In the dimly lit corridor, the air was thick with tension as Jake struggled to stand, his body battered and bruised. The tall man loomed over him, a sadistic grin plastered on his face. Jake’s breaths were ragged, his hands trembling as he clenched them into fists. Behind him, Lily and Everlyn stood helplessly, their faces pale with fear as they watched Jake being pummeled mercilessly.
The man’s gaze shifted from Jake to the two women. His grin widened into something far more sinister as he tilted his head, scrutinizing them like prey. "Perhaps," he muttered to himself, "I’ll have a little fun before we tie them back up. It’s been a while since I’ve had.... company."
The very suggestion sent a shiver down Lily and Everlyn’s spines. Everlyn clenched her teeth, glaring at the man, while Lily’s eyes became filled with panic. "You monster!" Everlyn spat, though her voice quivered.
Jake’s head snapped up at the man’s words. His mind went blank for a moment, and then a fire ignited within him, one hotter and fiercer than ever before. His fury boiled over, and without hesitation, he pushed himself to his feet, his body screaming in protest.
"You’ll regret that," Jake growled his voice low and laced with rage.
The tall man chuckled, unimpressed by Jake’s resolve. "Oh? You’ve got some fight left in you, boy? Good. Let’s see how long it lasts."
Jake didn’t respond though. Instead, he closed his eyes for a brief moment, drawing on the forbidden technique Kenneth had once warned him about–Drifting Shadows. The memory of Kenneth’s words flashed in his mind: ’This move isn’t just a technique–it’s a gamble since it will have a huge toll on someone who wasn’t a professional fighter from a tender age. So use it only when there’s no other way."
As the words echoed in his mind, a surge of energy erupted within Jake. Shadows seemed to ripple around him, his movements becoming erratic and unpredictable as he lunged at the man with a newfound speed and strength.
The tall man’s smirk faltered as Jake’s fist connected with his torso, pushing him back slightly. The sheer force of the strike was enough to make the man skid a few feet across the corridor, his boots scraping against the floor. Shock briefly flickered across his face before it was replaced with irritation.
"Well, well," the man said, his voice laced with mockery, though there was a hint of wariness in his tone. "Looks like you’ve got a trick or two up your sleeve."
Jake didn’t let up. He pressed forward, his movements swift and erratic, as though he were one with the shadows themselves. Each strike he threw forced the man to take a step back, his earlier arrogance beginning to waver.
"Stay away from them!" Jake roared, his voice reverberating through the corridor.
Lily and Everlyn watched in stunned silence, their eyes wide with disbelief. For a moment, hope flickered in their hearts as they saw Jake holding his own against the towering brute.
But Jake knew this surge of power wouldn’t last long. Drifting Shadows came at a steep cost for him, and his body was already feeling the strain. Still, he didn’t care. He would give everything–his strength, his life–if it meant keeping Lily and Everlyn safe.
The man steadied himself, his expression now one of pure anger. "You think you’ve won because of a cheap trick? You’re dead, boy. I’ll make sure of it!"
But Jake didn’t flinch. He tightened his grip on the shadows around him, his resolve unshaken. "You’ll have to kill me first."
"Oh don’t worry, I am planning on doing just that" The man said with a wicked grin on his face.
The corridor grew eerily silent as the tall man began to radiate an oppressive aura, the air around him shimmering faintly. Jake froze in his tracks, his body trembling as he felt the sheer weight of the man’s power.
"A Core Formation cultivator…" Jake muttered, his voice barely audible. His earlier confidence crumbled as despair began to creep into his heart. Lily and Everlyn, still standing on that same spot, exchanged frightened glances, their hope faltering as the man’s power seemed insurmountable.
The tall man smirked, his arrogance returning tenfold. "Did you really think you stood a chance against me? Let me show you what true power looks like."
As the man raised his hand, the energy around him coalesced into a crackling force, and he stepped toward Jake with malicious intent. Jake instinctively moved to shield Lily and Everlyn, even though he knew he was powerless against the overwhelming strength of a Core Formation cultivator.
