Havoc's heart hammered against his ribs. Drake's piercing gaze seemed to bore straight through his soul.
"It's the end of the line for you."
The pistol's barrel glowed with concentrated shadow energy.
"PHANTOM SHOT—"
TAH!
The bullet screamed through air, smoke coiling from the crater it carved inches from Havoc's head.
Havoc's eyes snapped open. *Nothing? I felt... nothing.*
Drake's vision blurred, his legs trembling like dead weight. *What's happening? My shot... I never miss at point-blank range.*
DING!
[SHADOW ARSENAL SYSTEM]
MANA LEVELS CRITICALLY LOW. HOST CONSCIOUSNESS FAILING.
*Now?! Of all the damn times!* Drake's internal scream echoed through his fading awareness.
The realization hit like ice water. *Fighting since dawn... no rest... every technique drained my reserves. That's what I get for losing control.*
Havoc's predatory grin widened. "The idiot's finally out of juice. Perfect timing."
CRACK! SQUELCH!
His body convulsed, hardened shell regenerating with nauseating efficiency. Bone reformed, flesh knitted, scales gleamed like fresh armor.
*Can't pass out... not when I'm this close...* Drake's knees buckled, consciousness slipping through his fingers like sand.
Then memory sparked—shadow charges in his inventory. Untouched reserves.
*Got to hurry... slipping away...*
THUD!
Drake collapsed, gasping for air that wouldn't come.
Havoc rose, debris cascading off his pristine form. Not a scratch marred his regenerated hide.
"Lorenzo!" His voice dripped venom. "You had me worried for a second there. Those shadow pistols, that murderous aura... I actually thought you might kill me."
He walked forward, savoring every labored breath Drake took.
"But deep down, I knew you were too stupid to manage your mana properly. Look at you now—pathetic."
Drake raised his head with tremendous effort, blue eyes still blazing defiance despite his crumbling state. "Shut... up..."
Havoc's grin stretched ear to ear. His claws wrapped around Drake's throat, lifting him off the ground like a broken doll.
"ARGH!" Drake's fingers clawed at Havoc's grip, blood trickling down his neck. "Let... go..."
The world started going dark.
"You caused me considerable pain, Lorenzo. Time I returned the favor."
Sweat dripped down Drake's face as he stared into those crimson slits—windows to pure malice.
"YAHHH!"
WHOOSH!
Havoc hurled Drake skyward like a ragdoll.
*What—*
CRACK!
Havoc's cannon arm slammed into Drake's ribs with bone-crushing force.
WHOOSH-THWACK-CRASH-SHATTER!
Drake tore through three buildings like paper, finally slamming into the fourth with devastating impact.
"UGH!" Air exploded from his lungs.
DING!
[SHADOW ARSENAL SYSTEM]
CRITICAL DAMAGE RECEIVED
HP: 50/100
*Obviously...* Even through the agony, Drake's mind stayed sharp. *Had the upper hand a minute ago. Now I'm the one getting destroyed.*
FWOOOSH!
A blinding light reflected off Drake's pupils.
Havoc's cannon blast tore through the same path of destruction.
"No, no, NO!" Drake's voice cracked with desperation.
KATHROOOM!
The blast caught him center mass, carrying him through multiple buildings before detonating in a hellish explosion.
Debris rained like shrapnel. Smoke choked the air.
"Hah... hah..." Drake coughed, skin scorched and bleeding. Somehow, impossibly, his left pistol remained locked in his grip.
DING! DING!
[SHADOW ARSENAL SYSTEM]
EXTREME HP LOSS
HP: 20/100
DEATH IMMINENT
CRACK!
Havoc dropped from the sky, pavement spider-webbing beneath his landing.
"Still breathing? Impressive, Lorenzo. I expected that blast to vaporize you."
His crimson eyes gleamed with sadistic pleasure.
"I'll... kill you..." Drake snarled, raising his remaining pistol with shaking hands.
SLICE!
Havoc's axe-tail moved faster than thought, severing Drake's arm like a hot knife through butter.
"ARRRRGH!" Drake's scream shattered the air. Blood fountained from the stump as his pistol vanished into inventory.
He clutched the severed limb, trying desperately to stem the crimson flow.
"Yes! Scream for me, Lorenzo! Your agony is symphonic!"
Drake's face contorted—a mask of rage and unbearable pain.
"What was that noble speech about us being different?" Havoc mocked. "Something about fighting for others making you stronger? Well, tables have turned. My destruction and self-interest have proven superior."
