NOVPUBDaewon's eyes gleamed with sharp focus as he saw an opening. He twisted his body, delivering a powerful spinning kick aimed directly at Seojun's hand. The impact was precise, sending the dagger flying out of Seojun's grip and flew away falling to the ocean.
Daewon smirked, straightening his posture. "Now," he called out confidently, cracking his knuckles, "bring out your real weapon. Or are you still holding back on me, Han Seojun?"
Seojun raised an eyebrow beneath his mask, brushing off his palms as if dusting away the inconvenience. "You really want to see it that badly?" he asked, his voice calm.
"I'm demanding it!" Daewon roared, charging forward. His fist cut through the air with terrifying speed, his knuckles glowing with raw mana. The ground beneath him cracked with each step, dust swirling around his feet. He twisted his body mid-charge, and with a sudden upward punch—like launching a missile—his fist connected with Seojun's chin.
BOOM!
Seojun shot up into the sky, a blur of white hair and black clothes, rocketing through the air with such force that he vanished from the camera's view. The live broadcast zoomed out, desperately searching for him against the bright sunlight, but there was no sign. The audience watching worldwide held their breath, murmurs of shock and confusion spreading.
"Did... did he just punch him into the stratosphere?!" one of the anchors shouted in disbelief.
"Where is he?!" another voice echoed.
Daewon stood below, hands resting on his hips as he looked up, the grin never leaving his face. "Come on, Seojun," he muttered. "Show me what you got."
The sky remained still for a moment—too still. Then suddenly, a crackle of energy flickered in the clouds, followed by a streak of dark light. Gasps erupted worldwide as the camera zoomed in, finally catching sight of him.
There, descending from the sky like a reaper from the heavens, was Seojun. In his hands was a massive, obsidian-black scythe, its blade shimmering with crimson edges that seemed to ripple with deadly energy. His white hair flowed around him, and his masked face tilted downward, eyes locked onto Daewon.
The world seemed to freeze. The air grew heavy with pressure as Seojun raised the scythe above his head, gripping it firmly. With a smooth, deliberate motion, he swung it downward.
SCHWOOOOM!
A massive arc of dark energy shot from the blade, cutting through the air like a whisper of death. The ground didn't just crack—it split. An entire line across Elarion Isle was sliced cleanly, earth crumbling away as if erased by some invisible force, cliffs shattered, and the very ocean seemed to pull back from the raw power unleashed.
Daewon's eyes widened, his instincts kicking in as he leapt back, barely escaping the scythe's devastating reach. He landed, skidding across the torn ground, dust rising around him. He looked up at Seojun, eyes wild with excitement. "A scythe, huh? I wasn't expecting that."
Seojun landed gracefully on the fractured earth, scythe resting at his side. "You wanted it," he replied simply, his voice low and steady. "Now, let's see if you can handle it."
Daewon cracked his knuckles, his grin stretching wider. His muscles tensed, and crimson energy began to swirl around him, crackling like lightning. His eyes glowed with a deep red hue as veins popped along his arms. The ground beneath his feet trembled slightly as his aura intensified.
"Finally," Daewon growled, stomping the ground with a force that sent a shockwave rippling outward. His Berserker aura flared wildly, raw power surging around him. "Now we're talking!"
Seojun, gripping his obsidian-black scythe with both hands, adjusted his stance. The blade glimmered with dark energy, humming softly as if it were alive. He tilted his head, eyes sharp behind his mask. "You wanted this, Daewon," he said calmly. "Hope you don't regret it."
Without warning, Daewon lunged forward, the ground cracking beneath his feet. His movements were raw and wild, yet impossibly fast for someone of his size. He swung his fist, crackling with crimson energy, aiming straight for Seojun's torso.
Seojun responded instantly, twirling his scythe with fluid grace. He spun to the side, the blade humming as it narrowly missed Daewon's arm. In one smooth motion, Seojun brought the scythe down with a sweeping slash.
CLANG!
Daewon raised his forearm, covered in dense mana, blocking the scythe's edge with sheer brute strength. Sparks flew from the collision, and the ground beneath Daewon's feet shattered. He grinned, muscles bulging as he pushed back. " I'm not done!"
