Chapter 148: Looking for me?
Chapter 147
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
The air rippled violently with every explosive collision as Max and the demon vessel went at each other in full speed, their blows landing with enough force to distort the very air around them. Each impact shook the ground, sending tremors across the field and leaving cracks spiderwebbing in every direction.
"Die!" The twisted, inhuman snarl of the demon vessel echoed as it swung its claws toward Max’s face at a terrifying speed. The claws sliced through the air, leaving faint distortions in their wake. Max barely ducked under the swing by the skin of his teeth, feeling the wind of the strike brush past his mask.
Before he could retaliate, the demon vessel spun with predatory grace and slammed its elbow into Max’s face. The strike landed hard, the impact ringing out as Damian stumbled back a few steps, pain shooting through his jaw like lightning.
’Shit! It was already strong and fast as a human without transforming, but now that it has... its physical abilities have skyrocketed to an insane level,’ Max thought as he straightened his posture, taking a defensive stance. He focused his energy and deactivated his Draconic form only for his arms.
Instantly, sharp claws jutted out from his fingertips, and thick draconic scales rippled across his forearms, hidden beneath his torn uniform. His muscles tensed, the ground beneath his feet cracking slightly.
In a flash, the demon vessel lunged forward again, moving like a streak of shadow. It appeared right in front of Max, swinging its claw with blinding speed.
By pure reflex, the dragon leaped a meter away, the attack barely missing his chest. The instant his feet touched the ground, he darted forward as well—meeting the vessel head-on.
Both warriors struck at the same time. Their attacks collided dead center, creating a booming shockwave that tore through the field.
A crater formed instantly beneath them, dust and shards of stone erupting outward as the ground caved under the sheer force of their clash.
They glared at each other, teeth gritted, muscles straining. The demon vessel’s strength pressed down on Max, forcing his heels to carve deep trenches into the dirt as he was slowly pushed backward.
The creature smirked wickedly, its jagged wings twitching. With a sudden motion, the wings shot forward like blades, aiming straight for Max’s head.
But Max was faster. In a fluid motion, he channeled power into his leg and swung it upward, kicking the demon vessel square in the abdomen. The blow landed with bone-crunching force, sending the creature hurtling backward.
A thunderous bang followed as it smashed into the ground, tearing up the earth. But it quickly recovered, digging its claws deep into the dirt to halt its momentum, skidding to a stop with sparks flying.
Max didn’t waste even a second. Leaning forward, he blurred from sight, propelling himself like a cannonball toward his foe. He appeared in front of the vessel mid-charge, claws outstretched, ready to tear through it.
But the vessel vanished. It moved so fast that Max’s claws only tore through air.
In the next instant, it reappeared right behind him, its claws arcing down toward his neck. Yet, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, Damian spun around in a heartbeat, his arms raised in a defensive cross.
CLANG!
The claws struck hard, but instead of tearing through flesh, they met the unyielding surface of dragon scales. Sparks flew, and the resounding metallic clang echoed through the air. The vessel froze, eyes narrowing in shock as it realized its attack hadn’t even scratched him.
Kelly, hidden in the bushes, could barely process what was happening. The movements were too fast for her eyes to follow—just flashes of light, the sound of collisions, and waves of shock that rippled outward, making the bushes around her tremble.
’What’s going on? Why does Max’s outfit look like a gang uniform? And why did he even come back to this town? There’s no reason for him to get involved with the Gray Bulls Gang... not even if they were torturing us,’ she thought, her heart pounding.
Dust, energy, and killing intent filled the air as the dragon and the demon vessel prepared for another violent exchange.
’So what is he doing? What’s his motive? Did he actually come here to take them over? Or did he join another gang that sent him down here for a takeover?’ Kelly’s mind raced as her gaze stayed fixed on the chaos ahead. ’I’m still worried about how he’s going to pull it off, especially since this leader seems to have the same traits as the last one Max killed.
And the last time he killed that one, he screamed in agonizing pain before passing out for days. If that happens again here, then the remaining men will definitely take the chance to end him. What do I do?’ she thought anxiously, biting her fingers nervously while watching the battle unfold before her eyes.
"Hhuuh!" Max grunted as he dropped down on all fours, barely dodging a sharp, vicious swing aimed for his head. His reflexes were razor-sharp.
In one swift and fluid motion, he spun his leg low, sweeping the demon vessel off its feet. The creature tumbled backward, hitting the ground hard, but somehow it managed to twist midair and land on its feet again, its claws scraping across the dirt.
Unfortunately for it, Max was already midair—his shadow looming over the creature. With his leg raised high above his head, he came crashing down with a brutal axe kick that struck the vessel square in the chest.
The impact was thunderous, echoing across the entire area as the ground cratered beneath it. Dust and debris burst upward in a thick cloud as the blow sent a shockwave through the field.
"You think because you suddenly became a demon vessel, you can handle me? Fuck you!" Max bellowed, his voice cutting through the dust and chaos.
"I’ve beaten a demon vessel before! I’ve beaten a real demon before! And you think you can do anything to me? Shame!" His roar carried dominance—pure dragon pride while his palms began to glow faintly, the light pulsing like the breath of a volcano about to erupt.
The demon vessel staggered to its feet, growling, its chest caving slightly where the kick had landed. But it was already too late. Max’s eyes narrowed as he activated his next move.
{Draconic Force Palm Activated}
CLAP!
KA-BOOM!
The deafening sound ripped through the air as Max slammed his glowing palms together, releasing a devastating shockwave that exploded outward like a cannon blast. The wave of energy tore through the ground, uprooting dirt and debris as it slammed into the demon vessel.
Reacting fast, the creature crossed its arms in an X-shape, bracing itself just as the shockwave struck. The sheer force sent it skidding backward at high speed, its heels carving deep trenches into the ground as it fought to remain upright. Sparks and dirt exploded behind it with each dragged step.
Finally, the shockwave subsided, leaving the area in a haze of dust and destruction. The demon vessel slowly lowered its arms, a dark grin spreading across its twisted face as it looked in Max’s direction—only to realize something chilling.
Max was gone.
"Looking for me?"
The dragon’s cold voice came from directly behind it. The vessel’s eyes widened in panic as it spun around, but it was already too late—Max’s claws were inches away, slashing toward its face with the speed and force of a hurricane.