A metallic door slowly emerged at the back of the arena.
The runes engraved across its surface glowed blue before releasing a deep mechanical sound.
The battle was over.
Hitori took a deep breath.
Alexey’s lightning attack still left small aches throughout his body.
Nothing serious.
But enough to remind him that he had taken a few unnecessary hits.
The black gauntlets began to dissolve.
The dark matter slowly returned to his two spheres.
For a few moments, he looked down at his own hands.
That form was still new.
Still strange.
Hitori:
“Looks like I can control these spheres better now.”
Taiku:
“Were you talking to me?”
Hitori looked back.
The judge was still leaning against the wall.
He looked just as tired as before.
Hitori:
“No.”
Taiku:
“Good.”
Taiku:
“Keep it that way.”
Hitori:
“Keep what way?”
Taiku:
“Not talking to me.”
Hitori fell silent.
Taiku closed his eyes again.
Taiku:
“Best conversation I’ve had all day.”
Hitori:
“You really hate people, don’t you?”
Taiku:
“I work with them.”
Hitori:
“Fair point.”
Without saying another word, Hitori walked through the door.
The corridor beyond the arena was completely different.
The pale stone walls reflected the light of magical crystals.
The atmosphere was relatively quiet.
Some participants walked through the halls after finishing their own matches.
Others waited near the transportation areas.
The scent of metal, magic, and dust still lingered in the air.
Hitori stretched his arms.
A slight pain ran through them.
Then he started walking.
That’s when he heard a familiar voice.
A voice that immediately told his brain that peace was over.
Aysa:
“So…”
Hitori slowly closed his eyes.
Like someone accepting his fate.
Aysa:
“That whole ‘it went deep’ thing was pretty interesting.”
Hitori let out a long…
Painful…
Heartfelt sigh.
When he opened his eyes, Aysa was leaning casually against one of the walls.
The smile on her face made it obvious she was enjoying this.
Very much.
Kamero stood beside her.
He maintained his usual expression.
But his eyes revealed that he was also interested in this conversation.
Which somehow made everything even worse.
Hitori:
“Don’t start.”
Kamero:
“I’ll admit I was also curious about the context behind that statement.”
Hitori:
“Since when have you two been listening?!”
Aysa:
“Since the humiliation.”
Kamero:
“Since the first explosion.”
Hitori:
“You watched the whole fight?!”
Aysa:
“It was extremely educational.”
Kamero:
“Especially the part about glory.”
Aysa:
“So much glory.”
Kamero:
“Far too much glory.”
Hitori:
“I hate you both.”
Aysa stepped closer.
Examining his arms.
Aysa:
“That transformation was new.”
Hitori looked down at his own arms.
Hitori:
“It was.”
Kamero:
“Will the black gauntlets continue evolving?”
Kamero adjusted his glasses.
His gaze became more analytical.
Sharper.
Like someone taking apart a machine just to understand how it worked.
Kamero:
“Unlike the previous version…”
Kamero:
“These seem to directly increase your physical strength.”
Hitori:
“I felt that too.”
Kamero:
“Interesting.”
Aysa:
“So you finally learned how to punch without looking adorable?”
Hitori:
“I’ve always known how to punch! Wait a second.”
Kamero:
“You always fall for her bait.”
Hitori:
“I seriously hate you two.”
Aysa burst into laughter.
Kamero merely shrugged.
A few minutes later, the three of them continued walking through the fortress corridors.
The traffic had increased.
Participants were returning from their arenas.
Some celebrated their victories.
Others wore bitter expressions.
Several bore considerable injuries.
It was impossible to win without paying a price.
Then they found Yashina.
Or rather…
They found something that looked as though it had survived a chemical disaster.
The young woman was completely covered in a sticky green substance.
From her hair…
To her boots.
Everything.
Absolutely everything.
She immediately pointed at the group.
Yashina:
“No.”
Silence.
Yashina:
“Don’t.”
Another silence.
Yashina:
“Say.”
Yet another silence.
Yashina:
“Anything.”
Hitori turned his face away.
His shoulders began to shake.
Aysa covered her mouth with one hand.
Kamero slightly tilted his head.
All three were fighting for their lives at that moment.
Because laughing meant dying.
Aysa:
“My goodness…”
Aysa:
“What happened to you?”
Yashina:
“A disgusting semi-troll!”
She pointed at herself.
The slime slowly dripped down her clothes.
Which only made the situation worse.
Yashina:
“That bastard used this stuff to trap his opponents!”
Kamero stepped closer.
Examining the slime.
Kamero:
“Interesting.”
Yashina slowly turned her head.
The expression on her face was terrifying.
Yashina:
“No.”
Kamero:
“Hm?”
Yashina:
“There is absolutely nothing interesting about this.”
