The rooftop fell silent.
Even the night wind seemed to pause as Rudra Sen raised his sword.
Silver light flowed along the blade like liquid energy, growing brighter with every passing second. The glow reflected off the broken rooftop tiles and the drifting smoke from Devika's earlier flames.
For the first time since the fight began, Arivaan's smile faded slightly.
This was different.
Until now, Rudra Sen had fought carefully—defensively even.
But the power gathering around the hunter's weapon carried a completely different presence.
Devika felt it too.
Through the Command Link, Arivaan could sense her reaction clearly.
A surge of instinctive fear.
"That technique…" Devika whispered.
Arivaan's attention sharpened.
"What technique?"
Devika's body trembled slightly.
Even under his control, her memories surfaced.
"Rudra Sen's finishing strike…"
"The Vajra Cleave."
Rudra Sen stepped forward slowly.
His glowing blade illuminated the rooftop like moonlight reflecting off water.
"You've learned quickly," the hunter said calmly.
Arivaan raised an eyebrow.
"So that's the famous move?"
Rudra Sen didn't smile.
"This ends now."
The hunter suddenly moved.
His body blurred forward with incredible speed.
Faster than before.
Much faster.
Arivaan's mind reacted instantly.
Through Devika's eyes he saw the movement.
"Devika—defend!"
Flames erupted around her body like a shield.
But Rudra Sen's sword came down with terrifying force.
BOOM!
The strike shattered the fiery barrier instantly.
Silver energy exploded across the rooftop.
The impact cracked the tiles beneath Devika's feet.
She slid backward several meters before regaining balance.
Arivaan's eyes widened slightly.
"That was strong."
Even with full flame defense—
The attack had broken through effortlessly.
Rudra Sen didn't stop.
The hunter moved forward again.
His sword flashed in rapid succession.
Three strikes.
Each one faster than the last.
Arivaan reacted through Devika immediately.
"Step left."
Devika dodged.
"Jump."
The blade passed beneath her feet.
"Counterattack."
Her flames surged forward again in a blazing arc.
But Rudra Sen cut through the attack once more.
The hunter's movements were now completely different.
Aggressive.
Relentless.
Precise.
Devika's flames roared again.
But this time—
Rudra Sen stepped through the fire itself.
The silver energy around his sword parted the flames like water.
He closed the distance instantly.
The blade struck again.
CLANG!
Devika barely blocked the attack with her arm guard.
The impact sent a shockwave through her body.
Even Arivaan felt it through the Command Link.
"That hurt."
Devika gritted her teeth.
"You're starting to understand his level."
Rudra Sen stepped back slightly.
His breathing remained steady.
"You're adapting well," he said calmly.
Arivaan shrugged.
"Thanks."
"But it won't be enough."
The hunter lifted his sword again.
The silver light flared brighter.
Arivaan studied him carefully.
Something had changed.
Rudra Sen was no longer testing.
He had switched fully into combat mode.
Devika felt it too.
"That aura…"
Arivaan asked,
"What about it?"
Devika's voice lowered.
"He's releasing his full power."
Arivaan chuckled quietly.
"Good."
Devika stared at him.
"You're insane."
Arivaan smiled.
"Maybe."
But inside his mind, the floating panel appeared again.
Primary Target: Devika Agnivarna
Assimilation: 91%
The number had increased again during the battle.
The connection felt deeper now.
More stable.
Arivaan could feel Devika's senses almost perfectly.
Every movement.
Every shift in balance.
Every flicker of flame.
It was like controlling his own body.
Rudra Sen dashed forward again.
His blade flashed downward.
Arivaan reacted instantly.
Through Devika's body—
He twisted sideways.
The blade struck the rooftop.
CRACK!
The stone tiles shattered instantly.
Fragments flew into the air.
Devika spun around and unleashed another wave of fire.
But Rudra Sen jumped over the flames.
He landed behind her.
The hunter's sword moved again.
This time aiming for Devika's shoulder.
Arivaan reacted instantly.
"Turn."
Devika spun around.
The blade passed within inches of her armor.
Close.
Too close.
Rudra Sen's eyes narrowed.
"You're improving."
Arivaan grinned.
"That's what practice does."
The hunter suddenly stopped moving.
He lowered his sword slightly.
Arivaan frowned.
"That's unusual."
Rudra Sen spoke calmly.
"You've learned to control her movements."
"Yes."
"And you're using her senses to fight."
Arivaan nodded.
"Exactly."
Rudra Sen's voice grew colder.
"But you're still relying on someone else's strength."
Arivaan shrugged.
"That's efficient."
Rudra Sen raised the glowing sword once more.
"Then let's see what happens…"
"…when that strength breaks."
Arivaan's smile faded slightly.
Because the energy around Rudra Sen's blade had grown even brighter.
Stronger.
More concentrated.
Devika felt it immediately.
"That's not Vajra Cleave…"
Arivaan asked quietly,
"Then what is it?"
Devika's voice trembled slightly.
"That's his true technique."
Rudra Sen stepped forward.
The rooftop seemed to vibrate under the pressure of the energy gathering around him.
The hunter's voice cut through the night air.
"This ends now."
Arivaan watched carefully.
The floating panel flickered again.
Assimilation: 92%
The power inside his mind pulsed violently.
Something was changing again.
And whatever Rudra Sen was about to unleash—
It might push this battle into an entirely new stage.