Abyssal Sovereign: The Demon's Dominion

A cloud of smoke rose into the sky as the crowd in the distance quickened their pace, fleeing in panic.

At the site itself, the entire bar and parking lot were obliterated, leaving behind a crater stretching hundreds of meters.

Slowly, the dust cleared.

From within the haze, Abornim and Kratos emerged.

Abornim dropped Rose on the ground and turned toward the silhouette standing amidst the fading smoke.

"Hercules…" Kratos muttered, eyes narrowing at the figure.

Standing at 6'5, Hercules towered like a giant among men. His body was sculpted with rippling muscle from head to toe. His attire was anything but ordinary—treasures gathered from across the world, each piece not mere clothing but imbued with divine defense.

But his expression was not one of welcome. His face twisted in anger, his aura sharp with hostility.

"He doesn't seem happy to see you… why?" Abornim asked, stunned.

Kratos shook his head. "I don't know. Maybe… we broke something he loved?"

Kratos stepped forward to speak, but the moment his foot touched the ground—

BOOOOM!

A thunderous shockwave erupted as the sound barrier broke.

Abornim, standing closest, was instantly flung dozens of meters away. He crashed into the ground and slid across the dirt, coughing as he raised his head.

Where Kratos once stood, Hercules was now there—his massive fist still outstretched.

Kratos was gone.

Abornim's throat went dry. His blood pumped wildly, his body trembling from the aftershock.

And yet, despite the danger, he grinned. He could smell it—anger, rage, the unmistakable scent of war.

Hercules turned his cold gaze on him and attacked without hesitation.

BOOOM!

The ground cracked beneath Hercules's bare feet as he launched himself forward with terrifying speed. In less than a second, he was upon Abornim.

But Abornim was not to be outdone.

BOOOOM!

He swung his fist, meeting Hercules's kick head-on.

The world seemed silent for an instant…

And then—

VROOOOM!

A deafening shockwave erupted, a sound so sharp it could rupture eardrums.

Abornim's grin faded. His bones shook violently under the force.

How strong is this man?

Blood trickled from his lips. He looked at his trembling arm, then slowly raised his eyes to meet Hercules's.

But those eyes no longer burned with rage. They were indifferent—cold, detached.

A look that said: You are beneath me. You are already dead.

Abornim froze at the sight, but Hercules didn't care. He swung again.

This time, Abornim crossed both arms to defend.

BAAAM!

It was like a divine mountain had descended upon him. His body shook, his organs ruptured, bones splintering under the weight.

His knees buckled as he sank to the ground.

Just as Abornim prepared to reveal his true form—

"Brother!"

Kratos reappeared, standing in front of Hercules.

Hercules paused, his gaze locking onto Kratos.

Seizing the moment, Abornim pulled back, his body already healing rapidly.

Without warning, Hercules's hand shot out and grabbed Kratos by the neck, lifting him into the air with ease.

Kratos frowned. Realizing Hercules wasn't willing to listen, he clenched his fist.

BOOOM!

He struck Hercules's arm, forcing the grip to release.

"You won't listen? Fine. I'll make you understand," Kratos growled.

Hercules didn't hesitate. His fist shot forward.

BOOOOM!

The sound barrier shattered with the punch. Hundreds of meters of terrain were obliterated—trees uprooted, earth split apart, the already destroyed area growing even worse.

In the nearby city, alarms blared.

Reports poured into the mayor's office.

"Superhumans… fighting? Here?!" the mayor stammered in horror. His first thought was of an enemy nation, but he quickly dismissed it.

No country has created superhumans… then where did these beings come from?

Back on the battlefield, Hercules's expression finally shifted.

Kratos calmly caught his fist.

This was Hercules—the God of Strength—yet Kratos held him with ease.

And Kratos wasn't finished.

BOOM!

He countered with his own punch, Hercules blocking with his knee.

The two clashed violently, blows shaking the earth.

Abornim rose to his feet, stretching with a smirk.

I was planning to eat you, Hercules… but for now, you dodged a bullet, he thought, watching the titanic fight.

The range of destruction spread from mere meters to kilometers. Cars exploded, screams echoed, blood filled the air as countless humans perished in the chaos.

Amidst the carnage, Abornim suddenly froze, touching his head.

"Wait… why do I feel like we're forgetting something?" he muttered. But the thought slipped away as he pushed it aside.

Minutes passed. Finally, the two warriors stopped.

Hercules was panting heavily. Kratos, in contrast, stood calm, unaffected, like an unshaken mountain.

Abornim's eyes narrowed.

He's holding back. Hiding his true power.

"Had enough?" Kratos asked.

Hercules lowered his hand, his gaze sharp.

"Why are you here, Kratos? …No. You are not him."

Both Kratos and Abornim froze.

Abornim—shocked that Kratos was an Outsider.

Kratos—shocked that someone knew his secret.

Hercules's tone shifted. "We can't talk here. The military will arrive soon. Let's move."

In the next instant—BOOM—he vanished.

Kratos glanced at Abornim, who shrugged.

Why are you looking at me? It's your secret, not mine, Abornim thought, then followed.

Moments later, military choppers thundered through the sky, floodlights sweeping across the battlefield.

"Where are they?!" a general barked.

"Sir… it seems they've fled," his sergeant replied.

The general gritted his teeth.

"Find them, and don't stop until you do!" the general barked angrily as military trucks rolled in. Soldiers quickly disembarked, spreading out to search for anything connected to the so-called superhumans.

Inside the chopper, the general sat in silence, watching his men scour the ruins while a team of scientists examined the area for traces of unusual activity.

Damn it… The president wants them found. If they really were sent by our enemies, then we're already at a disadvantage, the general thought bitterly, clenching his fist.

His brooding was cut short when the pilot received a transmission from the ground.

"General, a human girl has been found buried in the rubble," a soldier reported.

The general scoffed. "What do we need with a corpse? Dispose of her." He waved his hand dismissively.

"No, General," the soldier quickly corrected. "She's alive. No injuries. Completely unharmed. She might be connected to the superhumans."

The general's eyes lit up instantly.

"Good… bring her in. Straight to the research facility!" he ordered with a grin of anticipation.

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