The air grew thick with tension. The ground trembled beneath Jack’s feet, the echoes of his Lightning Fist still crackling in the night air.

The man in black coughed, dusting himself off as he stood, his lips curling into a twisted grin. "I see now… You’re not just some ordinary fool. You actually have power."

Jack clenched his fists, sparks of electricity flickering between his fingers. "And you’ve just made the biggest mistake of your life."

The man laughed darkly, his aura growing darker, heavier. "Let’s test that theory."

Suddenly—he vanished.

Jack’s instincts screamed at him. Above!

He barely dodged as the man reappeared midair, his foot descending like a meteor strike. The force shattered the ground where Jack had stood, sending debris flying.

Jack skid backward, his eyes narrowing. Fast.

Before he could react, the man lunged forward, his fist glowing with a crimson aura.

"Shadow Fang Strike!"

Jack raised his arms just in time to block, but the impact sent shockwaves through his body. He gritted his teeth—this guy was strong.

Jack exhaled, stepping back. "Not bad."

The man smirked. "I’m just getting started."

With a flick of his wrist, black tendrils of energy shot from his fingertips, snaking toward Jack like living vipers. Jack jumped high, twisting midair.

"Stormbreaker Kick!"

As he spun, lightning crackled around his leg. He swung down with a powerful electrified kick, sending a surge of raw energy toward the man.

¡BOOM!

The attack sent the man flying, but instead of crashing, he twisted midair and landed gracefully.

Jack’s eyes darkened. He absorbed some of it.

The man cracked his neck. "You’re fast. But what happens when you can’t see?"

Without warning, a dome of black mist exploded from his body, swallowing everything in darkness. Jack’s vision blurred—his senses dulled.

Damn it.

Then—a fist came from nowhere.

Jack barely dodged, feeling the wind slice past his face. He swung in retaliation, but hit nothing but air.

The laughter echoed. "You’re blind in here."

Jack exhaled sharply, closing his eyes. "Not blind."

He let his energy spread through the battlefield, feeling every crack, every breath—every movement.

His hand shot out. CRACK!

A direct hit—Jack’s Thunder Palm slammed into the man’s ribs, sending him tumbling.

The mist cleared. Both men stood, bruised but unyielding.

The air between them crackled with power.

The man wiped blood from his lip. "Tch. This fight won’t end easily."

Jack rolled his shoulders. "I don’t need it to. I just need answers."

They locked eyes. Neither backing down.

For now—a draw.

But next time… one of them wouldn’t walk away.