"This body…" Neraxis muttered with irritation.
"…is holding me back."
He cracked his neck, bones snapping sharply in the ruined air.
Kael stared at him, green eyes cold and unmoving.
"Fight," he said. "With no excuses."
Neraxis' knuckles ignited with Vital Amplification, crimson force wrapping tightly around his fists.
"Then let's go again!"
Kael cracked his own knuckles.
"I'm ready."
Neraxis moved first.
His punches tore through the air, shockwaves ripping forward—but Kael slipped past them effortlessly, his movements smooth and precise. Every strike missed by a breath.
He can sense my attacks…
It feels like that.
Neraxis pulled back.
Kael vanished.
Neraxis' eyes widened.
"You're weak."
The words landed before the blow.
THUD!
Neraxis was driven into the ground, the street collapsing beneath him. Kael grabbed him instantly—hurling him skyward—then leapt after him.
A single kick.
BOOOOM!
Neraxis was smashed back into the earth, cracks spider-webbing across the battlefield.
Neraxis laughed through the dust.
"I'm just getting started."
Kael answered with force.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Each slam sent shockwaves tearing through the city. Finally—
THUD!
Neraxis' fist crashed into Kael's jaw, breaking free from his grip.
"Heh… reh… reh…"
The laugh was low. Wrong. Deep.
Kael straightened slowly, cracking his neck.
From the sidelines, Kozuki Toya muttered in disbelief,
"He's winning… Kael is winning. Neraxis is weak."
Nearby, Ishihara narrowed his eyes.
"No."
"They're testing each other."