But just as the man’s hand began to descend, a faint breeze swept through the corridor. In an instant, a shadow appeared between Jake and the towering figure, moving with a speed that was almost imperceptible.
Hutton.
He stood with his back to Jake and the two women, his posture calm and unyielding. His presence alone seemed to suck the air out of the room, his aura blanketing everything with an overwhelming pressure.
The tall man’s eyes widened in shock as he stumbled back slightly, his instincts screaming at him that this newcomer was no ordinary opponent. "Who—"
Before he could even finish his question, Hutton moved. His hand shot out in a blur, gripping the man’s neck with an ironclad grip.
The man struggled, his hands clawing at Hutton’s arm, but it was futile. The gap in their strength was shockingly insurmountable. Hutton’s expression remained neutral, his voice calm as he muttered, "You’ve done enough."
Crack!!
With a swift, almost effortless motion, Hutton twisted the man’s neck. The sound of bones snapping echoed through the corridor as the man’s body went limp. Hutton released his grip, letting the lifeless figure collapse to the ground with a heavy thud.
Jake, Lily, and Everlyn stared in stunned silence, their fear slowly replaced by awe and relief.
Hutton glanced over his shoulder, his piercing gaze settling on Jake. "You did well to hold out, but you’re reckless."
Jake opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. He was too overwhelmed to process what had just happened.
Hutton then turned to Lily and Everlyn, his tone softening slightly. "Are you two hurt?"
They both shook their heads, still too shaken to speak.
"Good," Hutton said simply, turning his attention back to the corridor ahead. "Stay close. We’re not done here yet."
Without waiting for a response, he began walking forward, his presence commanding and unwavering. Jake, finally snapping out of his stupor, helped untie Lily and Everlyn before quickly following behind Hutton, a newfound determination burning in his chest.
The group moved forward, knowing that the fight was far from over but feeling an unshakable sense of security in Hutton’s presence.
As Jake, Lily, and Everlyn followed closely behind Hutton, their footsteps echoed through the dimly lit corridor. The tension was palpable, each of them hyper-aware of their surroundings. Just as they turned a corner, Kenneth, Bob, and Veronica emerged from an adjoining hallway, their weapons drawn and clothes slightly disheveled from battle.
"We’ve cleared out the whole building of thugs," Bob said confidently, his tone carrying a hint of satisfaction.
Hutton gave a small nod of approval, his eyes scanning the group briefly. "Good work," he said simply, his voice calm but commanding.
But before anyone could take another step, Hutton suddenly froze, his eyes narrowing as his head tilted slightly, as if listening to something only he could perceive.
"Stop," he ordered, his tone sharp and leaving no room for argument. Everyone halted instantly, their gazes darting around in confusion.
"What is it?" Kenneth asked, his grip tightening on his weapon.
Hutton didn’t answer. His aura flared momentarily as he prepared himself. The tension in the air became suffocating.
Then it happened.
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Three shadowy figures burst into the corridor at a speed so fast that the air around them seemed to ripple. Their attack was coordinated, their movements precise, aiming directly for Hutton and the group.
Boom!! Bam!!
In a single fluid motion, Hutton stepped forward, his movements a blur. With three perfectly timed strikes, he deflected each of their attacks with such force that the shockwaves echoed throughout the corridor. The force sent the assailants skidding back several feet, though they quickly regained their footing.
As the dust settled, the three figures revealed themselves. They were clad in dark combat gear, their faces cold and devoid of emotion, exuding an air of deadly precision. But it was the figure standing in the middle who drew Hutton’s undivided attention.
The man stepped forward, his presence alone sending chills down the spines of everyone present. He was tall, with piercing eyes and a calm, almost sinister aura that seemed to suffuse the space around him.
Hutton’s usually composed expression faltered for the first time, his eyes widening in genuine shock. His voice came out barely above a whisper, laden with disbelief.
"Hughes..."