Lr stories part 1: Power royale

Chapter 51: Final Hunt Part 4

The battlefield was eerily quiet after the brutality of Benito's assault on Angelo. William Dangerfield stood at the edge of what remained of the warehouse, his heart pounding in his chest. The cold wind whipped through the shattered windows, carrying with it the scent of blood and dust. Angelo's lifeless body lay in a heap, the horrific scene still seared into William's mind.

Benito stood a few feet away, his expression one of calm satisfaction. He slowly turned his gaze to William, who felt a surge of anger and fear wash over him. Benito's dark eyes gleamed with an unsettling confidence, as if he had already won this fight.

"You're next, William," Benito said, his voice low and deadly. "But before we begin, do you want to say anything? Some last words, perhaps?"

William clenched his fists, metal swirling around his fingertips as he tried to steel himself for what was to come. He had no illusions about his chances; Benito was on a different level. But he couldn't just give up. Not now. Not when so many had died to get to this point.

"I know what you are, Benito," William said, his voice shaking slightly. "You're just a monster playing with people's lives, all for the sake of a little money. But I'm not like you. I never was. In this fight, I'm the righteous one."

Benito's lips curled into a smirk, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Righteousness? Is that what you think this is? William, the idea of righteousness in this circumstance is merely a superlative—a word you cling to in order to justify your own actions. But we're all the same here. Greedy, desperate, and willing to do whatever it takes to win. You're no different from me."

William's grip on his power tightened as he tried to ignore the gnawing doubt Benito's words had planted in his mind. He launched himself forward, metal shards spiraling around him, forming a makeshift armor as he charged at Benito with everything he had.

But Benito didn't flinch. He simply smiled and, with a flick of his wrist, the space between them shrank impossibly fast. William's momentum was thrown off, his attack missing by inches as Benito sidestepped effortlessly. It was as if the world was bending to Benito's will, obeying his every command.

"You're not even trying, William," Benito taunted as he dodged another strike, this time countering with a quick jab to William's gut that sent him staggering backward. "I thought you said you were righteous. Shouldn't you be fighting harder for that?"

William gritted his teeth, frustration boiling over as he tried to land a hit on Benito. But every time he got close, Benito's power would kick in, distorting space and throwing off his aim. It was like trying to hit a ghost—Benito was always just out of reach, always one step ahead.

The announcers' voices crackled through the battlefield, adding to the tension.

"William's in trouble!" Announcer 1 exclaimed, his voice filled with urgency. "Benito's toying with him, folks! It's like a cat playing with a mouse before the kill!"

Announcer 2's tone was more analytical. "William's metal manipulation isn't enough to close the gap against Benito's spatial control. Benito's playing it smart, conserving energy while wearing William down. This might be over sooner than we think."

William could feel the exhaustion setting in. His muscles burned, and his breath came in ragged gasps. Benito was right—he was being toyed with. This wasn't a fight; it was a slow, painful execution.

"You look tired, William," Benito said, his voice dripping with mock concern. "Maybe you should just give up. It would save us both a lot of time."

William's vision blurred as he struggled to stay on his feet. He couldn't keep up with Benito's pace, couldn't predict his next move. He was outmatched in every way. For a brief moment, despair crept into his mind. Maybe this was it. Maybe he wasn't the hero he thought he was.

But then, as if in response to his darkest thoughts, a sudden surge of energy coursed through him. A blinding light enveloped his body, and William felt something shift deep within him. The sound of coins clinking together echoed in his ears, and he realized what was happening.

"Ladies and gentlemen, hold on to your seats!" Announcer 1 shouted, his voice filled with excitement. "We've got a jackpot! William Dangerfield just hit the big one!"

Announcer 2's voice was equally shocked. "This could change everything! William's power is about to get a major boost. Benito might not have such an easy fight after all."

Metal surged around William, forming an impenetrable armor that covered every inch of his body. His strength multiplied, his senses sharpened, and he could feel the power coursing through him like never before. The metal responded to his every thought, bending and shaping itself into weapons, shields, and more. This was the power he had been waiting for.

Benito's smirk faltered as he saw the transformation. For the first time, a flicker of uncertainty crossed his face. William straightened up, the exhaustion replaced by a newfound resolve.

"You're right, Benito," William said, his voice cold and steady. "We're all greedy, all desperate. But there's one thing you've overlooked. When you push someone to the edge, that's when they're at their most dangerous."

Benito narrowed his eyes, preparing to counter whatever William was about to unleash.

But before either of them could make a move, the chapter ended abruptly with the words:

To be continued.