The Dreamer's POV

~BOOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!~

The impact of their fists colliding shook the very foundation of the cavern, causing a shockwave that reverberated throughout the massive space.

"G-ghik!" Endo groaned, feeling an odd sensation permeate his arm.

The young man's punch wasn't merely a counter. No… it was different.

This was a devastating attack in its own right.

"Gaaaark!"

A strangled gasp escaped Endo's lips as the horrifying reality of what had just transpired dawned on him.

His reinforced arm, which had once crushed skulls and shattered bones, was gone, severed from his body.

It wasn't just gone, it was crushed into an unrecognizable mess, a gruesome reminder of the young man's overwhelming power.

"Guaaaarrhhhh!"

Pain seared through Endo's body, white-hot and blinding, but he barely had time to process the loss.

Another attack from the young man was already heading his way. The grin had faded from the young man's face, replaced by a chillingly serious expression.

'A-ahh…'

A sudden realization hit Endo like a bucket of icy water.

His breath hitched, his heart pounding loudly in his ears.

There was no escape, no backup plan.

The young man had him cornered, outclassed in every way possible. He was fighting a battle he had already lost.

His death... was inevitable.

In those fleeting moments before death, as the punch connected with his stomach, a rush of thoughts flooded Endo's mind.

Time seemed to slow, each ticking second feeling like an eternity.

It was like his whole life was flashing before his very eyes.

There was regret, a heavy weight of remorse that threatened to drown him.

His thoughts turned to his subordinates. The brave men and women who had pledged their loyalty to him, whom he had just sent to their deaths.

A profound sorrow seized him.

"I'm sorry," he murmured silently, the words echoing within his own mind.

He had failed them. His death would not be the only one tonight; they would surely meet the same fate.

Then came the realization of his disappointment.

He had been bestowed Special Items, powerful tools that should have given him an edge in this battle. And yet, here he was, on the brink of death, defeated by a young man who barely seemed to have broken a sweat.

He could almost hear the disappointed sighs of his superiors.

"I've failed you," he confessed internally, the admission causing a sharp pang in his chest.

Finally, there was the acceptance.

The knowing, the surety that his life was at its end. He didn't want to die, but there was no dodging this fate.

His death was just a heartbeat away.

Suddenly, the world exploded.

The impact of the punch hit him like a meteor, ripping through his body and shattering him into pieces.

His body scattered across the hall, bits and pieces flung wide in a gruesome spectacle.

His life ended in an instant, a violent and abrupt conclusion to his existence.

His last thought was a silent apology, an echo that hung in the air even as his body was torn apart.

**********

[00 Months: 15 Days: 14 Hours]

Staring down at the remains of the fallen Captain Endo, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dissatisfaction.

"Well, that was...underwhelming," I muttered, shaking my head.

My current strength, amplified by the effects of <Carnage>, was incredible. I had over a 300% stat increase, and I was practically brimming with power.

Turning my gaze towards the survivors of the Nine Headed Dragon Alliance, I pondered aloud,

"Where shall I direct this power now?" Their faces paled at my words, the dread in their eyes evident.

Suddenly, a notification appeared in my field of vision. A system panel indicating that I had leveled up. My lips curled into a grin.

"Seems like I'm in a good mood now," I announced, my grin widening. I saw the survivors recoil at my words, their bodies shaking. Their fear was palpable, and it fueled me.

"Since I'm feeling generous," I continued, my voice dripping with mockery, "I'll do you a big favor."

I paused for dramatic effect, locking eyes with each of them.

"I'll kill you quickly."

The echoes of my words sent a shiver down their spines. Their terrified faces were a sight to behold.

It wasn't particularly fun doing this… but I couldn't feel any remorse for my actions either. These were the same people who tried to kill me, after all.

'They deserve to die.'

As the echoes of my last words faded into the vast room, I felt an immense surge of energy course through my veins.

My Great Energy Rocks materialized, each one enveloped in a unique elemental aura.

Fire, water, earth, wind, lightning - they swirled and danced around the rocks, their radiant glow piercing the grim darkness.

Without a moment's hesitation, I directed my will, my intent clear and unwavering.

The rocks reacted, zipping across the room with blinding speed, each one a deadly missile of elemental power.

"ARRRRRRRGHHHH—!" Screams filled the cavern, only to be cut off abruptly.

Bodies fell left and right, mangled and twisted by the ferocious onslaught of the Energy Rocks.

Some were incinerated by the searing heat of fire, while others were crushed by the unyielding force of earth.

I saw bodies convulsing from the vicious shocks of lightning, while others were blasted apart by the merciless gusts of wind.

And for those unfortunate enough to meet the wrath of the water-imbued rock, they were torn asunder, their bodies disintegrated into an unrecognizable pulp of flesh and bone.

The gruesome scene unraveled before my eyes, the sights and sounds merging to form a canvas of death and destruction.

The sheer power at my command was both intoxicating and exhilarating.

'I take it back… maybe I am enjoying this a little…'

I had no idea when it started, but… why was I relishing every moment of this?

It made no sense to me.

As the final screams died down, leaving only the dripping of blood and the soft echoes of settling rubble, I stood amidst the carnage, my heart pounding with a strange sense of satisfaction.

This was the power I possessed.

This was the reality I could impose on others.

This was my dominion.

"I think I understand why I feel so satisfied when I do stuff like this now," I murmured to myself.

"Having power… and using that power… it feels good."

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[A/N]

Well, it seems the enemies have been vanquished. What is left now? We can only wait and see.

Also, it seems Mikey is slowly moving to the dark side.

Or is he?