Jason and the other hunters assumed their Voidflare form, once again shocking the leaders and Julia.
The surrounding void trembled under the sheer intensity of their combined might. Everything within millions of kilometers trembled and were the base a few thousand kilometers closer, it would have been reduced to debris.
'Tsk! Why am I even surprised?' Basso gritted his teeth under the overwhelming pressure the hunters exuded. 'Can't believe a few cells from Alex can make them this strong!' His trembling gaze turned to Alexander.
The boy in question observed the actions of the hunters with an expressionless face, taking note of the damage they were doing to themselves.
'Igniting their mana with void energy is speeding up their breakdown.' Alex noted calmly. His gaze shifted to Zara who was eyeing Julia in a subtle way. 'Hmph! Try that and see what happens.'
Suddenly, all the hunters with the exception of Zara, spatially shifted and appeared all around Alex. Each hunter drew upon abilities, aiming for different spots on Alex.
They held nothing back! However, they were in for a rude awakening.
Despite the obscene boost in power and increased number of abilities, they were going against the original, and only a madman would believe they stood a chance.
And Zara knew that, but she wanted to see for herself and she wasn't the only one. Zara wanted to see where she stood with her newfound power.
Then it finally happened, yet no one saw what happened! It all happened too fast for anyone to see!
"Ugh!"
A collective groan of pain echoed around the gathered awakened. One moment, the hunters were blazing with murderous intent, hell-bent on taking Alex, yet none of that happened!
"!"
Basso, Jaseph and Zara stared at the injured hunters with wide eyes, unable to grasp anything. Then they turned to look at the root of their observation.
Yet the person remained in place like he was casually taking in a scenic view.
"Would you look at that?" Alex's voice oozed mockery, snapping them out of their shocked state. "Your newfound strength didn't amount to much."
Around Alexander were the hunters, all shuddering from whatever damage Alex had imparted on them. They bled from their orifices, groaning and moaning from the agony.
Zara didn't take the words well and snapped. "I still haven't gone yet!" With a thought, she ignited her mana, her aura and intent far stronger the her goons.
"Ugh!"
Basso and Jaseph spat out mouths full of blood as they backed away as fast as they could. They turned pale with fright, feeling their life flash before their eyes.
Zara disappeared from her spot, but Alex followed her movements like a parent watching their kid run with all their might yet got nowhere.
The crazy woman appeared behind Julia with a mad expression. "Try to stop me!" She bellowed as her gaze shifted to Alex.
'Huh?'
Instead of the panicked and rushed expression she was expecting, Alex just looked over his shoulders, his eyes following her movement.
'Tsk!' She ignored the uneasy feeling in her gut as her right hand blazed with a space blade. She intended to cleave Julia in half and in the event Alex rushed in to save her, she would take that chance to attack him instead.
Unfortunately, the boy just stood in place, as if nothing concerned him. It irked her to no end. 'Still looking down on me?!'
As her hand closed in on the clueless Julia, she experienced first-hand what her goons experienced themselves.
'Have a bigger dose of what your hunters felt.' Alex's voice suddenly resounded in her head.
And as soon as the voice died down, Zara felt her heart skip a beat when a heaven-splitting headache assaulted her like nothing she had ever experienced.
"Ah…!!"
The woman screamed and instantly passed out, the agony assaulting her being too much to bear.
Alex had simply damaged her soul just a bit and that manifested as an unbearable headache, powerful enough to kill anyone weaker.
Zara bled from her eyes and other openings like her goons. She was defeated without even knowing how it happened.
Watching from a distance, Basso and Jaseph wiped the blood from their face as they swallowed. They felt cold shivers run down their spine.
'He defeated them all without moving a muscle! All that power boost and for what? Nothing!'
They almost felt sorry for Zara. Truly a sad scene to witness. Zara had completely surpassed them in terms of strength and power, yet… The two leaders couldn't help but see Alexander in a different light.
And in that light his back looked broader than usual, standing tall and above all. 'Now that is the power of an absolute…the power of an overlord…'
Basso and Jaseph exchanged a glance and understood what had to be done. There was no more doubt as only one path remained.
Ignoring the existential dilemma the leaders were going through, Alex approached Julia who was slightly shaken.
The girl only caught a glimpse of Zara only when she appeared before her, and the crazy look in Zara's eyes frightened her deeply.
"You okay?" Alex drew her into a hug, placing an affectionate kiss on her forehead.
"Mm," Julia nodded, burying her face in his chest. "I'm glad to be with you right now."
"There's always a part of me inside you," Alex assured her. "Don't ever forget that."
"Yes…" Julia felt the overwhelming love Alex had for her through their bond. It warmed her heart and settled her fears.
"Ahem."
A loud throat clearing from the leaders broke their moment as Alex turned to face them.
Suddenly, Basso and Jaseph adopted a serious look as they took a knee, bowing down to Alexander with utmost sincerity in their hearts.
They had completely acknowledged his strength and set aside their pride. Taking a knee was the only way they knew to express the awe they felt for him.
"We submit ourselves to you. Alexander." The two said at the same time, their tone filled with admiration and respect. "You have proven beyond a shadow of doubt what lies in your heart and we would be fools not to see that.
"From this day onward, we live and fight at your will…"