Chapter 7: Kevin vs. Hex

[MC POV]

As we arrived in New Orleans, it was nearing noon.

After exploring and visiting the art museum, we learned that a robbery had taken place there yesterday, but luckily the culprit had been apprehended by a peculiarly dressed hero.

This meant that tonight, the battle between Ben's group and Hex would take place, and it also meant that all I had to do was wait for the prey to fall into the trap.

After buying a pizza, I parked the car near the haunted house in the canon.

I then took my equipment and headed towards the cemetery area behind it, where I set up various cameras and traps.

Although I had confidence in myself, life is unpredictable, so I prepared for any situation.

Once finished, I got back into the car, transformed into Greymatter, and enjoyed pizza while playing chess with BT.

It wasn't until evening that Hex showed up, still wearing his bizarre outfit with a necklace of charms around his neck, precisely four of them, with one position left empty, reserved for a lucky charm.

Just as Hex had been present for a while, the iconic RV also arrived. Although it looked old and worn, I knew it was a true mobile fortress.

Waiting for the occupants to enter the house, I approached the RV, confirming that there were no recording devices around. I transformed into Upgrade and easily accessed the vehicle.

What I was looking for was right on the table. Utilizing Upgrade's powers, I merged with Gwen's laptop, removed it, and placed a tracking device inside. From now on, I didn't have to worry about tailing the main character anymore.

With my task complete, I returned to the cemetery, waiting for the fun to begin.

After a few minutes, a wall suddenly exploded, and a girl in a black martial arts costume with a cat mask rushed out - Lucky Girl, the future second most powerful being in the world, second only to Ben.

I saw her take refuge behind a large tree, with Hex leisurely advancing towards her.

As a master sorcerer, a mere stroke of luck is not enough to hinder him, and indeed, it didn't take long for Gwen to be tied up and suspended upside down in mid-air by numerous tree branches. One of them snatched the charm from her neck and threw it towards Hex.

That's when I decided to take action, years of experience teaching me just how crucial luck can be, especially in the hands of someone like Hex.

Swiftly moving closer to Hex, I drew out a metallic sphere along with a sleek and streamlined metallic baton. It had a predominantly black color, designed with a sleek and streamlined aesthetic. The rod itself was made of a durable and lightweight composite material.

At one end of the rod, there was a cylindrical metallic head housing a mechanism that generated an electrical charge, capable of incapacitating and neutralizing opponents. When activated, it emitted a blue or purple electrical glow.

The grip of the rod featured a textured surface, providing a secure and comfortable hold for the wielder.

I called it Voltstrike, this weapon inspired by the shock rods used by paladins in the movie Jumper that I once watched.

With Hex within range, I hurled the metallic sphere forcefully towards him. Midway through its trajectory, it exploded, releasing a metal mesh that ensnared Hex and knocked him off balance.

Raising the Voltstrike, I pressed the button, and its metallic head shot straight at Hex, releasing a powerful surge of electricity that caused him to convulse in pain. The metallic head was connected to the rod by a wire, allowing me to adjust its intensity.

Picking up the discarded lucky charm from the ground and stashing it away, I said, "You know, my father once said, 'A man shouldn't rely on luck.'"

Not paying attention to Gwen's recent escape, I approached Hex, intending to strike him unconscious, but quickly retreated to a safe distance.

At that moment, two out of the four charms on Hex's chest illuminated. I guessed they were the charms of Electrokinesis and Telekinesis, as the electric current from the Voltstrike seemed to no longer hinder him. The mesh was torn apart by an invisible force, while Hex was pulled upright.

Meanwhile, I took the opportunity to coat my skin with a layer of earth and stone beneath my feet.

Now, the first battle since my awakening would begin.

