CHAPTER 287: THE FURNACE CRACKS

Zain rushed forward again and shot toward Karvax like a streak of black and red.

Karvax braced himself.

He already knew this was no ordinary intruder.

The way Zain fought. The way he smiled through pain.

He wasn’t just strong. He was a dangerous beast.

Karvax narrowed his eyes.

"[Flame Bastion Aura] won’t be enough."

He slammed the butt of his spear into the floor.

"Time to turn up the heat."

His chest lit up with glowing orange veins.

Heat poured out from his armor, his entire body turning into a walking furnace.

"[Ember Core Overdrive]."

Zain skidded to a stop, feeling the sudden spike in temperature.

The air shimmered. The stone walls cracked.

Even the spear in Karvax’s hand looked hotter.

Zain raised an eyebrow.

"Now that’s more like it."

Karvax didn’t reply.

He charged forward.

Zain dodged left, barely avoiding a spear thrust.

The flames from Karvax’s armor licked at his side, burning his coat.

Zain spun behind him and tried to counter with [Heavenly Demon Fist].

Karvax reacted fast.

He twisted and blocked with his spear, then stomped.

"[Lava Anchor]."

Molten chains burst from the floor and grabbed Zain’s leg again.

Zain looked down, then glared.

"You’re getting annoying with that move."

He ripped his leg free with brute strength.

Karvax used that moment.

"[Volcanic Charge]!"

He rushed forward like a meteor, slamming his shoulder into Zain’s chest.

Zain flew back, crashing into a wall with a heavy thud.

Smoke filled the hallway.

Karvax stood firm, breathing steadily, steam rising from his shoulders.

"That enough to cool your pride?"

Zain’s voice came through the dust.

"No."

He stepped out of the broken wall, brushing off rubble.

"That was a good hit."

Karvax frowned.

Zain smirked.

"But now it’s my turn."

He inhaled deeply.

"[Heavenly Demon Breathing]."

The fire in the air bent toward him.

His body lit up.

Burns healed. Energy surged.

Karvax took a half-step back.

"Again with that energy pull..."

Zain rushed again.

This time faster.

Karvax barely lifted his spear.

Zain ducked low, sliding on the ground.

Then launched upward.

"[Heavenly Demon Fist]!"

The punch slammed into Karvax’s stomach.

Karvax gasped.

He flew backward like a missile.

Straight through the stone wall behind him.

The hallway shook.

Zain stepped through it calmly.

He looked around and smirked.

"Is that all?" he asked.

From the rubble, Karvax moved. One hand pushed the floor.

He rose slowly, steam rising from his shoulders.

His eyes burned brighter than before, and a sharp grin crossed his face.

"This time..." Karvax said. "It’s over."

His body pulsed with molten light.

"[Molten Blood Resilience]."

His wounds didn’t heal, but his muscles tensed.

The cracks in his armor sealed for just a moment.

His spear glowed even hotter.

Zain’s eyes narrowed.

Karvax didn’t wait.

He charged again.

"[Volcanic Charge]!"

His body turned into a blur of fire and metal.

The floor under him split, leaving lava trails behind.

Zain stood his ground this time.

He didn’t move.

"You’re repeating yourself," Zain said with a smirk.

"Don’t you think this move is already old?"

But as Karvax struck him, Zain’s expression changed.

The impact was heavier. The heat was sharper.

The force blasted Zain off his feet and sent him crashing through another wall.

Karvax slid to a stop, one knee dropping to the ground.

He was breathing hard.

He chuckled through the pain. "Still think it’s old?"

Zain lay in the rubble for a few seconds. Then slowly, he stood.

His coat was torn. His arm burned.

But his eyes were still glowing, and his smirk returned.

He took a breath.

His body healed slowly.

"[Heavenly Demon Breathing]..."

His wounds sealed again. The blood stopped flowing. The energy returned.

He walked toward Karvax, calm and silent.

Karvax tried to rise, but this time his body didn’t listen.

The Overdrive was over. His strength faded.

Zain stood behind him.

"Not bad," he said. "But it’s over now."

He placed two fingers at the back of Karvax’s neck.

"[Heavenly Demon Ether]."

A pulse of dark red light entered Karvax’s spine.

His body twitched.

Then stilled.

The energy inside Zain’s fingers spread through Karvax’s core, corrupting what was left of his ether.

Karvax gasped once.

Then fell face-first to the floor.

Zain stood there for a moment, watching.

"Near death," he said softly, "is the perfect time to erase someone."

He turned around and walked forward.

"Now then," he said. "Where’s the real one?"

---

Inside the deepest chamber of the Flame God Cult’s main base, the heat pulsed like a living heart.

Vorthar stood in front of a wide screen.

His arms were crossed.

His cracked skin glowed faintly, and his flaming hair drifted behind him without wind.

On the screen, a number blinked:Fusion Degree: 98.7%

He grinned.

"Soon," he said. "The perfect serum. No backlash. No loss of mind. Only power."

He raised one hand, pressing a few buttons.

The number rose again.

99.1%

But then the heavy doors opened.

A lower officer rushed in, breathing fast.

Vorthar didn’t turn around.

"What?" he said coldly.

"S-sir," the officer stammered, "the intruder... he defeated everyone."

Vorthar’s smile vanished.

"What do you mean everyone?"

The officer swallowed.

"Karvax was sent in. But..."

"But what?" Vorthar snapped, finally turning to face him.

"He lost."

The silence cracked like a whip.

Vorthar’s hand twitched. Sparks flew from his fingers.

"Karvax?" he said, voice low. "That fool?"

The officer lowered his head. "Yes. He... he lost. The intruder is still moving inside the base."

Vorthar took a long breath.

The fusion chamber behind him beeped again.

99.5%

He turned his head back toward the screen.

"Damn it," he muttered.

"This was going to be perfect."

The chamber lit up as the machines surged again.

"Where is he now?" Vorthar asked.

"Sector six," the officer said.

Vorthar nodded once.

"Fine."

He took a step away from the console.

"Activate the sealing locks in this chamber. Nobody touches that serum until I return."

The officer quickly moved to obey.

Vorthar’s body flared with heat.

"I’ll deal with him myself," he growled.

"Let’s see how long this intruder lasts when the Flame God himself answers."