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Chapter 16 - Chapter 16: You Lose From A Mere Mortal, Maximum Nova

Scene start from showing Arjun's team members.

Inside the barrier, tension and frustration filled the air.

Valam Drotin slammed his fists against the glowing walls, his voice cracking with anger.

"Why is this barrier not breaking?"

Reyansh, his knuckles bruised and bleeding from relentlessly punching the barrier, grit his teeth.

"I have to do something. Arjun is fighting them alone."

Alex clenched his fists, his face darkened with worry.

"He can't hold them for too long. We have to get released from here before something happens."

Rohan's eyes grew numb as despair sank in, and he screamed, his voice echoing through the barrier.

"Arjun's condition is very bad!"

Wie Lao pointed outside with a trembling finger.

"Hey look—he's still trying to fight them."

All of them turned their gaze to the battlefield beyond the barrier.

Arjun stood there, drenched in blood, his body covered with deep wounds and heavy injuries. Yet, against all odds, he smiled. His smile was neither weak nor broken—it was fierce, blazing with determination.

Then, with a thunderous roar, Arjun released his aura.

Across from him, Dark Knight descended, his own aura spilling into the air like suffocating darkness. The ground trembled under the clash of their power. The two warriors locked eyes, no words spoken, only a mutual recognition of the battle's weight.

Then both roared together and charged.

Arjun raised his right fist. Dark Knight raised his left. Their fists struck each other's cheeks simultaneously.

BOOM!

A violent shockwave exploded outward, sweat and blood scattering into the air. The sand beneath them was blown away, forming a crater across the desert-like ground.

Both fighters were hurled backward, sliding across the sand, but their stares never wavered as they regained distance.

Before Arjun could recover, Dracula leapt from behind Dark Knight, his mouth curling into a sinister smile. With a swift motion, he conjured and unleashed a barrage of blood arrows that rained down toward Arjun.

Arjun screamed out his counterattack.

"Vacuum Palm!"

A silver shockwave blasted from his palm, disintegrating the blood arrows in mid-air. The same wave struck Dracula directly in the abdomen, hurling him backward with brutal force.

But in the very next instant, Dark Knight appeared in front of Arjun, his massive fist crashing toward Arjun's belly.

Arjun caught the punch with his left hand. His right hand, still raised from his earlier strike at Dracula, glowed faintly with residual energy. Dark Knight's eyes widened in surprise.

With a bloodied smile, Arjun unleashed another attack.

"Vacuum Palm!"

The shockwave erupted again, blasting the Dark Knight backward.

But Dracula was relentless. He reappeared at Arjun's side, spinning into a vicious side kick aimed for the left side of Arjun's face. Arjun ducked low, dodging by inches.

Before he could rise, Dark Knight rushed again, his fist connecting with Arjun's face and sending him flying. The impact blasted sand high into the air.

Arjun flipped mid-air and landed on his feet, sliding across the ground with grit. Blood spilled from his mouth, yet he raised his head and smiled again.

"Is this all you got?"

Dark Knight and Dracula, frustrated, roared in unison and launched their combined assault. Dracula conjured a massive arrow of blood, while the Dark Knight unleashed a dark energy blast.

Arjun's eyes gleamed. He lifted his right hand, golden aura wrapping around his palm and focusing into his index finger. A glowing golden sphere formed at the tip.

As the incoming attacks bore down on him, Arjun roared:

"Nova Blast!"

A golden blast erupted, swallowing their combined attack whole.

BOOM!

The resulting explosion ripped through the battlefield. Shockwaves blasted across the sand, creating a violent sandstorm. Even the Dark Knight and Dracula staggered backward, shielding themselves with crossed forearms against the furious winds.

From the golden storm emerged Arjun, his smile unwavering, his right hand now glowing with silver aura. He screamed his next attack:

"Vajra Fist!"

His strike landed squarely on Dracula's right cheek, shattering teeth and sending blood splattering into the air. Dracula's body was flung across the battlefield.

Dark Knight froze in shock, taking a cautious step back.

Arjun didn't give him time. He lunged forward, throwing a left fist. Dark Knight countered with his right. But just before their fists collided, Arjun twisted his body, slipping to the left. His foot shot upward, striking the back of the Dark Knight's head.

Dark Knight was sent flying, flipping helplessly before colliding with a massive sand tomb. The structure crumbled instantly, collapsing into loose grains.

Arjun landed lightly, smiling again—until his smile faltered. He glanced around, confusion crossing his face.

Conjurer was gone.

Arjun scanned the battlefield, searching desperately. Dracula, meanwhile, struggled to his feet. His jaw hung broken, blood pouring from his mouth, but his eyes burned with rage.

