Endless Vertex 55 Chapter 54: Blade

A gigantic, muscular man sauntered between the disciples who were in casual sportswear, occasionally correcting their posture as he showed examples to them.

Two puppies, one black and one white, were waddling behind him with a bossy look. At the night of his departure, the two fur balls decided to accompany him by hiding in his bag. Since they were just two harmless fur balls of joy, he brought them along to entertain these children during recess.

Hugh was fulfilling his father dream and carrying on part of his legacy. He has reopened the Kent gym in Daxrim City.

After developing an innate gift, he was now a Tier 8 Expert. All the Aura Stones that Atlas provided really got him through many difficulties.

Additionally, he even came across No. 22 on the Dexter Billboard coincidentally, claiming his victory against the Tier 8 Elite Aura User. Of course, they settled it with a fair duel. No casualties involved.

But...

It is not enough to enable him to take on Warrior families.

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"I'm not asking twice kid. Surrender your cash, and we'll spare you." Four tattooed men surrounded a thin boy, threatening him with a sharp knife. They weren't actually going to let him go without a kidnapping and a rich ransom.

The boy seemed like a stranger to the environment, hugging a long object that was wrapped inside a brown cloth tightly before his chest.

The boy unfortunately stumbled into their secret hideout a while ago, leading to his inevitable demise. The sound of water dripping echoed in the alley way, giving the atmosphere an eerie sensation.

As the timid boy remained quiet, the men grew impatient with his bland response, ready to take by force.

However in the next second, a holy gleam slashed across the air, painting the concrete walls with an irregular pattern of red.

"Ah!" Knelling on the ground pathetically, the men screamed in horror for as they lost all connection to one of their hands.

Blood gushing out from the fresh slice that decapitated their wrist, ordinary skin now transforming into sick paleness.

The boy didn't budge an inch at this gore scene. No. He did budge. But more like a flick.

The flick caused a flash.

The flash was his blade.

Unbothered to look behind, the boy simply ambled away, in search for the person he seeks.

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"Excuse me Mr. Sir. Is this the Kent Gym?"

A training instructor turned back towards the origin of sound. A normal looking young boy with short black army cut hugging a long clothed object stood before the gym, his face blank with no emotion.

"Yes, it is. Are you here to sign up? Signing up is pretty easy and don't worry, the fee is incredibly low and..." he offered.

The boy unveiled the cloth, revealing a dull blade without a single stain of crimson. "No thanks. I'm here for Rhino, No. 22 on the Dexter Billboard." A dangerous spark escaped the blade.

Instantaneously, the instructor tensed, observing the boy cautiously.

Other instructors who noticed the existence of a blade ushered the students to a safe corner behind a few dangling punching bags. The two puppies, Dawn and Dusk, were cuddled in one of the children's arms.

It is their duty to protect the disciples at all cost. When they were lowly Aura User Beginners struggling to search for a suitable job, Hugh reached out at the most desperate times. He promised them many things they could never have gotten from others, including precious training materials.

The charisma and character of Hugh is impeccable to them, and they swore to repay him with wholehearted gratitude.

They joined in, barricading the entrance with their well built bodies.

A new challenger has arrived.

When one opens a gym, there are some Warrior nomads who just want to go the easy path and strip ones lawfully achieved power away. Ruthlessly.

Although previous challengers have yet to come close to succeeding, this boy was a real obstacle. They could tell.

There was a moment of stalemate, until an old man walked out. "Kid, I can assure you. This won't end well."

He is one of the three main coaches in this gym, a Tier 6 Aura Specialist. He was a previous challenger but as Hugh heavily earned his respect, he was honored enough to stay and work beside Hugh.

"Rhino is the only worthy opponent here. Please call him out, thank you so much. The boy sheathed his dull blade, wrapping it up with the brown cloth. He was giving a respectfully disrespectful indication that the old man did not deserve his full potential.

The old man snorted. It enraged him.

But as an acute leer escaped the boy's eyes, it galvanized him into action.

He pounced towards the boy, his iron first diving at the boy's arm. He did not want to hurt the boy too badly.

However, as his fist made contact with air, a large pressure exerted onto the side of his neck.

He collapsed on the ground, knocked out cold.

The boy retrieved his palm, returning to the position of hugging his blade.

