Punches flew through empty air.
Saddler and I were doing everything we could to kill Sid. Trading raw blows, we surrounded him, striking from all angles.
Fists, feet — anything we could use. We just had to survive. We had to make it back to the others!
But Sid... He didn’t even flinch. Some hits he dodged. Others he just... let happen.
I landed a gut punch with everything I had.
Saddler spun and kicked him in the face.
Sid spat blood, then smiled like we were amusing little bugs.
"Damn it... Saddler, what now? We’ve got to land a real hit on this freak."
"You saw it. That monster didn’t even blink at my kick. His durability’s insane. It’s like he’s ten times stronger than us."
"Use your head. I don’t plan on leaving my skull behind."
"Tch. You think I do?! Why am I the only one supposed to do the thinking?!"
Sid chuckled, low and mocking.
"How long are you two going to stand there? Come on. I’m giving you chances. Show me your power. Let’s see your best."
We froze at how open he was. He didn’t even raise his guard. He just watched us.
"Show me the true strength of humanity!"
Saddler spun with a vicious kick. I jumped off his shoulder, knee-first into Sid’s face.
A hit like that would’ve killed any normal person.
Sid didn’t even fall.
Just a small dent in his torso. He casually popped his nose back into place.
"Tch. And you’re the ones who opened a portal to the Void Realm? How disappointing. Now, allow me to show you what true power is."
He gripped the sword that had been buried in the ground beside him.
He came flying toward us, slicing the air open with every swing.
He lunged at me — I barely dodged. Then came the flurry. Swing after swing, I was retreating just to stay alive.
Even with my reflexes, he was just slightly faster. One slash nearly took my head off — clipped a few strands of hair instead.
Saddler came from behind with a crushing kick combo. Sid blocked it with one arm.
This guy wasn’t even trying.
We saw it. A gap. A moment. We struck together.
Sid grabbed us mid-air and slammed us into the ground like whips.
"Tell me your names, young warriors."
We wiped the blood from our lips.
"Saddler il Triumphant."
"Atheron il Ataraxia."
Sid bent down, picked up his kimono, and put it on.
"You’ve probably noticed — you sense no energy from me. No magic. No elements. That’s because, compared to you... we of the Void Realm are not human. We’re something else. Something other. Though we may look like you."
His hunched frame unsettled me.
He wasn’t fighting seriously. Not even close. So why waste time?
He adjusted his belt, straightened the kimono.
"I was born where your world’s laws mean nothing. The power that flows through us is called Mado. And compared to that... I can feel what flows inside you. That’s why I chose to fight you."
He wrapped a scarf-mask around his face and glared directly at me.
"You’re Atheron, right? I can’t see any energy inside you. Because of that ring. Why hide it? Take it off. Surprise me."
Slowly, I reached for the ring on my finger... and took it off.
Everyone within the domain flinched — even those on the other side of the walls. Hair stood on end. Chills ran down every spine.
Far away, Aimer stirred. Whose monstrous energy is that...?
Saddler, standing beside me, stared like he’d seen a ghost.
"Impressive," Sid smirked. "You must be a high spirit — you can’t even suppress that power. Put the ring back on, dead soul. I’ve seen enough."
His eyes had seen it — the current flowing through me. Vast. Monstrous. Unnatural for any human.
Compared to me, Saddler’s energy was laughable.
I put the ring back on.
"So you’re a high spirit? Not even human?" Saddler’s tone changed.
I bit my tongue. Didn’t answer.
"You noticed too, didn’t you?" Sid said. "That’s the true power of high spirits. Once they were mighty warriors. After rebirth, they lose their memories. To hide their strength, they wear rings embedded with bloodstone — it suppresses all energy from leaking out."
"...So the guy next to me is—"
"Exactly. Your friend is a dead soul, summoned into this world by his mistress’ will."
I looked down. I couldn’t say a word.
If the others find out...
"Hey, Atheron. Cat got your tongue? Nothing to say?"
"What do you want, Saddler? You heard it all. There’s nothing to add."
"So all this time, you were faking being weak? Trying to throw me off guard, beat me when I least expect it?"
"You son of a—! If I had any such plans, our fight would’ve ended in seconds! I would’ve killed you in that ring without breaking a sweat. But I can’t control this power—because I don’t understand it!"
"So even being an elite summon, you nearly died to me? You’re a disgrace. What kind of protector of your mistress are you?"
"Shut your damn mouth, you overgrown thug!"
We grabbed each other, ready to kill. We’d forgotten all about Sid, who looked on with mild amusement.
"If I get a chance to kill you again, I swear I’ll take it!" I growled.
"You? With your pathetic skills?" Saddler sneered.
Sid burst into a wicked laugh.
"Now this is what I like to see! Enemies becoming comrades in battle, eh? I like you little ants!"
He slammed his sword into the ground and folded his arms.
"I change the rules. From this moment on, you two will fight each other. Only one of you gets to leave this domain."
"I’ll be watching with great interest. They say a good fight is only good when it’s equal, no?"
He clapped his hands.
A walled arena materialized around us. Sid sat on a tall throne above, watching from on high.
We still couldn’t feel any energy inside us. Is this fight... purely hand-to-hand?
Reminds me of the old days.
"I allow you to finish what you started. You’re free to fight however you please."
We gulped. Turned to face each other.
Sid leaned his cheek on his palm, smiling.
"Now begin. Your fight to the death."
We dropped into our stances.
Me, vs Saddler. Who will win this fight?!