The silence of Absolute Time Dominion remained unchanged as Kronos slowly approached across the ruined grounds of Reikosha Academy. The countless silver symbols still floated above the frozen world, illuminating the battlefield with an eerie glow. Yura stood opposite him, breathing heavily. Blood stained her sleeves, bruises covered her arms, and every muscle in her body ached from surviving the barrage. Yet despite her condition, she refused to lower her stance.
Kronos observed her carefully.
The adaptation was undeniable.
The difference between the girl who had first moved inside stopped time and the one standing before him now was already noticeable. Her movements had become smoother. More efficient. Less hesitant.
That realization should have been impossible.
And yet it stood before him.
"You're learning."
Yura wiped blood from her chin and forced a grin.
"Funny. I was about to say the same thing."
For the first time, Kronos chuckled.
A quiet sound.
Cold.
Amused.
"Arrogance."
The moment the word left his mouth, he vanished.
Yura's instincts exploded.
She barely crossed her arms before Kronos's fist collided with her guard.
BOOOOOOM!!
The impact launched her across the battlefield.
She crashed through the remains of a training hall, shattered several stone pillars, and rolled across the frozen ground before finally stopping.
Pain surged through her body.
Far worse than before.
Kronos wasn't testing her anymore.
This was a real fight.
Yura forced herself upright just as Kronos appeared in front of her again.
No warning.
No buildup.
Just overwhelming speed.
A kick slammed into her side.
Another strike followed.
Then another.
Each blow carried enough force to flatten mountains.
Yura could barely react.
She blocked some.
Dodged others.
But several connected.
Each impact left new bruises.
Each impact reminded her of the massive gap separating them.
Kronos wasn't struggling.
Not even slightly.
Meanwhile, Yura was fighting with everything she had just to remain conscious.
Another punch flew toward her face.
This time she managed to slip past it.
For a brief moment, her fist connected with Kronos's shoulder.
THUD.
Not enough to damage him.
Not enough to stagger him.
But enough to prove she could touch him.
Kronos immediately countered.
His elbow struck her stomach.
The force knocked the air from her lungs.
Yura doubled over before being kicked into the sky.
The frozen clouds above seemed to draw closer as she ascended.
Then Kronos appeared above her.
His silver eyes remained calm.
Merciless.
He drove his heel downward.
BOOOOOOM!!
Yura plummeted into the academy grounds.
The impact created a crater so massive it swallowed entire sections of the battlefield.
Dust remained frozen around the explosion.
Yura lay motionless at the center.
For several seconds...
Nothing happened.
Then her fingers moved.
Slowly.
Painfully.
She pushed herself up.
Blood dripped from her forehead.
Her vision blurred.
Yet she stood again.
Kronos looked down from above.
"...Why?"
Yura spat blood onto the frozen earth.
"...Why what?"
"Why continue?"
His voice contained genuine curiosity.
"You know you cannot defeat me."
Yura laughed.
A rough laugh.
Exhausted.
Defiant.
"...You talk too much for someone who's supposed to be unbeatable."
The answer surprised him.
Not because of the words.
Because she still had the strength to say them.
Kronos descended toward the ground.
His feet touched the frozen earth.
For the first time since the battle began, his spiritual pressure leaked outward.
The entire battlefield trembled despite time itself being stopped.
Yura immediately felt the difference.
The atmosphere grew heavier.
Denser.
More oppressive.
Even breathing became difficult.
Kronos slowly raised one hand.
Silver energy gathered around his fingers.
Not an ultimate technique.
Not Absolute Time Dominion.
Just power.
Pure power.
The kind that had crushed countless warriors throughout history.
"I'll give you one final chance."
His eyes locked onto hers.
"Kneel."
Yura stared back.
Her legs trembled.
Her body screamed for rest.
Every injury she had suffered demanded surrender.
But slowly...
She tightened her fists.
Then she took a step forward.
One step.
Heavy.
Painful.
But forward.
Kronos's expression remained unchanged.
Yura smiled through blood.
"...No."
For the first time in this battle...
A faint spark appeared within Kronos's eyes.
Not anger.
Not annoyance.
Respect.
The smallest amount.
But it was there.
Because despite the overwhelming difference in power...
Despite the impossible situation...
Despite standing before the master of time himself...
Yura still refused to bow.
And somewhere deep inside Absolute Time Dominion...
The adaptation continued.
Slowly.
Quietly.
Relentlessly.