Lelib, despite the confusion, found himself facing an Azurean in an unusual challenge.

Ici, with his characteristic grin, stepped forward, his intentions veiled in mystery.

Ici: How about a little spar, Lelib? You and me. A little test. A friendly match, perhaps?

Lelib, intrigued yet cautious, considered the proposal. Before anyone else could chime in, Lelib spoke.

Lelib: Alright, but on one condition. No harm comes to my friends. It's between you and me.

Ici's grin widened, a glint of excitement in his azure eyes. The others, particularly Jack and Jason, were eager to join the fight with Lelib, but Lelib declined, wanting this to be a personal test. And he knew that they would only stand in the way.

The stage was set, and the clash began. The forest transformed into a battleground as the two figures darted across the landscape.

The fight echoed with the energy of two powerful beings, their movements blurring the lines between skill and sheer force. Lelib, though holding his own and exchanging huge successful blows. soon realized the vast difference in their strengths. Is he holding back? Is he letting me hit him? Lelib thought.

Ici, holding back, felt a strange mix of emotions. Disappointment colored his face as he danced around Lelib, avoiding attacks with an almost effortless grace. There was a trace of sadness too, an unspoken understanding that Lelib had a long way to go.

The forest became an arena of speed and finesse, but Lelib, determined, pushed his limits. Ici's frustration grew, and, for a moment, it looked like he might abandon the fight altogether.

However, a shift occurred. Ici's demeanor changed. Frustration morphed into a cold determination. He decided to show Lelib the true disparity between them.

The next sequence was a blur of motion. Ici, with newfound intensity, landed a barrage of blows on Lelib. The force was palpable, shaking the very core of the battleground. Lelib quickly defended but was eventually struck hard in the gut.

The impact sent Lelib soaring through a hill, the ground shaking with the ferocity of the blow. Silence fell over the battleground as everyone stared, a collective gasp hanging in the air.

It seemed like the end. Lelib laying still in the rubble. the echo of the punch resonating through the forest.

The Truthseekers, their expressions mirroring a mix of shock and disbelief, awaited a sign of life. The fight had taken an unexpectedly serious turn, and the fate of their leader hung in the balance.

Ici, a shadow of regret flickering across his features, he just stared at the rubble, sad. As if he wanted Lelib to get up. Even Olleg had a confused look towards Ici. Sure he was saddened and scared that Lelib might be actually dead, because he has never seen such a powerful hit before. But at the same time he knew something wasn’t right with Ici as well.

Jack, his fists clenched, couldn't hold back his anger.

Jack: What the hell was that you bastard? You said it was just a friendly match!

Jason, his voice laced with concern and frustration, chimed in: We trusted you, and you killed him!

Ici turned to face them, frustration etched across his features.

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Ici: (exasperated) You two really don't understand anything, do you? Your captain was weak. That’s it, nothing more, nothing less. This world is cruel let this be a lesson.

This only fueled the anger in Jack and Jason. The gang stood ready, knowing that they would die. But Ici, sensing their intent, reassured them.

Ici: Relax, I won't kill you. You're just a bunch of Oxygen consumers. I have no business with the likes of you.

As Ici turned to leave, a subtle movement caught his attention. A faint energy emanated from the rubble where Lelib lay seemingly lifeless. The air itself seemed to shimmer with a quiet power. Ici, though frustrated, couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity. Something was stirring within the fallen form of Lelib.

The tension in the forest lingered as Jack, Jason, and the rest, held their breath, watching for any sign of life from their seemingly fallen leader.

*BOOOM*

A huge burst of red aura engulfed the destroyed hill. The aftermath of the explosion revealed Lelib. The once seemingly defeated leader now radiated power, his figure a little bit more larger. He has a little bit more muscle definition and surrounded by a fierce red aura that swallowed the destruction in its wake.

Jack, Jason, Olleg, and Artemis, faces twisted with shock and more importantly terror. His eyes, once familiar brown, glowed with an intense red light. His curly brown hair now red and a little bit more spikier.

Lelib locked eyes with Ici, the challenge now reaching a whole new level. Each step towards Ici resonated with a thunderous boom, a testament to the overwhelming power now under Lelib's control.

Ici, initially shocked, couldn't suppress his excitement.

