Gashin slowly crossed his arms, tilting his head with a curious, almost playful expression.
Blood still dripped from his chin, but his crimson eyes gleamed with interest.
”You’re different from the others,” he said, voice echoing with ancient power.
“Confident.
Arrogant.
I like it.”
Kairo grinned, hands still casually in his pockets.
“Flattery won’t save you.
I’m the strongest around here anyway.
And right now?” His smirk sharpened.
“I’d win against you without even trying hard.”
Gashin’s eyes squinted, a low growl rumbling in his throat.
“Big words for a modern insect.”
In the next heartbeat, he exploded forward.
The alley air screamed as he closed the distance in a blur and drove his fist straight toward Kairo’s face.
THUD.
The punch connected—except it didn’t.
Kairo’s palm had snapped up at the last instant, effortlessly catching Gashin’s fist.
A powerful shockwave rippled outward, cracking more windows and shaking the walls.
Kairo’s smirk never wavered.
”Too predictable,” Kairo laughed lightly, still holding the demon’s fist.
With his free hand, he pulled back.
His fist began to glow with intense, swirling spiritual energy—bright gold mixed with crackling black lightning.
Gashin’s eyes widened in genuine alarm.
Kairo slammed the glowing fist directly into Gashin’s chest.
The impact was catastrophic.
BOOOOM!
Gashin was launched like a cannonball, crashing through the alley, smashing through brick walls, and carving a long trench of destruction down the street.
The sheer force of the blow shattered nearby shop windows, crumpled a parked car, and left a crater where he finally skidded to a stop.
Dust and debris filled the air.
Gashin shivered on the ground for a moment, then slowly pushed himself up.
He looked at Kairo with wide, excited eyes and broke into a feral grin.
”I have never seen a human this strong… not in my entire era,” he admitted, voice filled with dark delight.
He rose unsteadily to his feet, cracking his neck.
“You’re a monster wearing human skin.
This body is still adjusting… but next time—”
Kairo threw his head back and laughed, the sound bright and carefree.
“I know.
This isn’t your full power, Gashin.
Not even close.” He tilted his head, still grinning.
“Maybe one day we’ll be evenly matched.
But for now?
You’re just playing around in a borrowed Grade S Non-Registered body.
And I’m the one who gets to train it.”
The two powerhouses stared each other down across the devastated alley.
The night air crackled with tension.
Saki watched from behind Kairo, breathing ragged, eyes wide with disbelief at the overwhelming difference in strength.