As night fell, the Dragonfang Arena reopened.
But this time, there were no spectators, no battle reports, no master of ceremonies - only two figures standing in the center: one, the young man who had risen to fame as the Illusion King, Yami Aoi; the other, a brutal Fist Demon returned from the "Death List" - Kouga Kuyan.
"You're not afraid of me?"
Kuyan chuckled softly, clenching his fists as the air itself trembled.
"Then don't hold back."
Yami's gaze turned cold as he stepped forward.
"Fear has nothing to do with this.
What I fear... is becoming someone like you."
"Illusion vs. Violence - First Round
The moment the battle began, Kuyan unleashed a devastating blow, the sheer force of which tore up the arena floor like a rampaging beast!
Yami's figure flickered like smoke, shredded by the shockwave-only to reappear behind Kuyan in the next instant!
Illusion Art: Mirror Cross "Still relying on old tricks?"
Kuyan growled, spinning around to counterattack - only to hit a mere projection!
"Playing Card: Queen - Mirror Realm]
"This isn't the same magic as before," Yami murmured as the cards danced between his fingers, his eyes shining with an unfamiliar brilliance.
The Queen whispered into reality, forming phantom chains that momentarily bound Kuyan.
"Fist of Destruction - Break the Illusion.
"Hmph."
Kuyan snorted coldly. In an instant, a fiery burst of energy exploded from his body, shattering the chains!
Facing the swarm of illusions, he sliced through five layers of mirages with a single strike, shattered the boundary of reality with a second, and aimed directly at Yami's true body with the third!
"So fast!"
Yami's eyes widened.
Barely managing to block the attack, he slid back five steps, almost losing his grip on his cards.
"Illusion King - Queen's Second Form
At the critical moment, the Queen's card shifted into a new trajectory - unfolding like a blooming crown, it formed a protective illusionary ring around Yami.
"...The Queen's second form?"
Yami murmured under his breath.
In that moment, he understood.
It was the Queen's special defensive state - Shadow within Shadows.
Any attack would have to penetrate two layers of phantom clones before reaching his true self; unless one could see into the depths of his heart, the real him would forever remain out of reach.
Kuyan simply grinned.
"Now this... this is starting to get interesting."
[Battle Continues - Escalating Clash]
The two clashed in a flurry of dozens of exchanges, Kuyan's violent aura distorting the space around them with layers upon layers of shockwaves, while Yami's illusions in turn brought him ever closer to the critical awakening of his second trump card - the King.
The Queen's whisper brushed against his ears:
"Just a little stronger... and you'll be able to hear Jack's voice..."
"Outside the Arena - Magic Division Emergency Meeting
Meanwhile, in the Magic Division's command room, Hakuran and Mido Karuma were meeting urgently.
"The Deputy Chief has gone dark, and the Chief has gone into lockdown - this fight might not be just a personal grudge," Karuma said, his eyes flashing sharply.
"You mean... this is the execution phase of the 'Illusion Purge Plan'?"
Hakuran asked grimly.
"Exactly. Kuyan is just one of the executioners."
Hakuran analyzed calmly.
"Fonk is buying time. If Yami wins, we still have a chance to turn this around."
"Illusion vs. Violence - The Final Burst
Finally, Yami fully unleashed the Queen's Signet.
Five Illusion Cards spun around him: Mirror, Chain, Shadow, Ring, and Vow.
"Kuyan, this battle is not just for the Magic Division. It's for me, too."
Kuyan grinned fiercely and raised his twin fists as fiery vortexes roared to life around him.
"Then show me, Illusion King- can you withstand my final blow?"
Yami leapt into the air, all five cards bursting into full bloom - to meet the world-shattering fist head-on!
"Campus Turmoil
Hidden within the underground passageways of the Tower, Fonk spoke into a secure line:
"Jack has manifested, Queen is at critical threshold, and King is about to awaken... Are you really going to go through with this?"
At the other end of the line, the Vice Principal's voice came back, cold as ice:
"Yes, Fonk. We will continue. Illusions are too dangerous-they must be purged."
Fonk fell silent.
"Then come and try.
This game... isn't over yet."