Kamero:
“I disagree.”
Yashina:
“THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING INTERESTING ABOUT THIS!”
Then Hitori made a mistake.
A serious mistake.
Possibly a fatal one.
He took one step backward.
Hitori:
“You smell really bad.”
The world stopped.
Yashina froze.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
She turned toward him.
Yashina:
“…What?”
Kamero closed his eyes.
Kamero:
“The social awareness of a rock.”
Aysa:
“Don’t listen to him…”
Yashina seemed to relax.
For one second.
Only one second.
Aysa:
“You’re only a little smelly.”
Yashina stood completely still.
Then took a very…
Very deep breath.
Yashina:
“That didn’t help either.”
Aysa:
“I tried.”
Yashina:
“No, you didn’t.”
Just then, a gentle voice came from behind them.
Mimi:
“I can help…”
The soft voice interrupted the conversation.
Everyone turned at the same time.
Mimi approached through the corridor, holding her staff with both hands.
Unlike most of the competitors wandering through the fortress after their battles, she looked completely calm.
Her uniform showed almost no damage.
Her face remained as serene as ever.
As though she had just returned from a pleasant stroll instead of an elimination match.
The moment Yashina saw her, she practically opened her arms.
Yashina:
“Mimi…”
The little neko tilted her head slightly.
Mimi:
“Yes?”
Yashina:
“I’ve never asked you for anything.”
Mimi:
“Okay…”
Yashina:
“Please save my life.”
Mimi looked at the slime.
Then at Yashina.
Then back at the slime.
Her expression showed genuine curiosity.
Mimi:
Yashina:
“It IS unpleasant!”
Yashina:
“It’s horrible!”
Yashina:
“It’s disgusting!”
Yashina:
“And it’s stuck to everything!”
Mimi slowly nodded.
Then raised her staff.
Tiny pink lights began gathering around the crystal at its tip.
Mana spread gently through the corridor.
Soft.
Calm.
Completely different from the aggressive energy usually seen in the arenas.
It resembled moonlight reflected upon a peaceful lake.
Small glowing particles drifted through the air.
Mimi:
“Lunar Radiance…”
The light expanded.
Surrounding Yashina.
Mimi:
“Purification.”
The particles touched the slime.
Instantly, the substance began disappearing.
It didn’t burn.
It didn’t explode.
It didn’t evaporate.
It simply dissolved into tiny points of light.
Like snow melting beneath the sun.
A few seconds later, not a single trace remained.
Yashina looked at her clothes.
Then her hair.
Then her arms.
Her face displayed an almost religious level of happiness.
Yashina:
“Finally…”
Mimi:
“I’m glad.”
Hitori:
“That was incredible.”
Kamero:
“Purification magic is rare.”
Mimi smiled shyly.
But then Yashina noticed a new problem.
Her clothes were still damp.
Her hair was too.
She let out a sigh.
Yashina:
“At least the slime’s gone… but now I just feel wet.”
Another voice appeared.
Sarina:
“That’s easy to fix.”
The smile vanished from Yashina’s face.
Instantly.
Like a candle blown out by the wind.
Yashina:
“No.”
Sarina:
“Hm?”
Yashina:
“Don’t do it.”
Sarina:
“I haven’t even said what I was going to do.”
Yashina:
“I already know exactly what you’re going to do.”
Sarina smiled.
And that smile was precisely why Yashina was worried.
Sarina:
“Gusts of Wind.”
A powerful current of air swept through the corridor.
Yashina’s clothes dried immediately.
The problem was that her hair dried too.
And the wind had absolutely no concern for styling.
When it was over…
Her hairstyle had been completely destroyed.
Locks of hair stuck out in every direction.
Some pointed upward.
Others sideways.
It looked as though a small explosion had gone off directly on her head.
Silence filled the corridor.
Sarina placed her hands on her hips.
Proudly.
Sarina:
“No need to thank me.”
Yashina stood perfectly still.
Breathing.
Thinking.
Trying to find a reason not to commit a crime.
She failed.
Yashina:
“I’m going to kill you.”
Sarina:
“You say that far too often.”
Yashina:
“Because you keep deserving it!”
Mimi tried to hide a laugh.
She failed.
Aysa burst into laughter as well.
Hitori tried to hold back.
He really did.
But the moment he looked at Yashina’s hair again…
It was over.
Hitori:
“Pffft—”
Yashina immediately spun around.
Yashina:
“YOU SHUT UP TOO!”
Hitori:
“I didn’t even say anything!”
Yashina:
“Your face says everything!”
Hitori:
“That doesn’t even make sense!”
Yashina:
“IT DOES TO ME!”
Kamero rubbed his forehead.
Once again.
It was remarkable how this group could turn absolutely any situation into complete chaos.
