10.

10.
Jeremy managed to bring down his right arm and blocked the punch in the last second. But even if he did block the punch, his arm shattered the more, and blood could be seen seeping out from the spot Murphy's fist collided with.

Murphy swiftly retrieved his outstretched arm and swung out another punch toward Jeremy's chest before he could react to the first hit.

Jeremy, who was still recovering, saw another punch heading towards his chest. Jeremy managed to cross his arms and block the punch by hair length, but the force behind the punch had pushed him several steps backward, and his arm shattered the more.

After blocking the punch and getting pushed a few steps backward. But then he lifted his gaze to face Murphy, he saw Jon's knee heading towards his face.

Murphy's knee jammed into his face with full force, lifting him off the floor and sending him crashing outside the raised platform. Jeremy's body kept flying backward until he crashed against a wall nearby and fell to the floor.

Blood flowed out of his broken nose and a few teeth dropped out of his mouth as he passed out.

The whole club fell silent after witnessing the scene that just played out in front of them, and all students had their gazes fixated on Murphy with widened mouths.

"The winner is, Murphy!" The crowd finally snapped out of his daze and announced.

The club began to murmur amongst themselves in disbelief, but their murmur ceased after they watched a certain man walk forward majestically.

The boy had long black hair, a tall height, a good-looking face, and a fit body with huge tattoos all over his body.

"I-is that... Zedd!" A man exclaimed, his gaze fixated on the fierce-looking man walking forward.

Zedd stood tall and imposing; his gaze was fixated on Jeremy and the crowd. His presence alone showcased a dark aura that sent chills down their spine.

"I demand to know where the boy is, the boy that defeated Jeremy easily...where is he?" Zedd said with a dark tone. Jeremy hesitated and weighed his options carefully. The clubbers glanced at each other nervously unsure of how to respond to this sudden encounter.

The standoff continued as tension in the air got thick. Jeremy and his guys remained on the edge and ready to defend themselves if necessary.

The tension in the air was intense as Zedd moved closer to Jeremy and his gang. His demand for Murphy, who just defeated him, hung in the air and echoed through the walls of the club.

Jeremy was visibly shaken but he maintained his composure.

"He left, and we don't know where he is," he replied cautiously as he was eyeing with a mix of defiance and fear. The people at the club clustered together behind their tables and held their breaths, unsure of what would happen next.

Zedd eyes narrowed, his gaze sweeping through the room as if he were searching for any sign of deception.

"Do not deceive me, Jeremy; I can sense his energy; he must be close," Zedd said with authority that sent shivers down everyone's spine.

Just as tension reached its peak and the standoff seemed ready to escalate into violence, a sudden noise echoed from the shadows of the club.

Amid the chaos, a figure clad in a sleek suit emerged from the door.

"I'm afraid there's been a misunderstanding, Zedd the shadow hunter. We saw the impressive powers of the kid who defeated Jeremy, but the boy you speak of is not in our possession, and I don't think that kid is  "THE SHADOW"." Mr Sam said.

"And yet, I sense the presence of the boy, close" Zedd insisted with a challenging tone.

Mr Sam nodded with a thoughtful expression.

"I don't know what you are talking about. The boy left, and we don't know where e," Mr. Sam said.

"Zeed, the shadow hunter, we are willing to cooperate with you on peaceful terms," he offered, sensing an opportunity to defuse the situation as he stepped forward.

Zedd seemed to consider this for a moment; his gaze moved between Mr. Sam, Jeremy, and his gang, and the crowd. Finally, he nodded slowly, a gesture of reluctant acceptance.

"That's the only reason I haven't killed you guys yet, I'll be back. But know this, "THE SHADOW" is a great threat to the city. If you see or hear anything about the shadow. Call me. We will meet again" Zedd said.

With that declaration, Zedd turned and moved back towards the door. Jeremy and his gang remained vigilant as they stood until he left, leaving behind an uneasy silence.

Mr. Sam let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding; his shoulder dropped in relief. Jeremy nodded to Mr Sam gratefully before turning to address his gang.

"Secure the area, and double our efforts to ensure the boy is found; we don't wanna mess with Zed, the shadow hunter," Jeremy instructed.

As the club buzzed with activity, Mr Sam approached Jeremy quietly.

"We need to prepare, fund that kid, and get him to tell you his name. Then we will make Zedd think he is the actual"SHADOW. "... Zedd will not be the last to come here seeking "THE SHADOW". Mr Sam said with determination in his voice.