The air cracked.
Not metaphorically.
Literally.
Thin fractures spread through the space around Rai, like glass under pressure.
Dark energy poured from his body in waves.
The ground beneath his feet sank.
Silence swallowed the battlefield.
Even the wind had stopped.
Karn the Hunter stood still…
Watching.
Smiling.
"So this is it…"
"The true power of the vessel."
Rai didn't respond.
His crimson eyes stared forward.
Unblinking.
Emotionless.
But inside—
The voice roared louder.
DESTROY HIM.
KILL. CONSUME. DOMINATE.
Rai's fingers twitched.
His control was slipping.
---
From the settlement walls—
Grik stepped back.
"…I don't like this."
Lucian's grin slowly faded.
"…That's not normal power."
Ruun's voice was low.
"…If he loses control… we won't be able to stop him."
---
Back on the battlefield—
Karn lifted his blade.
His aura surged.
Dark energy wrapped around his weapon, forming jagged edges of condensed power.
"Let's see how far you can go."
He slammed his foot forward.
BOOM
The ground shattered as he charged.
Faster than before.
Stronger than before.
This time—
He was serious.
His blade descended.
SLASH!
Rai didn't dodge.
He raised one hand.
And caught the blade.
CLANG.
The entire battlefield shook.
Karn's eyes widened.
"…What?"
Rai stood there.
Barehanded.
Holding the massive sword in place.
Blood dripped from his palm—
But the wound closed instantly.
His grip tightened.
Then—
CRACK.
The blade shattered.
Karn jumped back instantly, landing several meters away.
For the first time—
His expression changed.
Not fear.
But recognition.
"…You've crossed the line."
Rai tilted his head slightly.
His voice came out low.
Distorted.
"You… are slow."
BOOM
He vanished.
Not even a flash this time.
Just disappearance.
Karn's instincts screamed.
He twisted—
Too late.
THUD
Rai's fist slammed into his side.
The impact sent Karn flying across the wasteland.
He crashed through a rock formation.
Stone exploded everywhere.
The settlement shook from the force.
Lucian's eyes widened.
"THAT… was insane."
---
Karn stood up slowly from the rubble.
Blood ran down his mouth.
His armor was cracked.
Broken in several places.
He laughed.
A deep, excited laugh.
"Hahaha…"
"So this is it…"
He wiped the blood from his lips.
"The edge of death."
His body tensed.
Then his aura exploded.
Dark energy surged around him violently.
"If you're a monster…"
His eyes sharpened.
"…then I'll hunt you like one."
He slammed his fist into his chest.
BOOM
His body changed.
Veins darkened.
Muscles expanded.
His presence grew heavier.
Stronger.
This was Karn's true form.
---
Rai stood silently.
Watching.
The voice inside him whispered again.
YES.
A WORTHY PREY.
Rai stepped forward.
The ground cracked beneath him.
"Come."
---
They moved at the same time.
BOOOOOOM
Two monsters collided.
Fist against fist.
The impact sent a shockwave across the entire wasteland.
The settlement walls trembled violently.
Grik grabbed onto the barricade.
"THEY'RE GOING TO DESTROY EVERYTHING!"
Ruun narrowed his eyes.
"…No."
"This is the final clash."
---
Karn swung.
Rai blocked.
Rai struck.
Karn countered.
Each exchange tore apart the ground.
Each impact echoed like thunder.
Karn roared and brought his fist down.
Rai stepped inside his guard.
Then—
Drove his hand straight into Karn's chest.
CRUNCH.
Everything stopped.
Karn froze.
His eyes widened.
Rai's hand had pierced through his armor.
Through his flesh.
Stopping just before his heart.
Silence fell.
Rai's crimson eyes stared into Karn's.
"You lose."
For a moment…
Nothing moved.
Then—
Karn smiled.
A tired, satisfied smile.
"…Good."
Blood dripped from his mouth.
"This… was worth it."
Rai pulled his hand back.
Karn dropped to one knee.
Then slowly…
Collapsed.
The battlefield went silent.
---
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
Target Defeated: Karn the Hunter
Trial Completed
Reward: Massive Experience Gained
Skill Unlocked: Demon King Aura (Partial Release)
Vessel Synchronization Increased
---
The dark energy around Rai began to calm.
Slowly.
His crimson eyes faded…
Back to ice blue.
His breathing steadied.
The voice grew quieter.
…Not yet.
---
Rai stood alone in the ruined battlefield.
Behind him—
The settlement stared in silence.
Lucian finally spoke.
"…Yeah."
He grinned again.
"That's our boss."
Grik laughed nervously.
"I almost died just watching that!"
Ruun exhaled slowly.
"…He's getting stronger too fast."
---
Far away…
In the Iron Citadel…
Demon Lord Valthor leaned back in his throne.
His smile widened.
"So he survived."
His eyes glowed.
"Good."
"Very good."
Because now—
The game had truly begun.