Manu, sensing the attack, quickly moved his left hand to protect himself from getting hurt.But the force of the kick was huge. A sharp crack rang out — it sounded like a bone breaking.
"What happened? Is his bone broken? In this state I can't sense pain from my body — I only feel their touches when they hit me. Is this how this power works?" Manu thought.
Manu released his grip on the attacker's hand and moved to grab the man's neck.
"How is he still unharmed? I've made many normal people kneel before me in terms of power, but he's not enhanced — how is he so strong? Who is he?" the man standing in front of Manu thought.
While Manu reached to grab the man's neck, he felt a kick coming straight at his stomach. Manu tried to block it, but the kick didn't land — instead a fist, thrown with full force, struck his face.
Manu staggered back a few steps and brought his hand to his face. He couldn't feel pain, but the force could not be canceled.
"Brother, sorry — I think I took some time to realize what was happening here. From now on, I will make him pay for your blood," the man who had punched Manu in the face said.
Manu watched the man who had struck him. The green cracks on Manu's hand and face began to dim.
The man charged at Manu. Manu, thinking fast, told himself, "If I stay in this state too long my lifespan will drain — I need to finish this now."
Manu threw a punch at the charging man. The attacker caught the punch with his hand. The important thing was that Manu's hand no longer bore green cracks — it looked normal — and the green cracks on his face were fading; the glow in his pupil dimmed.
"What—where did my powers go? This was my limit," Manu thought, staring at his hand.
"His punch doesn't feel that strong. Why did my brother get hurt before? Wait there are no green cracks on his hand now , is his power relate to that green light?" the attacker wondered.
Manu felt pain all over his body and his legs started to shake in the darkness. Because the torchlight had fallen, his trembling legs were visible on his shadow.
By looking at the shaking legs attacker smiled cruelly.
"I don't know how you got your power or how strong you can be in that state, but from watching my brother I know you are strong. I thought I could fight you, but seeing your punch I realize I must do something more. Now you'll taste my power," the man said.
The man who held Manu's hand then dragged him along by the arm and slammed a heavy punch into Manu's stomach. Manu, already weak, felt a huge pain and collapsed to the ground.
"Aha — that's it. Where is your power now? You couldn't handle a single punch from me; how will you stand against my boss?" the man taunted.
He grabbed Manu's head, his fingers digging into Manu's face. "Where did your power go? Okay, I understand: if I put pressure on your head like my brother did, your power will return, right?" the man said.
Then the man ran to a big rock and smashed Manu's head against it with a sickening sound. Manu screamed in pain as blood began to flow from his wound.
"Why… why are they going this far? I thought I could escape, but now ---," Manu thought, tears welling in his eyes.
Manu fell silent from the pain.
"I thought I could fight you, but don't worry — I still have hope," the man said as he loosened his grip on Manu's head. "If you had power, your friend would have it too. I heard you're the one who put Tarun in that state, not your friend. Our boss needs only you — not your friend. Then I can lie and say I accidentally killed your friend and face no punishment," the man added, and walked back toward his brother.