Guild of a Thousand Lights — lounge room, windows overlooking the city
Annie leaned against the sofa's edge, her gaze fixed on the void beyond the glowing lights of HeroCity. The rain tapped against the glass in quiet rhythms, each drop tugging on memories of her breakup with Ryan. Beside her, Abby stirred a cup of tea absentmindedly, struggling to find the right words as though arranging the pieces of a puzzle.
— "What did I do wrong?" Annie whispered, her voice drained, wounded. "Why does this always happen to me?"
Abby took a deep breath, placing her hand on her friend's shoulder and speaking softly:
— "No, girl… it doesn't mean he stopped loving you. Think about it: maybe he just wants to protect you. Breaking up with you… maybe that's his way of protecting you."
Annie wiped her tears with the back of her hand. Her eyes now held a new spark — firm, resolute.
— "I've decided," she said with conviction. "I'll grow stronger and show him I don't need protection. I can take care of myself."
Abby raised an eyebrow, covering her face with one hand as if to say "she didn't get it." Yet, seeing Annie's determination, she sighed and gave a faint smile.
— "Then there's no helping it. I'm in this with you."
The two smiled, and for the first time that night, hope flickered amidst the storm.
📍 HeroCity Central District – Site of the Old Draft
The scene was desolate. Ruined skyscrapers, debris scattered everywhere, the stench of burnt concrete and twisted steel. Abandoned streets stood as shadows of a glorious past. The dark sky thundered, lightning slicing through the clouds like blades.
And there, among ruins and storms, three figures met.
Ethan walked steadily, Chaos Blade at his side. Beside him, Dante, katana strapped to his back, his gaze as cold as the storm.
Atop a pile of shattered concrete stood someone unexpected: Bhor.
He raised his hand theatrically, a goofy grin on his face.
— "Hum hum! I am the strongest Herald of Kairon! Who dares face me? Be warned… I am invincible!"
The wind nearly carried away the seriousness of his words.
Dante arched an eyebrow, letting out a short laugh.— "Wait… weren't you the one Kane, Zen, and I beat the crap out of three months ago?"
Ethan folded his arms, unimpressed.— "Seriously? This guy? He looks more like a lost idiot."
Bhor puffed his chest, offended.— "Shut up! You only beat me because I didn't even know how to use my powers yet. And it was three against one! I repeat: THREE AGAINST ONE!"
He held up three fingers as if it were irrefutable proof.
Dante approached, laughing.— "I see you evo— I mean, you got taller. But you still have the same idiot face."
Bhor blushed, turning away.— "R-really? You think I got taller?"
— "Yes," Dante replied flatly. "Taller… and dumber."
Bhor's face shifted instantly. Shame twisted into rage.— "Hey! How dare you call me an idiot?!"
Ethan sighed, slowly drawing his blade. His chaotic aura began to ignite the air.— "We don't have time for this. Let's end it quickly. After all… you're weak."
Silence.
Bhor's eyes widened. The goofy smile vanished. He tilted his neck, a dark grin spreading.
— "You laughed at me… underestimated me…" His voice rumbled deep.
A thunderbolt tore the sky.
— "Then I'll make even the gods lose their laughter."
🌌 INVINCIBLE FURY – ACTIVATED
The ground trembled. The air grew heavy. Red and black flames engulfed Bhor's body, warping the space around him. Debris floated as gravity itself surrendered.
Dante stepped back.— "This energy… it's not the same as before. He's… growing stronger!"
Absurd buffs surged:
Colossal strength, cracking the earth with sheer presence.
Absolute endurance, dissipating the storm with his touch.
Speed beyond light, his body vibrating in the air.
Invincible instinct, predicting every enemy move.
Bhor's voice thundered.— "For three minutes… I am the joke no one can topple."
He vanished. Ethan barely raised his blade before being hurled into a ruined skyscraper. Dante was struck by a flurry of blows that shredded the air.
Bhor was an unstoppable avalanche.
— "I am Bhor, the Invincible!" he roared, the storm itself raging behind him. "And you'll learn never to laugh at me again!"
And the beating began. Dante was hurled left and right, pummeled thousands of times. Ethan tried to counter, but Bhor snatched Dante's katana and drove it through Ethan's body, leaving him bleeding on the ground.
Ethan staggered, sealing his wound with chaotic energy, but he was weakened. Dante, trapped under rubble, coughed blood as Bhor taunted:
— "Hey, redhead… this is for mocking a god. Hehehe."
Dante dragged himself up, spitting blood.— "I hate to admit it… but besides being an idiot, you're arrogant as hell."
Ethan caught his breath, analyzing.— "Dante… I think I've figured out his power. The more you underestimate him, the stronger he gets. But… I noticed he avoids fighting me."
— "Why?" Dante asked.
— "Because of the Chaos Blade. And… I found his weakness."
Dante nodded, despite his wounds.— "So how do we end this?"
Ethan smirked, tired but sharp.— "Just trust me. Do what I do."
He stepped toward Bhor, wounds already mended.— "You think you can kill me with just a katana? I'm the heir of Chaos and son of an S-rank healer. You were wrong… but I'll admit it, you're strong."
Dante caught on.— "Yeah. You're strong, extraordinary even."
Bhor blinked, confused.— "Huh… what are you doing? Why aren't you calling me weak?"
Ethan and Dante smiled in unison.— "Because you're strong. Stronger than anyone who claims to be strong."
The scene looked comedic, but the effect was devastating. Bhor's colossal aura snuffed out like a candle. He reverted to normal, trembling with sweat.
— "R-really? You guys really think I'm strong? Hehehe…"
He collapsed, nearly in tears.
Ethan raised his blade, black and crimson aura engulfing it.— "Farewell, Bhor. VOIDREND SLA—"
But before the strike could fall, a portal opened. Arcanis emerged, blocking the blade.
— "How dare you lay a hand on Bhor?!" he roared, shoving the Herald behind him.
Bhor scrambled back, eyes watery.— "Arcanis! You saved me! They almost killed me!"
Arcanis, seething with fury, advanced toward Ethan and Dante. His crushing energy made the ground quake. But then—
A fist sent him flying, carving craters through the district.
The air grew heavy.
It was Ryan Valeborn.
Ethan exhaled in relief.— "Ryan… man, thank god you're here."
Arcanis, stunned, spat blood.— "How dare a wretch without Aura strike me?!"
Reversum Aura exploded around Ryan, his eyes glowing with a galactic blue.— "No Aura, huh? Then learn something. I'm sick of idiots calling me Aura-less."
He walked slowly forward, while Arcanis — for the first time — crawled backward in fear.
— "On my planet… I'm the one who rules."
For the first time, Arcanis felt terror. Death itself stood before him — and it had a name: Ryan Valeborn.
He retreated, opening a portal in haste, dragging Bhor with him.
Silence fell. Ethan and Dante stared at Ryan, awestruck.
— "Dude… you just made a Herald run away."
Ryan didn't smile. His gaze was cold, unyielding.— "Let's end this. Once and for all."
And together, the three marched toward their fateful battle against Hant.
[End of Chapter 104]