Thank you Josh Roark (Mass release 2/8)
Carlos lunged at Cell, his fist racing toward Cell's face like a speeding bullet. But at the last moment, Cell tilted his head effortlessly, the punch grazing his cheek by a hair's breadth. Carlos barely had time to react before Cell's hand shot out, grabbing his wrist with a vice-like grip.
Before Carlos could pull away, Cell's knee came up like a hammer, smashing into Carlos' elbow with a sickening crack. The bone in Carlos' arm bent the wrong way, and an agonizing scream tore from his throat as he crumbled to the ground.
"Arrrgghhh!" Carlos' voice was raw, filled with pain as it reverberated through the air. His body convulsed from the shock, but he gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand. His legs wobbled beneath him, but his resolve was unbroken.
"I can't give up," Carlos muttered through clenched teeth, his eyes blazing with determination. His left hand clenched into a fist, and he charged at Cell again. This time, his blow was too fast for Cell to avoid.
With all his strength, Carlos' left fist smashed into Cell's jaw. The sound of bone shattering echoed through the battlefield as Cell staggered backward, his head snapping to the side. Two of Cell's sharp teeth flew from his mouth, landing with a faint *clink* on the ground.
Carlos felt a rush of triumph surge through him. 'I finally got him!' he thought, adrenaline fueling his next attack. He summoned his ability, his muscles swelling with power as his physical strength multiplied tenfold.
'I have only been fighting him for three minutes, and this is the first time I've landed a hit. I can't let this chance slip away,' Carlos thought as he lunged forward, aiming to finish the fight. His left fist hurtled toward Cell's face again, but just as it was about to connect, Cell jerked his head back, his wounds already healed.
Carlos' eyes widened in shock. "What? How—"
"You're strong, but in terms of speed, you're nothing but a snail." Cell's voice was cold and taunting. Before Carlos could react, Cell grabbed his left wrist, pulling him forward with terrifying strength. Carlos barely had time to register what was happening before Cell's forehead slammed into his face, sending him staggering backward.
Blood poured from Carlos' nose as his vision blurred. He tried to steady himself, but Cell's next words pierced through the haze of pain.
"That's pathetic for an A-rank," Cell sneered as he reached out, ready to grab Carlos by the neck.
But before his hand could close around Carlos' throat, a sickening *sploosh* rang out. Cell's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at his right hand—or rather, the stump where it had once been. Green blood gushed from the severed limb, staining the ground.
"So this is how brutal it gets when fighting you. I was wondering why this place looked so decorated."
Cell's head whipped around, his eyes narrowing in shock. There, standing over Carlos' unconscious body, was a figure shrouded in shadow—unharmed by the beam that had moments ago decimated everything in its path.
Axel Teras.
For the first time, Cell felt a flicker of fear. 'How... how is he still standing? I didn't even see him move!' Cell's mind raced, trying to comprehend what he was witnessing. 'Is this guy... a monster?'
"You lost your tongue?" Axel's voice was calm, but there was an edge to it as he raised his hand, summoning a sword into existence. He took a battle stance, his eyes locked on Cell.
Cell folded his arms, his shock fading into amusement. "Interesting. You and I... we're alike, aren't we? We both grow stronger with every fight. We evolve, adapting and improving with every challenge.
I can see that much just by reading your mind."
Axel's eyes widened. 'He can read my mind?' His grip on his sword tightened as he realized just how dangerous this opponent was. 'Damn it... am I that much of an open book?'
But Axel forced himself to stay calm. "Then you should know that I plan to beat you without taking a single hit." Read the continuation at m-vl-em,pyr
Cell's smile widened. "Let's make a deal, human. We'll fight until one of us drops, and in exchange, your people are free to kill mine if you win. My army will stop attacking and surrender without a fight. But if I win..." His voice dripped with malice. "Your people are mine."
Axel didn't hesitate. "Fine. But know this—I'm going to win."
Lowering his head, Axel let his hair fall over his eyes, his voice barely a whisper. "My father once told me... that if you show your enemy your back, they'll eventually try to stab you. But if you study them long enough, you might just stop the blade in time."
He raised his head, his eyes burning with determination. "I've already studied you down to the smallest detail, Cell. Try all you want, but you won't land a single lethal hit on me."
[Title unlocked: Authority of the Supreme]