"This isn't... strength..." Drake growled through gritted teeth. "Just... luck. If I hadn't run out of mana... you'd be a corpse."
Havoc's smirk widened. "Sounds like desperate flattery. Face reality—I was always stronger. And soon, it won't matter when you're ash."
Drake froze, processing the brutal truth. *He's right. Since arriving here, I thought I was invincible. No real training, just raw power and beginner's luck. Now it's catching up.*
"Enough talk. Time to end your misery."
WHIRRRRR!
The cannon roared to life, energy building to apocalyptic levels.
"It was... entertaining, Lorenzo. But as they say—all good things must end." Havoc's crimson slits blazed with malicious joy.
SWIRLLLLL!
The blast charged, hurricane winds spiraling, dust clouds rising like smoke from hell itself.
"I'm putting enough power into this to ensure nothing remains."
Drake's eyes widened with primal terror. His limbs gave out completely, leaving him helpless before the approaching annihilation.
The cannon's light reflected in his dilated pupils like dying stars.
"Make sure to tell Bronns I said hello in the afterlife."
"TYPHOON ECLIPSE CANNON!"
FWOOOOOSH!
The blast tore from the barrel, scorching earth and air alike. Wind from its passage whipped Drake's hair as death approached.
*This is it. How I die.* Drake's thoughts became crystal clear in his final moments. *I was such a cocky fool, thinking good intentions alone made me unbeatable. Ever since reincarnating, life's been nothing but roses and sunshine. It went to my head.*
The blast didn't slow, debris exploding in its wake.
*What did I expect? Goddess Astral warned me life would get difficult. I brushed it off, saying I'd blow away anyone who stood in my way. How ironic—now I'm the one about to be blown away.*
Elsa's smile flashed through his memory. Despite everything, he managed a weak smile.
*At least I saved her. Hope this monster gets caught so she can live normally. My only regret is never seeing her beautiful smile one last time.*
Tears welled in his eyes as the blast closed the final meters.
*What am I saying? I'm not dead yet! This is just like when I saved Anny back on Earth—content with her safety, never thinking about my own death. I promised to live life on my own terms, but I've only been following others, trying to blend in.*
The tears streamed freely now.
*I don't want to die! I haven't fulfilled my purpose! I just got a second chance and now... Please, not now, not like this! PLEASEEEEE!*
Drake squeezed his eyes shut as Havoc's dagger-like teeth gleamed in wicked triumph.
"IGNIS, CRIMSON SMASH!"
A voice boomed from the heavens like divine thunder.
WHOOSH!
A hooded figure descended like a meteor, massive warhammer raised high. The weapon was a masterpiece of destruction—obsidian head wreathed in crimson flames, runic patterns pulsing with ancient power along its length.
KATHOOM!
The hammer struck earth with world-shaking force.
RUMBLE-CRACK-ROAR!
The ground erupted in a wall of molten stone and fire, rising like a titan's shield.
BOOOOM!
Havoc's blast collided with the earthen barrier, shockwaves hurling him backward like a leaf in a hurricane.
"What—who dares—" Havoc snarled as dust settled.
Drake's eyes fluttered open, focusing on the figure standing protectively before him. Armored gauntlets gripped the hammer's handle, white hair visible beneath the hood.
*That voice... someone saved me?*
"Who are you?!" Havoc roared, crimson eyes blazing with fury.
The figure remained silent.
"Get out of here!" Drake shouted desperately. "It's dangerous! You could get killed! If you didn't know, that's a—"
"Soul Wretch." The voice was calm, measured. "I know."
WHOOSH!
Wind caught the figure's hood, revealing white hair and features that belonged in legends.
Percival turned slightly, revealing burning red eyes that seemed to pierce reality itself.
Havoc's grin faltered. *What is this presence? Why am I... shaking?*
Those crimson orbs turned to Drake, and for a moment, the world held its breath.
"I will only ask this once." Percival's voice carried the weight of mountains. Each word fell like hammer blows.
Drake's blood ran cold. *What could he possibly want from me?*
Percival's red eyes blazed brighter, boring into Drake's soul with intensity that made Havoc's aura seem like a candle flame.
"Where is Elsa?"
The question hung in the air like a death sentence.
Drake froze, their gazes locked in a moment that stretched toward eternity.
"Elsa?" Drake repeated, confusion and dread warring in his voice. "I... I don't understand. What do you want with her?"
The temperature seemed to drop as Percival's eyes narrowed, crimson fire dancing in their depths.
—TO BE CONTINUED—