Then—
A different presence appeared in the corridor.
Heavy.
Steady.
Instinctively, several people turned toward it.
Guma walked down the hallway.
The massive tiger beastman seemed to occupy more space than he actually did.
His steps were slow.
But they carried an overwhelming sense of strength.
Behind him came Yuri, Yudi, and Nicelle.
The kitsune’s nine spiritual tails swayed gently.
Small orange and purple flames flickered at their tips.
Like magical fireflies.
Guma:
“What a noisy gathering.”
Sarina:
“You’re late.”
Guma:
“I was eating.”
Kamero:
“The match only ended a little while ago.”
Guma:
“Exactly.”
Kamero:
“That explains nothing.”
Guma:
“It explains everything.”
Hitori let out a laugh.
That really did sound like something Guma would say.
The tiger then looked over the members of EXO.
Guma:
“So… everyone survived.”
Hitori:
“We did.”
Sarina:
“With ease.”
Yashina:
“Speak for yourself.”
Kamero:
“Technically, she almost drowned in slime.”
Yashina:
“KAMERO!”
Guma let out a small laugh.
Behind him, Nicelle looked over the group.
Her gaze passed over Hitori.
Then Kamero.
Finally, it settled on Aysa.
A small smile immediately appeared.
Nicelle:
“So, sinful witch… looks like all that’s left is our match.”
Aysa:
“Yep. We were both left for the afternoon.”
Nicelle:
“I hope I get one of those handsome guys.”
Aysa:
“That would be a dream come true.”
The two of them started laughing together.
Kamero watched the interaction.
Then adjusted his glasses.
Kamero:
“Those two…”
Hitori:
“They’re both hopeless.”
Kamero:
“Maybe.”
Kamero:
“But they look like they’ve been friends for years.”
Kamero’s comment was interrupted by the sound of the crystals embedded throughout the corridor.
Small pulses of light ran across the fortress walls.
The nearby participants immediately looked up.
That only happened when an official announcement was about to be broadcast.
A moment later, a holographic projection appeared above the corridor.
William Vanish’s image appeared once again.
His presence was just as imposing as before.
Even though it was only a projection.
Even though he was far away.
The Crimson Lion still gave the impression that he could step through the screen and crush someone if he wished.
William Vanish:
“Participants of the second round.”
The movement around them slowed.
William Vanish:
“Please proceed to the main auditorium.”
William Vanish:
“The afternoon matches will be announced shortly.”
The projection disappeared.
The corridor returned to normal.
But the atmosphere had changed.
The second round would begin soon.
And that meant new eliminations.
New battles.
New victors.
And new losers.
Guma was the first to break the silence.
Guma:
“How about we have lunch together before the afternoon matches?”
Hitori:
“I’m in.”
Kamero:
“I’m surprised you weren’t the first one to suggest that.”
Everyone laughed.
The entire group headed toward the main dining hall.
The fortress was far busier now.
Participants constantly crossed the corridors.
Some discussed the morning’s battles.
Others analyzed potential opponents.
There were also those who walked alone.
Watching.
Listening.
Studying the remaining competitors.
The third phase had drastically reduced the number of participants.
And that meant one thing.
The weak had already been eliminated.
The monsters were beginning to appear.
A few minutes later, the group reached the main cafeteria.
The place was enormous.
Long tables occupied nearly the entire hall.
Staff members constantly moved back and forth carrying trays.
The smell of freshly baked bread mixed with the aroma of grilled meat and spices.
Or at least…
It tried to.
Because Guma had already built a small mountain of empty plates.
Hitori:
“How is that physically possible?”
The tiger looked up.
Guma:
“Training.”
Hitori:
“That explains absolutely nothing.”
Guma:
“It works for me.”
Yudi:
“I think he has a second stomach.”
Yuri:
“Maybe two.”
Mimi:
“My brother eats a lot.”
Guma:
“Healthy growth.”
Kamero:
“My money is disappearing before my eyes.”
Sarina:
“You actually agreed to pay?”
Kamero:
“I was manipulated.”
Nicelle:
“What kind of fox couldn’t pull that off?”
Kamero:
“Thank you for saying that after you tricked me.”
Aysa:
“Wow, Kamero… you’re so stingy.”
Laughter spread around the table once again.
For several minutes, the conversation remained light.
They talked about the morning matches.
Remembered funny moments.
Yashina still received the occasional glance because of the slime incident.
But little by little…
Kamero became quiet again.
Hitori noticed.
The strategist wasn’t watching the food.
Nor his friends.
He was watching the participants.
Every single one of them.
As though searching for something.
Hitori:
“What is it, Kamero?”
Kamero:
“Nothing… maybe.”
Hitori:
“Maybe?”
Kamero:
“For a while now, I’ve noticed a strange competitor watching us.”