Arjun continued searching, when suddenly a chill ran down his spine. His head turned backwards and snapped upward.

High in the sky, Conjurer hovered, a massive blue energy ball crackling in his hands—aimed directly at Arjun's friends.

Arjun's eyes widened in shock.

At that same instant, Dracula's blood chains lashed out, binding toward him.

Conjurer smirked with sinister delight and hurled the energy sphere toward Arjun's friends.

The scene slowed.

Arjun's vision blurred, his pupils tightening as he saw the outgoing devastation towards his friends. His heart thundered, his body trembling violently.

"No… I can't let this happen…"

His pupils flashed golden. Golden aura surged violently around his body.

Time snapped back to normal.

The blood chains whipped toward him.

Arjun roared, his aura exploding outward and he rushed to save his friends. A sonic boom erupted when he rushed with the speed of 767 mph(1,234 km/h) and broke the sound barrier. The Shockwaves shattered Dracula's chains, sending sand blasting in all directions.

Kavya fighting with the monsters and the others who are trapped within the barrier, saw the massive energy ball descending toward them. Their eyes widened in terror.

But before the sphere could strike—Arjun was there.

In less than 4.5 seconds, he crossed the two kilometers of distance, appearing between his friends and the energy ball. He caught it mid-air, stopping it with both hands. The force shook the battlefield.

Kavya screamed, her voice cracking.

"Arjun!"

Conjurer's eyes widened in disbelief. Just moments ago, Arjun had been two kilometers away—yet now he was standing against his attack.

With a snarl, Conjurer poured more power into the sphere. Arjun's body strained, his body dragging backward as the ball pushed against him. He clenched his teeth, sweat and blood dripping.

For a brief moment, he glanced back at his team. Then he closed his eyes. When they opened again, they were glowing pure gold.

His aura erupted, scorching the battlefield. With a roar that shook the skies, Arjun redirected the sphere and hurled it upward.

The energy ball soared before colliding three kilometers away, detonating in a catastrophic explosion.

BOOOOOOM!

The desert was engulfed in chaos. Towering sand dunes exploded into dust, shockwaves rippling outward like a storm. Even from kilometers away, the pressure rattled the ground where Arjun and his team stood.

Everyone trembled, realizing the truth—if that attack had struck them, not even their bones would have remained.

Kavya turned back toward Arjun. His aura burned fiercely, his body trembling. His fists clenched tight, his teeth grinding.

Conjurer, shaken, fled toward Dracula and the Dark Knight, who had just crawled from the ruins of sand. Their eyes were locked on Arjun.

His head hung low, his expression hidden in shadow.

With a cold voice, he said:

"You dare to hurt my friends."

Then he raised his face, rage burned across his features.

The sand lifted around him as his aura surged.

"You trapped my team." His voice shook the ground.

"Then you even try to kill them." His eyes glowed golden, his aura spiraling violently.

"I promise… you will regret this, pathetic celestials."

They all stared at him in shock as his power swelled uncontrollably.

His pupils blazed gold once more. His voice thundered with fury.

"'Cause I am mad. Really, really mad. And it's time to paaaaaaaay!"

His roar tore through the battlefield as his aura erupted like a volcano, unleashing violent shockwaves that ripped the sand away in all directions.

Even his teammates trapped inside the barrier froze, trembling as they felt the monstrous surge of his power. The skeleton and bat armies recoiled instinctively, retreating from the pressure.

Then, system window appeared before Arjun.

Ding… Congratulations, Host. You have leveled up to: Mythic Protector – High Level.

Arjun roared and surged forward, rushing straight into the middle of the skeleton army. His aura alone tore through them, shattering bones into dust with every step. The army crumbled before his presence.

Dark Knight and Dracula stepped in front of the Conjurer, shielding him.

Dark Knight's voice was grim.

"His first target is you."

Dracula hissed, his fangs bared.

"His eyes are full of bloodlust."

Conjurer trembled.

Through the storm of sand and bone, Arjun emerged, his golden aura blazing, eyes locked on the celestial generals.

Dark Knight and Dracula lunged, attacking together. Explosions flared as their strikes collided with Arjun's body. But then from dust emerged—Arjun unharmed, it's not enough to stop him. His expression was pure madness, his rage unleashed.

He roared, releasing another sonic boom as he broke the sound barrier once more. The shockwave rattled the battlefield, sending the sand flying like a storm.

Dark Knight and Dracula froze in disbelief. Before they could react, Arjun's figure blurred, passing straight between them.

Dark Knight managed a fleeting glance, his jaw dropping—only for it to be too late.

Arjun was already there, right in front of the Conjurer.

