Black snow. Apocalypse

Kaen's voice rang out with fury, his chest heaving. "Why did you attack me, Josh? I thought we were friends! You were more than a friend—I took you as my brother. And this is how you repay me?"

Josh's eyes widened with guilt. "I didn't know what came over me, Kaen. I swear—I'd never hurt you on purpose."

Kaen stared at him with wounded eyes. Then, without a word, he turned his back and walked away.

That night, the silence between them grew heavy. They returned home, and Kaen refused to speak a single word. At dinner, he barely touched his food. Afterward, Josh sat alone on his bed, eyes locked on the ceiling.

He clenched his fists. "System," he whispered. "What was that override command during the battle?"

❖ System Notice: Blightfall Curse slowly activating. Core corruption increasing with each level gained.

Josh stood up. "How do I stop it?"

❖ Response: Absorb the Demon Orb. Immediate stabilization required.

"What?!" Josh gasped. "Absorb the orb?"

---

The next morning, tension lingered like a fog as they prepared for school. The tournament's first stage continued.

The formless figure stepped out once again. "Now it's time for those who lost to rise back to the challenge."

Dexter appeared on the stage. His confident smirk drew whispers from the crowd.

"Your opponent—Kaen."

Kaen calmly stepped forward, unsheathing his sword. Before Dexter could blink, green lightning crackled across Kaen's blade.

In a flash of motion, Kaen appeared behind him. A clean, elegant slash. Dexter collapsed.

The crowd gasped in awe. Kaen stood silently, his sword humming with residual lightning.

---

Throughout the day, fallen contenders fought for redemption. Some rose, others fell again.

Josh waited near the edge of the stage, watching Kaen from afar. After Kaen's victory, he approached cautiously.

"I just wanted to say congrats," Josh muttered.

Kaen walked past without a glance.

---

The formless figure returned. "We now have thirty winners. But we only need three. Let the real battle begin."

Josh's name was called.

"Versus… Damien."

A tall, unsettling figure walked to the center. Damien was eerie—no eyes, no expression—just a haunting aura. The crowd hushed.

Josh stepped onto the stage. He felt the cold gaze of someone who didn't need eyes to see.

"Let the fight begin!"

Josh surged forward with a Soul Fist, aiming straight for Damien's chest.

But Damien caught the blow… with one finger.

"What the—?" Josh pulled back in shock.

"I know what you're thinking," Damien said coolly. "How can I see your moves?"

His voice sent chills down Josh's spine.

"My basic power is Time and Power Mirage. I can see your next move and copy it. You have no secrets from me."

Josh stepped back, unsettled. Damien hadn't even drawn a weapon yet—and already, he felt like he was fighting a ghost.

Josh flared with purple aura. "Then I guess I'll just have to get unpredictable."

He activated Fogbeast Armor and shot into the air, spinning into a flaming aerial kick that roared toward Damien.

This was going to be his toughest battle yet…