Sand scattered through the air as Migo's body was flung backward from Zeo's single strike. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, but a twisted smile still curled on his face.
On the other side, Zeo stood firm, his aura violently surging. His rage hadn't subsided. His eyes blazed sharp—full of pressure and fury.
"You called Ravyn a slave?" His voice was low, yet suffocating. "Say it again and I'll crush you right here."
Migo wiped the blood from his lips. "Hahaha, whether you're mad or not, I only spoke the truth. Demi-humans are—"
BRAAAKK!!
Zeo flashed forward, slamming his fist into a rising sand shield. The impact sent waves of sand flying, forcing everyone nearby to step back.
Valerat's members quickly moved into a defensive circle, weapons raised, expressions tense yet thrilled. This was no longer just a personal fight—it was blood sport.
Alice rushed forward. "Enough! Karim! Stop this!"
But Karim, standing calmly with his arms crossed, simply shrugged. "Let them fight. Strength decides everything. That's our law. Strength is law."
"Are you insane?" Alice snapped, eyes narrowing. "We don't follow your twisted ideology. That's not how things are resolved."
"And we don't follow yours either, Alice," Karim replied coldly. "Besides, wasn't it your friend who started this?"
Alice fell silent. She wanted to step in—but Zeo turned to her and raised a hand. "Don't interfere."
That look was enough to make her stop.
Ravyn tried to charge forward but was blocked by Valerat members.
"Not now, furball. Just watch your master get beaten," one sneered.
Ravyn narrowed her eyes. "You think you can stop me? Bunch of thugs pretending to be adventurers!"
With a flash, her claws slashed through the air—tearing open one guard's chest. She darted forward, battling three at once, twisting and spinning through spear thrusts and daggers. Desert dust swirled beneath her swift steps.
Meanwhile, in the other fight, Migo raised his hands.
"You really don't get it, do you? This desert is my domain! Watch how the sands answer my call!"
WHRUUMMM!!
The sand around Zeo spun into a vicious vortex. Thousands of grains danced in the air, sharp as blades, ready to rip into flesh.
Zeo stretched out his arms. A wave of energy burst from his body—a shockwave that shattered the rotation and blew the storm back.
He leapt—his body a lightning bolt charging at Migo.
But Migo grinned. "Fool."
SWOOOSH!!
The ground beneath Zeo's feet turned into living sand ropes. They whipped around his legs and yanked him hard.
WHUAMM!!
Zeo was hurled into the air, then slammed against a cluster of rocks. The sand obeyed Migo like hands—merciless and loyal.
Zeo groaned but didn't rise immediately. Sand clung to his hair and face. The rising sun's heat scorched his skin.
"Did you really think you could beat me in my own domain?" Migo smirked. "This is my territory. Here... I am king!"
Ravyn was still holding off three attackers. Sweat and grit covered her, but her eyes still burned fiercely. Alice clenched her fists. She knew Zeo hated being helped—but this was getting out of hand. How could she stay quiet when her savior was struggling?
Zeo slowly stood. Blood trickled down his temple.
"I don't care if this is your desert," he muttered. "Because now, this place... will be your grave."
He stepped forward again. The aura around him changed. Not just heat—but something deeper. A wave of power yet unseen.
The battle wasn't over.
Attack after attack resumed.
Sand swirled viciously as Migo stood, panting. His body bore bruises and cuts, but his fighting spirit remained. Zeo stayed calm—but beneath that gaze, something shifted. A serious air took hold.
"This sand… disgusts me."
Zeo blinked—and with a light breath, opened his dimensional eye. His pupils glowed. The world slowed. Data about his enemy flooded his mind.
Migo. Human. Primary energies: 6,800 Entra, 2,700 Vita, 1,100 Arma. Secondary: Earth and Wind Elementals—advanced subtype: Sand.
Not very high combat power, but his sand manipulation and terrain advantage give him a significant edge, Zeo thought.
He narrowed his gaze.
Then—his eyes shifted.
To Karim, still watching calmly behind the battle circle, like a spectator at an arena.
Zeo focused his sight—reading Karim's data.
His eyes widened inwardly.
So... he's not ordinary.
But before he could think further—
Migo struck again. Sand lunged like sharp snakes—whipping, slicing. But Zeo moved differently now.
He dodged with ease. Light steps. A dance in the sandstorm. Migo began losing rhythm.
"Stop dodging! Fight me!" Migo yelled.
Strike after strike flew from all directions—but Zeo evaded them all, perfectly.
Migo grew desperate. His focus wavered.
And that was enough.
In a flash—Zeo disappeared from his view.
"What?!"
BUK!!
Zeo reappeared behind him.
A brutal punch landed on Migo's back. A sand barrier flared up—but too late. Zeo's full force slammed through.
Migo crashed into the ground. The barren desert trembled.
He coughed blood. His vision blurred. Breathing ragged.
Zeo stepped closer, expression merciless. Energy gathered in his hand—ready to end it.
But—
WHUUSSHH!!
A wave of black aura sliced the air, halting Zeo's advance.
Karim appeared. His body cloaked in dark energy. Eyes glowing yellow like a beast in the night.
"You move now? After he's almost dead?" Zeo asked sharply.
Karim smirked. "I don't want my member to die pointlessly."
Zeo lifted his chin. "You don't decide his fate. I do."
He charged.
BOOOMM!!
Zeo's attack struck hard. Karim blocked with one hand—an explosion burst between them. Desert winds spiraled inward—then blasted out in a shockwave.
Dust engulfed the battlefield. Everyone held their breath.
As it cleared... half of Karim's real form was revealed. Skin dark gray. Faint pink runes glowing. Long black hair flowed—and a small horn curled from the side of his fractured head.
Zeo sharpened his gaze.
"You were hiding this power all along...?"
Dimensional data confirmed:
Karim – Race: Djinn, type Incubus.
Entra: 22,300
Vita: 12,000
Arma: 2,000
Secondary Energy: Helos
Race Trait: Illusion and Transmogrify manipulation.
Karim gave a low laugh. "Not bad, kid... You're starting to interest me."
Zeo clenched his fist.
The battle had just changed.