The figure wasn't new to the Wyndhams.
The moment they looked at the figure that had just discovered their hideout, old memories came rushing back.
It was impossible to forget.
The cloak.
The face hidden beneath complete darkness.
The blue linings running across the cloak.
Those details were deeply engraved in their minds.
They all remembered exactly what had happened.
Before the tournament had even begun, outside the colosseum, one event had triggered another until it exploded into a massive clash between several clans.
It had all started because of an invitation card.
The Wyndhams had needed two invitation cards to carry out their plans. One had already been secured thanks to their connection with a divine being. The second, however, couldn't be obtained through influence. Just like every other clan, they had to fight for it.
Zephyr.
Isla.
Lennox.
Clifford.
Gavalich.
Jimmy.
Henry.
Every one of them remembered the Khyphons.
They remembered that clan for more than one reason.
First, they had been incredibly difficult opponents.
Even though the Wyndhams had the advantage in numbers, they still couldn't take the invitation card from them. Every attempt had been pushed back with overwhelming resistance.
That alone had left a deep impression.
Then there was the brief exchange between Lucius and the Khyphons' leader.
It had started as a simple confrontation, but it hadn't ended as quickly as anyone had expected. The tension from that encounter still lingered in their memories.
Because of all that, the moment they looked at the newcomer, every Wyndham immediately became alert.
The figure didn't belong to any famous clan they recognized.
That didn't matter.
If anything, it made the situation even more dangerous.
Every muscle in their bodies tightened.
Their eyes stayed locked on the cloaked figure.
Not a single one of them dared lower their guard.
They all stood frozen for a brief moment before instinctively backing away from the door, widening the distance between themselves and the lone figure.
Meanwhile, the Khyphon member remained where he was.
His face stayed hidden beneath the shadow of his magical hood, making it impossible to read his expression.
"What? You don't want to make your move anymore?" the Khyphon member asked calmly.
"I was sure all of you were eager to take us on just a moment ago," he continued.
"Now I'm here."
"Alone."
"Go on."
"Make your move."
"Argh...!"
Without any warning, Jimmy burst out from the middle of the Wyndham group.
He didn't hesitate for even a second.
The ground cracked beneath his feet as he activated his Bull Charge Technique, driving his massive body forward like a raging beast.
Unlike Buster, Bull Charge wasn't an attack that exploded with instant power. It needed a brief moment to build momentum.
But once it did...
The result was always devastating.
Jimmy tore across the ground, closing the distance with overwhelming force. His heavy footsteps thundered through the area as he aimed straight for the cloaked figure.
However—
Before Jimmy could get anywhere near the Khyphon member, something suddenly moved.
Water burst out from behind the cloaked figure.
Four massive water tentacles shot into existence at once, rising into the air as if they had minds of their own. They hovered there for a split second, swaying lightly.
Then one of them struck.
Bang!
The water tentacle shot forward at the speed of a bullet.
There was no time to dodge.
No time to react.
The sharp tip pierced straight through Jimmy's massive body as if it had passed through paper.
It burst out through his back and continued forward before slamming violently into the ground behind him.
Boom!
The impact blasted apart the earth, leaving a deep hole where the water spear had struck. Jimmy's charging body stopped instantly, frozen in place with the water tentacle still impaling him.
The blood splattered across the ground as the water spear remained firmly connected to the Khyphon member's back.
Jimmy's charge came to an abrupt stop.
His body trembled once.
Then he collapsed heavily onto the floor.
Thud!
For a brief moment, every Wyndham froze.
Not a single one of them moved.
Each of them shared the exact same thought.
'Is Jimmy dead?'
Silence filled the room.
Then reality began to sink in.
This wasn't a warning.
This wasn't intimidation.
The Khyphon member had attacked with the clear intent to kill.
"Arghhh!"
Another furious yell erupted from behind the Wyndhams.
A powerful blast of condensed air shot toward the Khyphon member at incredible speed.
The attack ripped through the room, sending loose debris flying as it closed the distance.
But before it could reach its target—
One of the remaining water tentacles suddenly moved.
It whipped forward with frightening speed and intercepted the compressed air head-on.
Boom!
The two attacks collided.
The condensed air exploded violently upon impact.
A powerful shockwave swept through the room, while fierce winds burst in every direction. Dust and shattered debris filled every corner, reducing visibility almost instantly.
Several of the Wyndhams were thrown backward by the force, struggling to keep their footing as the violent wind battered their bodies.
Yet amidst the chaos...
The Khyphon member never moved.
He remained standing exactly where he was.
Calm.
Silent.
The four water tentacles still floated behind him, swaying slightly as though waiting for the next attack.
Seeing that, Gavalich and Zephyr reacted immediately.
Their bodies rapidly transformed into their werewolf forms. Muscles expanded, claws extended, and thick fur covered their bodies within moments.
Without exchanging a single word, they charged together.
Gavalich attacked first.
