Harden was still recovering from the previous attack when Hawkins ran towards him, stomping his foot as if to crush him. Harden managed to jump to the side, evading the attack. Then he noticed a crack where Hawkins had placed his foot.
He's dead serious, so I can't take this lightly, Harden thought.
He ran towards Hawkins, activating the Reinforcement Skill.
"Ohh, that's interesting," Hawkins said as he spread his legs, crouched slightly, clenched his fists, and pulled them close to his body.
Harden kept moving. He leaped high into the air and activated the martial arts skill Crescent Kick. A blue hue enveloped his foot—but before the kick could connect, Harden was sent flying. He found himself slammed against the far end of the basement. A large crack had formed in the wall where his back hit, and he fell down, coughing blood.
It was too fast for me to see, but without a doubt... that was Rupture, Harden said internally. Mine isn't as powerful. I knew he was strong, but to think my skills are this inferior...
He struggled to pull himself up—and immediately regretted it. Hawkins slammed a kick into his chin, sending him flying upwards. Before he could land, another kick struck his face, launching him into another wall.
"Is this the best you can do? Come on, at this rate, you'll be badly hurt. Show me what you got!" Hawkins taunted.
Harden stood once more and ran toward Hawkins, but this time, his attack wasn't aimed directly at him. He slammed his palms into the ground, creating a cloud of dust.
"Clever, I must say," Hawkins commented.
Using the dust cover, Harden activated Blink Step and appeared behind Hawkins, using the Calamity Fist. A loud bang echoed through the room—but Hawkins stood there, unfazed.
Harden was in shock, mouth hanging open. Amy and Raizo were equally stunned.
"I've seen him use that skill before. I know it's strong. That should've done some damage," Amy said.
"Surprised?" Hawkins asked with a smile. "It's a defensive skill—Iron Body."
As soon as he said that, Hawkins struck Harden with another Azure Tornado Kick, sending him flying again. Harden staggered, starting to lose consciousness. Before he could collapse, Hawkins tossed a bottle at him. Instinctively, Harden caught it—but hesitated, thinking it might be a trap.
Noticing Harden's body language, Hawkins chuckled. "Relax. It's just a healing potion. It's not poison."
No longer skeptical, Harden drank it. As soon as he finished, he felt his wounds begin to heal.
It must be high quality, he thought.
Before Harden could take his stance, he felt a hit and coughed blood.
How!? he wondered. Hawkins was clearly far away.
Amy and Raizo shared the same thought. Harden pulled himself up, wiping blood from his lips—then it hit him again. And again. A barrage.
Looking closely, he saw Hawkins moving his hands at incredible speed—too fast to follow, and only getting faster. Harden spewed blood and fell to one knee. The attacks didn't stop.
He couldn't react. He didn't know how to.
"If this keeps up, he may actually die," Amy said.
"Hawkins wouldn't go that far. If he's pushing Harden this hard, I'm sure he believes he can take it," Raizo replied.
Harden was losing consciousness again.
I thought I had a brother... I didn't know you were now female, Hawkins taunted. So you're just gonna stay there, little princess? Still waiting for Prince Charming to save you?
"Ahh, screw it!" Harden screamed, forcing his body to move toward Hawkins, slowly pushing through the barrage of attacks.
"Now you're starting to act more like a man," Hawkins said with a smile.
Harden pushed forward, his eyes now glowing yellow.
It's the same feeling... as that time, Harden thought. I'll make you have a taste of your own medicine—and eat your words!
He spread his legs, crouched low, clenched his fists—and unleashed a flurry of punches into the air. An unseen force burst from his fists, colliding with Hawkins's own invisible barrage. Shockwaves filled the space between them.
So my version isn't inferior after all. It's just as strong...
"That's it. That's the brother I know," Hawkins said, grinning. "Let's take this up a notch."