The narrow street erupted into chaos.
Devika's flames burst forward like a blazing wave, illuminating the dark alley in fierce orange light. At the same moment, the controlled Rakshak scout lunged from the side, sword flashing toward Rudra Sen with deadly speed.
For the first time since the encounter began, the hunter faced two attackers at once.
But Rudra Sen did not panic.
His movements remained calm, almost unnaturally controlled.
He stepped forward instead of retreating.
His sword swung in a precise arc.
CLANG!
The blade collided with the scout's weapon, deflecting the strike while Rudra Sen pivoted sideways.
At the same moment, Devika's firestorm crashed into the ground where he had been standing seconds earlier.
The explosion of flames scorched the stone street.
Heat rippled through the air.
Rudra Sen moved through the chaos like a shadow.
His sword flashed again.
The controlled scout was knocked backward with a powerful strike that sent sparks flying through the air.
But the man immediately stood again.
Still under Arivaan's control.
Still ready to attack.
From the edge of the street, Arivaan watched the battle unfold with keen interest.
"So that's a hunter…"
Rudra Sen's reaction speed was impressive.
Even while facing two opponents, he showed no sign of losing control of the situation.
Devika attacked again.
Her flames twisted into a spiral as she launched another wave of fire.
But Rudra Sen stepped forward and slashed his blade through the air.
A burst of silver energy erupted from the sword.
The flames split apart like water crashing against a wall.
The impact shook the street.
The rooftop scouts watching from above exchanged nervous glances.
One of them whispered,
"He's controlling two fighters…"
Another replied,
"That ability is unnatural."
Meanwhile, Rudra Sen's eyes flicked briefly toward Arivaan.
The hunter's mind was already analyzing the situation.
The villain himself wasn't attacking.
He was standing back.
Observing.
Commanding.
Which meant—
The key to this fight was not the attackers.
It was the one controlling them.
Rudra Sen shifted his stance.
Devika lunged again.
This time, he moved forward aggressively.
Their clash sent sparks and flames scattering across the street.
But instead of focusing entirely on Devika—
Rudra Sen suddenly turned his body and launched a powerful kick toward the controlled scout.
The impact threw the man across the street.
He crashed into a wooden cart, splintering the structure into pieces.
But again—
He stood up.
Arivaan smirked.
"Persistent."
The floating panel flickered again before his eyes.
Primary Target: Devika AgnivarnaSecondary Target: Rakshak Scout
Assimilation: 82%
The connection between him and his targets felt stronger now.
More stable.
Almost natural.
Arivaan leaned casually against the wall.
"You're doing well, hunter."
Rudra Sen ignored the comment.
Instead, he studied Devika carefully.
Something about her movements felt wrong.
Her attacks were powerful—
But not strategic.
Not how Devika normally fought.
The hunter's eyes narrowed.
"You're suppressing her judgment."
Arivaan laughed.
"You noticed?"
Rudra Sen responded calmly,
"You're forcing her body to move."
"Yes."
"But her mind is still resisting."
Arivaan tilted his head slightly.
"Possibly."
Devika gritted her teeth.
Inside her mind, she could feel the commands pulling at her body like invisible strings.
But Rudra Sen's presence nearby strengthened her resolve.
For a brief moment—
Her flames flickered unevenly.
Arivaan noticed immediately.
The floating panel flashed.
Control Stability: 86%
Interesting.
So emotional resistance could weaken the control slightly.
But not break it.
Arivaan raised a hand casually.
"Devika."
Her body responded instantly.
"Yes."
"Full power."
Her flames exploded violently.
The entire street lit up like daylight.
The heat became almost unbearable.
Rudra Sen stepped back slightly this time.
The hunter finally showed the smallest hint of concern.
That attack was far stronger than before.
Devika's flames surged forward like a burning storm.
The stone beneath their feet cracked from the heat.
Even the rooftop scouts were forced to retreat slightly.
Rudra Sen braced himself.
His sword glowed faintly as he channeled energy into the blade.
Then he slashed downward.
A powerful wave of silver light burst forward.
The two forces collided.
Fire and steel clashed violently.
The explosion shook the street.
Dust and sparks filled the air.
For a brief moment, visibility disappeared completely.
When the smoke cleared—
Rudra Sen stood firmly in place.
But this time…
He had been pushed several steps backward.
The hunter's boots scraped against the stone.
A shallow line carved across the ground where he had been forced to slide.
From the shadows, Arivaan slowly clapped his hands.
"Impressive."
Rudra Sen looked up at him.
His voice remained calm.
"You're not winning this fight."
Arivaan shrugged.
"I'm not trying to."
The hunter frowned slightly.
"What?"
Arivaan smiled.
"I'm learning."
The floating panel flickered again.
Assimilation: 83%
The power inside him continued evolving.
Every second of this fight was teaching him something new.
Rudra Sen's eyes sharpened.
"You're using this battle to improve your control."
Arivaan nodded casually.
"That's right."
The hunter's voice grew colder.
"Then I'll end it quickly."
He suddenly dashed forward.
Not toward Devika.
Not toward the controlled scout.
But directly toward Arivaan.
Because the hunter had finally reached the same conclusion.
The real battle wasn't against the puppets.
It was against the one pulling the strings.