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[ 3rd person POV]

At night, in the midst of a luxury cemetery, a surreal ambiance enveloped the surroundings. Moonlight spilled through the tall, ancient trees, casting eerie shadows on the meticulously manicured grounds. Ornate marble tombstones stood like sentinels, adorned with intricate engravings and delicate statues, paying homage to the departed. The air was still, carrying a hint of mystery and a touch of melancholy.

A narrow pathway, lined with elegant lanterns, cut through the cemetery, adding a soft glow to the scene. Along this path, two figures stood, their postures tense and ready for a confrontation. The moonlight illuminated their faces, revealing determined expressions etched with anticipation.

The first man possessed an otherworldly appearance, his skin bearing a haunting shade of gray adorned with intricate black symbols etched across his shoulders. Clad in a striking ensemble, he donned a crimson and ebony robe with a matching hood, while tattered ebony pants revealed glimpses of his weathered knees. Completing his enigmatic attire, he sported black arm guards and long socks that intentionally left his heels and toes exposed. But it was his face that truly captivated attention—a canvas meticulously painted in contrasting hues of white and black, skillfully crafted to resemble a macabre skull.

His opponent stood as a formidable figure, dressed in a state-of-the-art ensemble that epitomized the pinnacle of futuristic style. The form-fitting outfit clung to every contour of his body, leaving only his head and arms exposed, encased in a stone-like layer. A dark, full-face fiber mask adorned his face, adding an aura of mystery to his appearance. The predominantly black armor gleamed with a metallic sheen, accentuated by sleek gray lines that evoked the image of electric currents flowing across its surface. This ensemble seamlessly blended resilience and elegance, exuding an undeniable sense of intrigue.

In a moment of stillness, both sides refrained from making a move. Even Gwen, who was watching, felt the suffocating atmosphere and dared not take a deep breath. It was clear that these two were not ordinary opponents and could easily crush her like a bug.

"Hand over the charm, or face the consequences," Hex spoke up, recognizing that the figure before him was no ordinary opponent. Years of experience allowed Hex to discern the complexity of the aura emanating from his adversary, making him both enigmatic and fearsome. Setting aside his own arrogance, Hex decided to employ words to persuade his counterpart.

""Oh, and what consequences might those be?" A mocking voice sounded from behind the mask, evoking a sense of playfulness and sarcasm. The youthful voice was familiar to Gwen, but she couldn't quite place it.

"Then prepare to meet your demise!" The stranger's response clearly angered Hex. As the most powerful sorcerer in the world, he refused to be looked down upon by someone from a lower realm.

Hex aimed the head of his staff towards Kevin and unleashed a stream of fiery red flames from the mouth of the dragon head, cutting through the air and quickly engulfing Kevin and the surrounding space. The heat and acrid smell of fire filled the air, along with the bright glow, displaying the rage of a powerful wizard.

Suddenly, amidst the fiery display, a figure emerged - it was Kevin. Unscathed, except for the reddened earth on his hands from the scorching heat. With swift agility, he closed in on Hex, launching a horizontal strike towards Hex's midsection. Hex swiftly reacted, attempting to block the attack with his staff. However, the force was too great, even for someone fortified by magic. The staff was knocked out of Hex's hand, leaving him momentarily stunned.

Seizing the opportunity, Kevin followed up with a sweeping kick aimed at Hex's legs. Hex tried to evade the attack, but Kevin's foot connected with his shin, causing him to lose his balance. Just before his body hit the ground, the Charm of Telekinesis illuminated, suspending him 20cm above the earth's surface. Without hesitation, Hex conjured a golden magical shield above him, managing to deflect a powerful strike from above.

Undeterred, Kevin swung the baton forcefully once again, but this time, Hex was prepared. A sudden expansion of his shield just before the impact sent Voltrike flying out of Kevin's hand. Within his turtle shell-like armor, Hex smirked mockingly.

"Give up, you pathetic fool. You're out of weapons. There's no way to breach my defenses..."

