Reito and Hikaru vs Ghost

A Dire Sight

Reito and Hikaru rushed onto the battlefield, skidding to a stop as they took in the sight before them.

Haruto, Moriya, and Ikazuchi were down.

Bruised. Gasping for breath. Struggling to get back up.

And standing calmly in the center of the chaos—was Ghost.

His dark robes fluttered slightly in the cold wind, his expression completely indifferent.

Hikaru's heart pounded.

What the hell is this guy…?

Reito stepped forward, his frosty breath visible in the air. "He took them down by himself?"

Ghost turned his head slightly toward them, his dark eyes unreadable.

"You're next."

Hikaru clenched his fists, golden light flickering to life around him.

Reito's ice-blue eyes narrowed.

"Then let's see if you can handle us."

A Losing Battle

They attacked together.

Hikaru lunged first, his hands glowing with radiant energy as he swung a blast of light toward Ghost.

The attack passed through him.

Like striking nothing but air.

Ghost's form flickered, and in an instant—he phased forward, delivering a sharp kick to Hikaru's ribs.

BAM!

Hikaru gritted his teeth as he stumbled back.

Reito followed up immediately, freezing the moisture in the air, creating a storm of ice shards that rained down at Ghost from all directions.

But just like before—the ice went through him.

Ghost remained calm, stepping through the attack effortlessly.

"You're making the same mistake."

Before Reito could react—

A phased fist slammed into his stomach.

CRACK!

Reito's eyes widened, a breath of cold air escaping his lips as he staggered back, clutching his side.

Hikaru and Reito regrouped, their breathing heavy.

"Damn it," Hikaru muttered. "It's like he doesn't even have a body."

Reito wiped blood from his lip. "Physical attacks are useless."

Ghost simply watched them.

"You are wasting your energy," he said, almost bored.

Then—he moved again.

Faster.

Hikaru barely had time to react before Ghost phased through the air, reappearing behind them.

They turned—too late.

Ghost struck Reito first, a perfectly timed strike to his back.

Then Hikaru, a kick straight to his ribs.

The two warriors were sent flying back, skidding across the stone floor.

Ghost remained untouched.

He exhaled, as if he were bored.

"Another waste of time."

Teshii Notices Something

Teshii arrived just in time to see it.

He had helped Haruto, Moriya, and Ikazuchi to their feet, but now his attention was glued to the fight.

He watched as Hikaru and Reito struggled.

As their attacks kept going through Ghost.

But something was off.

Teshii narrowed his eyes.

Then, he saw it.

Ghost phased to avoid Hikaru's light attack.

But right after that—he dodged Reito's follow-up physically.

Teshii's eyes widened slightly.

There's an interval.

Ghost wasn't just always intangible.

There was a delay. A cooldown.

He phases through an attack—then has to dodge the next one normally.

Teshii grinned.

"Well, well, well," he muttered.

"Looks like you're not invincible after all."

He cracked his knuckles, stepping forward.

Time to end this game.