Chapter 9: Shadow Fang vs Spirit Widow

The arena darkened.

As the spectral spider descended from its mist cocoon, a chilling cold spread across the Trial Field. The crowd watching from the observation spires fell silent. Even the most talkative tamers held their breath.

> [Enemy: Deathmist Widow – D+ Rank Spirit Beast]

Type: Assassin/Illusion/Poison Hybrid

Skill Set: Cloaking Shroud, Paralytic Fang, Soul Stitch Web

Tamer: Whisper of the Fallen Veil

Combat Style: Spirit Conduction – Direct Mind Control Link

Kazuki Ren narrowed his eyes.

Across the glowing ring, the girl tamer whispered without moving her lips. Her long hair floated unnaturally in the air. Her eyes—milky and unblinking—glowed faintly purple.

"Nyx," Ren said low, "she's not controlling that thing with commands. It's mental. If we let her get inside your head, it's over."

Nyx's twin tails flared, blue fire dancing across the edge of his shadowy fur. He crouched low, body half-phased between light and darkness.

The Deathmist Widow shimmered and vanished.

> [WARNING: Spirit Assassin has entered Phase Cloak]

Detection: LOW

Reaction Delay: 1.2 seconds unless skill is triggered

Then—

SHRIEK.

A white blur launched from behind Nyx, fangs glinting, legs stretched wide.

Ren barely had time to react.

"VOIDSTEP—NOW!"

> [Skill Triggered: Voidstep (Short Range Blink)]

Cooldown: 6 seconds

Nyx vanished, and the spider struck only air—webbing exploding across the ground.

"Smart," Whisper murmured. "But predictable."

> [Status Alert: Cloaking Fog – Arena visibility reduced by 40%]

Effect Duration: 2 minutes

Additional Danger: Web Tracking Active

Ren's breathing slowed. The fog pressed in, and Nyx was no longer visible.

"Switch to Instinct Sync."

> [Instinct Sync Active – Sensory Range Shared]

[Boost: Reflex +7%, Weak Aura Pulse Detection]

Through Nyx's senses, Ren saw flashes—tiny vibrations, tremors in the air, threads moving across stone.

There.

"Three o'clock. Vertical strike. Phantom Pounce—feint left, slash upward!"

Nyx reappeared in a flurry of motion, striking through a nearly invisible arc of air.

A sharp cry rang out.

> [Enemy Hit: Partial Reveal – Widow takes 17% damage]

[Counterattack Incoming: Soul Stitch Threads!]

Silver-blue lines burst outward in a web-shaped rune.

"Jump—above it!"

But even as Nyx leapt, two threads snagged his hind leg.

> [Status Effect Applied: Binding Curse – Speed -20%]

[Beast Core Stability: 84% → 66%]

"Damn," Ren hissed. "She's weaving a soul-binding field."

Whisper's lips curled into a faint smile. "Give in, outsider. Spirit beasts cannot be outmaneuvered by mortals. Your beast will fall like the others."

Ren exhaled.

"No."

His hand rose to the air, fingers folding into a pact sign.

"System—initiate Beast Bond Override."

> [Permission Granted: Temporary System Boost Engaged]

> Soul Bond Surge: Fusion Pulse Activated

[Skill Unlocked: Shadow Reversal – Phase Counterstrike (One Use)]

Condition: Must be in direct contact with soul-type trap or curse.

Ren's and Nyx's bond flared like a beacon. The soul threads binding Nyx snapped—not from struggle, but from overload. The fusion pulse rebounded along the strands like lightning.

The Deathmist Widow screeched in agony—its illusions shattered.

Nyx landed hard—his fur flaring, eyes wild.

"NOW! Final move!"

> [Skill Activated: Phantom Pounce – Stacked with Voidstep Slash]

[Critical Angle: Rear Jaw Open]

Nyx surged forward in a trail of pure darkness, twin tails fanning behind like banners of void. In a single sweeping arc, he struck beneath the spider's face—and leapt through it.

CRACK.

The creature shattered into spirit fragments, its body dissolving into mist.

Whisper stumbled, clutching her head. Her bond link cracked, and the field faded.

> [Second Opponent Defeated!]

Combat Time: 5:52

Skill Use Efficiency: 81%

Bond Sync: +4%

[Ready for Final Opponent?]

Y/N

Ren stepped into the light as the fog cleared. The crowd was no longer quiet. Whispers swirled.

"He beat Whisper of the Veil…"

"That was a spirit assassin—!"

"His beast countered a soul link trap…"

Sela, the instructor, smiled for the first time.

"Well then. Looks like we've got ourselves a real contender."

She raised her hand.

"The third and final challenger will be a special selection… personally approved by the Academy Council."

Across the arena, the final gate opened.

And from its glowing maw stepped a tall youth clad in silver-white robes, a crimson sword at his back. His eyes were calm, predatory—and far too familiar.

> [Final Challenger: Riku Dawnblade – Official Rematch (D+ Rank)]

System Note:

> Special Trial Condition Activated – Personal Rivalry Match.

Win Requirement: Dominate Victory (No draw accepted)

Stakes: Public Reputation, Ranking Boost, Tamer Class Promotion

Ren exhaled sharply.

"Of course it's him."

Nyx growled, already stepping forward.

The rematch was coming.

End of Chapter 9