Ryce stared in astonishment at Charles, who slowly rose from the ground in visible agony. After drinking the potion, Charles had undergone a startling transformation—his muscles swelled grotesquely, ballooning beneath his skin like inflating bladders. Before their eyes, he had become a veritable colossus, his frame now easily rivaling that of Old White and Ryce. Another formidable juggernaut had stepped into the fray.
"What kind of potion did you drink?" Ryce couldn't help but ask, suddenly appearing far more delicate compared to the newly empowered Charles.
Charles' upper body had taken on the shape of a proud, inverted triangle; coarse, violent muscle burst from his torn uniform. He pushed up his sunglasses and let out a low, arrogant laugh. "The latest innovation from the Victoria Company of the Alliance—an Evolutionary Ability Elixir," he declared. "Once ingested, it grants the user the elemental power encoded within it. The one I just drank? Strength. Pure strength. So, what do you think of my physique now?" As he spoke, he extended his single arm, flaunting his monstrous muscle.
Ryce's brow furrowed darkly, his face clouded. Not far off, Xiao Feng remained unconscious, while Old White struggled to his feet, clutching his chest in agony. Though weakened, Ryce knew he would have to face Charles alone. He also understood all too well the terrifying implications: a Level 4 Ability User, now bolstered by a Strength Elixir—an enemy beyond comprehension.
Ryce shook himself and muttered, "No matter how mighty your brute force, under my jiu-jitsu, you're nothing but a sitting duck!" With that, he launched himself at Charles, aiming to hurl him to the ground and incinerate this 'stone man' with his searing internal heat.
Charles, seeing Ryce charge, calmly removed his sunglasses and cast them aside. His eyes locked onto Ryce, sharp and unwavering.
Ryce attempted a feint, rushing past Charles, trying to get behind him for a takedown. But Charles, unflinching and brute in his reaction, swung his massive arm in a wide arc toward Ryce.
Ryce's body twisted unnaturally, narrowly avoiding the blow. He wrapped his arms around Charles' waist, summoned his strength, and hoisted him into the air.
A grin crept onto Ryce's face—he could already envision Charles begging for mercy. This time, he vowed, there would be no escape.
But Ryce had underestimated him.
Charles's elbow lashed out—an explosive strike that landed squarely on Ryce's head with a sickening crack.
The force of the blow—supercharged by the elixir—was beyond what even Old White could muster. Ryce had no chance.
His vision went black, and his body collapsed limply, stripped of all strength.
"Ryce!" Old White shouted in despair, just managing to stand.
"Captain!"
"Captain, are you alright?!"
"Someone help the captain!"
The X mercenaries raised their rifles in unison and unleashed a storm of bullets upon Charles, a barrage so furious it seemed to seek vengeance itself.
The air screamed with gunfire. Bullets, glowing and savage, ricocheted against Charles' form, sending chips of stone scattering. Yet he merely raised one arm to shield his eyes and continued advancing—step by relentless step—toward Xiao Feng.
Still in the jeep, Alice's eyes widened in horror. Seeing Charles move toward Xiao Feng, she shouted in desperation, "Don't you dare touch my Brother Xiao Feng!"
Meanwhile, Old White's healing ability had begun to dull his pain. Though not rapid, the regeneration had bought him precious minutes—enough to fight again. He roared, "You bastard! Your opponent is right here!"
Grabbing the notched Ravager blade from the ground, he charged at Charles. He would never let the boy be taken.
The X mercenaries, seeing Old White's assault, ceased fire instantly.
Charles glanced at him with a twisted smile. "You old fool… still alive?"
Old White arrived before him and swung his blade down with all his might, aiming to sever Charles' remaining arm.
Charles raised his arm and met the blade head-on. With a harsh clang, the weapon embedded itself in his now monstrous limb—but did not sever it.
Old White understood instantly. Charles's arm had more than doubled in size—and now, even the Ravager could not cleave it.
His stomach sank. An ominous premonition filled him.
Charles smirked coldly. He raised his foot and drove it into Old White's chest. White barely managed to cross his arms in defense.
Boom. The kick launched Old White a full ten meters through the air before he crashed to the ground. Though his ribs held firm this time, the force shattered both his forearms. His hands went limp and numb.
"Father!" Alice cried out, leaping from the jeep and rushing to her father's side, cradling his head. "Are you alright?!"
Through clenched teeth, Old White groaned, "I'm fine. Don't worry about me. Go save Xiao Feng!"
Alice turned toward Charles, who met her gaze and sneered. "Touching. All this, just to save that boy? Look at you—one by one, broken at my feet. Such heroic nonsense… Tch. If you hadn't chopped off my arm, I'd almost applaud your courage."
With that, Charles stepped beside Xiao Feng and reached down to seize his shirt.
"Don't you dare touch my Brother Xiao Feng!" Alice screamed.
She threw out both hands toward Charles in desperation, mustering every last shred of her psychic energy to restrain this monster of muscle and stone.
And Charles felt it.
He froze—unable to bend further. Paralyzed, held in place by a girl's desperate defiance.