There were quite a few people standing atop the high-rises along the main artery, watching the battle. They had originally seen Puppet and the Akerman Brothers approaching each other.
Then their vision suddenly blurred. The brothers remained where they were, followed by a deafening, mind-rattling boom.
A blast of air wrapped in billowing dust swept outward across the street, mixed with the sound of shattering windows. Even from where they stood, they could feel the rising airflow, and cries of alarm broke out.
With one strike, the younger brother Gaius sent Puppet flying, but he did not immediately pursue. He had put plenty of force into that blow, yet it had not achieved the effect it should have.
The brothers had made it this far not only through strength, but also through caution. Moreover, they had always been at their strongest when working together. Unless necessary, he would never charge in alone.
After Josh steadied himself, he flexed the shoulder that had nearly been dislocated, then turned forward with a grave expression.
Over his long career of combat, he had encountered opponents stronger than himself before. But this time, it was not merely brute strength—the use of force was equally masterful. Otherwise, he would never have suffered a disadvantage right from the start.
At that moment, light flickered ahead. They saw Puppet appear before the ruined front of a building, his entire body blazing with intense golden Spiritual Light Flame.
Gaius deliberately looked at where his hammer had struck. Sure enough, there was not the slightest damage. Puppet had blocked his hammer blow with Spiritual Fire alone.
The brothers exchanged a covert glance. Both realized that this opponent was not only powerful, but incredibly tough. They would have to deliver sufficiently solid and forceful attacks to break through that defense.