The conversation quieted.
Not completely.
But enough for those nearby to hear.
Sarina:
“Strange how?”
Kamero:
“I’m not sure.”
Kamero:
“She looks like a nun…”
Kamero:
“But I don’t understand why she’s watching us.”
Aysa:
“Are you afraid of a nun?”
Kamero:
“No, it’s just that…”
Then the Crimson Lion’s voice echoed throughout the hall.
William Vanish:
“Participants of the second round.”
The announcement was brief.
Direct.
But it had the intended effect.
The dining hall came alive again.
Chairs scraped across the floor.
Plates were left behind.
Participants began standing up.
The next set of matches was about to begin.
Yashina:
“It’s starting.”
Kamero:
“Let’s get going.”
Guma:
“I’m not finished eating.”
Kamero:
“You never are.”
Guma:
“Minor detail.”
Nicelle:
“Considering how much food you ordered… that might actually be true.”
Guma shrugged.
Guma:
“That was just the appetizer.”
Kamero placed a hand over his face.
Kamero:
“I seriously need to reconsider my friendships.”
Everyone laughed again.
But this time…
It didn’t last long.
The tension of the tournament was returning.
William Vanish was already waiting at the center of the stage.
Several knights of the Royal Order stood beside him.
The captain’s expression remained stern.
Yet there was something different.
Something Hitori couldn’t immediately identify.
It was as though William was observing more than just the participants.
As though he were watching for something else entirely.
Perhaps even the captain had sensed that strange killing intent.
The magical crystals throughout the auditorium began glowing.
A new projection appeared above the stage.
William Vanish:
“The second-round matchups will now be displayed.”
The entire auditorium seemed to hold its breath.
The names began appearing.
One after another.
Matches.
Opponents.
Pairings.
The tension rose with every new matchup.
Then the first familiar name appeared.
Yuri vs. Azani
Then another:
Yudi vs. Minasa
And then…
Silence fell over Guild EXO.
Because the next matchup appeared before everyone.
Nicelle vs. Aysa
For a brief moment, nobody spoke.
Not Hitori.
Not Sarina.
Not Yashina.
Not Kamero.
Even Mimi’s eyes widened.
Mimi:
“Ah…”
Hitori:
“Oh no…”
Sarina:
“This is going to end badly.”
Kamero:
“Very badly.”
Yashina:
“Extremely badly.”
On the other side of the row, Guma let out a sigh.
Like someone who had just received confirmation of an unavoidable disaster.
Guma:
“I warned you.”
Yuri:
“Think there’ll be anything left of the arena?”
Yudi:
“I doubt it.”
Meanwhile…
Slowly.
Very slowly.
Nicelle turned her head.
At the exact same moment, Aysa did the same.
Their eyes met.
The silence seemed to last forever.
Then…
Both of them smiled.
And that was exactly the problem.
It wasn’t an ordinary smile.
It wasn’t friendly.
It wasn’t nervous.
It was the smile of two people who had finally found the challenge they had been hoping for.
Tiny flames appeared at the tips of Nicelle’s tails.
Aysa spun one of her knives between her fingers.
Nicelle:
“Well…”
Aysa:
“Well…”
Nicelle:
“Now this is interesting.”
Aysa:
“I was thinking the exact same thing.”
Hitori felt a chill run down his spine.
Kamero closed his eyes.
Sarina sighed.
Yashina began feeling sorry for the arena.
Hitori:
“I really don’t like this feeling.”
Kamero:
“Nobody does.”
Sarina:
“Not even a little.”
Yashina:
“I feel sorry for the judges.”
As though he had heard that comment, William slowly raised his sword.
The crystals throughout the auditorium began to pulse.
Mana spread across the hall.
The magical transportation runes appeared once more.
William Vanish:
“Selected participants.”
William Vanish:
“Prepare for transport.”
Light engulfed the auditorium.
Bodies began disappearing.
First Yuri.
Then Yudi.
Soon afterward, the other selected participants.
Aysa stood up.
Nicelle did the same.
The two of them were still smiling.
Which only made everyone even more uneasy.
Aysa:
“Try not to lose too quickly.”
Nicelle:
“You should worry about yourself.”
Aysa:
“I always worry about myself.”
Nicelle:
“That explains a lot.”
Light enveloped them both.
For a single instant.
Then they disappeared.
Hitori stared at the empty space where they had been.
Then sighed.
Hitori:
“Who wants to bet something explodes?”
Kamero:
“Very likely.”
Sarina:
“I agree.”
Yashina:
“Me too.”
Guma:
“That’s hardly a risky bet.”
The light faded completely.
And somewhere within the fortress…
Two friends.
Two rivals.
Were about to turn an ordinary tournament match into one of the most memorable battles of the entire phase.