Alex, on the other hand, was a storm incarnate. His body surged with energy, arcs of lightning dancing wildly across his frame. Each movement crackled with thunderous power, the air around him charged with a deadly, electric hum.

His fists moved like lightning bolts, faster than the eye could track, each punch tearing through the air with a booming roar that left shockwaves in its wake.

The two forces clashed at a speed beyond comprehension, their fists meeting mid-air again and again, each impact releasing bursts of light and shadow that illuminated the darkened sky.

Mountains crumbled, the seas trembled, and even the heavens seemed to groan under the sheer pressure of their power.

But as the fight dragged on, it became clear who was losing.

Kyle's body was being battered mercilessly across the battlefield. Each time he tried to counter, Alex's fist or kick would connect, hurling him through the sky like a broken comet.

His figure smashed through layers of atmosphere and collided violently against the barrier that Aurora had erected around the Avaloria Empire.

The barrier rippled like liquid glass, barely holding as Kyle's body bounced off it and fell again toward the ground.

System notifications began flashing before his eyes.

[ 70,000 Abyssal Points have been used for instant regeneration from a deadly injury. ]

[ 60,000 Abyssal Points have been used for instant regeneration from a deadly injury. ]

[ 80,000 Abyssal Points have been used for instant regeneration from a deadly injury. ]

The messages wouldn't stop.

Kyle's breathing grew heavier, his frustration spiraling out of control. His face twisted in rage as blood dripped from his lips. "How... how could this be possible?!"

His voice echoed through the sky like thunder. He gritted his teeth, veins bulging across his neck. "I've reached Monarch rank—the pinnacle of power in this world! So how the hell is he keeping up with me?!"

His aura flared, devouring the clouds. His eyes widened with disbelief as his mind raced. 'He shouldn't be able to fight me at this level. Grandmaster, maybe a Transcendent... but this? This isn't possible. What the hell is this power?'

Kyle roared, his fury overwhelming his rationality. "Devour!"

A surge of corrupted darkness erupted from his hands, spreading like a tide. The energy spiraled toward Alex, engulfing him completely.

The black wave crawled over Alex's body like liquid tar, covering him from head to toe until he was completely consumed.

Kyle smirked darkly, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Now all your power will be drained and absorbed by me. Let's see how long you last—"

But before he could finish, a cold, emotionless voice echoed from within the darkness.

"Devour."

The sound froze Kyle where he stood.

A sudden, impossible phenomenon unfolded before his eyes. The darkness that had surrounded Alex began to twist in reverse—turning inward.

The black corruption that should have drained Alex began to vanish, consumed by a greater, deeper darkness that emanated from Alex himself.

And then—everything inverted.

A dome of absolute shadow expanded outward from Alex, swallowing Kyle whole. The energy shifted direction. Kyle's own power began to drain rapidly, pulled away from his body and into the sphere of devouring darkness.

His eyes widened, panic flashing across his face. "What... what is this?!"

His System's warning flashed red.

[ Abyssal energy being absorbed. Countermeasure activating. ]

Kyle's mind reeled as he forced his energy outward, absorbing the dark dome into himself to stop the drain.

The devouring effect ceased, but his breathing had grown unsteady. His heart pounded as cold sweat ran down his face.

He looked at Alex, disbelief twisting his features. "Do you... have Abyssal affinity? That's impossible."

Alex stepped forward slowly, his voice calm yet chilling. "Looks like you're very prideful. So, I'll give you the most shameful death in existence."

Kyle's hands clenched into fists, his rage boiling again. 'If I can't win the normal way,' he thought bitterly, 'then so be it.'

He began to summon more abyssal power, darkness warping and twisting around him like a storm about to explode. But before he could release it—

A low whisper brushed against his ear.

"Looks like you're having fun now."

Kyle's eyes widened in shock. That voice was directly behind him. He turned, and his gaze locked with Alex's—those dead blue eyes glowing faintly, emotionless and cold.

"Y-You—"

Schtk!

The sound was wet and horrifying. Alex's arm pierced through Kyle's chest, his hand bursting out from the other side clutching something warm and pulsing.

Kyle's breath hitched as blood poured from his mouth. He looked down in disbelief. Alex's hand was wrapped around his heart.

For a moment, time froze.

Alex's expression didn't change. His eyes were void of emotion as he looked directly into Kyle's trembling face. Then, with terrifying calmness, he squeezed.

Crack.

The heart shattered in his grip.

Kyle's scream was drowned out by the roar of blood spraying into the air. His vision blurred, fading into darkness as his body began to collapse.

But before death could claim him, a system notification blinked in his fading vision.

[Fatal damage detected.]

[Heart destroyed — life functions failing.]

[600,000 Abyssal Points consumed for emergency regeneration.]

[Reconstruction in progress...]

[Vital signs restored.]

A horrifying sound followed—a wet, squelching noise—as Kyle's destroyed heart regenerated, flesh knitting together at unnatural speed. His body jerked violently, and his eyes snapped open once more.

He gasped for air, coughing blood, and immediately stumbled backward, horror etched on his face. His mind was spinning. 'I... died. I died and came back. How... how is this happening?'

He looked up—and there Alex stood again, completely still, eyes glowing faintly blue like twin voids.

Kyle's breath caught. His instincts screamed at him to run.

Then Alex spoke, his voice calm and analytical. "0.00003737383 seconds."

Kyle blinked, confusion flashing through his eyes. "W-What?"

Alex's gaze sharpened. "That's the time it took for you to regenerate. Unusual, even for a Monarch-rank individual."

Kyle froze. His heartbeat quickened. 'He... he measured it? Down to the microsecond?'

Alex tilted his head slightly, his tone still even. "Let me guess—you possess a System."

The blood drained from Kyle's face. His pupils shrank, his entire body going still.

His voice trembled as he spoke. "H-How... how do you know that?"

For the first time since the battle began, genuine fear filled his voice.

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