Chapter 19: CHAPTER 19
"How is this possible?" Death took a half-step back, stunned by the scene before him. Rhodes had only used the power of his fist to strike the air, creating a powerful storm of flames. This flame's temperature rivaled that of the sun. What kind of flame was this?
Under Apocalypse's command, Death believed he had seen every kind of superpower. However, facing Rhodes, he realized how ignorant he was.
As he regained his composure, Rhodes stood before him, his fist resting on his jaw.
"Hmph!" A disdainful smile curled on Death's lips. "Aren't you underestimating me at such close range?"
With those words, he swung his black sickle, releasing a black shockwave aimed at Rhodes' waist.
"Hmph! Mortal! Feel the power of Lord Apocalypse!"
Rhodes maintained his composure, raised his head high, and slammed his fist down, shattering the shockwave.
Then, he glanced at Death, raising an eyebrow as if to say, "Is that all?"
Death stood frozen; the shockwave was death's touch. Anyone it touched would fester and die. How could Rhodes be unscathed? Could something in his body resist Lord Apocalypse's bestowed curse.
While Death remained shocked, Rhodes didn't pause. He swung his flaming fist diagonally, piercing through Death's sternum, leaving him paralyzed and bleeding.
"How is this possible? Just a punch!" Death managed a final word before succumbing to death.
The other skeletons that surrounded them collapsed into disjointed bones like unthreaded puppets, scattered on the ground.
Rhodes didn't let his guard down. He delivered two downward punches, obliterating Death's head and leaving a gruesome scene.
Afterward, Rhodes turned to check Sig's injuries.
"I'm fine, just a bit weak. A little rest, and I'll be as good as new," Sig responded, slightly embarrassed by his momentary vulnerability.
In a distant palace, Apocalypse observed everything through the perspective of death.
"As expected," Apocalypse gazed greedily at Rhodes' body. "Compared to mere mortals, it's a perfect existence. No matter how many lives are taken, a body like that can't be replaced."
"Lord Apocalypse! I volunteer!" Beside him, Famine, the last knight of Apocalypse, half-knelt, his eyes filled with excitement. The death of his partner hadn't angered him; instead, it made him ecstatic. Killing Rhodes would prove his strength to Apocalypse and secure his future.
"No!" Apocalypse raised a finger and shook it. "You're no match for him. Though he's young, his physical strength surpasses ordinary gods."
"And he wields abilities I've never seen before. Despite devouring countless people with powers, I thought I'd seen them all, but his flames are entirely new."
Famine hesitated, surprised by Apocalypse's praise. Could there be a more powerful entity in the world than Lord Apocalypse?
Seeing Famine's thoughts, Apocalypse smiled knowingly. "Although he's strong, he still falls short of me. I'm the sole god of this era, and all existence must bow to me. This young man will eventually kneel at my feet, begging for my forgiveness."
With that, he stood. "I'll be back shortly. Prepare to celebrate my perfect body!"
A blue light enveloped Apocalypse, and he vanished into thin air.
Meanwhile, Rhodes carefully placed Sig in a comfortable spot within the tavern.
Outside, a figure bathed in moonlight appeared, an eager smile on his face. Rhodes recognized him as Apocalypse.
"Hoho," Apocalypse chuckled. "You've slain three of my capable subordinates, yet you remain so composed before me. I can't decide if you're fearless or ignorant."
Apocalypse took a few steps forward, and tables and chairs floated in the air, surrounded by a purple glow.
"Your three subordinates were bloodthirsty, like rabid dogs. It seems you, as their master, lacked the education to raise anything but running dogs," Rhodes retorted, his anger stirred by the memory of Apocalypse's ruthless actions in Egypt, including the slaughter of innocent children.
"Huh!" Apocalypse snorted, gesturing with his fingers. Tables flew toward Rhodes.
Rhodes struck them with powerful punches, shattering them into pieces. "I am the only god in this world," Apocalypse declared. "Everything obeys my will, and anyone who defies me shall perish."
Rhodes saw no point in further conversation with this deranged individual. He launched a flying kick at Apocalypse, who raised a barrier in response.
Rhodes kicked the barrier, his strength easily penetrating it and sending Apocalypse flying out of the tavern.
"What!" Apocalypse muttered in confusion as he landed outside. He couldn't understand how Rhodes had the strength to breach his barrier.
Rhodes calmly walked out of the tavern. "Hey! Who are you?" a crowd of onlookers asked, unaware of the situation due to the earlier battle between Rhodes and Death.
Apocalypse, with his dark blue skin and glowing blue eyes, inspired fear in the crowd. They recognized him as a superpower created by Pharaoh and retreated in terror.
"Get out of here!" Rhodes commanded, but the civilians didn't understand his intentions.
Apocalypse spread his hand, causing yellow sand on the ground to float toward the onlookers' necks. They watched in fear, not taking the threat seriously until their heads fell to the ground.
The yellow sand enveloped them, and when it settled, a sea of blood and corpses lay before Rhodes.
Rhodes frowned in disgust, seeing the massacre of innocent people. "You!" he growled, his anger flaring.
Apocalypse sneered, "A group of mortals like ants, mere dust beneath my feet. Do I need your permission to sweep them away?"
Rhodes clenched his fists, and the tension between them made the air turn frigid.
Apocalypse's body transformed into an afterimage as he charged at Rhodes like a speeding arrow. Rhodes met him head-on, their fists clashing repeatedly, creating powerful shockwaves.
Apocalypse withdrew, examining his bloodied fists. Despite his superhuman physique, his body still showed signs of aging, and maintaining his peak condition was challenging.
Rhodes' expression remained unchanged. He hadn't expected to harm Apocalypse with mere fists, as he could easily heal himself through molecular manipulation.
Suddenly, a blue beam shot from Apocalypse. Rhodes dodged, but the beam struck the ground, leaving a deep gouge.
Rhodes recognized it as an original destructive energy wave, capable of erasing him from existence.
"Ding! The host [Rhodes] has evolved [Man of Steel]!"
Rhodes healed rapidly, his body returning to pristine condition.
Apocalypse's eyes glinted with greed, and he prepared to control Rhodes' memories. However, he found Rhodes' mental defenses impenetrable.
Apocalypse stepped back, clutching his head. "I can't touch your mind!"
Rhodes snorted; his mental fortitude had evolved in Asgard, impervious to Apocalypse's influence.
Apocalypse launched a series of blue rays, but they had no effect on Rhodes. They washed over him like water on a wall.
Apocalypse was bewildered. "Is your body beyond the molecular structure of this world?"
Rhodes discovered that Apocalypse's beams no longer affected him. It was as if they were mere tickles.
Seeing his beams fail, Apocalypse attempted to unlock another level of his abilities. However, Rhodes seemed invulnerable.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone