Welcome to the Innocent World

The air between us thickened with tension, each step drawing me closer to Nebula's brother. His fists radiated a powerful golden aura, the sheer heat of it distorting the white space around us. I, however, moved with casual ease, my hands loose by my sides, my eyes fixed on him.

His glare was unwavering, like a predator sizing up its prey. But I wasn't intimidated—I was curious.

"Before we start tearing this place apart," I said, breaking the silence as I came to a halt, "tell me, what's your name?"

For a moment, he said nothing, his glowing fists clenching tighter. Then, his voice rumbled, deep and sharp. "It's Heracle."

"Oh..." I nodded slowly. "Good to know."

From the corner of the room, Gram let out a low chuckle, the sound laced with mockery. "It doesn't matter what his name is," he said, crossing his arms and leaning back with a smug grin. "Zero will die here today."

Nebula, who had been watching calmly, suddenly snapped. "Shut up, Gram!" she shouted, her voice trembling with anger. "Once they are done. I kill you off with my own hands."

Her eyes pierced. "Don't think, I don't know what you are up to."

Tch*

Gram clicked his tongue, his expression twisting into one of disdain. He let out a slow sigh*, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Nebula.

"If it weren't for your clan and your father's power, I wouldn't even waste a glance on a bitch like you," he spat, his voice dripping with contempt.

SWOOSH!

Heracle didn't wait. His fist came flying toward me, blazing with raw energy. I stepped forward to meet him, my own black aura crackling faintly as I raised my hand. Our fists collided in a flash of light and sound, the impact reverberating through the space like a thunderclap.

The fight began.

Heracle was fast, his punches sharp and precise. Each strike carried enough force to shatter walls, and the white expanse around us began to crack and distort under the weight of our blows. But I wasn't fazed. I dodged, deflected, and struck back with equal speed, my movements calculated yet fluid.

"You're better than I expected," Heracle said, his tone respectful as his fist grazed past my jaw.

I ducked under his next strike and countered with a kick that sent him skidding back. "You're not bad yourself," I replied, a hint of admiration slipping into my voice. "Stronger than most, I'll give you that."

We clashed again, faster this time. Our fists and kicks collided, each impact generating shockwaves that rippled outward, obliterating the white surroundings. The floor beneath us cracked, and the walls began to crumble.

From the sidelines, Gram's smirk faltered as he watched, disbelief written across his face. "This... this can't be possible," he muttered. "How is Zero keeping up with Heracle?"

Nebula shot him a sharp look, her lips curling into a defiant smile. "He isn't a loser like you to wig tail in front of others and bite like a snake in search for power."

Gram didn't reply but his eyes surely said that he wasn't enjoying Nebula's taunts.@@novelbin@@

The space around us continued to collapse as Heracle and I fought, our auras clashing like opposing storms. Red and black energy spiraled together, each burst of power erasing more of the world around us.

I could feel Heracle's strength pushing against me, but I hadn't even begun to tap into my full potential. I only let a hint of my black aura seep out, keeping the rest in reserve. Summoning my sword wasn't necessary—not yet.

Heracle noticed. As we clashed, his eyes narrowed. "You're holding back," he said, landing a powerful kick that sent me sliding back.

I dusted off my sleeve and smirked. "Maybe. But you're still struggling, aren't you?"

His jaw tightened, and with a growl, he charged at me again.

We moved faster now, our figures flashing across the space as we exchanged blows. Each strike sent ripples through the air, and our movements became a blur of destruction. We crashed through walls, stumbled into new rooms, and triggered traps that had been lying dormant. Stay tuned to My Virtual Library Empire

One by one, the traps activated—spiked chains, energy barriers, collapsing ceilings—but they didn't stop us.

"Argghhh!!!!!"

Heracle's red aura burned through them, while my movements were sharp and deliberate, cutting through the chaos.

"You're relentless," Heracle admitted, a trace of frustration in his voice as he wiped blood from the corner of his mouth.

"So are you," I replied, landing a punch that sent him hurtling into another wall.

He staggered to his feet, his aura flaring brighter than before. "Enough of this!" he roared, raising his fist high. The red energy around him surged, condensing into a single point of devastating power. "Let's see you handle this!"

The air grew heavy as he unleashed his finisher, a blinding punch that tore through the space between us. The sheer force of it was overwhelming, and even I felt the pressure bearing down on me.

But I didn't panic. I focused, channeling my aura into my hand. As his punch came hurtling toward me, I met it head-on, absorbing the impact with a calculated release of energy.

"And now....." my whisper faint in the space

The collision created an explosion of light and sound, but when the dust settled, I was still standing, my hand steady against his.

Heracle staggered back, his breathing labored. "What... how did you block that?" he asked, his voice filled with disbelief.

I didn't answer immediately. Instead, I took a step forward, my eyes fixed on him. He clutched his chest suddenly, a sharp pain contorting his face.

"What did you do to me?" he demanded, falling to his knees. His red aura flickered and faded as he struggled to catch his breath.

I smirked, opening my arms wide in front of everyone and over him. "I'm blessed by shadows," I said, my voice low and filled with quiet confidence.

Heracle's eyes widened in shock, his breath hitching as the realization began to dawn on him.

"Blessed by Shadows...?"