Blind Fury

I breathed in once again, absorbing New Qi and circulating it on my body. I nodded to Jiwan and the Class Rep. It was time to decide this fight. Focusing the New Qi on my legs, I bolted forward at tremendous speed, "Jiwan!"

Jiwan let out a piercing [Shout], reinvigorating us while aiming the howl at Haze. Unlike the Mo'gar, Haze barely felt the effects of the loud howl. I reached him first, grabbing the Qi Rod with both hands, and smashing downwards, bursting forth the New Qi in my body at the same time with [Physical boost].

Haze blocked with both arms, but this time the impact was too powerful, forcing him to his knees. Jiwan followed through, thrusting once again, this time aiming at his sides while reinforcing his power with [Physical Boost].

The spear penetrated Haze's defense, but not enough to cause significant damage. The Class Rep reached him last, and, knowing her Qi Arrows would only waste Qi, manifested the Qi Bow in physical form, but used it as a melee weapon instead, striking Haze on the back with the edge.

The Iron-Willed Guardian fought back, pushing my rod away with his entire strength. He grasped Jiwan's spear, wanting to take it out, but I struck once again. This time, he could only block with one arm, far from enough to withstand the impact.

Haze was overwhelmed. We held nothing back. Each attack carried deadly intent. It was only a matter of time before his Qi depleted and his defenses crumbled. I was expecting the Fake Priest to send Sooyeon to help, but he didn't.

Instead, he grinned. Once again, the Magic Circle appeared at the top of his read, conjuring a powerful spell. A thread of MaQi reached both Sooyeon and Haze. It was a familiar spell.

[Demonic Controller Spell - Mind Overwhelm]

A spell I never wanted to see again. I feared Albert could use it. The Demonic Controller overwhelmed the mind of his puppets, letting go of their shackles and disregarding their own safety, burning through their Qi and strengthening their prowess at an alarming rate, going beyond what their bodies could withstand.

Qi overcharged Haze and Sooyeon's body. Haze's defense became even sturdier than before, his power rising to greater levels. Sooyeon's lightning Qi multiplied to an extent she could barely control. I knew it was too extreme for their bodies to bear.

With his newfound burst of power, Haze shattered the Lopworm spear into pieces, closing his grip.

"What?!" Jiwan was shocked.

He also deflected the rod, punching straight into my stomach. Too fast, too strong. I parried but my Qi Weapon dissipated. Physical Boost was the only thing preventing me from collapsing.

The Class Rep opened some space, charging a Qi Arrow. Faster than she could attack, lightning struck, even more powerful than before. Her bow and arrow broke.

Sooyeon's range increased. Her lightning became violet, and she shot, aiming at Jiwan and the Class Rep at the same time. They couldn't dodge at all. The impact was so strong it threw them to the ground in pain, but the lightning never stopped. Her continuous attacks as if never ending.

Haze didn't care about the distance. His flurry of fists kept coming. I was powerless, great iron knuckles striking me at full power. Even with my reflexes, I was only able to deflect some of them. My bones could break any time with my Qi weakening.

I threw the hidden Lopworm daggers, but they only scratched him. He didn't stop in the slightest. His fists hit my chest as if they were two heavy hammers. For an instant, I almost blacked out.

"Z-zen…!!" The lighting stopped, but Jiwan and the Class Rep couldn't move at all. Had they not spread their Qi to block this time, it would be even worse.

"Lift him," I heard the Fake Priest command. Haze held me by the throat.

'Brother!' Shadow wanted to attack, but I held him back.

I opened my hand, trying again to create a Qi Weapon. The pain prevented me from doing so, and the Qi disappeared into nothingness.

"Did you really think you could win against God?" The Fake Priest said with a big smile, "This is the New World given to us, his sheep. It is not the place for sinners like you. May the shield of God smite you down, and the Sword tear you to pieces."

He placed his hand around Sooyeon's shoulders, grinning with hidden intentions.

Something inside me snapped again. I imagined someone evil as him having full control over her. I saw not only Sooyeon, but my beloved master Soojin's face. Pure and uncontainable rage consumed my heart and soul.

Why would I hesitate?

Didn't I promise to protect her?

Losing was never an option. Not this time around. No matter what.

"Crush his throat," the Fake Priest commanded.

Hazed hesitated for a moment, but then his hand pressed harder.

However, it couldn't anymore. Powerful mixed Qi and MaQi prevented it from doing so.

On my right hand, [Defense Up] Magic Circle activated. On my left hand, [Power up] Magic Circle surged. Power incapable of being contained inside me flowed through my stretched veins.

New Qi also spread, reinforcing every corner, circulating in my body like a hurricane, fighting continuously with MaQi as if competing.

[Physical Boost]

"What are you doing? Kill him!" The Fake Priest felt uneasiness. He was attuned to MaQi, sensing that I changed.

Haze once again tried to crush my throat. Suddenly, he couldn't feel it anymore. He only felt a sharp pain.

A greatsword slash almost completely severed his arm. It barely held on by some muscles, blood spraying out like rain.

My wrist was turned, the Mixed Qi Great sword also leaving a cut on the ground. My eyes were full of rage.

I was Zen Of the Blind Fury once again.