Chereads / Journey to the Top : The path of Power / Chapter 24 - The Final Confrontation

Chapter 24 - The Final Confrontation

Roy and Kevin pushed open the reinforced doors, stepping into the large, dimly lit chamber. The air was thick with tension, and their eyes immediately fell upon the two men standing in the center. One of them, a burly figure with a scar across his cheek, immediately recognized Kevin. His name was Garon. He had broad shoulders, a muscular build, and his scarred face gave him an intimidating presence. His dark eyes were filled with malice, and his hair was cut short, giving him a rugged, battle-worn look. His eyes widened, not only in recognition but in shock at how much Kevin had changed. The boy he once knew now exuded a formidable presence, his power evident. After a moment, a sneer spread across his face.

"Well, well, look who we have here," the man said, his voice dripping with disdain. "Kevin, isn't it? I remember your father well. He should have known his place."

Kevin's grip on his sword tightened, and he took a step forward, his expression unwavering. kevin had recognized him by his voice—a voice that carried the echoes of his father. "You ruined my father, took everything from him. Today, I'll make sure you pay for that," Kevin replied, his voice steady but filled with an underlying fury.

The man laughed, his eyes glinting with malice. "You? You think you can take me down, boy? You're just as foolish as your old man."

While Kevin faced off against his father's enemy, Roy's gaze was fixed on the other figure—a tall, slender man dressed in dark robes. His name was Malakar. He had a gaunt face, with sharp features that made him look almost skeletal. His eyes were cold and calculating, and his long, dark hair flowed past his shoulders. The dark robes he wore were embroidered with intricate patterns, and his fingers were adorned with several rings, each one radiating a faint, ominous glow. There was an air of malevolence around him, and Roy's killing intent began to leak out, forming a black energy that surrounded him like a dark mist. The robed man raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"Impressive," Malakar said, his voice calm despite the growing tension. "A killing intent of that magnitude at your age? You're certainly more capable than I expected." His eyes flickered to Kevin and the other man. "You two are more formidable than most I have encountered."

Roy said nothing, his eyes locked on the robed man, his focus unbroken. The black energy of his killing intent pulsed around him, causing the temperature in the room to drop. Kevin, meanwhile, maintained his stance, his sword held ready.

Malakar turned to Garon, his expression stern. "Don't underestimate them," he said coldly. "They're strong—stronger than most who have dared to challenge us. If you want to live, don't think of them as weak."

Garon scowled but gave a nod, his eyes never leaving Kevin. Garon was a peak Muscle Forging expert, and his strength was something to be reckoned with. He had pushed his body to its absolute limit, and his confidence stemmed from years of brutal training and countless battles. Despite Kevin's transformation, Garon still believed in his own superiority, though he could not deny the formidable presence Kevin now exuded. Roy and Kevin glanced at each other, a silent understanding passing between them. They couldn't afford any mistakes—this was it. They had fought through countless guards to reach this point, and they wouldn't back down now.

"Let's settle this elsewhere," Roy said, his voice steady but filled with the promise of violence. He turned to Malakar, nodding towards a door on the far side of the chamber. Malakar's eyes glinted with excitement. He gave a thin smile, his bloodlust evident. Malakar was a battle maniac, and the prospect of facing a powerful opponent like Roy thrilled him. He gestured for Roy to lead the way, eager to engage in a proper fight.

Kevin and his opponent followed suit, moving towards another section of the chamber. The tension was electric, the air charged with anticipation. Each pair moved silently, the only sound the soft shuffle of footsteps as they separated to their respective battlegrounds.

The chamber split into two different areas—one where Kevin faced the man who had wronged his father, and another where Roy would confront the robed leader. The rooms were large, with high ceilings that echoed every footstep and the distant crackle of torches mounted on the walls.

As Kevin entered his battleground, he could feel the weight of his father's legacy pressing on his shoulders. He tightened his grip on his sword, taking a deep breath as he faced the man responsible for all the pain and hardship his family had endured. The man grinned, twirling his sword with ease, clearly confident in his strength. Garon was also a swordsman, and he wielded his weapon with a familiarity that spoke of countless battles. The sword gleamed in the dim light, a testament to the power he had honed over years of relentless training. "Ready to die, boy?" he taunted, his voice laced with arrogance.

Kevin remained silent, his senses fully focused on his opponent. He could hear the subtle shifts in the man's breathing, the heavy footfalls as he took a step forward. Kevin knew he had to be perfect—he couldn't afford any mistakes.

Meanwhile, Roy entered the other section of the chamber, facing Malakar, who had orchestrated the kidnapping of children for his own twisted purposes. The man watched Roy, his eyes alight with curiosity and malice. "You really think you can defeat me?" Malakar asked, his voice echoing off the stone walls.

Roy's only response was to let his killing intent flare, the black energy swirling around him in waves. He took a stance, his daggers at the ready. "You'll find out soon enough," he said coldly.

