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

Chapter 112 Spente Joins the War

The next instant, Captain Axel vanished from the spot.

Zod's expression changed abruptly; Axel had clearly also mastered a similar rapid movement technique called "Shadow Step"!

That was "Surprise Step," a martial art similar in principle to "Shadow Step," which also involves channeling potential energy into the legs for high-speed movement.

But when Axel performed it, his movements became smoother and more natural, and faster, as if it were just a part of his breathing.

This is an instinct honed through years of practical experience, far surpassing that of Zod, a newly promoted novice.

The moment the thought of disaster crossed his mind, Axel appeared beside him!

A sweeping leg whip, accompanied by the sound of wind breaking, aimed straight for Zod's side!

The speed was astonishing; Zod had no time to dodge and could only hastily raise his sword to parry.

The moment the sword collided with his calf, Axel's leg suddenly unleashed a brute force.

Zod was thrown sideways by the shock and slid several meters on the ground before he managed to regain his balance.

"Bang!"

Before he could catch his breath, Axel was closing in again.

But this time, Zod didn't wait to be passively attacked like before.

Just as Axel closed in again, Zod suddenly raised his left hand and gently rubbed his thumb and middle finger together.

"Flying Tooth—!"

"Snapped!"

With a crisp snap of his fingers, a concentrated burst of potential energy shot out from his fingertips, heading straight for Axel's face!

Axel frowned slightly and turned his head away.

The "flying tooth" grazed past his ear, leaving a faint trail in the air.

Axel's offensive was not slowed down by Zod's attack. While dodging "Flying Tooth", he threw out his right fist, aiming straight for Zod's chest!

Zod did not choose to take the hit head-on.

He suddenly exerted force with his feet, instantly unleashing the "Shadow Step" technique, his body drifting several feet to the side and back, barely avoiding the fatal punch.

The force of the punch grazed past his military uniform, and the black ring exploded in mid-air, sending a shockwave towards Zod.

Knowing that Axel's fist would explode, Zod used "Shadow Step" to retreat and avoid Axel's attack.

Axel's brow furrowed even more; this young man was even more troublesome than before.

This was the first time he had used all his strength to fight an Imperial lieutenant to a standstill.

Although Axel had a slight advantage, it was not enough to completely overwhelm him.

The young man in front of them had just mastered the "potential release" technique, and his movements looked very clumsy.

However, as practical experience accumulates, the gap in experience will gradually be bridged.

"Interesting." He sneered. "Let's see how long you can hide!"

Before he finished speaking, he brought his left hand together and made a fist.

Zod's heart tightened; that was the starting stance for "Hummingbird Barrage"!

As expected, Axel flicked out his four fingers in turn, and four condensed streams of 'potential' shot out from his fingertips.

In the instant of separation, it transformed into four "hummingbirds," trailing long, slender, glowing tails, and pounced straight at Zod from four different directions!

Hummingbird Medley—

The first "hummingbird" aimed straight for his face, but Zod dodged it to the side.

The second "hummingbird" swooped down on his chest, and he swung his sword to slash it down.

But the third and fourth ones, one blocked his left dodge space, and the other came from below at an angle, arriving almost at the same time!

Zod gritted his teeth and forcibly twisted his body.

The third hummingbird grazed past his shoulder, exploding into a small cloud of blood mist.

He couldn't avoid the fourth one, so he had no choice but to tough it out.

"Iron Defense!"

He channeled his potential into his left arm, and the muscles hardened instantly.

The hummingbird burrowed deep into Zod's forearm. Although the hardened muscles prevented it from penetrating, it still tore a wound about an inch long in the skin, and blood immediately gushed out and dripped down his arm.

Zod staggered back two steps, panting heavily, the sharp pain in his shoulder and arm causing cold sweat to bead on his forehead.

Axel looked at him, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes—surprise, admiration, and a hint of apprehension.

This young man, after breaking through, was already able to launch an effective counterattack against his offensive within just a few minutes.

Although those counterattacks haven't hurt him yet, this rate of growth will eventually become a problem.

It must be completely eradicated here.

Axel took a deep breath and used "Striking Step" again, lunging at Zod!

This time, his offensive was even more intense, giving Zod no chance to catch his breath.

Punch after punch, kick after kick, the onslaught was like a storm, forcing Zod to retreat step by step.

The explosive sounds of the Explosive Fist rang out one after another, and sparks flew continuously between the two.

Zod gritted his teeth and fought with all his might.

He used "Shadow Step" to dodge, "Crescent Slash" and "Wind Strike" to force back, and "Flying Tooth" to restrain, unleashing all the skills he had mastered, struggling to hold on under Axel's suppression.

A crescent-shaped slash shot out from the blade, forcing Axel to slightly turn to the side.

A "flying tooth" shot straight for his throat, forcing him to dodge.

Using the instantaneous speed boost from the "Shadow Step," he found a gap in Axel's fist and thrust out with a backhand.

But the gap still exists.

Those counterattacks could only make Axel pause for a moment, but they couldn't really hurt him.

Zod has just mastered "Potential Unleashed," but the gap in actual combat still exists.

Every attack by Axel was enough to put Zod in grave danger.

Another kick came sweeping in!

Zod couldn't dodge in time and could only raise his sword to block. He was once again sent flying and crashed heavily to the ground.

"Cough cough—" Zod coughed up a mouthful of blood and struggled to get up.

His vision was beginning to blur, and every part of his body ached.

But he still stood up.

Swaying unsteadily, yet still keeping his back straight.

Axel looked at him, his brow furrowed.

Why won't this young man fall down?

"You've done a remarkable job to have held on this long." His voice was deep, devoid of sarcasm, simply stating a fact: "But this is the end."

He raised his right fist.

Zod gasped for breath, staring at the fist that was about to fall.

His fingers tightened slightly, gripping the sword hilt tightly, so he couldn't fall.

It was so hard—it was so hard to get to this point—

Just as Axel was about to throw his fist.

A sword light suddenly attacked from the side!

Axel frowned, forced to retract his fist that was about to fall, and quickly turned around.

The sword's edge grazed the black ring on his knuckles, sending sparks flying.

It's Captain Spinter!

He gave Axel no chance to catch his breath. The first sword missed, and the second sword followed immediately, aimed straight for his throat!

Axel leaned back to avoid the fall, taking three steps back.

"Surprise Attack"

Just as he was about to accelerate and create distance, a sharp whooshing sound suddenly came from behind!

"Crescent Moon Slash!"

Zod had already stood up at some point, and a crescent-shaped slash shot out from the blade, aiming straight for Axel's back!