The rails from the three zones the mountains, the sea, and the cave finally merged above a vast circular platform.
A strong wind swept across the area as the five carts sped forward at terrifying speed toward the giant dragon statue in the center of the arena.
Inside Group B's cart, Envy's breathing was heavy.
Cold sweat trickled down her temple after forcing herself to open a chain of portals and fire those black holes earlier.
Togil, who had just taken a sip of water from Envy, glanced over and noticed how exhausted she looked.
He clicked his tongue softly, but his eyes softened for a moment. His large hand pressed down on Envy's shoulder, forcing her to sit back.
"Rest here," Togil said in a low but firm tone. "Don't use any more skills. I'll handle the rest."
Envy froze, her lips slightly parted.
"Sorry, Togil… I became a burden…" she murmured while looking at his broad back as he stood firmly at the front of the cart.
"Quiet. Just close your eyes," Togil replied sharply.
Envy nodded slowly and closed her eyes.
Right as the five carts entered the circular track surrounding the dragon statue, Togil made his move.
The muscles in his legs tensed, and with a single brutal push so powerful it made his own cart tremble violently he leapt into the air.
His target wasn't the dragon's peak.
It was the cart rushing in from the sea.
Udin and Siti widened their eyes in shock as Togil's shadow dove straight toward them.
"Stop him, Siti!" Udin shouted while controlling the remaining seawater from the rails, forming a high-pressure swirling water shield.
Siti immediately released a barrage of explosive water bubbles into the air.
But "The Strongest Killer" didn't care at all.
Relying purely on insane instinct and raw physical endurance, Togil charged straight through the vortex, letting the bubbles explode against his shoulders and arms without slowing down.
BRUK!
Togil landed right on the front of Udin's cart. Before they could react, he drove his fingers into the metal plating, lifted the entire heavy vehicle along with its passengers off the rails with sheer strength, then spun his body.
"Move!" Togil roared as he hurled the cart with full force toward Steve's incoming cart.
"UWAAA!"
Udin and Siti screamed as they were sent flying through the air.
Seeing the massive chunk of metal flying toward him, Steve narrowed his eyes.
"Senior, hold on!" he ordered.
Pulchra immediately grabbed the back of the seat tightly, shutting her eyes.
Steve condensed Pure Darkness into both arms, forming a pair of gigantic shadow hands.
With incredible composure, the shadow hands caught Udin's cart midair, softened the impact, and gently placed it back onto an empty rail beside them.
"Phew… you guys okay?" Steve called out casually.
Udin, still pale, swallowed hard and nodded.
"T-thank you so much, Steve!" Siti replied with a trembling voice.
"Tch…" Togil clicked his tongue at Siti, but he had no time to waste.
The chaos was also exploited by the pair from the cave.
From beneath the shadows of a rail pillar, Jaid shot out like a ghost.
Leaving his cart behind, he ran vertically along the metal scales of the dragon statue, aiming straight for the Dragon Coin.
"Well, well~ looks like a sneaky rat," Gampler teased from his flying cart. He grinned and flicked his staff.
From his imagination appeared dozens of giant neon-purple flying penguins holding toy hammers.
The absurd army dove down, trying to block and smash Jaid's path.
Jaid was forced to leap back, dodging the ridiculous attacks, before landing on one of the dragon's wings.
"Gusdur, handle these weird things!" he snapped.
Gusdur simply nodded calmly, casting a spell that created mirror-like illusions in the air, confusing the penguins until they began attacking aimlessly.
But while everyone's attention was focused on that chaotic clash…
no one noticed the fastest movement in the arena.
Togil.
Aside from Shiro.
Taking advantage of the chaos he created himself, Togil kept moving.
Using debris in the air and support pillars as footholds, he twisted like a deadly shadow, leaping from point to point with assassin-like agility impossible to follow.
Explosions, illusions, and shadows collided around him, but he pierced through everything without hesitation.
Only one thought filled his mind:
take that coin… and give it to Envy.
"Inventory: Bow of Heaven."
He pulled out a bow and fired several arrows toward Shiro to distract him.
With one final push powerful enough to crack the edge of the dragon's wing, Togil launched himself into the sky.
His body hovered above the dragon's head.
Time seemed to slow.
The wind whipped against his shirt as his shadow covered the glow of the coin.
Everyone in the arena looked up in shock.
Togil's eyes sharpened. His arm stretched forward, fingers open–
just centimeters away…
just millimeters away…
from the Dragon Coin.
But at that exact moment—
KRAAAAK!
A loud cracking sound came from below.
The support pillar beneath Envy's track could no longer withstand the accumulated damage.
The metal bent.
The rail beneath her cart collapsed.
Envy, still asleep, didn't realize she was falling.
Togil's eyes widened.
His killer instinct vanished instantly, replaced by pure panic.
He didn't care about the coin anymore.
He looked down.
And in that moment
a shadow struck from above.
Gampler rushed forward on his staff, swinging it now transformed into a giant glowing toy hammer.
BAM!
The hit sent Togil flying away from the dragon.
But instead of resisting, Togil used the momentum.
He twisted midair, turning it into a meteor-like dive straight toward Envy.
Even though this was only a simulation, his mind ignored that fact.
To him, Envy falling meant danger. Absolute danger.
With insane speed, Togil caught her just before the cart shattered below.
He held her tightly with one arm, while his other stabbed a knife into the arena wall to slow their fall, sparks flying as it scraped through metal.
Above them, Gampler floated casually, hands on his cheeks.
"Awww~ You two are sooo romantic! I'm touched just watching~"
He then casually reached out.
"In that case, I'll take the Dragon Coin~"
The moment his fingers touched it—
a blinding white light exploded.
The sounds of the arena, wind, and destruction faded into pixels.
In an instant, all five pairs were back on the main stage.
Their clothes were restored, spotless but their breathing was still heavy.
Envy, now awake and realizing she was still in Togil's arms, blushed deeply and pushed him away.
"E-eh… is it over already?!"
Togil simply smiled faintly and let her go, checking her once more to make sure she was okay.
Spotlights lit up the stage again.
Nelson stood at the center, grinning widely.
"AMAZING! What a spectacular and unpredictable match!" he shouted as the crowd roared.
"Time is up! The Dragon Coin has been secured! Let's see the final results!"
The giant screen lit up.
FINAL RESULTS – STAGE 2
Shiro & Gampler – 1560 Coins
Togil & Envy – 1300 Coins
Steve & Pulchra – 1008 Coins
Gusdur & Jaid – 500 Coins
Udin & Siti – 309 Coins
"However!" Nelson continued loudly.
"After witnessing The Strongest Killer's heart-touching actions, we've decided to give them a special title this year–"
"The Most Romantic Pair!"
The audience erupted in cheers.
Steve smiled slightly, satisfied with his safe position, while Pulchra sighed in great relief.
Nelson raised his mic again, this time more dramatic.
"And with that… unfortunately, the pair with the lowest score must leave the tournament!"
"Udin and Siti, thank you for your incredible effort!"
Udin smiled helplessly, scratching the back of his head, while Siti waved to the audience and gave Steve a grateful smile.
"You four… keep fighting until the end!" Udin shouted.
Their bodies began to glow…
and slowly teleported out of the arena.