Chapter 402: Evolution of the Apex

The Vampire Empress awaited the impact with her eyes closed, but death never arrived. Instead, a crack and a shockwave shook the air in front of her.

Opening her eyes, she saw a hand intercepting the blow. From its knuckles and back protruded bone spines that locked against the giant’s talons.

Big Black raised his eyes in surprise.

Alexander was staring at him. His face no longer bore the slender features of a vampire emperor; it had hardened into a heavier structure, crowned by two dark horns jutting from his forehead and pitch-black eyes that swallowed the ambient light.

"Tch... I thought you were dead," said Big Black, knitting his brow. "Looks like I’ll have to bury you again."

Without wasting a second, the minotaur unleashed a hook toward the vampire’s throat. Alexander didn’t blink: he raised his other hand and caught the fist out of the air.

Big Black’s expression shattered. If during that first clash he had used a fifth of his strength, this time he hadn’t held back. Yet Alexander didn’t yield a millimeter. The force of the blow died beneath his feet into a crack on the stone.

"My turn," muttered Alexander.

Alexander released Big Black’s talons and drove a punch into his chest. The impact detonated like a cannon shot, sending the minotaur flying across the courtyard to crash against the outer walls.

Yet amid the rising dust, Big Black pushed himself back up. He shook his head in a fury, showing the hide on his torso unmarred thanks to his skill’s density.

"If you think I can’t take you, you’re wrong!" roared Big Black, the veins in his neck bulging.

With a bellow, the minotaur lunged forward using [Explosive Muscles], unleashing a barrage of strikes. Alexander met him head-on, trading blows at speed. Every clash generated shockwaves that pulverized the stone floor, but the gap in power was undeniable: Alexander ducked a hook and landed a hammer-fist to the jaw that sent the giant airborne.

Big Black tumbled through the rubble and dragged himself to his feet, spitting a thread of blood without a broken bone. Even though Alexander outmatched him in strength and speed, the passive defense of [Steel Body] combined with [Demon Body] allowed the minotaur to soak up hits like a block of steel.

"You’ve got strength, bastard..." grunted Big Black, setting his horns back with a grin. "But you don’t have what it takes to break through my hide!"

"One more time," said Alexander in a deep voice.

He surged forward in a blur, igniting [Storm Steel Claws Lvl 1]. His lightning-shrouded talons cleaved through the air and slammed into the minotaur’s chest. Yet the impact failed to tear through flesh; it produced a screech of metal striking metal, showering sparks that barely scratched the surface of the hide.

Alexander didn’t stop. He unleashed a barrage of strikes, driving punches and claw slashes into Big Black’s ribs, throat, and shoulders. Every collision echoed like a hammer against an anvil. The minotaur’s defense held firm, absorbing energy without yielding.

Blinded by desperation, Big Black seized a flaw in the defense when Alexander overextended a claw slash.

Flexing his arm with the weight of [Explosive Muscles], Big Black drove a fist into the vampire’s face.

The blow detonated. The force sent Alexander airborne, plowing through a stone pillar before crashing onto the ground.

Alexander tumbled through the dust and came to a halt. He pushed himself up, swaying slightly. His face was covered in blood, and his jaw was dislocated, hanging to one side. Unfazed, he grabbed the bone with his right hand and snapped it back into place with a pull.

In that instant, the glow of [Divine Regeneration Lvl 1] enveloped his features. The torn tissues knit together, bruises faded, and bleeding stopped in seconds.

Both fighters stood frozen, locking eyes amid the ruined courtyard. On one side stood Big Black’s defense; on the other, Alexander’s recovery. The battle had reached a stalemate.

"I can do this all day, you son of a bitch," growled Big Black, spitting a clot of blood onto the ground and tightening his fists. "Let me see who lasts longer."

Alexander didn’t answer. Keeping his dark eyes locked on his enemy, he flexed his legs and charged again.

The barrage of strikes erupted. Alexander drove heavy punches, knees, and claw slashes into the giant’s torso, arms, and face. The screech of talons clashing against the hide echoed through the ruins.

"Is that all you’ve got, trash?!" shouted Big Black, throwing a hook that Alexander blocked with his forearm. "Your scratches don’t even tickle!"

"You talk too much," muttered Alexander, landing a combination into the giant’s ribs.

"Because I can, you mutt!" roared the minotaur, forcing a laugh as he countered with a knee strike that slammed the vampire into the stone. "This demonic hide is invincible! You’re a mosquito crashing into a wall!"

They traded strikes that pulverized the stone beneath their feet. Big Black kept a smirk on his face, trying to appear untouched by the assault.

Yet inside, panic was beginning to devour him.

Every collision rattled his internal organs. But the worst part was his energy: the [Demon Body] transformation sustaining his endurance and strength was draining at an alarming rate. He could feel the fatigue building in his muscles. He knew that at any moment his demonic form would collapse, and if his hide gave way for even a split second, Alexander’s claws would tear him apart without mercy.

Alexander pressed the assault, landing a claw strike onto the giant’s shoulder. This time, the metallic clash wasn’t as sharp; a fracture opened across the hide.

"Why do I feel like your body gets softer with every strike?" said Alexander in an icy tone, locking his eyes on the minotaur. "Let’s see who lasts longer."

Big Black took a step back, breathing heavily. Sweat stung his eyes, and the glow pulsing through his muscles began to flicker. Desperation cracked his facade of invincibility.

"Do you want to take this to the end?!" screamed Big Black, holding his hands up to stall the vampire’s advance. "If we destroy each other, these bitches will kill you! You won’t survive! We can share... We can divide the kingdom! You take your share and I’ll take mine. We don’t have personal grudges!"

Alexander took a step forward, cracking the knuckles of his claws as electrical arcs sparked along his arms.