REINCARNATION OF THE STRONGEST WAR HERO
Chapter 39: A NEEDLE!

Chapter 39: A NEEDLE!

Flashback — Seconds Before Logan’s Collapse

The moment Lira’s spell landed, Logan’s eyes widened—not from pain, but from sudden, jarring realization.

"She isn’t just a Tier 2 mage. And she’s using a killing spell. I couldn’t use mana earlier. Everything is falling into place now."

The realization sank like ice into his spine. His body flew back from the impact, but his mind raced even faster.

That wasn’t normal. It wasn’t exhaustion. It wasn’t disruption from clashing spells. It was something else.

She had done this to him.

His mind rewound, frame by frame, through the moments just before his mana vanished—the last exchange... her lunge... the blood... her hand brushing his wrist.

A needle!

He remembered the sting. The drop of blood. The way she’d collapsed too easily.

His lips curled bitterly. So... she planned it all.

But it wasn’t just betrayal that set his heart pounding.

It was the feeling stirring beneath it.

A feeling he had locked away since the day he was reborn. Something darker. Something primal.

Bloodlust.

It coiled inside him like smoke, writhing against his restraint. He had buried it deep, always in control, always hidden beneath his calm exterior. He had only lost control once. But Lira had stirred it again.

Had challenged it.

And now... it wanted to break free.

No, Logan thought, clenching his fists inside the dust cloud. Not yet. I mustn’t let it consume me. Not here.

His eyes narrowed.

If I can’t use mana... I’ll use something else.

Qi. Martial strength. His true foundation—one the world believed was long extinct.

But to use it openly would raise too many questions.

So he made a decision. A risk.

He would hide it within the chaos.

He would dance behind smoke.

And Lira... would regret ever awakening the storm.

Present — Back in the Arena

The dust began to settle.

The winds calmed. The light filtered in.

Gasps spread like wildfire through the stands as the scene came into view.

In the crater at center stage, Logan stood hunched on one knee. His cloak was torn, chest scorched, blood dribbling from his mouth. A large wound gaped over his ribs, but... he was still breathing.

Barely.

Lira lay sprawled just outside the shattered stage boundary, unconscious. Her white robe was dyed red. Blood leaked from her lips as her body convulsed once—then stilled.

A beat of silence.

Then—

"Did that kid just... survive that?"

"Wait... who actually won?"

"He’s standing!"

The referee rushed to the stage, followed closely by two healers.

Alice couldn’t contain herself anymore. She pushed past the guards, sprinting toward her son.

"Logan!!"

Rudeous followed, eyes wide with disbelief.

Even Mirena—stone-faced moments ago—stood frozen. No joy. No smirk. Only... confusion.

Logan tried to rise to his feet again—but his legs gave out.

He collapsed forward, catching himself with trembling arms.

Blood pooled beneath him.

The referee reached his side. "It’s over. The match is done."

He turned toward the crowd and raised one arm.

"Victor—Logan Smith!"

Cheers erupted.

Shock followed.

And then confusion.

Because no one... truly understood what they had just seen.

Emily Starwind, already halfway down the stairs, moved quickly across the arena. Her eyes were locked on Logan’s pale face.

She knelt beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Let me help," she said softly.

He nodded faintly. "Don’t... touch the chest. The pain there is sharp."

Emily hesitated. Her fingers hovered just above the wound, channeling diagnostic pulses.

But then...

Suddenly...

Her eyes widened.

She looked up sharply.

Noah Starwind, watching from above, noticed something wrong. "Is he in dangerous condition, Emily?"

Emily stood slowly, watching the retreating form of Logan being carried toward the healer’s quarters.

She simply watched Logan disappear into the inner corridor—her heart uneasy, and her mind full of questions.

Meanwhile, on the stage’s edge, the final dust from Lira’s collapse had settled.

Healers surrounded her.

"She’s alive, but barely," one murmured.

"Broken ribs... internal bleeding. That last blow..."

"She was thrown out like a leaf in a storm."

One of them looked toward the referee. "Should we disqualify?"

The referee nodded. "She crossed the boundary. The match is over."

Inside the Healer’s Chamber

Logan lay on a stretcher, breath shallow. His vision flickered.

Pain radiated through every bone.

But he remained calm.

In his mind, he played the fight over again.

The moment the blast came.

The moment he had focused his breath.

Smoke.

He couldn’t use mana. So he could only rely on his martial arts prowess.

He coiled his arm like a spring, muscles tightening with explosive force—then, in one fluid motion, unleashed a straight punch that cut through the air like a bullet.

A technique that struck not through surface contact, but through the air itself—disguised as a gust, channeled like a stream.

It was the same punch he had practiced after finishing his gravity training.

He had let Lira believe he was helpless.

And when she got provoked and used that powerful attack—

She directly played into Logan’s trap.

And then it happened—something she could have never even dreamed of.

Bam!

The Qi punch had landed straight into her abdomen. Unseen. Unfelt—until it was too late.

And her body had flown like a broken kite.

But it had cost him.

The exertion.

The internal bleeding.

The near loss of consciousness.

Logan closed his eyes.

I’ll need to be more careful now. I’ve stirred too many eyes today.

And they may surely come with some unsettled doubts in their hearts.

He exhaled slowly.

And drifted into sleep.

Beside the fighting stage, one person still stood frozen. Then felt a hand on her shoulder.

"What’s wrong, Emily?" asked Noah.

Emily blinked at him, not knowing what to say—or what effect the truth might cause.

"We’ll talk about this later," she finally said after a long pause.

The announcer’s voice tore through the air again:

"The next match—Vaylen Mord versus Renald Keir!"

This time, only the announcer’s voice echoed.

But the usual aftermath didn’t happen.

Because the entire audience was still shaken to the core. Still doubtful.

"What the hell just happened?"

To be continued...

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