Welcome to the Innocent World-Chapter 279: Clash of Swords

*CLANG!*

A deafening metallic sound erupted as our swords met, the impact sending a shockwave rippling through the air.

*Swooosh!* Wind roared around the island, whipping through palm trees and churning the ocean’s waves as our blades locked, sparks flying where my dark aura clashed with his red.

*CLANG! CLANG!* The sound shattered through the night as we moved at blinding speed, our bodies a blur too fast for normal eyes to follow. We darted across the sky, swords striking with relentless precision, each clash echoing like thunder, the ground trembling below with every impact.

I grinned, my smirk sharp as I pressed my black sword against his jagged blade, my dark aura surging.

"Good to see the alien’s keeping up," I said, my voice laced with taunt, my eyes locked on his.

Alaric’s red eyes narrowed, his voice low and serious, cutting through the chaos.

"Same for you, Zero," he said, his tone devoid of mockery, his sword pushing back against mine with steady force.

I tilted my head, my smirk widening as our blades scraped together, sparks flying. "What do you think?" I asked, my voice casual but edged with challenge. "Which one of us is walking away alive from this?"

Alaric’s jaw tightened, his red aura flaring brighter as he leaned into his sword, his eyes burning with confidence. "There’s nothing to think," he said, his voice cold and resolute. "I know I’ll win this."

I laughed, my smirk sharpening as I pushed my sword harder, the air humming with tension. "Oh, that’s some confidence," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Pretty bold for someone who went down after two shots."

Alaric’s lips curled into a faint smirk, his tone turning casual, almost dismissive. "That bitch wasn’t good enough for me to keep pushing, that’s all," he said, his words aimed at Afa, his red eyes never leaving mine.

I shook my head, my smirk unwavering as I pressed my sword harder against Alaric’s.

"Well, maybe learn to take some responsibility instead of blaming others," I said, my voice sharp with challenge, my dark aura surging as I pushed with more force, the blades scraping loudly.

Alaric’s eyes narrowed, his red aura flaring brighter. "Hmm? Keep blabbering," he growled, trying to push his sword back, his voice cold and defiant. "The outcome won’t change."

I grinned, seizing the moment. In a flash, I pulled my sword back and drove my boot into his gut with an upward kick, the impact sending a

*THUD* echoing through the air. Alaric grunted, his body hurtling skyward, his red aura trailing like a comet as he struggled to regain control.

Alaric, propelled upward from my kick, growled fiercely, spit flying from his mouth.

*Grrr!* Alaric’s growl echoed through the sky, his spit gleaming in the moonlight as he hurtled upward, his red aura trailing like a comet. His sword gleamed, ready to strike, his eyes burning with rage.

I laughed, my voice ringing out, sharp and taunting.

"Hahaha, got you!" I said, my smirk wide as I bent my knees, my dark aura surging. With a burst of speed, I launched myself toward him, my black sword slashing through the air, aimed straight for his chest.

*CLANG!*

Alaric blocked my attack with his jagged sword, the impact sending sparks flying, the air vibrating with the force of our clash.

He swung his left fist toward my face, crimson energy crackling around it, but I caught it with my left hand, my dark aura flaring.

Our hands locked—sword against sword, fist against fist—our bodies suspended mid-air, muscles straining as we pushed against each other, the sky humming with tension.

I tried to shift my leg, aiming a kick at Alaric’s face, but he sensed it, his red eyes flashing.

With a sudden surge of force, he pushed against me, driving us both downward, his sword and fist locked with mine.

"You won’t get to kick me this time," he growled, his voice low and fierce as we plummeted, the wind roaring around us.

I smirked, my voice loud and defiant. "Oh, is that so?" I asked, my eyes glinting with mischief.

Mid-air, I twisted my body with a burst of agility, flipping our positions so Alaric’s back was toward the ground, and I was above him, my dark aura flaring brighter.

"Arghhh!" I roared, pushing down with all my strength, my sword and fist pressing against his.

*THUD!* His back slammed into the ground, the impact shattering the concrete, sending a cloud of dust and debris exploding outward. The shockwave rippled across the island, shaking palm trees and churning the ocean’s waves.

As the dust settled, Alaric lay in a fresh crater, his red aura flickering faintly. But then his eyes snapped open, glowing a bright, menacing red, as if the impact hadn’t fazed him at all. His jagged sword still clutched tightly, he pushed himself up, his red aura flaring back to life, tendrils curling around him like flames.

I stepped back, my black sword still in hand, my smirk sharpening as I bared my teeth.

"Hehehe, obviously you won’t go down that easily," I said, my voice laced with amusement and challenge.

"I guess I should try something new now." I pulled back slightly, my dark aura pulsing, ready for his next move.

The crowd gasped, their cheers faltering for a moment before swelling again. "He’s still alive?" a woman in a sundress whispered, her hands flying to her mouth. "After that hit?"

Her friend, the man with the beer, frowned, his brow furrowed. "That alien’s tougher than he looks," he said, his voice low. "But Zero’s still got this."

A younger guy nearby, his phone raised to record, pumped his fist. "Come on, Zero!" he shouted, his voice thick with hope. "Knock him out for real this time!"

I tightened my grip on my black sword, my smirk sharp and ready for the next clash, determined to prove I was the strongest Zero yet—the one who’d send this alien crashing down for good.