The Conjurer panicked, he is creating a attack in his hands in desperation, but it was too late. Arjun's silver-glowing fist drove forward with terrifying force.

"Vajra Fist!"

Time seemed to slow. Blood and sweat sprayed into the air. The Conjurer's jaw cracked, his eyes wide with shock as the blow connected with his right cheek. Rage and bloodlust burned fiercely in Arjun's golden pupils.

Then—reality snapped back.

The impact detonated into a thunderous shockwave. Conjurer's body was flung like a rocket, tearing through sand dunes that collapsed into dust under the sheer pressure.

Everyone's eyes widened in shock.

Conjurer's body finally slammed into the ground miles away, skidding through the desert for nearly a hundred meters before stopping. His right cheek was completely destroyed, his face twisted and mangled, sand flowing around his broken form.

Dark Knight and Dracula were frozen, their eyes wide with horror. Dracula's voice trembled.

"This much power… How could a mere mortal like him possess this much power?"

Hovering in the air, Arjun glared turned at them, fury radiating.

At the same moment, the skeleton army and bat army crumbled into dust, vanishing completely. Their existence was tied to the Conjurer's magic, and with his energy fading, so too did his creations.

Dark Knight clenched his fist and turned to Dracula.

"The Conjurer is on the verge of death. We have to quickly end this."

Dracula nodded grimly.

Arjun turned toward them, fury still burning in his eyes.

The two generals charged together, their fists colliding with Arjun's crossed forearms. The impact released a massive shockwave, but Arjun pushed them both away with sheer strength.

Dark Knight attacked again, but Arjun dodged effortlessly. Dracula followed up, but Arjun evaded again. Their fists blurred, unleashing a barrage of strikes, but Arjun weaved through them all, untouchable.

Then, a golden spark flashed in Arjun's eyes.

Swoosh!

A burst of golden energy erupted.

Dark Knight and Dracula both coughed blood as a shockwave struck their abdomens, blasting them backward. Dark Knight managed to land on his feet, while Dracula crashed into the sand before scrambling back up.

Dark Knight's eyes locked with Arjun who is howering in the sky. His gaze sharpened as he inhaled deeply, closing his eyes, then exhaled slowly. He drew his fist back, charging it with dark power. Then he opened his eyes and raising his fist to strike.

Arjun had arrived in front of him, his fist clenched.

Dracula turned his head, stunned at the sight of the two preparing their clash.

Their fists collided—

BOOM!

Sand exploded outward, spiderweb cracks forming across the ground. Arjun roared, pushing with brute strength, forcing Dark Knight back a step.

Dark Knight regained balance and struck again, but Arjun deflected with his left hand and countered with a crushing blow to his chest, sending him flying.

Dracula appeared at Arjun's side, but Arjun completely ignored him and vanished from thier.

Dracula turned his head and see Dark Knight and Arjun striking punches at each other.

Arjun went slightly backward and screams.

"Vaccum Palm."

Landed the blow in Dark Knight abdomen and blow him away.

Arjun rushed and chased Dark Knight. They both strike again. The two clashed violently, fists colliding again and again. Sparks and shockwaves erupted with each strike, detonations splitting the ground around them.

They exchanged countless blows, neither holding back.

Arjun grit his teeth, his gaze sharpening. A golden spark flashed from his eyes. His speed increased, his fists becoming a blur.

Dark Knight's eyes widened in shock as Arjun roared, his voice shaking the desert. Then, in a burst of golden light, Arjun drove his knee into Dark Knight's abdomen. Blood burst from his mouth as his jaw dropped in shock.

Without pause, Arjun spun and delivered a brutal tornado kick to his face, slamming him into the ground with bone-shattering force.

Dracula froze in disbelief.

Arjun rushed to finish Dark Knight, but Dracula appeared in his path, throwing a fist.

Arjun screamed, voice dripping with rage.

"Out of my way!"

Their fists collided once again. The aura blast was so powerful that Dracula was hurled away by the pressure.

Dark Knight struggled to his feet, but Arjun was already there. Their fists collided again, blowing apart the sand, forming spiderweb cracks that spread across the ground.

Arjun roared, pushing Dark Knight back. He struck with a side kick, which Dark Knight blocked with his forearm, but still slid backward from the force.

Arjun screamed his attack.

"Vajra Fist!"

Dark Knight countered, his hand enveloped in shadow.

"Shadow Strike!"

Their fists raced toward each other—but Arjun's speed overwhelmed him. His Vajra Fist smashed into Dark Knight's cheek, blasting him across the battlefield.

Dracula slowly stands but then Dark Knight collided with Dracula, both crashing into the ground and sinking into the sand.