"How?"

"He took out a Aura Specialist in one shot."

"Let's get him back. Attend to his wounds immediately."

A surge of panic swarmed the gym as their mental support crumbled before their eyes.

"Don't panic! Mr. Hugh will protect us!"

This voice calmed them all. Yes, Hugh can take him!

"Thank you for going easy." A deep voice projected from within the gym and a buff figure walked down from the second floor.

The earth beneath the old man rose up 20 centimeters high, tumbling inwards and sending him into the gym steadily.

"You're a gifted? No wonder you beat No.22." The boy clapped gleefully. "This is a serendipitous encounter. I'll use my blade."

He unsheathed his blade once again, but this time, the dull blade seemed brighter and more menacing than it was previously. It was no ordinary sword, because its actually incomplete. The hilt nor pummel was anywhere to be seen, only the blade remained, as well as a large gap for the user to wield it.

Hugh swung his axe over his shoulder. The instructors cleared a field for both of them.

A 2 meter tall man and a 12, 13 year old boy who was just a little over his waist. The height difference made it seem impossible for the boy to win. But a book cannot be judged by its cover.

"So your Blade, aren't you?" Hugh clenched his axe firmly. Why would anyone challenge him if they bear no grudges? Only someone else on the Dexter Billboard would seek for better placement. Plus, there isn't anyone thirsty enough to have fought every powerful Warrior he's come across. And most importantly, the handling and obsession with a blade explains furthermore.

"I'll start first." Hugh clouted his axe, driving it at Blade.

Blade vanished as the axe was about to make contact.

[Speed! He's fast!] Even as a Tier 8 Aura Master, Hugh could not intercept it.

Unaware of where Blade might strike, Hugh heaved the axe and spun it in a circular motion, covering every direction possible.

He felt a crazy powerful clash on his axe, and it blew him backwards. Hugh dug his heel into the ground to slow the momentum, shielding himself with his axe in case of another attack. He predicted correctly.

Another spectacular bang trembled his grip due to the vibrations it sent down the body of his axe, chipping away parts of his rough skin.

"I'm impressed. But it's my turn to strike now!" Hugh roared. During the time when he was scavenging for the history and remains of the Kent bloodline, he discovered techniques and move sets only people that has the Kent blood running within can employ.

"Bash!" Orange ruins spread along the grip of the Kent axe and into its two thin and broad edges, activating some sort of mysterious earthy power.

"Whirlwind!" The boy's expression grew stern with Hugh's sudden source of power. He chanted out his technique as well.

Swirls of scratching gusts veiled his dull blade. It was as if it was peeling the rust like dullness away from its surface, cleansing it with a natural element.

Both weapons clashed, creating ripples that shattered the glass windows of the gym. Mesmerized, the young children and teenagers gasped at the impossible scene that the two Warriors were causing, vowing to train hard and become as strong as their gym leader.

The instructors were also attentively studying every movement and twists of how the battle is going on, learning the ways of extreme combat.

The last clash sent both of them tumbling backwards.

"You're strong. I'm gonna be serious this time." Blade bobbed his head, preparing to unleash another attack.

[Wtf!] Hugh wanted to spit out a puddle of blood. After all that intense battle, Blade was not even putting in all his effort?

The wind howled louder than the clashes accumulated. The blade vibrated furiously as if reacting vigorously with the environment, unable to contain it well.

"This is my proudest move. If you can survive this, I'll call this match a draw and I would like to make friends with you. Here I go!" Blade warned Hugh, tilting his body to fully unleash the monster contained in his blade.

Hugh grinned dryly. Such power. It's definitely capable of competing against an Axonn. There was a slim chance that he could defend against that ability. All he could do, was to run, away to the opposite direction of the gym. He had to ensure the safety of all those people.

"Agh! Come for me!" Hugh slammed his axe on the earth. The impact led the earth to form a ring around him, and Hugh fortified the wall in front of him with his Earth gift.

"Watch out Rhino!" The frail voice was drowned by a hurricane of howls, targeting at the ring of earth.

Gradually, it chipped off bits and pieces of Hugh's defense, marching towards the center.

But as the intense battle reached its highest peak, an incredible flash bombed the whole battlefield, disputing the phenomenal performances of both sides.

Chapter end