Malakar chuckled, a malicious power radiating from him. Malakar, too, was a peak Muscle Forging expert, but his strength was magnified by his dark cultivation techniques. His power level was unlike anything Roy had faced before, enhanced by the forbidden methods he practiced. As Malakar's killing intent began to leak out, it formed an oppressive force that seemed to weigh down on Roy, making it harder for him to move, as if he were bound by invisible chains. This was the advantage of killing intent—those with proper talent would eventually develop it, and in a battle between two individuals of similar power levels, the one with killing intent often held a significant edge. Malakar relished the opportunity to fight Roy, not only because of his battle-hungry nature but also because he wanted to test his strength against someone who could push him to his limits. "Very well, then. Show me what you've got." The two stared at each other for a moment, the tension reaching its peak, before they lunged forward, their attacks clashing in a deadly dance of claw and daggers, dark power meeting cold steel. Malakar fought with his bare hands, his fingers hardened and curved like claws. Each swipe carried the force of his cultivation, his strikes leaving deep gouges in the stone floor whenever they missed Roy.

Kevin, too, moved forward, his sword flashing in the dim light as he met his opponent's first swing. The man's axe came down with incredible force, but Kevin sidestepped, his heightened senses allowing him to react just in time. He countered with a precise strike, his sword cutting through the air with lethal intent.

The battles had begun, each one a culmination of the journey that had brought them here.

Kevin's eyes narrowed as he watched Garon carefully, his senses attuned to every movement. Garon moved with a heavy, confident stride, his sword slicing through the air as he advanced. Kevin knew that Garon's strength wasn't just in his power but also in his experience—each strike was deliberate, calculated, meant to test Kevin's defenses.

Garon lunged forward, his blade aimed at Kevin's shoulder, but Kevin twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the strike. He retaliated with a swift counter, his sword aimed at Garon's side. Garon blocked the attack with a resounding clang, his muscles straining as he pushed Kevin back.

"You're quicker than I expected," Garon admitted, a smirk tugging at his lips. He adjusted his stance, his eyes locked onto Kevin's. "But speed won't be enough to save you."

Kevin remained silent, his focus unbroken. He could feel the weight of his father's legacy pressing down on him, the memories of the injustice his family had suffered fueling his determination. He shifted his weight, his movements precise as he circled Garon, looking for an opening.

Garon swung his sword in a wide arc, the force of the attack causing the air to whistle. Kevin ducked, his body moving with practiced fluidity. He could sense the intent behind each of Garon's strikes, the subtle shifts in his posture that telegraphed his next move. Kevin used this to his advantage, dodging and parrying, his own blade flashing as he sought to exploit any weakness.

The two swordsmen clashed, their blades meeting in a flurry of strikes and counters. Sparks flew with each collision, the sound of metal on metal echoing through the chamber. Garon's strength was undeniable—each blow he delivered carried enough force to shatter stone, and Kevin could feel the impact reverberate through his arms. But Kevin's agility and heightened senses kept him one step ahead, his body moving almost instinctively as he avoided Garon's powerful attacks.

Garon's frustration began to show, his attacks becoming more aggressive, his swings wilder. Kevin seized the opportunity, stepping in close and delivering a quick slash across Garon's arm. The blade cut through the fabric of Garon's sleeve, drawing blood. Garon let out a growl of pain, his eyes flashing with anger.

"You'll pay for that!" Garon roared, his voice filled with fury. He swung his sword in a brutal overhead strike, but Kevin was ready. He sidestepped, his movements swift and controlled, and brought his blade up in a precise thrust. The tip of Kevin's sword found its mark, piercing Garon's side.

Garon staggered back, his face contorted in pain, but he refused to fall. He gritted his teeth, his grip on his sword tightening as he glared at Kevin. "You're just like your father," he spat, his voice dripping with venom. "Always defiant, always thinking you can win."

Kevin's eyes hardened, his voice calm as he replied, "I'm not just like my father. I'm here to finish what he couldn't." He stepped forward, his sword raised, determination burning in his eyes.

Garon let out a roar, charging at Kevin with all his remaining strength. The two clashed once more, their blades meeting in a final, desperate struggle. Kevin's focus was absolute, his body moving with precision as he parried Garon's attacks, each movement flowing into the next. He could feel the strain in his muscles, the exhaustion beginning to set in, but he pushed through it, driven by the need to end this battle.

With a swift, decisive strike, Kevin brought his sword down, disarming Garon and sending his weapon clattering to the ground. Garon fell to his knees, his face twisted in a mix of pain and disbelief. Kevin stood over him, his breathing heavy, his sword pointed at Garon's chest.

"This ends now," Kevin said, his voice steady. He thrust his sword forward, aiming to end the fight. As the blade pierced Garon's side, a sudden surge of dark energy erupted from him. Garon's eyes widened, a crazed smile forming on his lips. His body seemed to convulse as his muscles bulged, and a dark, sinister aura enveloped him. Kevin staggered back, shocked at the transformation.

Garon struggled to his feet, his eyes now glowing with an unnatural light. "You think you can defeat me so easily?" he rasped, his voice deeper, almost otherworldly. "This isn't over, boy. I have one more card to play."

Kevin's heart pounded as he watched Garon's form swell with renewed power, the air around them thickening with a dark, oppressive force. He gritted his teeth, his grip on his sword tightening. Whatever Garon had become, it was something beyond his expectations.

Kevin took a moment to catch his breath, his gaze fixed on Garon's transformed figure. The weight of what was happening settled over him, but there was no time for hesitation. He turned, his focus shifting to find a way to adapt to this new threat. He knew Roy was still fighting, and he needed to be ready for whatever came next. With renewed determination, Kevin readied himself, knowing the fight was only just beginning.