Just as the massive Shade prepared to strike Rohan, a sudden flash intercepted its attack.
Arin Solara stepped from the void, his disguise glasses glinting faintly in the moonlight, his Shadow Doppel left behind as a subtle alibi. His Spirit Arm poised with precision, every movement calm and deliberate.
The attackers froze, momentarily distracted. The battlefield shifted as two new figures emerged—Kairo Tenel and Tessai Kuroshi, experts in suppression and containment. Their Astral Resonance radiated authority, forming an invisible shield that stabilized the Hollowified Wardens.
The monstrous, transformed Wardens writhed and screamed, their Astral energy unstable, threatening to consume them completely. Arin observed with a faint smirk, noting every fluctuation, every tell of weakness.
Kairo's techniques weaved through the chaos, binding the rampaging Wardens with meticulous precision. Tessai's mastery reinforced the restraints, countering the wild, chaotic energy that threatened to tear the battlefield apart. Together, their efforts prevented total collapse—but the strain on their bodies was immense.
Across the field, Arin's eyes swept over the scene, analyzing each move. Every Hollowified Warden, every attempted strike—it was all data. He noted the subtle hesitation in Rohan's attacks, the raw power in Tala's uncontrolled swings, the faintest traces of remaining self-awareness.
From the shadows, the orchestrator of this nightmare—Uehara Shiroha—watched with amusement, savoring the controlled chaos.
"The stage is ready," he murmured, voice calm yet menacing. "It's time."
Without hesitation, Arin activated Shunkyō, stepping into the void with flawless precision. He emerged silently among the chaos, but instead of hiding, he walked into the open, his appearance now that of a composed, middle-aged scholar.
"The moon tonight is truly splendid," he said aloud, as though commenting on a serene evening stroll. "One would expect leisurely walks under such light, not battles and screams."
Every commander on the battlefield froze. Not a single one—neither Kairo nor Tessai nor the Hollowified Wardens—had sensed his approach. It was as if he had materialized from nowhere.
Arin turned his gaze deliberately toward the restrained Wardens. He allowed a slow, amused smile to curl across his lips.
"Who… are you?" Kairo finally spoke, voice tight with suspicion.
"Ah," Arin replied, tone casual, almost indifferent. "Names are trivial. Let's just say I am… a collector of opportunities."
Tessai's brows furrowed beneath his hooded cloak, sensing the precision in Arin's aura. Even in this world of massive Astral power, something about him was unnerving.
As the Wardens struggled within their restraints, the Shadow Doppel provided Arin the perfect vantage point. He noted every strain in their bodies, every fluctuation of Astral energy.
Then, with deliberate care, Arin stepped forward, eyes gleaming beneath his glasses. The battlefield had shifted entirely into his control—not through brute force, but through meticulous observation and manipulation.
Every attack, every countermeasure had been anticipated. And now, the Hollowified Wardens' final moments of resistance were nothing more than data points in his growing understanding of Astral resonance, combat patterns, and the fragile nature of even the most elite fighters.
In that moment, it became clear: the Outer Rings were no longer a battleground—it was Arin's canvas.
And the real performance was only beginning.