Within just ten seconds, Joe was panting hard, gasping for breath. In a fight where every second could mean life or death, even the smallest slip in momentum could spell total defeat or instant death.
However, Andrew stood relaxed, calm as ever. He said coldly, “Mr. Driscoll, are you still feeling confident after all that?”
Joe’s face twisted in disbelief. “You mean… You can still keep going?”
Andrew’s eyes darkened, turning still and fathomless like the depths of the sea. Within that silence, something stirred–something monstrous and wild.
“Lauren said you were a good man,” Andrew said, his voice low but chilling. “And honestly, I don’t like killing people if I don’t have to. That’s the only reason I’ve entertained this match for so long.”
As he spoke, a cold smile slowly spread across his face. It was a smile so eerie that it sent an uncontrollable shiver down Joe’s spine.
“But you were right about one thing. The gap between us is still massive. You, the so–called prodigy of the Driscoll family, really are impressive. Around most people, you’d have every right to be proud.”
He continued, “But not in front of me. You’re not enough. You probably don’t know this, but I’ve put down plenty of prodigies just like you. Talented, arrogant, favored by the Gods… Yet, all of them died by my hand.”
His words came slowly, without urgency. However, each syllable was a dagger to Joe’s soul.
In that moment of realization, a rare, raw fear gripped Joe’s chest.
From Andrew’s body burst a surge of primal and immense energy, flooding the air with a chill that stabbed into Joe’s instincts.
He flinched.
He flinched, releasing his grip before realizing what he had done.
The moment he let go, Andrew clamped down on his neck like he was holding a rag doll. Then, with a single step, he surged forward like a thunderstorm unleashed, driving Joe toward the edge of the ring.
With a terrifying burst of speed, he slammed Joe down, pinning him to the steel beam just shy of crushing his skull.
However, Andrew stopped at the final moment.
Just a fraction more, and Joe’s skull would’ve cracked open like a melon.
Andrew let go, and the once–mighty heir of the Driscoll family collapsed to his knees. His face went pale ? sheet, his entire body trembling with disbelief.
Five bloody finger marks were burned into his neck, glaring red against his skin like a brand of humiliation.
“You’re only operating at Martial King level,” Joe whispered, his voice hoarse and shaking. “But how… How the hell did you unleash something so far beyond that?”
He added, “That bloody aura… I’ve never heard of anything like it. I’ve never even imagined something like that!”
He looked up, face stubborn and blood–streaked, asking through clenched teeth.
Despite the searing pain inside him, Andrew did not flinch. ‘You’ve still seen so little, Mr. Driscoll. You’re strong
and talented. Your future on the martial path is bright, but you need to remember that there will always be someone stronger–always.”
He continued, “I’m not trying to lecture you. I’m warning you. Because this time, I spared you. But next time, I might not.”
Joe gritted his teeth and glared at Andrew. In the end, he lowered his head with a hollow laugh, his body trembling uncontrollably.
“I never thought I’d lose, and I definitely never thought I’d lose to you. From the start, I didn’t take you seriously
at all–not even once. But this hit me like a damn freight train. Andrew, you’re not just some regular guy, are you?
11
Andrew did not answer. He simply turned, ready to walk away from the ring.
However, chaos erupted at that moment.
From the upper bleachers, Walter burst forth like a vulture swooping in for the kill. His shrill voice tore through the silence, filled with rage and cruelty.
“You arrogant bastard! Mr. Driscoll showed you mercy, and this is how you repay him?! You used his kindness as an opening to strike him down! Since he refuses to kill you, I’ll do it myself. I’ll be the one to send you to hell!”
A dark, venomous aura exploded from Walter’s body. He was not just a loyal servant–he was a martial king and one who had mastered the deadly art of external aura. 4)
