đź“– Chapter 38: The One With ZeroÂ
The crack spread.
Slow.
Clear.
Impossible.
The rival's guard—
broke.
"…What?"
For the first time—
shock.
Aren's fist was still there.
Unmoved.
Unstopped.
"I told you…"
His voice was calm now.
Not shaking.
Not weak.
"I'm not staying the same."
BOOM!
The force exploded outward.
The rival was pushed back—
sliding across the ground.
Dust rose again.
But this time—
Aren didn't move.
He stood still.
Breathing steady.
Eyes sharp.
The energy around him—
was different.
Before—
it was wild.
Unstable.
Now—
it obeyed him.
"…So this is your real state," the rival muttered.
He wiped blood from his lip.
And smiled.
"Good."
The air grew heavy again.
But this time—
it wasn't only the rival.
Aren's presence—
was rising.
The ground beneath him cracked further.
Small pieces lifting slightly.
"…Zero power," the rival said slowly.
"…and yet this pressure…"
He took a step forward.
"Interesting."
WHOOSH!
He vanished again.
Faster than before.
Sharper.
But—
"I can follow you."
Aren turned instantly.
CLASH!
Their fists collided again.
This time—
Aren pushed forward.
The rival's eyes widened.
"…You're overpowering me?"
Aren didn't answer.
His mind was focused.
Clear.
The blue screen flickered again.
[ERROR]
[ERROR]
[POWER LIMIT: UNKNOWN]
"…So even the system can't read me?"
Energy surged again—
but didn't explode.
It condensed.
Into his arm.
Into his body.
Controlled.
"…This is my power."
The rival stepped back again.
Not from fear.
From realization.
"You're not a failure…"
"…You're an anomaly."
Silence fell.
Then—
Aren smiled.
A small one.
But real.
"Then I'll prove it."
The ground shattered beneath him.
BOOM!!!
He disappeared—
faster than ever before.
And in that moment—
the battle changed completely.
 End of Chapter 38Â