From Bullets To Billions novel Chapter 166

Chapter 166: A Deadly Weapon

“A fight to the death?” Max repeated, his voice dry as he swallowed hard.

Hercules couldn’t be serious. From everything Max had heard from Aron, there was absolutely no way he could take on this person. Not even in his old body would Max have thought he stood a chance, not unless he had a weapon, and even then it would’ve been a gamble.

But now? Hercules wanted Max to fight him in a mere student’s body, unarmed and untrained. And what did he mean to the death? That part chilled Max the most.

Before Max could even voice the question burning on his tongue, Hercules had already moved. His fist, bundled up and brimming with deadly force, was hurled downward straight at Max.

Something deep inside him, raw instinct, pure survival, kicked in. Max felt the incoming danger as if the air itself had thickened, warning him. He dove to the side just in time.

The punch crashed into the ground where he had been standing only a second earlier. A deafening crack echoed through the space, and the stone floor split beneath Hercules’ fist. Dirt and debris scattered in every direction.

Max’s eyes widened as he stared at the impact site. If that blow had connected… if it had struck him square in the head… he didn’t doubt that his skull would’ve been driven straight through his ribcage.

“You need to truly feel like your life is on the line,” Hercules said calmly, lifting his fist from the broken earth, small chunks of dirt falling from his knuckles. He turned and shot a knowing glance toward Aron. “Your body needs to believe it is in an extreme situation. And right now, I can tell, you’re not there yet. You still don’t feel it. So, we need to fix that.”

Max understood now. The goal wasn’t just a fight. It was survival, pure and simple. He glanced at Aron, determination burning in his gaze.

“Aron,” Max said firmly, voice steady despite his racing heart. “No matter what happens, don’t get involved. I have to get through this on my own. I need to understand this situation for myself.”

Aron clenched his fists, reluctant, but he gave a single nod.

“Good,” Hercules said approvingly. Without warning, he crouched low and grabbed a clump of dirt with his bare hands. “You understand the situation now.”

In the next instant, he hurled the clump straight at Max.

It struck Max full in the face, hard and fast, like a brick rather than simple earth. The impact blinded him, his legs kicking up from the force, and he crashed onto his back.

Pain seared through his face, and his eyes throbbed. He couldn’t even tell if he was bleeding or not. All he knew was one thing, he could feel the pressure now.

I have to get up, I have to get up!

Max rolled across the dirt, adrenaline pumping through his veins. A loud stomp thundered just inches away.

When he scrambled upright and hastily wiped the dirt from his face, his vision cleared, just in time to see Hercules’ massive foot embedded in the ground exactly where Max had been lying moments ago.

If a simple chunk of mud hurt me this much… Max’s thoughts raced. I can’t afford to get hit directly by him. If I do, he’ll snap every bone in my body. This fight will be over in one blow.

Frantically scanning his surroundings, Max realized there was only one option that made any sense. He had to run, he needed to buy time and find a way to fight smarter, not harder.

Without hesitating, Max darted toward the nearby forest. Among the trees, he would have obstacles, places to hide, space to move. That was where he had a chance.

He sprinted as fast as his legs would carry him, weaving through the dense growth until he slid behind a large tree trunk. Pressing his back against the rough bark, he tried to steady his breathing, though his heart pounded like a drum.

It wouldn’t take long. He knew Hercules would follow him in.

Sure enough, a voice called out through the trees, deep and unbothered.

“What are you doing, young one? Running for your life already?” Hercules teased, his tone almost amused. “Don’t you have some sort of goal you’re trying to accomplish? I thought there was a reason you wanted to get stronger. And I told you, this is a fight!”

Suddenly, a deafening crash echoed through the forest.

Max’s eyes widened as Hercules lifted one powerful leg and delivered a kick to a nearby tree. With sheer brute strength, the tree’s roots tore free from the earth. It toppled over, colliding with a second tree, the very one Max had been hiding behind.

Max didn’t waste a second. He dove to the side, rolling across the forest floor just as the trunk came crashing down. His fingers scrambled in the dirt until they found a large rock.

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