CHAPTER 223: POWER UNLEASHED

Logan shook his head.

"I don’t think that’s a good idea. You know we have more pressing matters right now."

Ali lifted a hand, stopping him.

"I know what you mean. You’re worried about the Third Eye Sect." He leaned back slightly. "As per your request earlier, I’ve already stationed capable hunters around your residence. They may not be S-class, but they’re no pushovers."

His tone sharpened. "But the Third Eye Sect’s people... they’ve been watching your house too. They even saw my hunters. Yet they never attacked them. Never made a move against your family."

Ali’s eyes narrowed. "Do you know why?" His eyes were locked on Logan.

Logan didn’t answer. He waited quietly for the Guildmaster to continue.

"Not because they feared me. Not because they feared my hunters. But because they weren’t sure if you were still alive."

He then crossed his arms, voice lowering. "But now that you’ve returned and shown your face without the mask, they’ll act soon. But...." He paused for a bit before continuing.

"We’ll act even sooner. Everything is ready. I’ve just been waiting for you."

"Are you sure about this?" Finally, Logan opened his mouth again. He didn’t want to take any risk with his family.

"Yes, Logan. With my one command, the people I have selected will act instantly. So, show me how much you’ve improved. Show me how much I can rely on your strength when we move. You haven’t forgotten what I told you, have you? That they may have someone... even stronger than me."

Logan stayed silent for a moment, deep in thought. Then he gave a slight nod.

"Alright. A quick spar won’t hurt. But right after that, we move. Today. No more waiting."

Ali grinned and raised his thumb. "Done."

He then turned toward the door. "Let’s get going. I can’t wait to see what you have been cooking for these last two years."

Logan let out a quiet sigh and rose from his seat without another word. The chamber door creaked open, and the two of them stepped out into the quiet hallway. Elizabeth was still standing nearby, her eyes flicking curiously to Logan, but neither of them said anything. Ali’s heavy steps echoed as he led the way.

Ali took the familiar path to the fighting arena. The torches along the stone walls burned steadily, throwing long shadows that swayed with each step.

It had been two years since Logan last walked down this corridor.

Finally, the massive iron-bound doors loomed ahead. Ali pushed them open with one hand, and the old fighting arena revealed itself.

The place hadn’t changed. This was the place where Logan had trained under Ali’s watchful eyes. Not for long, but those days had been sharp, focused, fruitful. The magic layering, without it, defeating the wyvern wouldn’t have been possible. And this was also the place where he had sparred against the Guildmaster and passed the hunter test as well. It’s been two years, but it feels like just yesterday.

Ali walked to the center. Logan followed behind. "Do you still remember, Logan? Last time you fought me here... you landed a solid strike and won that mask of yours."

Logan’s eyes scanned the arena slowly, then fixed on Ali. Then a smirk appeared across his face. "I remember." He paused, voice steady. "But this time... it won’t just be a single strike."

The atmosphere inside the arena shifted instantly. The silence grew heavier, almost electric. It wasn’t just the master and the disciple anymore—it was two forces preparing to clash.

Both men took their stances.

And then it began. In the same instant, they leaned forward and shot toward each other, the stone beneath their feet cracking under the force.

They closed the gap in the blink of an eye.

Ali’s fist blazed with fire as he swung. Logan met it head-on with the same affinity.

Boom!

A deafening blast shook the arena, the shockwave rippling through the stone walls as both figures were forced backward, skidding across the floor.

But neither of them backed down. They shot forward again.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Their fists collided one after another, each impact shaking the ground and rattling the arena itself. Dust clung to the walls and loose fragments crumbled, falling to the floor.

And this wasn’t even their full power. These were just blows, enhanced with magic. Yet even that felt terrifying—like two titans locked in battle, tearing the place apart with every strike.

Leaping back, Logan called out to Ali.

"Master, let me show you something interesting. But you’d better be ready."

He bent his right arm and arced it back like a coiled spring, storing energy.

Then he punched.

His fist never touched anything—but the air itself rippled as the pressure shot forward. Wherever it passed, the ground split and crumbled, leaving craters in its wake.

Ali’s instincts screamed danger. He sprang sideways just in time.

But still...

The attack bypassed him, yet even the grazing force brushed his body with a crushing weight.

An instant later, the pressure, like an invisible punch, smashed into the far wall.

Boom!

The entire arena quaked like an earthquake. Dust rained down as a massive crater opened in the stone wall.

Ali’s eyes went wide. "An air cannon...? But how in the world is it this powerful? This kid... what the hell has he been doing for the last two years?"

Logan chuckled. "So.... How was it?"

Snapping out of his shock, Ali let out a faint laugh.

"Logan, that was incredible. But now... let me show you something of mine. You’ve proven yourself worthy of facing this attack."

He raised his right hand. At first, the air around it began to swirl slowly. But within moments, the speed climbed to an unbelievable pace. The current twisted and roared, whirling faster and faster until it looked as though thousands of razor-sharp blades were being compressed into an air bomb, seething with destructive power, ready to explode and annihilate everything around it.

Logan narrowed his eyes. He could feel it too. The power, the pressure.... It was overwhelming....

"Here it comes, Logan." Ali’s voice echoed.

And then.....

Ali hurled it....

It shot forward, tearing through the air, like a destructive cry.....