Liam''s Perspective


    I stared at Axel Kaelen, analyzing his transformed state. His body radiated the unmistakable aura of a half-step Martial Marquis. Impressive, but wed. The energy around him fluctuated wildly, surging then ebbing in unpredictable waves.


    "Your power is unstable," I said, smirking. "Like giving a child a loaded gun."


    Axel''s face contorted with rage. "Let me show you just how ''unstable'' it is!"


    He vanished from my sight.


    Pain exploded across my chest as his fist connected with my sternum. The blow sent me crashing through three walls before I mmed into a marble pir. The impact knocked the air from my lungs.


    Before I could recover, Axel appeared above me. His foot drove into my stomach, embedding me deeper into the cracked marble.


    Blood filled my mouth. I hadn''t expected such speed or power.


    "Not so confident now, are you?" Axel''s voice dripped with satisfaction.


    I spat blood onto the floor. "Just warming up."


    I activated my Thirdyer Saintly Body Skill. Golden light enveloped my form, healing the worst of my injuries. The familiar surge of power flooded through me.


    Axel struck again. This time, I was ready. I caught his fist inches from my face. The collision generated a shockwave that shattered every window in the vi.


    "Better," he growled. "But not good enough."


    He broke free of my grip andunched into a flurry of attacks. His fists became blurs, each strike carrying enough force to level a building.


    Note: Check * for any corrections.


    I blocked where I could, dodged when necessary. Even with my Saintly Body Skill active, his blows jarred my bones. Each impact felt like being hit by a speeding truck.


    We crashed through the remaining walls of the vi. Debris rained around us as the structure copsed. Servants fled screaming as our battle reduced the once-majestic building to rubble.


    Inded a solid kick to Axel''s chest. He skidded backward but remained standing. My attack barely fazed him.


    "Is that the best the famous Liam Knight can do?" he taunted.


    I wiped blood from my mouth. "Not even close."


    I charged forward, channeling my energy into my fist. The golden glow intensified as I aimed for his face.


    Axel sidestepped with surprising agility. His elbow mmed into my back, driving me into the ground. The earth cracked beneath me.


    Pain shot through my spine. I rolled away as his foot stomped where my head had been.


    "You''re outmatched, Knight," Axel said. "ept your fate."


    He was right. The gap between us was undeniable. His newfound power eclipsed mine by a significant margin.


    I stood shakily, my Saintly Body Skill flickering. The protective golden aura had grown dim, struggling to maintain itself.


    Axel noticed. His lips curled into a cruel smile.


    "Your pitiful defenses are failing," he observed.


    He raised his hand, fingers extended like ws. Dark energy gathered at his fingertips.


    "Ripping Finger," he murmured.


    The attack came without warning. Five streaks of dark energy shot toward me. I raised my arms to block, but the energy phased through my defense like it didn''t exist.


    Pain unlike anything I''d experienced before tore through me. I felt as if my very soul was being shredded. My Saintly Body Skill shatteredpletely.


    I copsed to one knee, blood pouring from five wounds across my chest. Each cut burned like acid.


    "That''s a taste of true power," Axel said, walking slowly toward me. "Something you couldn''t possibly understand."


    Through blurred vision, I summoned the Venerable Fifth Mountain. The spiritual entity materialized behind me, providing a momentary shield.


    Axel paused, surprised by the sudden appearance.


    I used the distraction to put distance between us, breathing heavily as I assessed my wounds. They were deep. Too deep to heal quickly even with my abilities.


    "A spirit guardian?" Axel raised an eyebrow. "Interesting, but futile."


    The mountain entity bought me precious seconds. My mind raced, trying toprehend the magnitude of power I was facing.


    If a half-step Martial Marquis was this formidable, what kind of monster would Dashiell ckthorne be at the full Martial Marquis level? The thought sent chills through me.


    "Running out of tricks, Knight?" Axel called out. "I expected more from the man who''s caused so much trouble."


    I steadied my breathing, forcing myself to focus through the pain. "I''m just getting started."


    Axelughed. "Your bravado is amusing, but this ends now."


    He raised both arms toward the sky. Dark clouds formed above us, swirling into an ominous vortex. The air crackled with energy.


    "Mountain Crushing Hand," he intoned.


    The clouds condensed, taking shape. A gigantic hand formed in the sky, its fingers spread wide. It was easily the size of a small building.


    "This is the true power of the Mountain Protection Artifact," Axel dered. "The very hand that shapes mountains will now crush you into pulp."


    The massive hand began to descend slowly. The air pressure increased dramatically, making it difficult to breathe.


    I tried to move but found myself pinned in ce by an invisible force. My muscles strained against it to no avail.


    "Can you feel it?" Axel asked, his voice eerily calm. "The weight of mountains pressing down on you?"


    The pressure intensified with each passing second. My bones creaked under the strain. Blood vessels burst in my eyes, turning my vision red.


    "Anyst words, Liam Knight?" Axel''s voice seemed distant now.


    I looked up at the colossal hand descending from the heavens. It blocked out the sun, casting everything in shadow. In that moment, I understood the true meaning of helplessness.


    The giant hand continued its descent, now just meters above me. The ground beneath my feet began to crack and sink.


    Axel watched with gleeful anticipation, savoring my imminent destruction.


    "This is what happens to those who challenge their betters," he said.


    The massive hand pressed down with unstoppable force. I felt my consciousness wavering as the pressure threatened to crush every bone in my body.


    In that desperate moment, something stirred within me. A forgotten memory, a hidden reserve of power. My jade pendant grew warm against my chest.


    The giant hand inched closer, promising oblivion.