The rooftop cracked beneath them.
Not from impact.
Not from power.
From pressure.
Maxruell stood still.
Shadows coiling around him slowly.
Like they were… cautious.
Veyron watched him.
Calm.
Relaxed.
Hands in his pockets.
"…So this is the Red King."
Maxruell didn't respond.
"…You talk too much."
Veyron smiled slightly.
"…And you don't talk enough."
A pause.
Then Maxruell moved.
Gone in an instant.
Shadows burst forward—
A direct strike aimed at Veyron's core, Veyron didn't dodge.
He raised his hand.
And caught it.
Clean.
Silence.
Maxruell's eyes widened slightly.
"…What?"
Veyron tilted his head.
"…Too slow."
A pulse.
Maxruell was thrown back instantly.
No visible attack.
No motion.
Just force.
He slammed into the edge of the rooftop.
Concrete shattered.
He landed.
Sliding.
Stopping himself.
"…Tch."
His shadows reacted—
Flaring outward—
More aggressive now.
"…You're not normal."
Veyron stepped forward slowly.
"…Of course not."
A pause.
"We were built to fight you."
Maxruell smirked slightly.
"…Then try harder."
He vanished again.
Faster this time.
Shadows layered.
Multiple angles.
Attacks from every direction—
Veyron stood still.
Then—
Moved.
Not fast.
Perfect.
He dodged everything.
Every strike.
Every angle.
Every shadow.
Like he already knew.
Maxruell reappeared behind him—
Full power—
"DIE…"
Veyron turned.
And punched him.
Direct.
Maxruell's body folded.
The impact sent him crashing through the rooftop.
Down.
Through multiple floors.
Concrete collapsing with him.
Silence.
Then Darkness surged from below.
The entire building trembled.
Maxruell rose from the rubble.
Blood dripping from his mouth.
Eyes glowing brighter now.
"…Alright."
His voice dropped.
"…Now I'm serious."
Shadows exploded outward.
Darker than before.
Heavier.
They consumed the entire floor.
Spreading.
Growing.
Veyron landed in front of him.
Still calm.
"…Good."
A faint smile formed.
"Because this is where it starts."
Maxruell moved again.
But this time Different.
Not reckless.
Not predictable.
Calculated.
He feinted, Attacked low, Then switched angles instantly Veyron blocked But A shadow blade pierced through his guard.
A clean hit.
Blood.
Veyron stepped back slightly.
Looked at the wound.
"…Interesting."
Maxruell smirked.
"…You're not untouchable."
Veyron looked back at him.
And smiled.
"…I didn't say I was."
The air shifted.
For the first time Veyron's presence changed.
He stepped forward.
And disappeared.
Maxruell's eyes widened.
"…What—"
Too late.
Veyron was already behind him.
A strike—
Maxruell barely blocked—
The impact shattered his shadow guard.
Sent him crashing again.
Harder.
Faster.
Stronger.
Maxruell stood again.
Breathing heavier now.
"…You're fast."
Veyron nodded slightly.
"…And you're adapting."
A pause.
"But not fast enough."
Maxruell wiped the blood from his face.
His shadows calmed.
Condensed.
Focused.
"…Then I'll just speed it up."
Darkness pulled inward.
Not exploding this time.
Compressing.
Becoming denser.
Stronger.
Veyron watched carefully.
"…Good."
His stance shifted.
For the first time—
He prepared.
Two monsters stood across from each other.
Rain starting again.
Wind rising.
The city holding its breath.
Then—
They moved.
And the real fight began.