They staggered back to their feet, coughing blood.

Arjun descended slowly, his aura raging around him.

Dracula clenched his teeth in frustration. But then, from behind them, a broken figure emerged.

Conjurer crawled out of the sand, his mangled face half-destroyed.

Dracula gasped.

"You're still alive?"

Dark Knight muttered, shocked.

"We thought you died after that punch."

The Conjurer spat blood.

"Tsch… I will not die that easily. Not from a mortal."

The three generals regrouped, standing in fighting stances.

Arjun's eyes locked on them. Then, unexpectedly, he began laughing. His claps echoed through the storm of sand.

The generals froze, confused.

Arjun's smile sharpened.

"Oh, you're saying a mortal like me won't kill you? Hahahaha. Before starting the battle you all said you would kill me easily. That I am just a mere mortal. You would love shattering my arrogance, my confidence…"

His grin grew darker.

"But just look at yourselves now. I've beaten you very badly in a one-versus-three battle and brought you to your knees—alone."

The celestial generals grit their teeth, fury burning in their eyes.

Arjun sneered.

"This is the proof—that I, a mere mortal, am stronger than you pathetic celestials."

Conjurer roared in rage, conjuring a fireball and hurling it toward him.

Arjun simply raised his hand. His aura pressure alone snuffed it out like a candle flame.

He tilted his head.

"Admit it. You're weak and can't beat me. I am far stronger than you."

Dark Knight roared, his aura exploding.

"I will crush your arrogance, mortal!"

Arjun's grin widened.

"Just like I crushed you?"

The generals froze, stunned by his words, their rage spilling over as they released their combined auras.

Dracula growled.

"We have to end this battle."

The Conjurer nodded.

"We have to use everything in this final attack."

Dark Knight roared, his aura darkening the skies.

"Then let's end this mortal!"

Arjun's aura burst forth like a volcano. He smiled coldly.

"Then bring it on. I will show you my ultimate technique.

The three generals raised their hands, their voices roaring across the battlefield.

Dark Knight: "Darkness Vortex!"

Dracula: "Blood moon Cannon!"

Conjurer: "Spectral Beam!"

A colossal shockwave surged as their powers gathered, creating a vortex of destruction.

Arjun laughed, stepping forward. His right hand drew back, golden energy gathering like a burning sun in his palm.

"This technique I am using for the first time… but I know it will be enough to kill you."

His aura surged, his divine energy is condensing into his right hand creating a golden energy orb.

Then with a smirk he explained. "Every particle of universe carries two natures—creation and destruction, positive and negative. When I force them together, compress them to the limit where they should annihilate each other—"

The three Generals preparing there attack. There eyes widened hearing his words. Far away, his friends are seeing this although they can't hear anything. But they get a idea by the scene that it would be the end of this battle.

Scene comes back to Arjun.

He smirked, tilting his head and continue the explanation.

"—they reach equilibrium. The perfect balance. A sphere of energy that can only exist at the edge of collapse. Then I condense that energy in a single attack. It detonates on a chosen target, delivering the full force of creation and destruction in one strike. The purest explosion of divine light. This made it more powerful."

The three generals roared, unleashing their ultimate attacks—a void-like beam of darkness, a crimson beam of blood, and a seven-colored spectral blast.

Arjun thrust his hand forward, screaming.

"Maximum Nova!"

A massive golden beam, twice the size of their combined attacks, erupted from his palm. The desert shook as sand was blown away in waves.

The beams collided.

BOOOOOOM!

The battlefield fractured. The sand cracked in spiderweb patterns. Shockwaves surged outward as the generals pushed desperately, but Arjun's beam overwhelmed theirs with sheer dominance.

Their eyes widened in terror.

Conjurer roared, his voice breaking with fear.

"I can't die… not from a mortal!"

Dracula trembled, blood dripping from his mouth.

"No… I am the king of vampires. How can I die from a mortal?"

Dark Knight roared, forcing his power.

But Arjun's golden eyes blazed, his voice echoing like thunder.

"This is your end. Har Har Mahadev!"

With a final roar, his Maximum Nova devoured their attacks. The generals screamed in terror as they were swallowed by the golden beam, their bodies vanishing in the light.

The explosion consumed the desert, a golden blast rising toward the heavens.

Arjun stood there, smiling faintly, but his eyes widened in awe at the overwhelming power he had unleashed.

Dust and energy surged outward, covering everything in sight.

Far away, his teammates—five kilometers from the blast—saw the sky lit up in golden brilliance. The shockwave reached them, and the Sahara Desert itself glowed as though a second sun had descended upon it.

To be continued…

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