All he heard was his heart in his ears, watching all variations of Van close in. Like beasts on the prowl, stalking their prey, each copy of the assassin took slow, calculated strides before–
They were within striking range. He immediately sensed the sharp rise in bloodlust, raising his foot and stomping it as they closed in.
[Quake Stomp]
The thunderous impact shattered the stone at his feet, forcing each copy to nimbly withdraw. It was a reset, creating distance between them.
The leftmost Van called out, "I observed your first yesterday with Lacian."
Rightmost, the second followed up, "I've studied the way you fight. I did for each participant left in the tournament."
The foremost doppelganger added, flipping one dagger into a reverse grip, "I know you possess tremendous physical prowess. You can summon an unspecific number of high-grade spirits. I also know you withheld most of your abilities, wisely, if I may compliment."
