Nexus Ascension: My Comprehension Defies the Heaven

Chapter 20: In a dire situation

Whoosh!

The subordinates leapt forward with terrifying speed, their killing intent surging through the air like a suffocating tide.

Grey’s expression twisted slightly. He let out a long sigh. ”So... now I can’t run away, can I?”

His words carried a touch of helplessness, but deep inside his heart, he was steady. No matter what, he had already chosen his path.

By the time that thought flashed across his mind, the two subordinates were already upon him. Their swords gleamed with cold light as they lunged toward his chest with breakneck speed, aiming to pierce through him in one decisive strike.

However—

To Grey’s surprise, everything felt... different.

The two of them, who had once been blurs even in his enhanced perception, now appeared incredibly slow. It was as though time itself had stretched out before him. Their swords, which should have reached his heart in the blink of an eye, moved like they were dragging through syrup.

”They’re... slow?” Grey muttered under his breath, dumbfounded.

The realization sank in further when he noticed something even stranger. He could hear their heartbeats—steady thumps that echoed in his ears—and even the subtle rhythm of their breathing patterns.

His senses had reached a new height.

”Did Nexus energy also enhance my perception speed?” Grey’s eyes widened slightly. He felt both amazed and exhilarated.

Normally, when someone underwent a metamorphosis, their body would only grow stronger in raw physical strength. Speed, power, endurance—simple physical stats. Nothing more, nothing less.

But the Nexus Evolutionary Path was clearly different.

Not only his body, but his mind, his senses, even his perception itself had undergone a qualitative leap.

”Since that’s the case,” Grey whispered, his lips curving into a faint grin, ”there’s no need to hold anything back.”

His hand fell onto the hilt of his newly-bought sword.

Buzz!

Nexus energy within his energy field stirred violently, as though answering his call. It surged forth and began to change shape, condensing into something sharper, deadlier. The energy gathered, compressed, and transformed into the shape of a sword!

Zenith Sword Art — Sword Energy Release!

[From utilizing Nexus energy to give birth to Sword energy, you’ve comprehended ’Nexus Sword Energy’ and ’Attributes of Energy’.]

Buzz!

A purple flame ignited along the length of Grey’s blade, erupting with an aura sharp enough to slice through the very air. The sword hummed with power, vibrating as though eager to unleash its might.

Without hesitation, Grey swung.

”HUH?”

The two subordinates’ eyes widened in horror. Their expressions twisted into disbelief as the purple fire surged forward like a tidal wave, engulfing them in an instant.

Before they could even process what had happened, their bodies convulsed. Blood poured from their noses, ears, and mouths. They collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

The fight ended before it even began.

Grey exhaled softly, his eyes calm. ”It’s true. Early-stage martial artists have only one weakness—they lack defensive techniques against energy.”

His gaze shifted toward the fallen corpses. Their organs had been shredded to dust by the sword energy he had sent directly into their bodies. There was no resistance, no chance to counter.

”They thought their swords could protect them, but against Nexus Sword Energy...” Grey shook his head, his voice carrying a tinge of pity. ”They never stood a chance.”

To him, there was nothing wrong with killing them. This world was a dog-eat-dog battlefield where countless lives were lost every single day. If others showed him killing intent, he would naturally return the favor without mercy.

”They wanted to erase me from this world completely,” Grey muttered. His eyes hardened with determination. ”Then there’s no reason for me to hold back either.”

With that settled, Grey’s figure blurred as he activated Instant Recoil Step. ”Alright, time to run away!”

This was the perfect chance to test how much faster he had become now that he’d reached a new physical limit.

”You—!”

The burly leader’s eyes widened in shock as he saw his subordinates fall. For a brief moment, he was stunned. But that moment quickly passed. His face twisted into pure rage, his expression fierce and distorted.

With a heavy wave of his hand, a pair of massive gauntlets materialized, glowing faintly with pulsating energy.

”You dare kill members of the Tiger Claw Gang?!” he roared, his aura exploding outward like a crashing wave. ”You will pay dearly for this, brat!”

Grey didn’t even glance back. He dashed forward at incredible speed, his footsteps leaving faint sonic booms in the air.

Seeing this, the burly leader sneered. ”Running away? You think you can outrun me, a level two, first-rank expert?”

As soon as the words left his mouth, his figure blurred. With explosive speed, he vanished from his spot.

BOOM!

The air cracked open with a deafening sonic boom as he reappeared right beside Grey.

”???” Grey’s pupils shrank, his expression twisting in disbelief. ”What the hell?! He’s already here?”

His heart sank. I’m literally using Instant Recoil Step! How is he this fast?!

Before he could react, a crushing pain shot through his shoulder. His body was thrown violently to the side, smashing into a massive boulder.

BOOM!

”You’re pretty fast for a level one evolver.” The burly leader sneered coldly. ”But you underestimate higher-ranked evolvers far too much. Each level of the first rank carries a huge leap in power. The gap only widens further as you progress—especially from level two onward!”

”Cough! Cough!” Grey coughed up blood as he staggered to his feet. His body ached all over, but his eyes still carried a mocking glint.

”You’re such a disrespectful guy,” Grey said, snorting coldly. ”Haven’t your parents ever taught you not to bully the younger generation?”

His lips curled upward as he continued, ”Shame on you! I only just turned seventeen, yet you—a middle-aged uncle with white hair—are bullying me?”

”You—!”

The burly leader’s expression twisted further. His face flushed red with fury. ”Who do you think you are? I’m still young, dammit! My girlfriend said I’m still young!”

As he shouted, the gauntlets on his fists pulsed with energy once again. His aura flared as he lunged forward, his massive fist rocketing toward Grey.

”Instant Recoil Step!” Grey’s mind roared. Adrenaline surged like a tsunami as he pushed his body to its limit, attempting to dodge at the last possible moment.

But it was useless.

The burly leader’s speed completely outclassed his own.

BOOM!

The fist connected, and Grey’s body was sent flying once more. He tumbled across the ground before coming to a stop, blood splattering from his lips.

”I was going to kill you in one hit,” the burly leader said with a sinister grin. ”But after hearing what you just said, I’ve changed my mind. I’ll beat you thoroughly before ending your miserable life!”

Grey groaned, pushing himself back onto his feet. Blood gushed from his mouth as he spat violently to the side.

”It hurts,” Grey muttered, clutching his face with one hand.

Then, raising his voice, he glared at the burly leader. ”You bastard! Did you really have to go for the face?! You’ll pay for this!”

”Hahaha!” The burly leader burst into laughter, his tone mocking. ”Just you? What can a brat like you possibly do to me?”

Grey narrowed his eyes and smirked faintly. ”I can do a lot more than you think. Do you know who I am? I’m the young master of the Meng Clan. If you dare harm me, you’ll definitely pay the price.”

Of course, this was nothing more than a bluff. Grey knew he couldn’t defeat the man, nor could he outrun him. But if he could stall for even a little while, maybe—just maybe—he could find a way to escape.

”You think I’ll fall for your bluff again?” the burly leader sneered. ”Your tricks won’t work against me, brat!”

With heavy steps, he slowly advanced, each movement carrying terrifying pressure.

Grey’s mind churned rapidly. He knew he had to think of something fast, or this fight would be his last.

Then—an idea struck him.

”Yes!” His eyes lit up with excitement, a wild grin spreading across his face.

”Let’s upgrade the Instant Recoil Step!”