Chapter 40: Chapter 40
When Mr. Duke had first used the poison, the system had managed to make Kaden immune to it. Without hesitation, Kaden chose Yes. A smile spread across his face as he felt the poison's effects vanish.
Mr. Duke stopped mid-step, his confidence faltering as he noticed the smile. The paralysis didn't work? he thought, alarm bells ringing in his head. His instincts screamed danger, but before he could react, Kaden's kick connected with his side, the black veins on Kaden's leg pulsing ominously. The force of the kick sent Mr. Duke staggering.
Before Mr. Duke could recover, Kaden utilized the two-step shift technique, a specialized footwork designed to make attacks heavier and more powerful. The next punch landed squarely on Mr. Duke's face, the impact echoing through the alleyway. Blood spurted from Mr. Duke's nose as his head snapped back.
Desperate, Mr. Duke separated the distance between them, wiping the blood from his face. "Why doesn't my ability work on you?" he demanded.
Kaden's mocking tone cut through the tension. "Because I'm immune, you bastard."
Confusion flickered across Mr. Duke's face. "I don't know how that's possible," he admitted. "But very well. If my ability doesn't work, I'll just have to crush you with my fists."
Kaden lunged at Mr. Duke, fists clenched and eyes burning with determination. But despite his unrelenting assault, Mr. Duke proved to be a formidable opponent. Even without the use of his abilities, his raw strength and honed techniques overshadowed Kaden's unrefined attacks. Every punch and kick Kaden delivered was met with a counter that showcased Mr. Duke's superiority in combat. Yet, Kaden's unpredictability—his wild, almost feral movements—kept him from being completely overpowered.
They exchanged a series of brutal blows, each strike resonating in the confined space of the alleyway. Kaden's knuckles throbbed, his body aching with each hit he absorbed. Blood trickled down both their faces, a testament to the ferocity of their fight. Kaden's breaths came in ragged gasps as the system's notification appeared before him:
[HP: 51/102]
Mr. Duke wiped the blood from his split lip and smirked. "You think you can win?" he sneered. "You're mistaken. Let me show you why."
Kaden's eyes narrowed as a strange light began to emanate from Mr. Duke's body. It wasn't the glow of a typical ability—this was something else. His heart sank as realization dawned.
"A Beast Armor," Kaden thought, dread creeping into his chest. He hadn't accounted for that. Beast Armors, forged from beast crystals, were powerful relics that granted immense boons to their wearers. Strength, durability, and in some cases, unique abilities—these armors were a game changer in any fight.
"This just got a million times harder," Kaden muttered under his breath. As if agreeing with his thoughts, the system brought up another notification:
[Danger! Quest Given: Defeat the enemy for a level-up. Kill the enemy for 2 level-ups.]
Before Kaden could fully process the message, the light surrounding Mr. Duke dimmed. Standing before him now was a man encased in a grotesque, pulsating armor. The Beast Armor looked alive, its surface dark and leathery, with veins of glowing red that seemed to beat like a heart. Spikes jutted out from the shoulders and forearms, and its jagged design made Mr. Duke appear more beast than man.
"I didn't think I'd have to use this on you," Mr. Duke growled, his voice distorted by the armor's power. "But you've pushed me far enough."
The fight resumed, but it was no longer a battle—it was a beating. Mr. Duke's enhanced strength and durability made him an unstoppable force. Kaden's punches glanced off the armor, leaving him vulnerable to devastating counters. Each strike from Mr. Duke felt like a hammer blow, driving the air from Kaden's lungs and sending him staggering.
The system kept flashing notifications as Kaden's health dwindled:
[HP: 38/102]
[HP: 22/102]
Mr. Duke slammed Kaden into the ground, pinning him down with one massive hand. His other fist rained down blows, each punch sending shockwaves of pain through Kaden's battered body. Blood dripped from Kaden's mouth as he struggled weakly against the unrelenting assault.
"You should've stayed out of my way!" Mr. Duke snarled, his voice filled with contempt. "Do you really think someone like you can change anything? You're nothing but a pest!"
Kaden's vision blurred as the system's warning flashed one final time:
[Danger! HP: 10/102]
As his health hit zero, Kaden's world went black. The pain faded, replaced by an eerie silence.
When Kaden's eyes fluttered open, his head throbbed, and his vision was blurry. He groaned, his body feeling like it had been through a meat grinder. Slowly, his surroundings came into focus, and the first thing he saw made his stomach churn.
Mr. Duke lay motionless on the ground, his Beast Armor shredded and embedded into his flesh. The sight was gruesome. Jagged pieces of the armor pierced his body, blood pooling around him and smearing the walls of the alleyway. His face was unrecognizable, twisted in a grotesque mask of agony.
Kaden stared at his own hands, his breath catching in his throat. Black veins snaked up his arms, pulsating before fading away. His hands were slick with blood, but it wasn't his own.
"I blacked out again," he realized, a cold chill running down his spine. Memories of the last time this happened—when the guards chased him in the outskirts—flashed through his mind. But unlike then, he felt no remorse this time.
He spat on Mr. Duke's lifeless body. "Rest in hell," he muttered, turning to leave the alleyway. But as he took a step forward, something caught his eye.
In the top corner of the wall, a faint red light blinked steadily. His blood ran cold as he turned back to look at it.
A camera.
"Fuck," Kaden hissed.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone