Lr stories part 1: Power royale

Chapter 44: Found Body

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long, eerie shadows across the battlefield. The once-vibrant landscape was now a graveyard of shattered dreams and broken bodies, the air thick with the stench of blood and death. William Dangerfield, Angelo Vasquez, and Kindliker Kluckson moved cautiously through the desolate terrain, their eyes scanning for any signs of life—or danger.

William led the group, his expression tense, the usual cocky smirk absent from his face. The weight of the recent battles had sobered him, the reality of the Power Royale sinking in deeper with each passing hour. He tightened his grip on the metal shard he'd shaped into a makeshift weapon, his senses on high alert.

Announcer 1: "Looks like William's on the hunt again! But what's he searching for this time? Another opponent to take down, or something more sinister?"

Announcer 2: "Given the state of the arena, I'd say it's likely the latter. The competition is thinning out, and every step could lead to the discovery of something... unexpected."

Angelo, in his human form, walked beside William, his eyes darting around nervously. He didn't say much, but his expression spoke volumes. He had a bad feeling about this area, a nagging sense of dread that gnawed at him. The animals he could transform into always had a keen sense of danger, and right now, every instinct screamed at him to turn back.

Kindliker, trailing behind, was his usual self—nervous, jittery, and mumbling complaints under his breath. His ability to nullify powers within a mile was both a blessing and a curse, keeping them safe from any surprise attacks but also making him feel even more useless. He knew he wasn't cut out for this, and the fear of death loomed large in his mind.

Kindliker: "I-I don't like this, guys. Something's wrong. We should just... go back, y'know? Find a safe place to hide..."

William shot him a glare, silencing him. "Shut up, Kindliker. If you're too scared, stay back. But I'm not letting some fear stop me. We're close—I can feel it."

Angelo nodded in agreement, though he didn't share William's confidence. "Let's just stay focused. If Benito's been through here, we need to be ready for anything."

The three continued their search, the landscape growing more foreboding with every step. The ground was uneven, littered with broken weapons, splintered trees, and the occasional bloodstain. It was clear that a fierce battle had taken place here recently.

Then, Angelo's eyes caught something ahead, something that made his blood run cold.

"William... over there," he whispered, pointing to a clearing up ahead.

William followed Angelo's gaze and felt his stomach drop. In the clearing, scattered like discarded toys, were the remnants of a body. Blood was everywhere, staining the ground and the surrounding debris. It was as if the person had been torn apart, each limb, each piece of flesh, ripped from the body with ruthless precision.

William swallowed hard and approached the scene, his heart pounding in his chest. "Is that... Junichi?"

The closer they got, the more evident it became. The torn pieces of fabric, the shattered katana blade—this was indeed Junichi Sakamoto-Rodríguez. His body had been torn asunder, his honor and dignity shattered along with him.

Kindliker gagged at the sight, turning away in horror. "Oh God... I-I can't look... this is too much..."

Angelo knelt beside the largest piece of Junichi's body, his expression grim. He reached out, placing a hand on what remained of Junichi's chest, and closed his eyes. "This wasn't just a kill. This was something else... something personal."

William's face darkened, his jaw clenched in anger. "Benito. It had to be him. No one else could do this."

Announcer 1: "Oh man, what a brutal scene! Our noble warrior Junichi, reduced to pieces! Who could be responsible for this horrific act?"

Announcer 2: "There's no doubt in my mind, it's Benito Garcia. His ability to manipulate distance and molecules... he's become something beyond what we imagined. And now, he's showing just how dangerous he really is."

William stood, his fists tightening until his knuckles turned white. He could feel a burning rage building inside him, a desire for vengeance against the monster responsible for this atrocity. "We're going after him," he said, his voice cold and determined. "Benito's not getting away with this."

Angelo rose to his feet, his eyes filled with the same resolve. "We have to be careful, William. Benito's not just powerful—he's smart. We can't rush into this."

William nodded, but his mind was already set. He wouldn't rest until Benito was dead, until justice was served for Junichi and all the others who had fallen. This wasn't just about the billion dollars anymore—it was about survival, about righting the wrongs that had been done.

Kindliker, still trembling, reluctantly followed as William and Angelo began to move again, their path now clear. They had a new target, a new mission, and nothing would stop them from seeing it through.

To be continued...