Hex's voice trailed off as he glanced up at his opponent. His body expanded in size, and his armor seemed on the verge of cracking. More terrifying were his two arms, now three to four times larger, with the stone shell barely covering them, revealing a fiery red skin beneath. Looking down at the sorcerer, Kevin retorted, "Wanna bet?"

Kevin clenched his massive fists, level with the villain's skull, delivering powerful blows to the turtle-like shell below. Each strike carried an immense force, causing the ground to tremble in response. By the fifth punch, the magical shield shattered, along with Hex's confidence. Avoiding Kevin's punch, he immediately activated the Charm of Telekinesis, intending to fly to a safer distance. However, after soaring over 10 meters, he abruptly halted. Fear filled Hex's face as he looked back; the monstrous figure stood behind him, its hand gripping his cloak. Though concealed by a mask, Hex could sense the madness in the creature's eyes.

Kevin grabbed Hex's remaining arm and forcefully pulled him down, causing Hex's torn and tattered cloak to rip further as he fell to the ground. Though protected by magic, the impact of the fall still sent tremors through Hex's body, forcing him to rely on a nearby tree trunk to steady himself. In that moment, a faint rustling sound reached his right ear, accompanied by a rush of wind. Instinctively, Hex rolled aside, narrowly avoiding the attack.

His decision was correct, as the sound he heard was indeed from Kevin. With Hex out of the way, Kevin's massive fists pounded into the tree trunk.The force of the impact was unimaginable, causing the tree to splinter and crack under the tremendous power behind his punch.

As the tree trembled, a section of its trunk exploded in a spectacular display of shattered wood. The fragmented debris scattered in all directions, as if propelled by an invisible force. Kevin, ever vigilant, seized the opportunity with lightning reflexes.With a mighty grip, he snatched the falling upper section of the tree trunk and swung it with incredible force. The momentum carried him toward Hex.

In the moment of life and death, Hex's survival instincts kicked in, and a surge of dark energy pulsed from him. In a swift and mystical maneuver, the wizard cast a powerful spell, imbuing the lifeless tree with renewed vitality. The branches sprang to life, twisting and contorting with an otherworldly energy. Before Kevin could react, the enchanted branches surged forward like serpents, wrapping around his massive frame, attempting to bind him in their vise-like grip. The tendrils snaked and coiled, tightening their hold with each passing moment.

Despite the complication, the tree could only hold Kevin for a moment before his overwhelming strength shattered it and sent it flying. However, that brief moment was enough for Hex to summon his staff back using the remaining Mana he had, unleashing a lightning bolt straight towards Kevin. The attack caused Kevin to cry out in pain, leaving several cracks on his armor as he fell to the ground, using both hands to support his massive body.

"Leave him alone, you freak!" A girl's voice rang out, accompanied by a barrage of stones thrown towards Hex, making him uncomfortable.

"Get lost, you brat!" Hex yelled. Without interrupting his incantation, Hex waved his hand and sent Gwen flying away.

Under the mask, the person who everyone thought was in excruciating pain was now grinning. His body continued to grow, with two more arms sprouting from his armpits. Hex's lightning bolt only slowed down his movements slightly. His four arms were now planted on the ground, pulling out two large rocks and hurling them towards the wizard. Distracted and drained from the earlier spells, Hex could only dodge one of the rocks, while the other hit him, knocking him down.

As he lifted his head, a large monster with four arms was standing over him. Its fists pounded down, each blow accompanied by the sound of bones breaking. Finally, Hex passed out in agony, his limbs twisted and contorted, while Kevin held his four magic charms and spellbook.

[POV ends]

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This is my first time writing a fight scene, and I hope I did well.

One of the reasons I'm writing this novel is to create exciting battle scenes, so I greatly appreciate any sincere and constructive feedback from everyone: Is the fight scene engaging? Does it become boring? Is it too difficult to understand? Please let me know.

Thank you for reading this novel. If you find it enjoyable, please consider adding it to your collection or leaving a comment. It would greatly help me.