Through the portal,
Anay landed with a jolt — not on solid stone, but in a forest of jagged obsidian trees and glowing mist. The sky above was overcast, flickering with the eerie shimmer of spiritual light.
"So, they split us up…" he muttered, surveying the terrain. In his hand, the orb blinked — [0 Points].
Within seconds, the woods echoed with howls.
All around the island, chaos erupted.
Elsewhere:
— Saki stood waist-deep in a stream, summoning Tidebind Serpent, crushing a swamp beast in its coils.
— Veer ran across treetops, slicing through a trio of winged wolves with a mid-air Gale Shredder, laughing as his orb tally ticked up.
— Other students screamed, clashed, fought back.
The island was alive. And hungry.
But for Anay, the clearing ahead held more than monsters
A blast of flames erupted through the underbrush.
Anay dove aside as two horned beasts burst into view, their tusks glowing. But before he could act, a second figure landed nearby with force.
Darshan.
"Looks like we've both landed in the same zone," Darshan growled, spinning his blade. "Let's make this interesting."
Anay narrowed his eyes. "You sure you're ready after last time?"
"Tch. We'll see. First to kill more monsters in this zone claims it. The loser backs off."
The area around them pulsed — dozens of monsters prowling between the dark trees, some circling already.
"Fine by me," Anay said calmly. "Just try to keep up."
And the hunt began.
Scene: Anay vs. Darshan – Monster Count Duel
Darshan roared into battle, cutting down a horned bear with a flaming spin-kick, then impaling a stone crab through the eye. His orb pulsed: [17 Points].
Anay, meanwhile, moved like water through smoke.
Thunder Pulse Form activated — his speed doubled. He summoned Tenrai no Yari in its glaive state, cleaving through the air. In a single swing, he downed three spectral hounds in a streak of lightning and frost.
[29 Points]
"Impossible…" Darshan growled.
But it was clear — monster after monster fell to Anay's fusion of technique, speed, and control. When the last beast crumbled, the orb glowed:
Anay – 53
Darshan – 31
Darshan clenched his fists, breathing hard. "No… I can't lose to you again…"
Anay walked past him, glancing back. His tone was kind — not mocking.
"You're strong. Just not focused. Better luck next time."
And then he kept walking.
Scene: Descent Into Darkness
But something inside Darshan snapped.
His pride twisted into something darker — resentment, pain, hunger.
Suddenly, the world around him changed. The forest vanished. He stood in a place of nothing — a black void with no floor, no sky.
A voice whispered like smoke.
"You seek power. Revenge. Purpose... I can give it all to you."
From the shadows emerged a being — humanoid, but robed in black fire, horns curved like crowns, eyes burning like coals.
"Make a contract with me. Become more."
Darshan's fists trembled. "I… I accept."
And the world screamed.
A dark aura burst outward from Darshan's body, flooding the island zone. Monsters nearby screeched and fled. The trees wilted.
Anay stopped.
"That aura—" His eyes widened. "A Devil Contract?"
He remembered Master Kai's words:
"Only those who've lost themselves, who thirst for vengeance, can form a pact with devils. If you ever feel it — run or report. Never face it alone."
But it was too late.
Darshan appeared behind him, faster, corrupted, a shadow of his former self. A punch laced with dark flame came at Anay's head — but he dodged cleanly.
Anay: "So you gave in…"
He tapped his wrist. A flare burst from his watch — a signal to the elders.
"But they'll take time…"
"If I don't stop him now, he could destroy the entire region."
Scene: The Battle
The clash exploded.
Darshan charged, faster than before — dark spikes trailing behind every strike. His blade now dripped with cursed flame.
Anay met him head-on, using Glacial Blade Form, blocking with a frozen arc, then countered with a thunder-infused palm. Their clash lit the trees with sparks.
Anay: "He's faster… stronger… but he's unstable."
Darshan howled. "I'll crush you! You think you're better than me?!"
Anay's breath steadied. "No. I just never stopped being myself."
He gathered energy — fusing frost and thunder. Tenrai no Yari transformed into its Celestial Form, shining with silver-white light. He launched forward in a spiral attack.
Heavenfall Crescent.
The blade struck Darshan mid-torso, blasting the dark aura outward like a collapsing star.
Darshan screamed — then fell, unconscious, body cracking with black energy.
Scene: Aftermath – The Elders Arrive
Two flashes of golden light lit up the sky.
Two elders of the academy arrived, faces grim. They looked at the scene: the torn battlefield, the still form of Darshan, and Anay standing calm — Tenrai no Yari vanishing back into his soul.
Elder 1: "He… formed a Devil Contract?"
Elder 2: "And you stopped him alone… You do not bear even a scratch."
Anay looked down at Darshan, then at the elders.
Anay: "Take him into custody. Please don't alert the rest of the students. If word spreads, fear will break this trial."
Elder 1 nodded. "You have our word."
They lifted Darshan in a golden seal, vanishing with him through a gateway.
Anay stood alone once again.
His orb still pulsed — but the number didn't matter.
"That power… isn't worth it."
He turned away, walking deeper into the island.