The Alleyway - Behind the Strip Club
Markil sat amidst a pile of banana peels and broken bottles, staring at the man opposite him.
Maren Walberd sat on a crushed cardboard box, a fish bone stuck to his shoulder.
Silence stretched between them.
"So," Maren said, plucking the fish bone off his shoulder. "You followed me instantly."
Markil stood up, brushing coffee grounds off his pants. He looked at Maren with suspicion.
"Who are you, really?" Markil asked. "A normal pervert can't move like that."
Maren laughed. "A pervert? Is that my title now?"
Maren stood up. His playful demeanor vanished for a split second, replaced by a gaze that felt heavy.
"I don't know who you are, boy," Maren whispered. "But that wasn't normal magic."
Markil stiffened. His muscles tensed, ready for a fight.
"And if it wasn't?" Markil challenged. "Are you going to turn me in?"
Maren grinned. "Turn you in? Why? For being fast?"
Maren stepped closer.
"I'm going to teach you."
Markil blinked. "Teach me? Teach me what? How to get slapped by girls?"
"That, yes," Maren nodded seriously. "But also how to control that chaotic power of yours."
Markil scoffed. "I don't need your help. I'm strong enough."
"Strong enough?" Maren raised an eyebrow. "You think you're strong because you break things? Let's test that."
Maren pointed to the sky.
"Follow me. If you can."
Global Teleportation.
ZAP.
There was no sound. No wind. Maren simply ceased to exist in the alleyway.
Markil stood alone in the garbage.
"He ran away again?" Markil muttered.
He closed his eyes, extending his senses. He searched for Maren's unique aura.
"Found you."
Markil crouched.
"Don't underestimate me, old man."
Void Movement.
BOOOOOOM!
The alleyway shook as Markil launched himself through space, shattering the sound barrier.
The Great Silica Waste – The Desert
Thousands of kilometers away. A barren ocean of white sand under a scorching sun.
Maren stood there, arms crossed, looking bored.
CRACK-BOOM!
Sand exploded into the air as Markil arrived, landing heavily and creating a crater.
"I found you!" Markil shouted, dusting himself off. "Why did you bring us to a des—"
"Too loud," Maren interrupted.
Markil paused. "What?"
"I arrived silently," Maren said, kicking the sand. "You arrived like a meteor. Do you know why?"
"Because I'm powerful?" Markil smirked.
"Because you are clumsy," Maren corrected. "You break space to move. I slip through it."
Markil frowned. He was getting annoyed. This guy—whose name he couldn't even remember—was lecturing him?
"Look," Markil said, stepping out of the crater. "I don't know who you think you are, but I don't need lessons from a guy I met in a strip club."
"Oh?" Maren smiled. "Then hit me."
Maren opened his arms wide.
"If you are so strong, land one hit. Just one. If you touch me, I'll admit you don't need training."
Markil's eyes narrowed.
"You're going to regret that."
Markil didn't hold back. He knew this guy was fast.
Kareno.
VWOOOM.
Markil's eyes glowed purple. He analyzed the distance.
Target locked.
Markil vanished.
BOOM!
He appeared directly in front of Maren, his fist coated in heavy purple mana. A punch that could pulverize a castle wall.
"TAKE THIS!"
Markil punched.
SWISH.
His fist passed right through Maren's chest.
Markil stumbled forward, off-balance. "What?!"
He spun around. Maren was still standing there, unhurt.
"Ghost?" Markil hissed. "No... I felt resistance for a second."
"Again," Maren taunted.
Markil roared. He unleashed a barrage of attacks.
Void Kick!Mana Blast!High-Speed Barrage!
Every single attack hit nothing. It was like Maren was deleting himself from reality the moment the attack connected.
Markil panted, sweat dripping onto the sand.
"Why... why can't I hit you?"
Maren dusted off his shoulder.
"Inverse Law," Maren said calmly. "I decide what touches me and what doesn't."
Markil grit his teeth. "I'm not done!"
He prepared to teleport again.
"Stop," Maren said.
He didn't shout. He just looked at Markil.
Linguistic Anchor.
Markil froze.
He tried to lift his leg. It wouldn't move. He tried to clench his fist. His fingers were paralyzed.
"What did you do?!" Markil shouted, panic rising.
Maren walked over slowly. He raised one finger.
"Wanzer."
WHOOSH.
Markil felt a giant, invisible hand grab his entire body. He was lifted fifty feet into the air, helpless.
"You have raw power," Maren said, looking up at him. "But you lack authority."
Maren flicked his finger down.
SLAM!
Markil was smashed into the sand dune.
Cough.
Markil lay there, staring at the blue sky. His body ached. His pride ached more.
"I... lost?" Markil whispered. "Without landing a single touch?"
Maren walked over and loomed over him. The goofy smile was gone. He looked like a god of war.
"Do you understand now?" Maren asked. "There is always a bigger monster."
Markil looked at the grey-haired man.
The Global Teleportation. The untouchable defense. The invisible force. The sheer arrogance.
Suddenly, a memory clicked in Markil's brain.
Elrond's voice in the hideout:"He retired recently. The Strongest Person in the World. He trained Sasha and Roric. He can teleport anywhere."
Markil's eyes widened in horror.
"Wait..." Markil gasped, propping himself up on his elbows.
"That pervert story... the guy who retired at 29..."
Markil pointed a shaking finger at Maren.
"YOU!"
"You are him! You are Maren Walberd!"
Maren grinned, the goofy expression returning instantly.
"Took you long enough."
Maren offered a hand to help him up.
"So, kid. Are you ready to stop breaking the world and start learning how to rule it?"
Markil looked at the hand.
He realized just how far he still had to go.
He grabbed Maren's hand.
"Fine," Markil grumbled, standing up. "But you're paying for dinner."
(Chapter 42 Finished)