I only wanted to retire, but I ended up becoming an extremely popular character.

Chapter 107 "Explosive Fist" Axel

Axel snorted coldly, his gaze falling on the crisscrossing wounds on Zod's body, especially the deep cuts made by the chain sword.

"Hmph, it's no use denying it even if you want to." His brows furrowed, his tone icy: "The wounds on your body were undoubtedly caused by Patrick's cross-shaped chain sword. I'm all too familiar with those blade cuts."

His eyes sharpened like knives, and the killing intent emanating from his body was undisguised, pressing down on him like a tangible force.

Zod did not answer Axel's question, but chose to remain silent.

"Since you're standing here, and Patrick is nowhere to be seen—"

Axel slowly moved the black ring on his finger, making a soft clicking sound: "Then I can only assume that he has died at your hands."

As soon as he finished speaking, the air around him seemed to freeze.

A hint of doubt arose in Axel's mind.

The Imperial Second Lieutenant in front of me has indeed demonstrated the strength of a lieutenant.

But he knew perfectly well what Patrick's abilities were like.

The lieutenant he personally trained was a master of the cross-shaped chain sword; even if his opponent was also a lieutenant, he shouldn't have lost so decisively.

Judging from the other person's expression, it was clear that they didn't intend to answer his question directly.

Since that's the case, Axel didn't want to waste any more words.

He has always believed in a simple and efficient way of solving problems.

First, blow off the other person's limbs to render them incapable of movement, and then slowly interrogate them.

That should make the other party much more obedient and quiet.

He twitched the black ring on his knuckles, preparing to strike, but Zod didn't give him a chance to think: "Windbreaker—!"

Taking advantage of Axel's momentary lapse in concentration, Zod suddenly concentrated all his remaining 'potential' onto the blade and swung it down fiercely forward!

A storm of sharp blades, formed from countless fragments of sword energy, swept out from the sword's tip, fanning outwards and sweeping across the ground! Wherever it passed, the ground was plowed with furrows, gravel flew, and dust rose.

This attack is not intended to kill the enemy, but only to force them back and buy oneself a chance to breathe.

The storm of blades roared toward Axel.

However, Axel simply sidestepped and moved his feet lightly, and the fierce storm brushed past the hem of his clothes without even damaging it.

His movements were unhurried, as if he were taking a leisurely stroll in his own backyard.

Zod took the opportunity to leap backward, creating distance between himself and Axel.

He was breathing heavily, and his hand holding the sword was trembling slightly.

Axel did not pursue immediately.

He stood there, watching the Imperial lieutenant retreat in a disheveled state, a cold smile playing on his lips.

Immediately afterwards, he raised his left hand, slowly bringing his five fingers together to form a fist.

Zod's pupils suddenly contracted.

He was all too familiar with that starting stance!

Lieutenant Patrick's "Hakuja" skill "Skylark" uses the same move!

He almost reflexively raised his sword, ready to parry the fatal blow that sprang from his four fingers.

However, Axel did not flick all four fingers out simultaneously like Patrick to unleash the complete "Lark" through "Potential Shaping".

Instead, four condensed streams of 'potential' shot out from each of the four fingers in turn!

The four streams of 'potential' instantly transformed into four miniature birds of light the moment they left the fingertips.

Each one is incredibly lifelike, with flapping wings and pointed beaks pointing forward, like a flock of hummingbirds released from their cages, trailing long, slender tails, swooping down on Zod from four different angles!

"Hummingbird Series - Part 1"

Axel's voice was as cold as frost.

The four light birds were extremely fast, attacking from four directions simultaneously and flying straight towards Zod!

Zod's pupils reflected the four approaching beams of light, and a chill ran down his spine.

Oops!

He never expected that Axel could fire four "potential" bullets at the same time.

This is not Patrick's "Lark," but a completely different killing move.

Four beams of light, following different trajectories, attacked simultaneously from four angles, sealing off all of Zod's space to dodge.

Faced with the "Hummingbird Barrage" flying towards Zod simultaneously, Zod had no chance to block them all at once, and it was too late to dodge.

There's nothing we can do.

We have no choice but to take the risk again.

Shadow Step

He once again poured all his "potential" into his legs.

The excruciating pain, like being burned by raging fire or pierced by countless steel needles, returned to my legs.

Using the "Shadow Step" technique, his figure quickly disappeared from the spot.

He poured all his "potential" into his legs, without holding back a single bit.

A sharp pain exploded instantly!

The tearing sensation of being burned by raging fire and pierced by countless steel needles came from my legs again, more intense than ever before.

The muscles are spasming, and the bones are groaning.

But he couldn't care less about that now.

Just as the four birds of light were about to pierce his body, Zod's figure suddenly vanished from the spot.

The four light birds missed their target.

Axel frowned slightly, his gaze quickly sweeping in the direction Zod had disappeared.

"This is... the 'potential release' of a Level 2 'Hakuja'?"

The first thought that flashed through his mind when he saw Zod's instantaneous burst of speed was the "potential release" of a level two "Hakuja".

Did that Imperial lieutenant manage to get promoted in such dire circumstances?

However, he dismissed the idea just moments later.

As a true Level 2 'Hakuzan', he knew all too well what 'potential release' meant.

It is a deep control over muscles, nerves and body, a perfect release of power, the ultimate elegance of movement, and meticulous control over the body.

If Zod truly mastered the "Unleash Potential," his speed would be far greater than this, his movements would be even more fluid, and every action of his would carry a natural rhythm.

Indeed, in a sense, "Kakuja" is synonymous with elegance, whether in terms of strength, speed, or techniques.

Sometimes, simply watching the battles between "Kakuja" is a pleasure.

And what about this Imperial Lieutenant in front of me?

The speed was indeed fast, exceeding the limit of an ordinary level one 'Hakuja'.

But that speed seemed more like it was achieved on drugs, a burst of speed achieved by forcibly overdrawing the body's reserves.

His movements were far from elegant, even somewhat awkward and stiff, each movement seeming like a struggle against his body's instincts.

A cold smile curled at the corner of Axel's lips.

He understood to some extent why Patrick had lost to Zod.

That kind of bizarre acceleration is indeed something that ordinary level one 'Hakuzan' cannot handle.

It's not surprising that Patrick lost.

However, this mediocre skill level posed no threat to Axel.

Because he is a genuine Level 2 'Hakuzan'.

He didn't even need to use 'potential release'.

Simply wrap your 'potential' around your legs, and your legs will suddenly exert force.

The ground beneath his feet was pounded into a shallow pit, and he shot out like an arrow.

Axel's figure vanished instantly.

That brute force tore through the air, producing a deep roar.

In the next instant, he had already moved in the same direction as Zod, appearing suddenly in front of Zod like a cannonball. His iron fists, adorned with black rings, were raised high, carrying enough power to shatter rocks, and swung down fiercely towards Zod's face!

"How is that possible?"

Zod's pupils contracted sharply as Axel suddenly appeared in front of him, and an uncontrollable look of terror flashed across his face.