Lucan's eyes suddenly twitched, thinking something, "This guy... he is fearless and too prideful! Geez, that's just way more insane than me...".
A bitter taste of grief shrugged through his heart, making him sigh.
He heard a voice laugh creepily; he searched around to look at the person.
But... the entire world was frozen; it was still and motionless.
Only the cosmos was staring at him widely, "It's happening... Amazing! Ahh, brings back old memories".
Lucan's heart started to beat faster, his breathing roughened.
He asked, "Cosmos! What's this... what is happening to me? Tell me!".
Cosmos smirked, "I know, but this one... hehe, it's for you! You must deal with this yourself! Damn, let me pause myself too!
Or else you would simply nag me about it!".
Lucan frowned, "Wait...".
But Cosmos had already been stopped along with time.
He said, "This idiot! Damn, what am I going to deal with now?".
The same voice mumbled, "Hmm! Me!".
Lucan tightened his guard and started calculating, "It came from nearby! So it must be within the hearing range of humans.
10 to 30 meters! But in that case, I can just hear them... not understand it!
So if I narrow it down, 1 to 5 meters at best! Which means it's super close to me?
And I didn't even sense it? Dang it!".
The voice smirked, "Correct answer! That's 1 to 5 metres, hahaha! Lucan, listen carefully! Don't you remember this voice or me?".
Lucan grinned, "I see... I was right! But it seems like you know me, and I know you too! Hmm, if I narrow it dow-".
The voice was irritated, "Hush! Idiot, why are you always calculating life! I'm your inner self... Lucan Vale".
He gulped down saliva, "My inner self... what! You can talk to me? Interesting! Hehe, so you had come because of my earlier thoughts, right?".
It smirked, "One good thing is you're smart and understand things way faster, hehe, yes! I had already said way back then.
Whenever you need help, only one person would be there always, no matter how dire the situation is!".
Lucan's eyes shone in brilliance, "It's you, your own inner self!".
It spoke, "After the reset, you've been dazing on and on. I've noticed it, but only this time you had actually called me! Hehe.
You're disappointed at your way of living, right? You want to be fearless and prideful like Lord, huh?".
Lucan grinned, "Yes... but that's impossible! Because calculating-".
His mouth shut tight; the voice spoke, "Stop yapping for once and listen to me!
There are three things I've noticed of how you wanted to live...
Let me tell them out! First, do whatever you like with no regrets!
Your core philosophy is rooted deep within the inner chambers of heart and mind.
It's your very identity of life itself.
Hehe, now adding on the next one! Being fearless and prideful!".
Lucan wanted to say something; his mouth opened at his will, "But is that possible?".
It asked him, "Tell me one thing... is it what you really want? Or not? Before answering, don't think at all! Speak what your inner self wants... hehe.
Trust your gut instinct for once!".
He replied quickly, "Yes! I'm damn sure about this one...".
It giggled, "Perfect! Then let me help you... be fearless and prideful! Bye!".
Instantly, the world resumed back to how it was.
Lucan was dumbstruck, "That's all? That's the help!".
Cosmos smirked at him, "Lord... before we fight, I would like you both to fight! Isn't it what you've been longing for?".
Lord laughed heartily, "Yes! But that guy's not that brave; he would probably ask for a certain time to plan out his flawless victory!
And-".
Suddenly, Lord's chin was scratched by a thin blade.
Blood dripped off the wound as Lord faced Lucan, who was smirking coldly at him.
He spoke, "Who's not brave?".
Lord's hands touched the blood and he grinned, "I'm not wiping it off! Hahaha, neither am I regenerating it.
Hahaha, because I want this fight to be never forgotten! Kid! Finally, you have a spine to call yourself a man!".
Lord dismissed his spear and cracked his neck.
He said, "I'm letting you start, I'll only defend myself, hahaha, I will be unarmed too!
Maybe that would give you a chance! Come on now, what's your plan A, B, C... hahaha! I'll crush them all down".
Lucan swayed his hair, "In that case, I'll do the same, weakling! Damn, fighting you is a disgrace to my own pride.
Huh, but I'll be humble enough to not use any tricks!".
Lord grinned, "Hahaha, finally! Kid, you've got braincells, then let it be the case!".
Cosmos smirked, "Alright, I'll be the referee! Hmm, this ring is your fighting area.
There will be three rounds, and the rules are:
You can fight... however you wish to!
If you touch the line, you're out! And the opponent wins. If you knockdown your opponent, you win!
AND MANIACS! YOU AREN'T ALLOWED TO KILL! I WARN YOU, I DON'T WANT TWO IMPORTANT CHARACTERS OF THIS TV SHOW TO DIE THAT QUICK".
A black-colored ring was drawn surrounding both of them.
The fighting area was so massive that it felt impossible for a person to even touch the line!
The ground was made of barren land... using fragments of the eternal abyss of life and death.
And another familiar mineral!
There were no terrains or obstacles inside the ring.
Both Lucan and Lord recalled the mineral and gasped at Cosmos.
It was the... unbreakable mountain! From their first encounter.
Cosmos smirked, "I thought both of you would love this little surprise... and you seem like you do.
Round 1! Begin!".
Both of them returned to the fight.
Both of them immediately rushed towards the other person.
Lord raised his fist and slammed down on Lucan.
Who was inches away, before he could react, a hand appeared from below and punched him right in the face.
As dust and smoke erupted, the scene was covered.
Cosmos screamed in joy, "Oohhh! Nobody defended! Look at that sh*t! I freaking love it".
As the smoke cleared, Lucan's head was bleeding, while Lord's face had turned pale due to the punch.
Instead of becoming angry, Lord smiled gently, "I'm gonna lock in, kid! Letting myself get touched by you in a combat is itself a disgrace to my pride!
I'll never let you get cocky again, hahaha!".
Lucan and Cosmos smiled at the same time.
"IT'S HIM! THE REAL VERSION OF LORD!".
Suddenly, he grabbed his head and stuttered here and there.
Lord laughed, "See... you were never a match for me from the very beginning! Huh!".
Soon, he saw multiple Lucans rushing towards him.
He felt heavily forced and pressured to move back.
He frowned, "Bloody idiot! I thought you said no tricks!".
As such, both of them closed to the ring's boundary without even realizing it.
Only Cosmos was interpreting the truth.
None of these happened; the impact of their blows had hit their heads, making Lucan lose balance and consciousness.
While Lord was hallucinating illusions that weren't even real.
What he noticed was Lucan's one hand had been broken due to that hit.
After all, his human physique was no match for Lord's bulk figure.
However, he never interrupted the fight, when Lord felt something amiss.
He instantly ran in towards the center.
He raised his arm and pierced through his own heart, coughing out blood.
He finally woke up from the hallucinations.
"HE'S NO LONGER THE SAME LUCAN! IT'S NOT MAKING ME MAD... IT'S ACTUALLY MORE WONDERFUL NOW! HAHAHA".
Lucan seemed to not realize what was happening to him.
Lord scowled, "No... don't you dare touch the ring! Idiot, I don't wanna win like this!".
Cosmos silenced him, "If you move, I'll kill you".
It didn't even joke around like earlier; it was dead serious.
With its eyes closed, it said, "I'm using endless eyes! Not even an atom can escape my gaze!".
Lucan felt his heart aching over something.
He started calculating, "Damn, wha-".
But his gut told him to jump! He calculated that if he jumps right now, it would clearly lower his guard.
Expose him to a barrage of attacks! Maybe he could have even reached the ring...
But he recalled his inner self's words and let out a huge breath...
He jumped high in the air!