Liora hurled a fireball at me. I barely dodged it.
Another came. Then another.
"You betrayed me, Ashen!" she shouted, her voice trembling with rage and sorrow. "I considered you my friend. Why?!"
I stared at her, coldly. "I never considered you one."
Her breath hitched. "Then what about the memories? We played together. We laughed together. When our engagement was fixed, I was happy."
Her voice cracked as she continued.
"I wanted to stand by your side in your darkest days… I wanted to help bring back the real Ashen I knew. But you…" Her eyes burned with hurt. "You called me a whore. I was shattered. And as if that wasn't enough—on your birthday, you tried to sleep with me. As if I was some gift."
She looked at me, broken. "You really have changed… And today, on this battlefield, you're toying with another girl like she's your next replacement. How nice."
I clenched my fists.
"System," I whispered. "Look at your master now."
Liora kept staring, teary-eyed.
"Enough," I said.
I stepped forward, voice hollow.
"I don't need anyone. The ones who once loved me… they're long gone. And I realized it too late."
"I stand alone now. I don't want pity. I've had enough of fake sympathy."
I looked directly into her eyes.
"You can think whatever you want about me. And yes, I have changed — for the better."
I smiled bitterly.
"Isn't that what you wanted? For me to become someone worthy of your love? Well, congratulations. Now, go find someone better. Someone pure. Someone who'll fit your fantasy. I don't care anymore."
Her lips trembled. "Ashen… What happened to you?"
Tears streamed down her face.
Before she could react, I hurled five Shadow Bombs.
BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.
Dust clouded the area.
She dropped to one knee, unable to stand.
I summoned a Shadow Sword and approached slowly.
"I am Ashen Crimson," I said, voice like steel. "The one who only wins."
CRACK.
[DING! Liora Nowa has been eliminated.]
Meanwhile: Nowa Empire
In a towering palace draped in firelight, Liora's mother, Laura Nowa, clenched her fists watching the crystal projection.
"This bastard… What has he become?"
Selene, watching from the Crimson Estate, closed her eyes. "Ashen…"
Back to the Battlefield: The Top 4
The mighty trio stood exhausted — Rin, Nyx Voxx, and Cecilia.
Before momentum could shift, I jumped into the arena, cloak fluttering like shadow-fire.
All eyes turned to me.
"It's time," I whispered, "to become the hero."
Nyx sneered. "So, how'd you make it to the Top 4? Let me guess—cheated?"
She crossed her arms.
"Or maybe you and Liora teamed up before she accidentally got eliminated?"
Cecilia cut in. "No… They had a falling out. Their engagement was annulled."
Rin narrowed his eyes.
"You fought the Whitehounds alone, didn't you?" he asked. "That's how you got here. But how? What trick did you pull?"
I smirked.
"These days, people call raw talent a 'trick'. Cute."
I raised a hand.
"I'll answer everything. But just know—I'm buying you time. I'm letting you recover. I want to fight you all at full strength."
The System buzzed.
[System: Why are you letting them recover? You could've crushed them now, especially that bitch Nyx.]
"To make a show," I replied. "If I don't talk now, Rin will impress them all. He's already becoming the favorite. I need to shift the spotlight."
[System: Good move. Keep it. Make them remember your name — even if you fall. Especially if you fall.]
They stared, expressions serious.
I grinned.
"Let's make this memorable. One vs three."
I looked at them.
i guess i die like a joker here