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Heracle remained on his knees, his chest heaving as he clutched it with one hand. His face was pale, beads of sweat glistening on his brow. He muttered my words under his breath, his voice trembling with disbelief.

"Blessed by shadows...?"

His gaze lifted to meet mine, and I could see the mixture of fear and awe in his eyes. He wasn't sure what had just happened, but he knew he had been utterly overpowered.

Gram, who had been leaning arrogantly against the wall earlier, now wore an expression of utter panic. His jaw hung open, his smirk demeanor replaced by something far more satisfying—desperation.

"H-How...?" he stammered, taking a step back. "How can Heracle lose to him? This is impossible!"

Nebula, standing confidently beside me, chuckled softly. Her laughter, sharp and mocking, filled the air. "What's the matter, Gram? Cat got your tongue? Or is it fear choking you?"

Gram's face twisted in rage, his fists clenching as he snapped at her. "Shut up, you bitch!"

I turned my head slightly, my smirk widening as I addressed him, my voice low and taunting. "Oh, Gram… I'm just getting started. What you've seen is only the surface of what I can do."

His eyes darted back to me, his confusion evident. "What... what do you mean?"

I took a step forward, my movements slow and deliberate, watching as he shrank back instinctively. "What I mean," I said, my tone casual but laced with menace, "is that my power doesn't just manifest outwardly. I've done more than trade blows with Heracle."

Gram's face paled as realization dawned. "You…" His voice trailed off, his lips trembling.

Heracle let out a sharp gasp, his hands trembling as he tried to steady himself. "It's inside me…" he muttered, his voice hoarse. "Your aura… you slipped it inside me."

"Exactly," I confirmed, my tone cool. "While you were busy trying to overpower me with brute force, I was seeping my aura into you, like a slow, creeping poison."

Heracle's red aura flared suddenly, blazing bright as he attempted to purge the foreign energy. He screamed, pouring all his strength into burning it away. But it was futile. My aura had already intertwined with his, refusing to be expelled.

"No… no!" Heracle roared, his voice breaking as he collapsed forward, his hands digging into the ground. His body shook violently, his red light flickering like a dying flame.

From the corner of the room, Gram watched in stunned silence, his disbelief palpable. Heracle, the mighty warrior, the one he had boasted could not be beaten, was now struggling to even stay conscious.

Heracle's breathing slowed, his body slumping as he finally gave up. "You got me good," he admitted, his voice filled with reluctant admiration. "I've never felt anything like this before."

"You're strong," I replied, offering him a nod of respect. "Most would have fallen much sooner."

He chuckled weakly, sitting back on his heels. "That's some terrifying power you've got. You didn't even need your sword."

Gram's knees gave out beneath him, and he fell to the ground, his trembling hands gripping his head. "No... no, this can't be happening!" he wailed, his voice cracking. "Heracle can't lose! This isn't real!"

His loud cries grated on my nerves, and I sighed, glancing at Nebula. "He's so noisy," I said dryly.

Nebula shrugged, her lips curling into a smirk. "Useless, isn't he?"

Gram's head shot up at her words, his face a mix of fury and humiliation. "You… you'll regret this!" he spat, though the anger in his voice betrayed his fear.

I ignored him and turned my attention back to Heracle, who was now sitting calmly, his breathing steadier. "You're something else, Zero," he said, his tone almost conversational. "I've never fought anyone like you. You don't just rely on brute strength—you think. That's rare."

"You're not too bad yourself," I replied. "It's been a while since I had a fight that pushed me this much."

Heracle remained seated on the ground, his breathing steadying but his expression still clouded with curiosity. He moved his fingers, staring at the faint glow of his own aura flickering weakly around his hands. Then, he looked up at me, his voice calm.

"When will I be back to normal again?" he asked.

"Unlike yours," I began, my voice measured and composed, "my aura won't sustain for long. This place… it's constantly suppressing it. So probably in about fifteen minutes you will be able to use it again."

He gave a slow nod, processing my words.

"I see…" he muttered, lowering his gaze back to his hands. The faint shimmer of his aura danced around his fingers, fading slightly with each flicker.

Heracle managed a weak smile. "The door's over there," he said, nodding toward a passageway behind Gram. "That's your way to the Father's hall."

I followed his gaze and saw the faint outline of a heavy door beyond the crumbling walls. "Thanks," I said simply, turning to Nebula.

She nodded, stepping closer to me as we began walking toward the passage.

Gram, realizing what was happening, scrambled to his feet. "No! You can't just go!" he shouted, his voice tinged with desperation.@@novelbin@@

Without warning, he bolted, his steps frantic as he ran toward the door.

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Nebula laughed, the sound light and mocking. "Look at him run!" she teased, cupping her hands around her mouth. "So much for the big, bad Gram!"

He didn't respond, his figure disappearing into the passage ahead.

"Pathetic," I muttered, shaking my head.

Nebula smirked, looping her arm through mine. "What did you expect? He's all bark and no bite."

Together, we walked toward the door, the remnants of the battle fading behind us.

We followed behind Gram, his footsteps uneven and frantic as he stumbled through the passageway, desperately trying to put distance between us. His panicked movements only added to the air of his defeat.

"Should I kill him?" Nebula asked casually, her voice dripping with nonchalance as she glanced at Gram stumbling ahead of us.

I chuckled softly, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her closer. "Calm down, sweetheart," I murmured, my lips brushing against her ears. "What's the rush?"

Her body relaxed against mine, and I leaned in, pressing a lingering kiss to her neck. She sighed softly, tilting her head.

"As you say, my hero," she whispered with a playful smile.