Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Andrew's lightning-fast assault was completely overwhelming for Ezra. His chest took a direct kick, sending his blood churning violently. However, what truly horrified him was how Andrew could possibly hurt him at all.noveldrama

As a martial king, his body should not be this fragile. Roaring in disbelief, Ezra spun his morning star wildly. His full strength exploded outward, tearing his leather jacket into ribbons.

However, Andrew remained cold and calm, weaving backward with dazzling footwork. No matter how Ezra's morning star advanced, he always managed to dodge safely at the last possible moment.

Ezra suddenly released his weapon with a thunderous shout, sending it flying straight at Andrew's head!

Yet, Andrew did not flinch. He raised his hand and struck the weapon with a thunderclap-like palm strike.

Ezra grinned wickedly and charged. That morning star was covered in hooked spikes, and one direct hit would surely shred Andrew's hand.

To Ezra's shock, Andrew looked completely unfazed. He bent backward, dodging the swing aimed at his face. Then, he slapped the ground with one hand. Using the rebounding force, his body launched upward, and two fingers jabbed precisely into Ezra's armpit.

Indescribable agony shot through his brain instantly, and Ezra felt half his body go numb. At the same time, he could not understand how Andrew's hand was not crippled.

Andrew did not let up. He closed the distance in two quick steps, locked both arms around the back of Ezra's neck, and drove his knee upward with brutal force.

Ezra's nose shattered with a sickening crunch, blood spurting everywhere. The pain triggered something deep in him, unleashing his raw power at last.

He slammed his morning star into the ground twice, carving massive craters into the stone. At the same time, he screamed bloody murder, spitting curses at Andrew as fury consumed him.

Even so, Andrew turned a deaf ear, like a predatory beast, coldly and calmly watching the rampaging Ezra before him. He seized the moment to pounce again, and with two dull thuds, his fists struck squarely against Ezra's weapon.

Ezra could not withstand the force and was dragged down toward the ground. At the last second, he abandoned his weapon and raised both arms in front of his chest, crossing them to block the next attack.

He roared like a charging bull and barreled forward, trying to ram Andrew down.

Andrew's smile did not have the

slightest trace of warmth. He placed one hand on Ezra's arm and allowed himself to be pushed back. The stone paved alley cracked under their feet; their clash had gone far beyond what any normal human could endure. Content bétongs to

"Just die already!" Ezra howled, chest expanding as he unleashed a move called Blooming Iron Tree.

His arms swung open like

floodgates, sending shockwaves crashing toward Andrew. He planned to blast Andrew back, catch his breath, and give the order for the guards on both ends to swarm in and finish the job.

Yet, when Ezra spread his arms wide, he realized something terrifying.

Andrew had not budged an inch. He was still standing right there, feet embedded deep into the ground like anchors.

"You..." The dread hit him like a sledgehammer, and his scream barely escaped

his lips before Andrew's fist crashed straight into his chest.

Then, Andrew's hand opened, his fingers flaring like a blooming flower. A rapid succession of cracks burst from Ezra's body like fireworks goingOff inside his flesh. He staggered backward, step by step, unable to stay upright.

His body was riddled with bloody holes, and not a single inch remained intact. Finally, he dropped to his knees, slumping forward in surrender, his head bowing low before Andrew.

Andrew walked over slowly, one hand tucked behind his back.

Ezra lifted his head with difficulty, his face now soaked and streaked with blood.