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

Chapter 109 Stepping into the Realm of a Level Two 'Hakuja'

Axel watched the figure rushing towards him again, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

There was admiration, regret, and a touch of inexplicable disappointment.

"What a pity," he said in a low voice. "Since you're courting death, then I'll grant your wish."

He truly couldn't bear to end the future of a promising young officer, even if the other party was an enemy.

For a lieutenant to possess such strength and to have held his own against him for so long, such an opponent deserves respect.

However, he was not so merciful as to show leniency towards his enemies.

Since this imperial lieutenant is determined to die and refuses to surrender.

Then he had no choice but to completely extinguish this seed that could pose a threat to the Holy Kingdom.

This time, Axel did not stand still and wait for Zod to launch an attack.

He took the initiative.

He suddenly channeled his 'potential' into his legs, stomped his foot, raising a cloud of dust, and flew straight towards Zod like a heavy cannonball, accompanied by the sound of wind breaking!

His right arm shot out, its five fingers like claws, aimed straight for Zod's throat!

He changed his strategy.

They no longer intend to use the previously planned method of first blowing off limbs and then slowly torturing and interrogating the victim.

Out of respect for Zod, he decided to give this worthy adversary a swift and decisive end.

He blew his neck off and ended the fight in one move.

Just as the hand covered in black rings was about to touch his neck, Zod's pupils suddenly contracted, and a bone-chilling cold instantly spread across his entire spine!

He exerted all his strength, gathering all the remaining 'potential' in his body into his legs, and activated the "Shadow Step" once again!

Zod's figure vanished abruptly just before the demonic claw struck, slipping through Axel's fingers like smoke blown away by the wind.

The next instant, he appeared several meters away, panting heavily, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.

"Trying to run? You think you can get away?"

Axel sneered and continued to chase after him without stopping.

His gaze was fixed on Zod like that of a hawk.

The heavy breathing, the seemingly calm but pale face covered in sweat, and the slightly trembling legs all silently told Axel a story.

That rapid movement came at a greater cost than he had anticipated.

Captain Axel only needs to be like a hunter, relentlessly pursuing his prey until it is exhausted, then deliver the fatal blow.

With a sudden stomp of his right leg, Axel closed in once more, meeting Zod's retreating direction!

As he drew near, his left hand shot out and grabbed Zod's left arm!

Danger struck again.

In a critical moment, Zod had no choice but to forcefully activate the 'potential' within his body once again.

Shadow Step Technique—!

He darted to the side and front of Axel, trying to dodge the terrifying hand.

The muscles in his legs were spasming, his bones were groaning, and the excruciating pain felt like countless knives cutting him at once, almost making him lose consciousness.

But his consciousness was still desperately holding on.

Faster, faster!

However, just as Zod was moving quickly using his footwork and about to land, a chill stronger than ever before exploded from the bottom of his heart!

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

That outstretched left hand was the bait from the very beginning.

As a Level 2 "Hakuja" and a battle-hardened captain, he had already predicted Zod's escape route.

That kind of straightforward retreat might work the first time, but do you think you can fool him again the second time with the same trick?

wishful thinking.

The moment Zod appeared, Axel's right hand was already outstretched, waiting right there!

Five fingers like claws, aimed straight for the throat!

"Do you think the same escape trick will work a second time?"

This time, Axel will not fail again.

As the hand of death was about to touch his neck, the fear on Zod's face seemed to materialize.

He could even foresee everything that was going to happen next.

The moment Axel's fingers touched his skin, the black rings would shatter instantly, sparks flying, and the shockwave would tear his throat apart like shredding a piece of paper.

Even if he had time to use "Iron Defense," at most it would only leave a layer of charred flesh attached to his neck, and the final outcome would not change.

Death was closing in on him, measured in milliseconds.

Is it really going to end here?

He was so close, just a tiny bit away, to break through the "critical state" of a Level 1 "Kakuja" and leap to Level 2 "Kakuja"!

The barrier was already teetering on the brink of collapse, and he could even feel the surging power on the other side calling to him.

Just give him a few more seconds, even just a few more seconds—

However, there wasn't enough time.

Axel gave him no chance to breathe, no room to struggle.

His dying appearance was reflected in those cold eyes.

Countless images flashed through my mind like a revolving lantern.

From Hessen Town, to joining the "Imperial Blade" Legion, to Tono Village, Sallom City, and now—Lieutenant Wesley's lazy yet passionate hopes, Cassius's young and fiery face, Hitis's concerned eyes, and Captain Spent's silent trust.

And then there's Colonel Xavier—never mind, Zod doesn't want to think about Xavier at all right now; all the bad things happened because of him.

Memories flashed through Zod's mind like a revolving lantern.

He traveled such a long way.

He was cautious with every step he took and gave his all in every battle.

He had no grand ideals, didn't want to be a hero, didn't want to achieve great things, and didn't even care about imperial glory.

All he wanted was to live.

All I want is to live humbly, ek out a living, like a weed in this damned age of war.

But why—

Why is life so difficult?

He was just a nobody, a stranger who just wanted to drift through life like a salted fish.

He just wanted to live. Was that really such a luxury?

Is this short but eventful journey in another world going to end here?

Beneath Axel's descending hand, on this unfamiliar land in a foreign country, just one step away from a breakthrough—

Not reconciled.

I'm so unwilling to accept this.

No, he can't die here. He can't give up. He must live. No one can stop him.

Axel's hand was magnified to its maximum size in his field of vision, and that chilling killing intent was already pressed against the skin of his neck.

The aura of death was so strong that he could almost taste the blood in his throat.

Since we're going to die anyway, might as well take a gamble!

In that instant, Zod made a crazy decision.

He removed all the "potential" that was originally intended for "steel defense" to harden the neck area to withstand explosions!

The force that had been rushing towards his neck was forcibly reversed by him and poured wildly into his legs!

Even with "steel defense," it's impossible to withstand Axel's "explosive punch." It's just a matter of having one more layer of "clothing" or one less.

The only chance of survival lies in breaking through.

He was on the verge of reaching that critical state, but he was always just one step away from it!

All the potential surged into my legs like a flood bursting its banks.

The power that was originally used for defense has now been converted into fuel to impact the barrier!

The excruciating pain exploded instantly, more intense than ever before.

The muscles in my legs were tearing, my bones were screaming, my nerves were throbbing, and I felt as if I was being torn to pieces by this violent force!

But he gritted his teeth and did not back down or tremble.

He was gambling his life on a chance to break through, which was also his last chance.

Just as Axel's fingers were about to touch his neck.

"Unleash your potential—!"

Zod roared those four words in his mind, risking everything!

In that instant, the barrier that had been struggling within my body finally collapsed with a bang!

"Potential" is like a flood bursting through a dam, surging out from behind the collapsed barrier and instantly engulfing the whole body!

The feeling was indescribable; it was as if every muscle fiber was cheering, every nerve was trembling, and every cell was awakening!

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