บท 351: Another Round
Hal faced the green-robed man, his stance steady and his lantern ring glowing faintly. Despite his earlier triumphs, Hal remained cautious. His opponent's strength and adaptability had already proven extraordinary. Even now, the green-robed man looked ready to continue the fight despite being slammed into a green energy wall and bombarded with relentless attacks.
The boy stood a short distance away, his face filled with awe and confusion. He had never seen Hal in a real fight before. During their journey, the lantern ring's power had mostly been used for creating transportation or conjuring small objects to amuse him. To see its full potential unleashed in battle was a completely different experience. The boy could barely process the scale of what he was witnessing.
The green-robed man, meanwhile, was still recovering from Hal's assault. After being blown into the air by a hidden landmine and slammed into an energy wall, he had barely managed to stabilize himself. But his resilience was remarkable. As he straightened his posture, energy began to crackle around him, his glowing eyes narrowing as he prepared for another round.
Hal wasn't about to give him the chance. With a flick of his wrist, the lantern ring's energy shot out, forming a giant green hand that seized the green-robed man mid-air. The construct pulled him toward Hal with incredible force. The man's body jerked forward as if yanked by an invisible rope.
The green-robed man, despite being caught off guard, adjusted his stance mid-air. He clenched his fists, preparing to counterattack the moment he got close enough. His glowing energy surged through his body, making it clear he wasn't going down without a fight.
But Hal was one step ahead. As the green-robed man flew toward him, Hal swung his fist forward. At first, it looked like a simple punch aimed at thin air. But in an instant, the lantern ring amplified the motion, creating a massive green energy fist. The glowing construct mirrored Hal's movements perfectly, delivering a powerful uppercut to the green-robed man.
The impact was devastating. The green-robed man let out a grunt as the energy fist collided with his chest, sending him flying backward through the cave. He hit the rocky ground with a loud crash, skidding to a halt near the far wall.
Hal didn't let up. With another motion of his hand, the lantern ring's energy surged again, pulling the green-robed man back toward him like a yo-yo. This time, Hal aimed a powerful kick. As his leg moved, the ring projected the motion into a colossal green boot that struck the man with crushing force.
The green-robed man was launched across the cave once more, tumbling through the air like a ragdoll. Before he could land, Hal raised his left hand, and a towering green energy wall materialized in the man's path. The green-robed man slammed into it, the impact shattering the construct into glowing fragments. He dropped to the ground, groaning as he tried to push himself up.
The boy watched the scene unfold, his eyes wide with shock. He had thought of Hal as a protector, someone who used his abilities to keep them safe. But now, seeing Hal's relentless attacks and creative use of the lantern ring, the boy realized just how powerful—and dangerous—Hal truly was.
The green-robed man, however, was not easily defeated. Despite the repeated blows, he slowly rose to his feet, his glowing eyes blazing with determination. Hal narrowed his gaze, raising his lantern ring once more. This time, the ring's energy flowed outward, forming a massive cannon that covered Hal's entire arm. The green light pulsed and grew as the cannon locked onto its target.
"Let's end this," Hal muttered, his voice low and steady. He wasn't aiming to kill the green-robed man, but he knew his opponent's strength was formidable. If the man still had fight left in him, Hal needed to make sure he wouldn't be able to continue.
But just as Hal prepared to fire, the boy's voice rang out, piercing the tension in the cave.
"Grandpa!" the boy shouted, running toward the green-robed man.
Hal froze, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Wait… what?" he said, lowering the cannon slightly.
The boy reached the green-robed man and threw his arms around him, hugging him tightly. Tears streamed down the boy's face as he looked up at the battered figure. "Grandpa! Where have you been? I've been waiting for you! Why didn't you come back for me?"
Hal blinked, utterly confused. He canceled the cannon with a quick motion, stepping back to reassess the situation. "Grandpa?" he repeated, staring at the green-robed man. "This guy is your grandpa?"
The green-robed man seemed equally shocked. He stared down at the boy, his glowing eyes softening. "You… stupid boy?" he said, his voice hoarse with surprise.
"Yes, it's me! It's me, Grandpa!" the boy cried, his voice trembling with emotion. "I've been waiting for you! Why didn't you come to get me?"
Hal took a closer look at the green-robed man. Now that the tension of the fight had eased, he noticed the man's features in greater detail. His skin was dark blue and rough, marked by deep lines and scars. His face was far from what Hal would expect for someone related to the boy, who had a fair complexion and delicate, almost ethereal features.
"Okay," Hal muttered to himself, "none of this makes sense." He scratched the back of his head, his mind racing. Is this kid adopted? Or is there some alien biology going on here that I don't understand?
Despite Hal's confusion, the boy seemed overjoyed. He clung to the green-robed man, his tears soaking into the tattered fabric of the man's robe. For a moment, it seemed like a heartwarming reunion. Even Hal felt a twinge of relief, thinking the fight might finally be over.
But the moment was short-lived. As Hal watched, the green-robed man's expression changed. The softness in his glowing eyes vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating look. Before Hal could react, the man raised his hand, channeling energy into a knife-like shape, and brought it down toward the boy's head.
"Look out!" Hal shouted, his lantern ring flaring to life.
In an instant, Hal activated the fastest skill in his arsenal. A green energy construct shot out, grabbing the boy and pulling him into the air. The knife slashed through the empty space where the boy had been standing, carving a deep fissure into the rocky ground.
The boy tumbled through the air before landing safely in Hal's arms. He clung to Hal, his face pale and his body trembling. "Grandpa… why?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Hal's jaw tightened as he set the boy down gently. "Kid," he said, his voice firm but calm, "I don't think this guy is the grandpa you remember."
The green-robed man straightened, his glowing eyes narrowing. Whatever bond he once had with the boy seemed to have disappeared, replaced by a murderous intent that sent a chill down Hal's spine.
Hal stepped forward, raising his lantern ring once more. The green glow flared brighter than ever, casting sharp shadows on the cave walls. "Alright, old man," Hal said, his voice steady and determined. "You want round two? Let's go."
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