[Agree][Ding][Successfully added Upper Moon Three Akaza as a friend!][Detected that Upper Moon Three Akaza's intimacy with the host's friend is 'Initial Acquaintance'. Randomly awarding an item!][Obtained Skill: Blood Demon Art - Destructive Kill: Compass (Mastery)!][Do you wish to merge skill now: Blood Demon Art - Destructive Kill: Compass (Mastery)?][No]Lucas had been surprised when Akaza sent a friend request. But when the system awarded him the Blood Demon Art: Destructive Kill - Compass, he was overwhelmed with excitement.This skill was the very core of Akaza's entire Blood Demon Art. All his advanced forms—Vacuity, Chaotic, Annihilation—were based on this Compass Needle technique. Merging this into his arsenal meant Lucas could potentially replicate and evolve these techniques on his own. It was like gaining access to the blueprint of Akaza's strength.A true windfall.---Meanwhile, Kyojuro Rengoku struggled to sit up. His body trembled from exhaustion, and his lips quivered with determination."I… will fulfill my duty," he muttered, eyes flickering with resolve.Despite the pain, despite the blood and burns, he forced himself to reach for his nichirin blade lying beside him. The cold hilt sent a shiver through his body, but he reached for it anyway. Even if this was his last breath, he wouldn't allow Lucas or the others to face Akaza alone.Just as his fingers grazed the hilt—A warm hand gently pressed his shoulder."Leave it to me," came a quiet voice.Kyojuro turned his head and saw Lucas. His face was framed in the smoke and flickering light, yet his eyes were calm, deep, and full of concern.Lucas didn't wrench the sword from Kyojuro's grasp. Instead, he gently guided the man's hand away, kneeling slowly and carefully gripping the hilt of the Flame Pillar's blade. His movements were delicate, almost reverent, as if he feared disturbing the solemn silence around them.He wrapped his fingers around the sword, absorbing the warmth still lingering on it, and a faint smile spread across his lips.---"What are you doing, Lucas? Cough… cough…" Kyojuro's eyes widened.Was Lucas planning to face Akaza alone? That was madness. Even he, the Flame Pillar, had only just barely survived their battle. No matter how talented Lucas was, how could he possibly stand against Akaza by himself?Even if Lucas had surprised them all with his strength, this was a whole different level!---"What? Still unwilling to give up?" Akaza's voice rang out with no malice—just cold certainty. "Without Kyojuro's help, you're no longer qualified to face me."He wasn't mocking. Just stating facts. Compared to Kyojuro, Lucas still had a long way to go. And right now, Lucas was clearly injured. Akaza couldn't understand where the boy found the courage to still stand before him.---Lucas tilted his head slightly. "You mean this?"In the next instant, the world twisted—and he was behind Akaza."What!?" Akaza's eyes narrowed. He threw an elbow back without hesitation, aiming for Lucas's face—But a sharp pain suddenly burned across his neck.Bang!Akaza recoiled, pulling away. His hand touched the cut on his neck in disbelief, and he stared at Lucas, who stood calmly, blade lowered.His mind reeled. What just happened?He had the upper hand. The boy was supposed to be injured and vulnerable. But that single strike was flawless—faster than anything he had anticipated.Lucas's movements were like a ghost—impossible to predict, impossible to stop.---"This speed…" Akaza thought, trying to grasp what was happening.He released his fighting spirit, scanning the battlefield.But Lucas was no longer standing still. He was moving like fire in the wind, flickering in and out of Akaza's senses, never staying in one place. Every time Akaza tried to react, Lucas was already a step ahead, launching another precise attack.The boy wasn't just fast—he was reading Akaza's movements before they happened.---Was this his real power?Could it be some hidden technique?Akaza narrowed his eyes, trying to analyze. A secret ability that temporarily boosts strength? Or… could it be the Transparent World?From their brief clashes, he could feel it—Lucas was observing everything. Reading his attacks. Countering them.---"What… what is happening?" Kyojuro whispered, still kneeling on one knee. His wounds burned with every breath.Yet his wide eyes remained locked on the battlefield.He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Lucas—young, unranked Lucas—was forcing Akaza back?He had seen this kind of speed, this kind of power… but only from Pillars.Was Lucas already on that level?Was this a dream?---Clang—!The blade struck again.Akaza grunted. His regeneration had always been his greatest asset, but under Lucas's furious assault, even it was struggling to keep up. Every attack from Lucas was laced with not just flame—but thunder.Thunder and fire—both scorched Akaza's flesh and spirit.These weren't normal burns.They disrupted his recovery.With each hit, Akaza felt a creeping unfamiliar sensation—fear.The very essence of his fighting spirit was being eroded.For the first time in ages, he wasn't just battling.He was defending.---Akaza attempted to shift tactics. He expanded the radius of his fighting spirit, spreading its detection range to track Lucas's movements.But Lucas had already adapted.His form flickered like a sprite weaving through shadows. He moved within the slivers of safety, narrowly escaping every attempt to pin him down.Akaza's attacks began to feel sluggish in comparison.His fists—so devastating before—seemed heavy.Every time Lucas struck, Akaza was just a moment too slow.The rhythm of the battle now belonged to Lucas alone.---Akaza grit his teeth. "This… Lucas… is this the Supreme Realm?"He had spent centuries seeking it—a state of existence beyond limits.And now, a boy… no, a child… was displaying it in battle?But no, it wasn't complete. Lucas wasn't truly in the Supreme Realm—yet.If he was, Akaza wouldn't be standing.Still… it was close.Far too close.---The battlefield was now dominated by Lucas's presence. Each movement left streaks of lightning, every blade swing left trails of fire.Akaza's aura, once overwhelming, now looked fractured.The gap between them had narrowed.Akaza felt it deep in his core.This boy is dangerous.And somewhere in his heart, Akaza finally understood something terrifying—Lucas could surpass him.---To be continued…---
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