Chapter 491: Still Far from enough

Author’s Note:

Just a quick reminder: Knight Ranks

Blue Rank (level)

Red Rank

Purple Rank

Black rank (Zodiac)

Each rank divided into low, middle and late.

Mage Ranks:

Apprentice Rank

Adept Rank

Master Rank

Grandmaster Rank (Archimage)

Like the knight rank it’s divided into three stages per rank.

I’ll correct any mistake I made in the past Chapters.

•••

Barak felt it.

The terrifying gap between them.

Even after gaining power from that existence...

Even after abandoning everything...

Nero was still standing before him.

Calm.

Unmoved.

As if everything Barak had done meant nothing.

And that only fueled his hatred further. He had to kill this person, he had to do it, he would crush him, absolutely will. It was why he didn’t hesitate to sell his soul to that being, he did in order to kill this man before him, he had to be removed, everything became twisted because of him. Why didn’t he died quietly after leaving home? Discarding the name of Raizen? Just why? He thought it was his turn to shine, his life in academy would be glorious one, maybe, just maybe he could compete for the seat of patriarch with his big sister Elysia after amassing achieving, making the other children from the other clans his ally. He had a big dream, Nero had been forgotten but he came back somehow more incredible. Just fuckin why he had to ruin everything?

’’Just WHY?" Barak roared as he shot toward Nero, the battle resumed more intensively.

Bam! Bam!

The battlefield continued to shake.

BANG!

Another collision.

Nero’s fist and Barak’s fist met in the center.

The impact created a visible shockwave, forcing the surrounding trees to bend violently.

Neither retreated.

For several seconds, the two remained locked in place, their muscles straining as they attempted to overpower the other.

Then—

Barak grinned.

Dark lightning erupted from his arm.

"Tch."

Nero immediately withdrew.

A moment later, the space where his fist had been exploded.

The lightning wasn’t ordinary.

It carried a strange, corrupt feeling.

It wasn’t merely destructive.

It attempted to invade.

Destroy.

Corrode.

Nero’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Interesting.

Barak didn’t give him time to analyze.

He vanished.

Boom!

The ground shattered beneath Nero’s feet.

Barak appeared behind him, his knee already aimed at his spine.

Nero turned.

Too late.

The attack landed.

Boom!

Nero was launched forward like a cannonball.

He crashed through several trees before stopping.

For the first time, Barak smiled.

"Did you really think I was the same as before?"

His voice echoed through the forest.

"I spent every single moment chasing your shadow."

Dark lightning surrounded him.

"I endured everything."

"Humiliation."

"Pain."

"Failure."

His expression twisted.

"And all of it was because of you."

Nero stepped out from the destroyed trees.

His clothes were slightly damaged.

A faint mark remained where the attack had landed.

But his expression remained unchanged.

Barak’s smile froze slightly.

Because there was no anger.

No frustration.

Nothing.

"You really are pathetic."

Nero spoke calmly.

Those words immediately ignited Barak’s rage.

"Pathetic?"

Dark lightning exploded around him.

"You dare call me pathetic?"

He disappeared again.

This time, faster.

Much faster.

BOOM!

A barrage of attacks descended.

Fists.

Elbows.

Knees.

Each strike carried dark lightning that tore through the air.

Nero blocked.

Dodged.

Countered.

The forest became their battlefield.

Everywhere they passed, trees were reduced to splinters.

The two figures moved so quickly that ordinary eyes couldn’t follow.

Only flashes remained.

Black lightning.

And crimson eyes.

BANG! ℯℯ𝑙.

Barak’s fist struck Nero’s shoulder.

At the same time—

Nero’s palm struck Barak’s chest.

Both were pushed backward.

Barak slid across the ground, leaving a deep trench behind him.

Nero landed steadily.

His eyes remained focused.

Barak wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

His smile became wider.

"You’re stronger."

A strange excitement appeared in his eyes.

"But that’s exactly what I wanted."

Dark lightning gathered around his body.

The air became heavy.

His muscles tightened.

His aura increased.

Nero watched silently.

He noticed it.

The pact.

The power was not coming only from Barak.

Something else was constantly feeding him strength.

A borrowed power.

A dangerous power.

Barak’s figure blurred.

This time, even the surrounding air seemed unable to keep up.

He appeared directly in front of Nero.

His fist was already moving.

Nero raised his arm.

BOOM!

The impact forced both feet to sink into the ground.

Cracks spread beneath Nero.

Barak continued pushing.

"Why?"

His voice trembled with anger.

"Why were you always chosen?"

Another punch.

"Why did everyone look at you?"

Another.

"Why did you get everything?"

Another.

"Talent."

"Attention."

"Recognition."

His fist descended.

"Even Father..."

Nero caught it.

Silence.

Barak’s eyes widened.

Nero’s fingers had stopped his fist.

Easily.

"Is that all?"

Nero asked.

Barak’s expression changed.

"You destroyed yourself..."

Nero tightened his grip.

"...because you wanted something someone else had?"

BOOM!

He threw Barak away.

The half-brother crashed through the ground, rolling several times before stopping.

"You became a slave to your hatred."

Barak slowly stood.

His breathing became heavier.

But his smile remained.

"You still don’t understand."

Dark lightning covered his body.

"You were born above everyone else."

"You don’t understand what it feels like to be left behind."

Nero stared at him.

"No."

A pause.

"I understand."

Barak froze.

For a brief moment...

Nero’s expression became colder.

"That’s why I find you even more disappointing."

Those words struck harder than any physical attack.

Barak’s eyes widened.

Then—

The forest erupted.

Dark lightning covered the entire area.

"SHUT UP!"

His voice became a roar.

The lightning around him condensed.

Not wild.

Not uncontrolled.

Focused.

A single point.

His fist.

The ground beneath him cracked.

The trees around him were reduced to ash.

Nero looked at the approaching attack.

For the first time...

A faint trace of interest appeared in his eyes.

So this was his limit.

Good.

Barak charged.

The distance disappeared.

His fist carried all of his resentment.

All of his hatred.

All of his desperation.

BOOM!

Nero raised his own fist.

No Law.

No technique.

Only physical strength.

The two brothers collided.

The world seemed to go silent.

Then—

BOOOOOOM!

A massive shockwave erupted.

The entire forest trembled.

Countless trees collapsed.

Dust swallowed the battlefield.

When the dust cleared...

Both figures remained standing.

But Barak’s arm was trembling.

His bones were fractured.

Nero’s fist remained firmly pressed against his.

Barak stared.

Impossible.

Even after using everything...

Even after receiving power from that existence...

He still couldn’t surpass him.

Nero slowly withdrew his fist.

"You are stronger than before."

A rare acknowledgment.

Barak’s eyes widened slightly.

"But..."

Nero’s crimson eyes became cold.

"You are still far from enough."

The words fell.

And Barak’s hatred reached its peak.