Before Seojun could counter, Daewon twisted his body, his knee coming up like a piston. Seojun blocked with the scythe's shaft, but the force sent him skidding back several meters, his boots digging into the earth.
Daewon charged again, faster this time. His fists blurred, each strike heavier than the last. Left hook, right cross, upward jab—each one a brutal assault. Seojun danced back, dodging each blow with inches to spare, his scythe weaving around him like a shadow.
But Daewon wasn't done. His aura flared brighter, and with a roar, he smashed both fists into the ground. BOOM! The earth erupted in a wave of stone and dust, shooting straight toward Seojun.
Seojun leaped into the air, flipping gracefully above the chaos. As he descended, he twirled his scythe, mana gathering around the blade. "Let's cut through that toughness," he murmured, slashing downward.
A crescent arc of dark energy shot forward, slicing through the stone wave like paper. Daewon jumped back, avoiding the deadly arc just in time. It tore through the earth, leaving a deep trench in its wake.
Daewon laughed, wiping a bit of sweat from his brow. "This is what I was waiting for!" His fists crackled with even more power, his Berserker skills surging. His skin began to glow faintly red, and his muscles expanded, veins popping with raw energy. "Come on, Han Seojun! Show me more!"
Seojun landed lightly, tapping the end of his scythe on the ground. "If you insist," he replied smoothly. He gripped the scythe tightly, its dark aura flaring even brighter. With a burst of speed, he dashed forward, the scythe trailing dark energy behind him.
They clashed again.
Daewon's fists met the blade of the scythe with thunderous force. Seojun spun, swinging his weapon in wide arcs, each swipe precise and controlled. Daewon countered with raw power, parrying the blade with fists covered in dense mana.
Boom! Crack! Shing!
Every clash sent shockwaves through the area, rocks shattered, and the ground splintered with each collision. Seojun moved with the fluidity of a dancer, his scythe an extension of his body. Daewon charged like a rampaging beast, fists flying with unstoppable force.
They met blow for blow, neither backing down. Daewon's grin never faded, and Seojun's eyes glimmered with thrill behind his mask.
"That all you got?" Daewon shouted, swinging his fist like a sledgehammer.
Seojun spun around it, the scythe slicing through the air in a deadly arc. "Not even close," he replied, shadows flickering around his blade.
Daewon blocked with his forearm, sparks and mana bursting from the collision. He grinned wider, veins pulsing with excitement. "Good! Keep it coming!"
Seojun pulled back, flipping the scythe around his body with smooth, practiced movements. "Just don't blink," he warned, his aura flaring.
Daewon smirked. "I wouldn't dare."
They both jumped back, landing a good distance from each other. Dust settled around their feet, and for a moment, everything was silent. The wind blew gently, carrying the tension with it. Both stood firm—Daewon with his fists clenched, veins pulsing with raw power, and Seojun gripping his scythe tightly, its blade still shimmering with dark energy.
Daewon's grin grew wider, his eyes blazing with excitement. He cracked his neck, rolling his shoulders.
"Let's bring it all in this one!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the battlefield. He raised his arms, and a surge of mana exploded from his body. His fists glowed brighter, sparks of energy dancing around them like wild flames. The ground beneath him cracked and split, unable to withstand the sheer force pouring out of him.
Seojun sighed, adjusting his grip on the scythe. He stretched his neck from side to side, eyes calm but sharp. "Sure," he replied simply, stepping forward. His body relaxed, but his stance was firm—like a coiled spring ready to snap. The blade of the scythe pulsed with a faint crimson glow, whispering with power.
For a heartbeat, neither moved. The world seemed to hold its breath. Then, as if a signal had been given, they both burst forward at the same time. Their speed was blinding, the ground cracking under the force of their steps. Dust and debris flew up behind them as they charged straight at each other.
Their movements were a blur, and the very air around them seemed to ripple from their speed. It was as if time slowed down; the only sounds were their footsteps pounding against the earth and the faint hum of energy crackling in the air. Just before they clashed, there was a split second of silence—a calm before the storm.
