Played

Brien's entire body radiated a chilling, almost suffocating aura. Vapor curled off his skin, and behind him, the illusory black entity continued grinning—a grotesque face without features except for twin crimson eyes and an enormous maw. Even though it was just a projection of soulforce, it felt alive…hungry.

This was no ordinary technique.

And though its presence was oppressive, it strangely did not extend its influence beyond a single target—Finn.

High above, on the observation platform where the faction masters, Elders, and Helbram hovered, shock rippled across every face.

Even Helbram, strongest among them, frowned deeply.

And Morris—Brien's own teacher—looked as if he'd been struck dumb.

He knew Brien better than anyone. He had never, not once, seen this boy manifest such a technique.

'That aura…!'

Not far away, Noah's entire body trembled. His eyes locked on Brien, and emotion churned in their depths.

He wasn't trembling from fear.

No—it was something far more complex.

Seventeen years had passed since the day he'd last felt this presence. But the memories were etched into his mind with unerasable clarity.

Marcus, standing closest, noticed the strain written all over Noah's face. His brows drew tight.

"Sect Master Noah…your soulforce is unstable," Marcus said quietly. "Is something wrong?"

Noah snapped back to himself. He forced a deep breath, willing the turmoil to still.

"…I'm fine," he said hoarsely. "There's something…peculiar in Brien Latter's aura."

Marcus turned a wary gaze down to Brien.

"You recognize this technique?"

"No," Noah replied. "But I recognize the aura it carries."

His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked from Brien to Morris.

'A secret known only to his bloodline?' he thought. 'I hope…I'm wrong about this.'

Beside him, Marcus fell silent, feeling the sudden gravity in the air.

--

Down below, the two boys stood facing each other, both wearing cold, fearless smiles.

"You still dare to smile?" Brien asked softly, voice almost quivering. "Don't you feel the aura of my Illusionary Demon Knight? This is my clan's hidden technique. Even my teacher doesn't know of it."

Finn's eyes flicked to the monstrous illusion looming behind Brien.

He snorted softly and let his gaze fall back to Brien's face.

"You plan to defeat me…with that thing?"

He lifted one hand toward the Demon Knight.

"…Have you lost your mind?"

The mockery in his tone struck Brien like a slap.

His expression darkened.

"You dare belittle my clan's power?" he hissed. "I'll show you the price of your arrogance!"

With a roar, he swung his axe downward—

—and the Demon Knight's own colossal phantom weapon mirrored the movement, slamming into the ground.

A massive fissure tore through the earth, racing toward Finn in a surge of crackling force.

Finn launched himself into the air to evade it—

—but Brien was already there, vaulting forward to meet him in mid-leap.

Their weapons collided in a thunderous shockwave.

The Demon Knight swung down in unison, its enormous axe descending in a streak of black energy.

For the first time, Finn's eyes widened.

The combined force smashed into him and hurled his body backward like a broken doll.

BANG—!

He crashed through a solid concrete building, shattering the entire structure in an avalanche of rubble.

Brien landed gracefully, a cruel smile spreading across his lips. The Demon Knight still loomed behind him, exuding waves of murderous pressure.

"That's what happens to insects who don't know their place," Brien sneered.

He took a step forward—

But then he stopped.

The smirk slid from his face, replaced by dawning disbelief.

Out of the swirling cloud of pulverized stone…

A figure emerged.

One hand extended calmly.

A sword held at his side.

Finn walked through the haze without a scratch. Not even his clothes were ruffled.

He looked at Brien—

—and smiled coldly.

"I'll admit…that thing hits harder than I expected."

He tilted his head.

"But it's still not enough."

Brien's hands trembled on his axe handle.

How?!

How could he still be standing?

Fueled by rage, he lunged again, unleashing a frenzy of wild attacks.

"Shut your mouth!" he bellowed.

Steel clashed against steel as Finn parried every blow.

Around them, hidden among the fractured walls and scorched trees, other young adventurers were slowly gathering to watch.

Some crouched alone—like Azur and Gerould—while others clustered together in small, breathless groups.

They were captivated.

Neither of these fighters was a 7th Level Scarlet Gold Rank, yet their clash felt as overwhelming as any duel between Azur and Gerould themselves.

Even the faction masters struggled to comprehend it.

Finn's level and rank—if their senses were not deceived—was only at the 1st Level Scarlet Gold Rank.

How could he stand toe-to-toe with a fighter whose power surpassed many 7th Level cultivators?

How could a boy from an ordinary clan have advanced so far?

--

Steel met steel again.

BANG—!

Finn's aura flared around him in a torrent of blue power, surging against Brien's strength.

Now, he was no longer merely parrying.

He was pushing Brien back, step by step.

"Is this it?" Finn demanded, voice ringing out over the clamor. "Is this all you have to show me?!"

His sword swept forward—

—and the impact sent Brien staggering.

"Too weak!" Finn shouted.

With a final surge of power, he smashed Brien's guard apart.

Brien was hurled backward, his axe spinning free of his grasp. The illusory Demon Knight behind him flickered and began to fade.

He hit the ground hard, skidding across broken stone.

Blood dripped from his forehead and mouth.

Gasping, Brien forced himself upright.

He glared at Finn with eyes bright with hatred.

"Finn Doria…don't force me—!"

But Finn only watched him with that same flat, disdainful gaze.

Brien's fingers curled so tight around nothing that his nails dug into his palm. Blood ran down his wrist.

His hand moved for his interspatial ring—

—but before he could grasp it, Finn vanished.

In the next instant—

Finn was standing right in front of him.

"What will you do?" Finn asked quietly.

Brien's voice cracked as he screamed,

"I am the student of the Alchemist Association's faction master! Do you really intend to provoke my teacher's wrath?!"

Above them, Morris's expression darkened.

He had never imagined Brien would be defeated.

And to see his student invoke his name in this humiliating display…

All around, the other faction masters and Elders turned to look at Morris with knowing eyes.

"That wretched boy…" Alicia hissed, her teeth bared. "What right does he have to drag your name into this? He's disgracing you in front of everyone!"

Morris forced a bitter smile.

'Finn Doria…you may as well finish this. Teach him what it means to be humbled.'

Below, Finn studied Brien's battered, desperate face.

"Do you think your threats mean anything to me?" he asked softly.

Brien opened his mouth—

—but Finn's fist smashed into the side of his face.

The world spun.

Brien's body flew across the ground, tumbling in the dust.

He hit, rolled, lay gasping.

He tried to rise again—

—but Finn appeared over him in a single stride.

Without a word, he drove a knee into Brien's abdomen.

"Agh—!"

A strangled cry tore from Brien's throat.

He convulsed, drooling, tears streaming from his eyes.

All his pride, all his scorn—ground into the dirt.

When he finally stopped retching, he tried one last time to push himself upright.

And Finn's sword flashed down.

The Black Iron Sword pinned Brien's palm to the ground in a spray of blood.

"AAAAAGH!"

The scream tore through the silent square.

Finn stood over him, watching without expression.

At last, he drew the blade free.

His voice was calm.

"…What's wrong?" he asked.

"I thought you were going to make me like them."

Finn's eyes gleamed coldly as he tilted his head.

"Then why," he murmured, "are you howling like a pig being slaughtered?"