Luther leaned against the edge of the training ground, trying to ignore the throbbing pain in his cheek. He'd gotten too carried away, pushing himself harder than he should have. But how could he resist? This wasn't the real world.
The concept of soul energy had been entirely his own idea. It was something he'd created for Hunters, a special kind of energy that could only be accessed by those chosen to fight the world's most dangerous creatures – Monsters.
It was meant to be an aid, a way for these Hunters to fight in ways that normal humans couldn't. At least, that's how he'd originally envisioned it.
But now, standing here with a swollen cheek and a newfound respect for just how powerful soul energy could be, Luther was beginning to rethink things. Never once had he imagined someone would use it to try and knock him out.
He had learned the hard way that this wasn't just some abstract idea or neat concept — it was a tool, one that could break bone and crush resolve in an instant.
The Hunter lunged forward, his fists glowing with the ethereal energy that surrounded him like a second skin.
Luther barely saw the punch coming, but he felt the rush of air as the Hunter's fist flew toward his chin. Instinct kicked in. Luther moved just in time, shifting his head slightly to the right.
The punch grazed his chin, the sharp sting making his teeth rattle.
He quickly pushed off the ground, creating some distance between them, and glared at the Hunter, his mind already calculating the next move.
The Hunter didn't flinch. Instead, he looked at Luther with a mixture of calm and focus, as if this was just another day for him. "Everyone has soul energy, including you," the man said, his voice carrying no emotion, only certainty.
More energy began to swirl around his fists, wrapping them up in fiery bands that looked almost alive.
Luther's breath quickened. He had expected this fight to be difficult, but he hadn't anticipated just how powerful the Hunter's soul energy could be.
His own energy felt weak in comparison, barely a whisper compared to the storm the Hunter commanded. But it didn't matter. Luther wasn't going to back down. Not now, not after he'd come this far.
This couldn't even be called training anymore. The lines had blurred the moment the first punch was thrown. What was once a sparring session had escalated into something much more real.
Luther welcomed it. He was still learning about his new body, his bloodline, the limits of his abilities. The best way to push those boundaries was to face someone who could actually push back.
He rushed forward, his heart pounding in his chest. His fist came back, coiled like a spring ready to release.
The Hunter mirrored his movements, moving with fluid speed. But Luther's eyes never left him. He could track every movement, every muscle, every twitch of his opponent's body. His senses felt sharper, heightened by the rush of adrenaline.
The Hunter's hand shot forward, and Luther saw it coming before it even fully formed.
Luther twisted his body, just enough to avoid the punch. It sailed past him, inches away from landing. He couldn't afford to waste this opportunity.
He brought his fist forward, aiming for the Hunter's midsection with everything he had. But the Hunter was ready, his arm swinging up in a parry that sent Luther's fist off course.
The next moment, a surge of energy shot toward him. Luther barely had time to react before the Hunter's fist, now glowing with intense soul energy, slammed into his cheek.
The force of the blow was enough to send him stumbling backward, his head snapping to the side. Pain exploded in his face, and for a moment, everything around him went fuzzy. He tried to steady himself, but his legs felt like jelly, the world spinning as his body fought to recover.
He crashed to the ground, biting down hard on his lip to keep from groaning. His cheek burned where the punch had landed, and he could taste blood in his mouth. Slowly, he reached up, pressing his hand against his swollen face, feeling the ache in his jaw.
#####
Luther let out a long sigh as he pressed the cold ice pack against his swollen cheek, the throbbing pain a sharp reminder of just how far he'd pushed himself.
He'd gotten a little carried away during his training, but he couldn't bring himself to regret it. Why should he? This wasn't the real world.
This was a world of fantasy, a place where the laws of reality didn't apply. In his old life, limits were everywhere — physical, mental, and societal. Here, though, the rules had changed.
He had seen things he never thought possible, feats of strength, speed, and agility that were beyond the realm of human potential.
The Hunter, with his soul energy, had just demonstrated one of those incredible abilities. Luther couldn't help but grin despite the swelling on his face. This wasn't just some dream or illusion — this was real. He had been reincarnated, given a second chance in a world filled with endless possibilities that he had created. The thought filled him with a strange mixture of excitement and gratitude.
For the first time in his life, Luther felt truly free.