Ici: YOU ARE ONE INTERESTING GUY, HUH!

As Lelib approached, the ground beneath him crumbled, the air pulsating with unrestrained energy. The two stood eye to eye but now. Lelib, at first he was a little bit shorter than Ici from when they previously stood eye to eye. but now he is as tall if not taller.

Ici, unable to contain his excitement, urged Lelib to continue the fight.

Ici: COME ON, LET'S FINISH OUR BOUT, LELIB!

And so, the battle resumed, the clash of titans reaching unimaginable speeds. They moved faster than sound, breaking the sound barriers as they fought. The forest became a blur as their forms weaved through the air. Trees, boulders you name it. Nothing was save while they were fighting.

Olleg: We need to get out of here and watch from a saver distance!

Jason: Not that we can watch anything. Their moving way to fast.

In the midst of this hyper-fast dance of blows and blocks, it became evident that Ici, despite Lelib's colossal power boost, still held his ground. He welcomed the blows, reveled in the pain, and lived in the exhilarating moment of the fight.

The intensity of the battle unveiled a side of Ici that bordered on madness. He was no longer the calm bartender from the bar; he was a warrior consumed by the thrill of combat.

Blows exchanged between them painted a chaotic picture, with neither gaining a clear advantage. At times, it seemed like Ici was intentionally letting himself get hit, savoring every moment. Other times, he showcased a dominance that hinted at a deeper well of power.

The climax approached as a simultaneous strike sent both combatants staggering. Ici, with a sinister grin, declared the inevitable.

Ici: This match will end soon, with me victorious. Your Kichy is spilling everywhere. You're losing too much. At this point, you will lose, and I will win.

Lelib, starring blank at Ici and then clenched his fists. The red aura, once unbridled, condensed into his fists, creating an ominous glow. Ici, noticing the change, spoke with a newfound realization.

Ici: Oh...

The battleground quivered as Lelib, propelled by the surge of power from his so called "kichy” throughout his foot. He charged at Ici with unparalleled speed. Ici, realizing the imminent collision, knew that he had to match it with his own punch.

*BOOOM*

The clash of their punches ignited a colossal explosion, the shockwaves demolishing the ground and sending shivers through the surrounding trees. Even the Truthseekers at a safe distance had to shield themselves from the force.

Ici's hand bled from the impact, an interesting contrast to Lelib's unscathed fist. But there was a peculiar revelation – Ici hadn't utilized any "kichy." Not once. If he even possessed such a power remained uncertain.

Amidst the echoes of laughter from Ici, he declared.

Ici: Well, let's end this!

Ici lunged at Lelib with remarkable speed, while Lelib, feeling his newfound power disappearing slowly, jumped high into the air. Lelib thought of when Ici mentioned his kichy fading away.

Lelib: (So this red power of mine is kichy huh. I’m losing it fast I need to end this quickly.)

Rather than succumb to a slow fade, Lelib decided to culminate his remaining strength into one final, explosive attack.

In mid-air, Lelib condensed the red aura into a radiant burst of pure energy. Ici, watched as the luminous energy took form.

Ici: Trying to charge from that save distance! HAHAHAHA! Not on my watch!

Ici jumped in the air towards Lelib with great speed and with a gut-wrenching punch, Ici sent Lelib further into the air, the red aura dissipating. Yet, Lelib, resilient, harnessed the last reservoirs of energy and released it in a torrent of power that even Ici struggled to block. The powerful blast along with Ici went flying and crashing at the ground creating a gigantic explosion, furthering the size of the initial crater and obscuring the battlefield in smoke.

As Lelib began descending into the expanded crater, Ici emerged from the smoke, clothes tattered and damaged And covered in blood. A primal scream escaped him as he charged once again at Lelib, who, in turn, felt a surge of determination. A final clash was inevitable.

Ici: HAAAAA!

Lelib: HAAAAA!

Lelib screamed in response, channeling the last ounce of the red aura into his fist. The transformation receded, returning him to his normal brown-haired form, but now with a fist glowing red.

*BOOOM*

The last clash reverberated, sending shockwaves through the air. Ici crashed downward at breakneck speed, while Lelib, propelled backward, hung in the air for a moment and then came crashing down. The dust and echoes of their titanic clash lingered, leaving the Truthseekers in suspense, uncertain of the outcome…