The competition arena was the same as always—brutal… merciless… and filled with fear. All around, prisoners bound in iron chains were forced to kneel on the ground. Fresh whip marks glowed like red lines across their backs. The air was thick with the smell of sweat, blood, and dust. Guards swung their whips without the slightest mercy—each strike followed by cries of pain… which were quickly swallowed by the noise of the crowd.
On the elevated platform, two grand chairs had been placed—made of dark metal, engraved with strange spiritual symbols that faintly glowed. On one of them sat Humbha Yakshini. Her posture was as arrogant and composed as ever—long black hair spread over her shoulders, cold light shining in her eyes. A faint smile rested on her lips—as if the cruelty happening below was nothing more than entertainment to her.
On the other chair sat her host—Mascar—comfortably relaxed. His fingers tapped slowly on the armrest, as though he was waiting for a game to begin.
But then, suddenly—a deep vibration spread across the arena. The heavy sound of drums echoed.
"The King is arriving!!!"
The announcement spread in all directions. The very next moment—heavy footsteps could be heard. The King of Consciousness Land had entered the arena.
His presence alone was enough to make the air feel heavy. His face was stern—his eyes so deep that no one dared look directly into them. It was said that questioning him itself meant inviting trouble upon oneself.
But… Humbha Yakshini was different for him. Before him, she was like the other side of the same coin—not equal… but influential.
Perhaps because of her power…
Perhaps because of her cunning…
Or perhaps because of some deeper secret.
The King took his throne-like seat—and the entire arena fell silent for a few moments.
And then— Boom!!!
Dust burst upward in the middle of the arena. A figure descended from the sky and landed on the ground.
Shon Yakshini.
Madness burned in her eyes—a cruel smile on her lips. Green spiritual flames rose from her body. She looked directly toward the spectator stands—where Lily was standing.
And the very next moment—she shouted at full force, "I'm ready!!! Come down quickly!!!"
Her voice echoed throughout the arena. "I've been waiting for you… I'm desperate to fight…!!!" The thirst for killing shone in her eyes.
"And today—I will kill you, Lily!!!"
For a few moments, the air froze.
Then— Lily smiled lightly.
That smile held neither fear… nor anger… It was a smile of confidence.
Standing beside her, Snehwal also appeared calm—as if all of this had already been decided. His face showed stability, but the power hidden within him had now grown far deeper than before. Master Jins and Liora were also standing nearby—both serious, yet not disturbed.
As if they believed in the outcome. Lily slowly opened her fingers—and the very next moment,
Flash!!!
Her body turned into a streak of light. And she landed directly in the center of the arena.
Dust swirled beneath her feet… her hair flowed in the wind… and her eyes locked directly onto Shon Yakshini.
Only a few steps separated the two of them.
The air had grown heavy. And the entire arena could feel it— Now… something big was about to happen.
Shon Yakshini's eyes suddenly flashed with violent intensity—and the very next moment— Flash!!!
A long sword made of green light appeared in her hand. Spiritual flames rose from the blade's edge—as if the hunger for battle itself was burning within it.
"Die!!!" she roared—and without wasting even a single moment, she lunged toward Lily at lightning speed.
Boom!!!
Her first strike was so fast that the sound of air being torn apart echoed across the arena.
But—Lily had already stepped back.
Her feet were barely touching the ground—as if she were gliding on air. She rotated her palm— Shhhh!!!
Her sword also manifested. A shining silver blade… surrounded by a faint spiritual aura swirling around it.
The very next moment— Clang!!!
Both swords collided. Instead of sparks, bursts of spiritual energy erupted.
One moment…
Two moments…
And then—fierce sword combat began.
Clang!!! Clang!!! Clang!!!
With every collision, metallic vibrations echoed throughout the arena. Both of them were attacking and counterattacking at such speed that the spectators' eyes could not even follow them. Only streaks of light were visible—green… and white.
Shon was attacking with her full strength—clear killing intent visible in every strike. Lily was calm.
Her eyes were steady—reading every move… understanding it… and blocking at precisely the right moment.
A fast spinning strike— Shon swung her sword upward from below.
Lily immediately blocked—but the impact was so tremendous that the ground beneath her feet cracked.
Boom!!!
Dust shot into the air. Screams rose from the crowd. But the very next moment—Lily spun… and counterattacked with lightning speed. Shon managed to block it easily.
Now both of them were extremely close to each other—swords locked… faces only inches apart. Fire burned in both of their eyes.
And the entire arena could feel it— This was not just a fight… It was a clash of two powers. As if the real battle… had only just begun.
Seeing this—Humbha Yakshini smiled faintly.