The stranger didn't wait.
One step forward—and he vanished.
He reappeared in front of Yun with a palm aimed straight at her chest.
She twisted mid-step, barely avoiding the blow. The shockwave cracked a nearby tree in half.
'Arrogant and fast,' Yun thought, slashing her sword in a wide arc.
He blocked with his forearm, wrapped in oily black energy, sneering. "You're quick… but still not enough."
Before he could strike again, Aric blurred in from behind, his daggers flashing like twin comets. "How about now?"
The man twisted, parrying one dagger and retaliating with a backhand. Aric ducked, swept his leg out—knocking the man off balance.
Mid-air, Roy descended like a meteor. "Let's test how thick your skull is!"
His spinning kick smashed into the man's shoulder, sending him tumbling through the dirt.
The stranger rolled, coughing—half his robe shredded, one arm hanging limp. He didn't look so smug anymore.
"You guys aren't normal…" he growled, eyes darting for an escape.
Liora stepped in, hands blazing. "You lit this fire. Now burn in it."
She thrust forward. A roaring wave of flame surged across the clearing. The man screamed, trying to shield himself—but not even his aura could withstand the blaze.
When it faded, he was on his knees, gasping, half-charred.
Yun appeared behind him, her blade resting gently against his neck. "Try running now. I'll help you leave the realm—one piece at a time."
"I surrender!" he rasped, hands shaking.
Roy gave a mocking gasp. "Wow. So brave."
Aric conjured burning chains and tied the man's wrists. Liora inspected his jade badge.
"Thunder Valley Sect," she muttered. "Should've guessed."
Yun crouched beside him, blade still resting on his throat. "You've got five seconds to explain," she said, her voice cold. "Or I let Aric practice carving letters on your ribs."
Aric grinned, crouching beside them. "I've been working on my calligraphy. Want to guess what letter comes first?"
The disciple flinched.
"W-Wait! I-I'll talk!"
Roy crossed his arms, cracking his knuckles one at a time. "You'd better. I get punchy when I'm bored."
Liora stepped forward with a soft smile that chilled the air. A flame flickered to life on her fingertip. "And I get creative. Like roasting toes."
The disciple trembled, sweat dripping down his neck. "I… I had no choice, alright?! We weren't sent after you specifically!"
"Then who were you after?" Yun pressed the blade closer, drawing a thin line of blood.
"It's a treasure!" he blurted. "Something hidden deep in this realm. Only appears once every tournament—some ancient inheritance or relic. It's powerful. Enough to change a sect's fate!"
Aric raised an eyebrow. "So?"
"So Thunder Valley and Iron Blood formed a pact! They're hunting down other sects one by one—weak or strong—before the treasure appears. Clear out the competition."
Liora's smile faded. "That's why those other disciples were being hunted…"
The man nodded weakly. "We were ordered to find scattered groups and report. I tagged along with a hunting team. If we failed… they'd kill me anyway. I'd rather die to you than them."
Yun stood slowly, blade still in hand. Her eyes were like sharpened ice.
"Then you made the right choice… for now."
The disciple swallowed hard.
Aric leaned in again. "Let me know if he lies next time. I still need to practice my 'S'."
Roy cracked his knuckles. "So, Thunder Valley and Iron Blood are wiping out the competition before this treasure even appears?"
"Y-Yeah," the man said. "They're splitting the realm into zones. Teams from both sects are already moving across the map. Anyone who resists is sent out—or killed."
Liora glanced at the others. "This isn't just about tournament points anymore…"
Yun nodded grimly. "It's a war."
She flicked her sword.
CRACK.
The man's jade badge shattered. A blinding flash of light engulfed him as he was forcefully ejected from the realm.
Silence fell.
Until a low, animalistic growl echoed from the forest's edge.
Then another. And another.
Dozens of glowing eyes began to pierce the shadows around them.
Roy slowly turned. "Uh… did someone forget to turn off their beast-attracting technique?"
Yun raised her blade. "No. I think they heard the commotion."
Aric stepped forward, daggers drawn. "Or maybe they just want to join the fun."
[To be continued…]