Chapter 17: Violence
As the red-haired assailant charged, Johnny's eyes sparkled with determination.
Despite his outward contempt, Johnny brimmed with energy. Meeting the redhead's onslaught head-on, Johnny opted not to summon the Spectre for assistance just yet. Instead, he marshaled his strength, fully engaging his powerful physique. Aligning with the divine energy coursing through him, he raised his arms to intercept the redhead's explosive strike.
Their clash reverberated with a dull thud, dispersing air currents in all directions as they both staggered back.
Yet, Johnny regained his balance more swiftly than his opponent.
"You're not half bad, kid, managing to block my blow. But it won't save you from death!" The red-haired brute's lone eye flickered with surprise, momentarily taken aback by the astonishing power emanating from Johnny's seemingly 'petite' frame.
In turn, Johnny was equally astounded.
Through relentless devouring and absorbing copious amounts of cosmic energy in the alien realm, his body had undergone successive enhancements. Each moment saw his cells accumulate cosmic energy, fortifying his form.
Yet, the force behind the redhead's mighty sweep still applied immense pressure. Upon contact, Johnny sensed a sturdiness in the redhead's physique surpassing flesh and blood, likely even tougher than steel.
Undeterred, Johnny pressed forward. Before the redhead could retaliate, Johnny surged forth, swiftly closing the distance. With a deft maneuver, he evaded the redhead's massive fist at an astonishing angle, launching a sudden kick at the brute's chest.
Empowered by Johnny's full physical prowess and bolstered by divine energy, the force behind his strike rivaled a thousand pounds, capable of shattering even thick steel plates.
Despite withstanding Johnny's kick, the massive red-haired man found himself propelled backward, colliding with the wall and emitting a subdued grunt.
"Argh! You're dead meat, punk!"
The blow seemed only to stoke the red-haired man's fury, his face growing even redder as he unleashed a powerful barrage of strikes towards Johnny.
"What formidable defense!" Johnny muttered, noting the red-haired man's resilience with a hint of surprise.
Opting not to engage in a contest of strength, Johnny instead relied on his agility, swiftly evading the onslaught while analyzing his opponent's movements for openings.
Through the skirmish, Johnny realized that the formidable red-haired man possessed not only strength and defense but also a surprising agility. Engaging him solely in physical combat might not lead to a swift victory.
Meanwhile, the astonishment among the red-haired man and his cohorts mirrored Johnny's own incredulity. None had anticipated that the seemingly unassuming newcomer would hold his ground against the red-haired behemoth.
As the battle raged on, the red-haired man's attacks grew increasingly ferocious, but his speed and skill remained outmatched by Johnny's.
The room, once adorned with exquisite décor, now bore the scars of the red-haired man's violent assault. Even the sturdy walls bore gaping holes and fractures from his blows.
Clearing a path, the red-haired gang allowed ample space for Johnny and their leader to duel uninterrupted.
In a swift moment, Johnny seized upon a vulnerability in the red-haired man's defenses, darting past his strikes. With a powerful leap, he launched himself into the air, delivering a vicious uppercut squarely to the red-haired man's chin.
Pouring all his strength into the blow, Johnny targeted the red-haired man's weak spot with precision.
The forceful impact sent the red-haired man hurtling into the air, crashing against the ceiling before plummeting to the ground in a dazed stupor.
The red-haired man crashed to the ground, his head swimming with dizziness. Yet, instead of yielding, he let out a primal roar, consumed by a maelstrom of rage.
With this roar, the red-haired man's aura surged, no longer resembling that of a mere mortal but something far more ominous.
Bloodlust, fury, insanity...
The sheer intensity of the red-haired man's presence caused Johnny to falter momentarily. He hadn't anticipated this level of power from his opponent.
The other red-haired onlookers, sensing the shift in momentum, exchanged glances before bolting from the room in a panic.
"The boss is losing it! Run!"
"Damn it! This kid's a real menace. He's done for now!"
Their fear evident, the red-haired lackeys fled the scene, leaving only the red-haired man, now roaring like a frenzied beast, and Johnny, who eyed him warily.
Unseen by anyone, the Spectre hovered behind Johnny, poised to strike.
As the red-haired minions fled, the prone figure of the red-bald leader underwent a dramatic transformation.
Crimson flames enveloped his form, raising the room's temperature to a sweltering degree. With each passing moment, the flames grew, expanding the already colossal figure until it exceeded four meters in height.
Rising to his feet, the red-haired man's lone eye blazed with a fiery intensity, devoid of any semblance of sanity save for the violence in its depths.
"Argh!"
With a guttural roar, the towering figure loomed over Johnny, his monstrous aura filling every corner of the room.
Under this overwhelming pressure, Johnny felt a weight pressing down upon him.
"This guy's strength has doubled, at least!" Johnny thought, his gaze wary.
Initially, Johnny had viewed the red-haired man as merely troublesome, but now, in his berserk state, he posed a far greater threat.
With lightning speed, the red-haired giant lunged at Johnny, his clawed hand slashing through the air with lethal intent.
Johnny, realizing the gravity of the situation, didn't hesitate. As he retreated, he conjured a fireball, hurling it towards the charging red-haired assailant.
The fireball erupted upon impact, engulfing the room in a fiery blast, reducing everything within to ruins.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone