Thr calm in his eyes vanished. In its place was sharp focus, the kind of gaze that cut deeper than a blade. He knew this fight had now reached a level that would decide the future of galaxies.
Silver Zero and Ian came out of the spaceship at this time.
With no more words, Ian let his power rise.
A silver light began to shine from his chest. It spread fast, to his arms, his legs, and then across his whole body. His skin turned pure silver. His eyes glowed like stars, and his bones cracked with power as silver light pushed out of them. His waist-length hair spiked up, silver like a blade under the moon. His aura burst out, shooting into the sky like a pillar of light.
"Behold... Nine Paths God Form," he said softly.
Zero, who was floating above, suddenly felt a deep fear. His body, though full of power, froze for just a second. That second was enough for doubt to slip into his mind.
Their fists met, silver against silver. The explosion from the impact cracked open the air itself. Space bent. Time trembled. The ground below split into a canyon, and pieces of the spaceship broke off, floating in mid-air before being pulled back into place by Adam’s silent power. Honestly, Adam began to seriously exert power. Even with his strength, it requires 5% of his power to prevent the collapse of the entire Universe.
After all, Nine Paths God Ian and Silver Zero both had reached the Universe-level. Adam had to admit that these two were really extraordinary beings born in the First Universe that were one in a billion.
They exchanged blows at speeds the eyes couldn’t follow. Fist to face, knee to ribs, elbow to throat. Every hit carried the weight of galaxies. Every dodge could mean death.
"You can’t stop me!" Zero screamed, his voice now doubled, as if another version of himself was speaking at the same time.
Ian didn’t answer. His face was calm, but his fists spoke louder than any words. He knew Zero was dangerous, not just now, but in the future. Letting him live meant risking billions.
Suddenly, Zero’s body turned into black smoke and reappeared behind Ian. He stabbed forward with a blade made of his own ribs.
Ian caught the blade with his bare hand. Blood trickled down, but his grip didn’t loosen.
"You’re strong," Ian admitted. "But strength alone isn’t enough."
With a twist of his wrist, the blade snapped. Ian spun and kicked Zero, sending him flying into a mountain in the distance. The mountain shattered like glass.
Zero got back up, face full of hate. "I will never lose! I was born to rule!"
Ian landed softly, his silver aura calm but heavy. "It’s your misfortune to encounter me. It’s my duty to protect the North and you just happen to cause trouble."
The sky began to break apart.
Cracks of light spread above like broken glass. The ground shook harder than ever. Stars in the distance flickered. Space itself twisted around Ian and Zero as their power spread through the air. Each punch between them made the world cry out. It was no longer just a fight, it was a threat to the whole Universe.
’5% is no longer enough.’ Even Adam, who had stayed still the whole time, finally moved. His calm eyes narrowed. He raised one hand, and time slowed around him. A soft light came from his palm, and it spread across the area like a soft wave. But sweat rolled down his face.
’Eight percent of my power... and it’s only enough to stop the collapse,’ Adam muttered to himself. ’Any more, and even I may be drawn into this. I don’t want to use above 10% or it’ll be considered interference.’
Devils can’t interfere with worldly matter. This was an iron law.
Back in the fight, Ian pushed harder.
He was faster now. Stronger. He moved like a god, every blow landing right where it hurt. Zero tried to fight back, but each strike sent him back, more broken than before. Blood, black and thick, poured from his nose, mouth, and the cuts all over his body. His silver skin had cracks, and the black tattoos on him began to fade.
"Get up," Ian said coldly, slamming a fist into Zero’s chest. "You were talking big a while ago."
Zero fell to one knee. He tried to stand, but Ian’s foot crashed down on his back and pinned him to the ground.
"You’re not invincible," Ian added. "You’re just spoiled by your talent."
Zero gritted his teeth. He could feel it. The gap between them was far too wide. This was not something he could fix in one day, not even one year. This wasn’t a simple wall, it was an endless sky he couldn’t reach.
Still, he forced himself up, dragging his broken body back. One eye was swollen shut. His tail was limp. His bones cracked with every breath.
"You... you think this is over?" Zero hissed, but the fight in his voice was weaker now.
Ian didn’t answer. He stepped forward, ready to end it.
But Zero took a single step back.
Deep inside, Zero knew, he had lost. No amount of pride or anger could change that now. He wasn’t just beaten... he was outclassed. Even as someone who reached the Universe-level, he now saw what true power looked like.
’Damn it! Even between Universe-level powers, there’s such difference!?’
’I can’t win now... but I’ll come back,’ Zero thought bitterly. His envy burned. ’Why does he get all this power? All this unfathomable ki? I was born better... I should be the one on top...’
A cold plan formed in his mind. His energy slowly changed, becoming quiet, almost hidden. A hint of darkness moved under his skin.
He looked at Ian one last time, his heart full of hate and shame.
’I’ll escape... I’ll return... and next time, I’ll be the one looking down on you.’
He forced a smile. But deep inside, he had never felt so small.