheer impact—this wasn't a normal punch. This one hurt.Li Vrak stumbled back slightly, his expression briefly blank. For the first time since the fight began—his body reacted involuntarily. 

He touched his jaw, his fingers grazing the spot where Rein's punch had landed. There was a faint bruise. His purple eyes narrowed. Slowly, he looked back at Rein. The blue-haired warrior was panting heavily, blood dripping from his lips and wound—but his golden eyes burned brighter than ever.

His body was still trembling, his legs barely holding him up, but—he had never felt stronger. He grinned, wiping the blood off his chin. "...You let your guard down, huh?" 

Li Vrak stared at him. Then, his smirk vanished."...I see." His tone dropped to something colder. "That won't happen again."

The air shook. A massive surge of mana descended from the sky, crashing into Rein like a divine force. It wasn't an attack.It was a blessing. The moment the energy wrapped around him, Rein's wounds sealed. The hole in his abdomen closed, the blood evaporating as raw power coursed through his veins. His muscles tightened, his body refreshed.

His strength skyrocketed. His agility sharpened. His dexterity refined. His attack power surged beyond anything he had felt before. Yet his ability remained intact. Every ounce of pain, every injury he had suffered before this was still fueling him.

Rein rolled his shoulders, the ground beneath him cracking under the sheer force radiating from his body. He grinned, stretching his fingers as golden lightning sparked around him."Just on time," he muttered. 

Li Vrak watched, his expression unreadable. Then, in an instant, Rein vanished. Li Vrak's instincts screamed. A fist tore through the space where his face had been, the shockwave from the near-hit ripping apart the ground. 

Rein didn't stop. He twisted mid-air, launching a kick— Li Vrak raised his arm to block— The impact sent him flying. He flipped, skidding across the ruined castle floor, his boots digging into the stone.

A thin cut ran along his cheek. Li Vrak touched the small wound, looking at the faint blood on his fingertips.

Slowly, his lips curled. He clenched his fist, his eyes gleaming. 

Rein vanished. A shockwave exploded behind him as he launched himself forward—too fast for the eye to follow. 

Li Vrak grinned. Their fists collided. The force of the impact shattered the ground beneath them, sending a massive crater rippling outward. Neither moved—both pushing against each other, raw strength clashing in a battle of dominance. Then—they moved. 

They blurred across the battlefield—fists, elbows, knees, kicks—every movement precise, powerful, and deadly. Li Vrak dodged a strike—only for Rein to twist mid-air and slam a kick into his ribs. 

Li Vrak countered—his palm striking Rein's chest, sending him flying—

but Rein flipped, rebounding off the ruined walls, launching back at him without losing momentum.

CRACK!

Li Vrak blocked a punch—but his feet skidded back. He clicked his tongue. This strength— He dodged a second hit—only for Rein to immediately follow up— A knee slammed into Li Vrak's gut, forcing him back further. 

Rein grinned. "Not so untouchable anymore, huh?" Li Vrak exhaled, rolling his shoulders. Then—he vanished. Rein's eyes widened—where—? 

"Above you." A fist came crashing down, slamming Rein straight into the earth. The ground shattered beneath him, sending dust and debris flying into the air. Li Vrak didn't stop. 

His hand shot forward—grabbing Rein by the throat. He threw him across the ruins—Rein's body tore through multiple stone pillars before he barely managed to stop himself.

Rein gritted his teeth. Then—he grinned.His power was still rising. More. Stronger. 

Li Vrak narrowed his eyes. Rein clenched his fists, his aura blazing. "Again." Li Vrak's smirk returned. "With pleasure."