The Gravity Villain's Silent Return

A/N: This chapter was also quite challenging to write, so I'm not entirely sure it's error-free. However, I'll make sure to review it in the next day or so to ensure it's easy to read. Please bear🧸 with me! 🙏 Also, I'd love to engage with readers, so if my book aligns with your tastes, feel free to leave a comment. I'll be sure to respond anytime I can. :}

Chapter 15: The Dance of Survival

The lanky man's whip cracked through the air, faintly glowing with electric mana. His predatory grin exuded confidence, while the stocky woman beside him moved with deliberate steps, her Qi-infused, stone-like skin glinting under the dim forest light.

I rolled my shoulders, loosening the tension as I prepared to fight. "Stay behind me. Focus on the whip user," I instructed Lyria, my tone sharp and direct.

"But what about—"

"I'll handle the stone-skinned one. Just keep that whip off me."

Lyria hesitated but eventually nodded, clutching her staff as though her life depended on it—which, in this situation, it did.

The whip lashed out again, its electric current cutting through the air like a streak of lightning. I sidestepped swiftly, the buzz of static brushing past my torso. The stone woman took advantage of the opening, charging at me like a human battering ram, her fist raised high and jagged with hardened Qi.

I ducked, her punch narrowly missing my head and smashing into the ground with an audible crack. Using her momentum against her, I pivoted sharply and drove a kick into the back of her knee. Her legs buckled, but she recovered quickly, her sheer weight keeping her grounded.

"She's tough," I muttered, evading another swing.

Lyria, to her credit, wasted no time. Flames spiraled from her staff, the heat palpable even from a distance. The whip wielder twisted and recoiled, his grin faltering as the fire forced him on the defensive.

"Good," I said, sparing her a quick glance. "Keep him busy."

The stone-skinned woman let out a guttural roar, swinging both fists downward in a devastating overhead strike. I sidestepped once more, the impact shattering the ground where I'd stood. She wasn't just tough—she was a juggernaut.

Fine. If brute strength was her weapon, I'd use it against her.

When she lunged again, I sprinted toward a nearby tree, using its trunk to springboard into the air. She followed without hesitation, her massive fists colliding with the tree and sending splinters flying.

I landed behind her and delivered an open palm strike to her exposed back. She staggered slightly, but the movement only seemed to enrage her. Spinning on her heels, she glared at me with raw fury.

"You're durable," I said, circling her.

"And you're annoying," she growled.

Meanwhile, Lyria held her ground. Flames erupted in bursts from her staff, forcing the whip user to remain on the defensive. Despite her clear inexperience, she moved with surprising agility, dodging the electrified whip and retaliating with fiery counterattacks.

"Can you keep that up?" I called out.

"I'll manage!" she shouted, sweat streaking her face.

"Good."

The stone woman charged again, but this time I was ready. I waited until the last second, sidestepped her attack, and grabbed her wrist. Twisting her arm with all my strength, I drove my knee into her side.

A loud crack echoed through the forest.

She roared in pain, her stony armor splintering along her ribs. I didn't let up, following with a series of rapid strikes to her midsection. Each hit chipped away at her defenses, exposing the vulnerable flesh beneath.

The whip user, noticing his partner's struggle, redirected his focus. With a flick of his wrist, the electrified whip lashed toward me.

"Lyria!" I barked.

A wall of fire erupted between me and the whip, the heat diffusing its electric charge. Lyria's knuckles whitened as she held the barrier, her staff trembling under the strain.

"Thanks," I muttered, darting through the dissipating flames.

The whip wielder snarled, retreating slightly as I closed the distance. His weapon might have been deadly at range, but up close, he was exposed.

"Too slow," I taunted, feinting left before driving an uppercut into his jaw. His head snapped back, and he staggered, the whip slipping from his grip. I didn't give him a chance to recover. A roundhouse kick followed, sending him sprawling onto the forest floor.

Above us, a display flickered:

10/17 → 9/17

The stone-skinned woman snarled in frustration, clutching her injured side. Her gaze darted between her unconscious partner and me, desperation flickering in her eyes.

"You're too strong," she spat before turning to flee.

I wasn't about to let her go.

With a powerful leap, I closed the distance and unleashed a concentrated burst of battle energy into my right hand. The dark aura swirled, compressing into a lethal, focused strike. I swung in a wide arc, the force tearing through her Qi armor and striking a critical nerve.

She froze mid-step, eyes wide in shock, before collapsing.

Lyria approached cautiously, her staff raised. "Did we… win?"

"I guess ," I replied, scanning the forest warily.

A disembodied mechanical voice cut through the stillness, cold and emotionless.

"CONGRATULATIONS. TEAM 3 HAS SUCCESSFULLY ELIMINATED A COMPETING TEAM. YOU MAY NOW PROCEED TO THE SAFE ZONE."

A shimmering portal appeared nearby, its swirling energy an invitation.

"Safe zone?" Lyria asked doubtfully.

"Temporary shelter," I replied. "Don't get comfortable. It won't last."

She hesitated but followed, gripping her staff tightly.

---

As we stepped through the portal, leaving the forest behind, we entered a pristine, white chamber. The air was cool and still, a stark contrast to the oppressive humidity of the forest. The smooth walls were inscribed with glowing runes, their rhythmic pulses almost hypnotic.

At the far end of the room, a massive glowing board caught my attention. It loomed over the chamber, displaying rows of shifting names and numbers.

A leaderboard.

"Figures," I muttered, striding toward it.

"What is it?" Lyria asked, exhaustion evident in her voice.

"A leaderboard," I replied, scanning the names. "It tracks the points for everyone in this portal—D7."

The top names glowed brighter than the rest:

1 — Etha Linter (1570 points)

2 — Hanmel Aizawa (1330 points)

3 — Vanessa Thompson (1125 points)

I scrolled further down, ignoring most of the unfamiliar names, until I found one that stood out.

11 — Kai Astro (734 points)

Kai… I tightened my jaw. Of course, he'd be near the top.

"What about us?" Lyria asked, stepping closer to the board.

"Let's see."

I continued scrolling, tension building in my chest. Finally, I spotted my name.

23 — Ain Moltern (290 points)

My fists clenched involuntarily at the sight. I should've been content with this—it was close to the range I'd aimed for to qualify for A-Class. But the sight of my name on the board stung.

That said, before my frustration could boil over, Lyria's voice broke through my thoughts, snapping me back to reality.