He rushed in low, swinging a powerful claw swipe upward from below, aiming to tear into the Khyphon member.
At the same time, Zephyr leaped over Gavalich.
Using his momentum, he launched himself high into the air, his claws aimed directly at the Khyphon member's head.
However, one of the water tentacles suddenly expanded, its surface thickening in an instant.
It rose like a massive shield and blocked Zephyr's attack from above.
Bang!
His claws slammed into the wall of water, but they couldn't break through.
At the same time, Gavalich's claw swipe never reached its target either.
Another water tentacle shot forward and intercepted his attack.
Before Gavalich could react, the tentacle whipped sideways with terrifying force.
Bang!
His body was flung across the room.
Gavalich immediately tried to pull his arm free.
But the more he struggled, the worse it became.
The water tentacle wrapped tightly around his claws before quickly winding its way up his arm until it reached his shoulder, locking his entire limb in place.
Meanwhile, Zephyr pushed himself off the massive wall of water that had blocked him and landed back on the ground.
The instant his feet touched the floor, he kicked off again.
This time, Isla and Lennox charged alongside him.
The three moved together, attacking from different angles in an attempt to overwhelm the lone Khyphon member.
However—
From somewhere behind the Khyphon member, hidden completely from everyone's view, another attack was launched.
A large net woven entirely from water burst outward.
It spread rapidly through the air before closing in on the three attackers.
Bang!
The water net crashed into Zephyr, Isla, and Lennox before they could reach their target.
Their charge was stopped instantly.
Meanwhile, while everyone else was occupied, Clifford had already finished gathering energy inside his palm.
The spell was complete.
Without hesitation, he thrust his hand forward and released it toward the cloaked figure.
The attack flew straight ahead.
It struck.
"Got you!" Clifford shouted.
For the first time since the battle had begun...
The Khyphon member stopped moving, remaining completely still for a brief moment.
"Now, Henry!" Clifford shouted.
The instant he heard the call, Henry reacted.
He quickly gathered another mass of condensed air between his hands before firing it straight at the Khyphon member.
The compressed sphere of air shot forward at incredible speed.
It sliced cleanly through the room, heading directly for its target.
But something else moved at the same time.
The water tentacle wrapped around Gavalich's werewolf body suddenly tightened.
With a violent pull, it dragged him directly into the path of the incoming air blast.
Everything happened too fast.
Henry's eyes widened.
He tried to redirect the attack, but it was already too late.
Boom!
The condensed air struck Gavalich head-on.
The tremendous force hurled his massive body through the building.
Concrete walls exploded apart as he tore through them.
He smashed through the ceiling above before crashing onto the next floor, leaving a trail of broken concrete and debris behind him.
The room shook from the impact.
The moment that happened, the Khyphon member made his move.
A massive crescent-shaped wave of water burst from his position.
It surged forward with overwhelming force toward Henry and Clifford.
Bang!
The water slammed into both of them before they could escape.
The impact lifted them off their feet and smashed them hard against the wall.
Crack!
The wall behind them fractured from the force as water continued to pin them in place.
The Khyphon member remained standing calmly, his face still hidden beneath the magical hood.
"I can tell..." the Khyphon member said.
"You must have done something to me. My mana is burning faster than it should."
His gaze settled on Clifford.
"What is it?" he continued.
"Was it some kind of energy-draining technique?"
"One that steals my energy and transfers it to you?"
"Or..."
"Was it a special bloodline power?"
He asked the question without taking a single step forward, remaining exactly where he stood while the water tentacles continued to sway behind him.
"It... it doesn't matter. Your mana will soon be drained, and then you'll have no power left to use," Zephyr said as he stood firmly in his werewolf form.
He growled at the Khyphon member like a wild beast, his sharp claws digging into the floor beneath him.
Moments later, Isla and Lennox stepped up to stand beside him.
The three faced the cloaked figure together.
None of them could see the expression hidden beneath the magical hood.
"If you think my mana will run out that quickly," the Khyphon member said calmly, "then you're joking."
He remained completely relaxed.
Not a hint of panic could be heard in his voice.
"But you're right about one thing."
"I don't need to continue this fight anymore."
"Which is why..."
"I'll be keeping all of you busy while I go and get rid of whatever spell you've used on me," the Khyphon member said.
The Wyndhams frowned.
None of them understood what he meant.
Keeping them busy?
How?
However, they didn't have to wait long for the answer.
The reason became clear almost immediately.
From the doorway behind the Khyphon member...
Three figures slowly stepped into the room.
Each of them was bare-chested, wearing only a shining white skirt-like garment that swayed gently with every step.
Blue tattoos covered their bodies from shoulder to waist.
The markings glowed brightly, pulsing with a faint blue light.
Around their eyes, tiny sparks of lightning crackled continuously, dancing across their skin with sharp flashes.
The air itself seemed to buzz with electricity.
The moment the Wyndhams saw them, they immediately recognized the newcomers.
It was the Raikovar Clan.