Just as Eleo and Nox squared up again, a violent gust blew past them like a missile. Something blurred through the snow, crashing into a tree with a loud WHUMP.
A purple streak embedded itself in the bark—a cat-shaped dent left behind.
"…What the heck?" Eleo blinked.
Nox's eyes narrowed. "Was that… a cat?"
The figure groaned, pushing himself up from the snowy crater. It was a humanoid cat with sleek purple fur and glowing dark-pink eyes. He wore a long, sleeveless purple coat marked with twisted green thorn patterns, open to reveal a sculpted torso covered in black poison-themed tattoos. No shirt. Around his waist and upper thighs, dark wrap-like bandages were strapped tight, hanging like torn cloth pants. His gloves were fingerless, black, and stitched with claw patterns, stretching past his elbows. On his feet—curled elf-style shoes, buckled with silver fangs.
He dusted snow off his shoulders, still smiling.
"Ugh… I knew that cheetah was gonna jump early."
His deep, velvet voice purred like he was annoyed and entertained.
Just a few minutes earlier…
Snow whipped through the air. Trees creaked. The cold cut through everything like knives.
Kenji stood with his arms crossed, jaw clenched.
"God damn, it's cold."
Beside him, Olorun was visibly shaking. "N-No shit…! I think my bones just tapped out."
Kenji scanned the endless white ahead. "Where the hell are Eleo, Tony, and Timmy?"
"Don't ask me," Olorun replied, rubbing his arms. "For all we know, they found a warm cave and left us to die."
But Kenji held up a hand. "Wait…"
Olorun blinked. "Huh?"
Kenji turned his head, squinting. "Did you hear that?"
Olorun looked around. "Hear what?"
"I hear people talking…" Kenji started walking, footsteps crunching in the snow. "Come on."
They crept toward a thick bush layered in frost. Kenji crouched down and parted the branches just enough to peek through.
Olorun leaned in beside him. "Lemme see—move your big head."
Through the frozen undergrowth, they saw two figures standing face to face in a clearing.
The first was towering—black fur, broad chest, a robe styled like a kung fu master's. Muscles bulged beneath the cloth. His arms were folded, face calm but unreadable.
The second figure was strikingly familiar.
That same purple cat, calm as ever, lips curled in a sly smile. His tail flicked lazily as he stood in the snow like it was summer.
"So…" the cat said, voice cool and casual, "any reason the strongest person in World 1 is out here freezing his royal ass off, Mr. Agharna?"
Agharna smirked, voice deep and full of thunder. "I heard chaos was breaking out. Ascendants, vampires, nonsense. I figured I'd join the party."
He tilted his head slightly. "But why are you here, Paw?"
Paw's smile widened, his glowing eyes narrowing. "I was just wondering… if I killed you right here and now, would people fear me? Praise me? Maybe even love me."
Agharna laughed—loud and cold. "Kill me? Sure, go ahead. I'm curious to see what happens."
Paw's gaze shifted to the left. He gave a small shrug. "Okay."
He began walking toward Agharna, calm and steady, no tension in his shoulders. But then—he ducked suddenly.
A blur of golden motion sliced through the air—a cheetah landed where Paw's head had been, foot extended in a powerful arc.
Paw flipped backward, landing light on his feet.
"I knew it," he said, pointing casually. "I knew you weren't gonna play fair."
Agharna grinned like a king sitting on a mountain of skulls. "What did you expect? Of course I'm not. Mr. Dot—would you be so kind?"
Dot voice rang out, cold as steel. "My pleasure."
In the blink of an eye, Dot teleported in front of Paw, foot swinging straight toward his chest.
Paw crossed his arms to block just in time, but the impact sent him flying like a ragdoll.
He crashed through branches and spun through the air, landing with a crack right in front of Eleo and Nox.
Back in the bushes, Kenji's eyes widened as he watched it all unfold.
Olorun slapped his shoulder, barely able to contain his excitement. "HOLY SHIT, Kenji! Did you see that?!"
Kenji didn't even blink. "Of course I did, dumbass."
From the distance, Agharna called out, loud and calm.
"You two hiding in the bush—feel free to come out now."
Kenji and Olorun stepped out from behind the bush, snow flurries brushing past their faces as they faced the monstrous presence of Agharna. The towering black bear stood motionless, but his glare was sharp enough to cut steel.
"So," Agharna said, his voice deep and amused, "you two come to fight?"
Kenji didn't hesitate. "Yeah."
"No," Olorun said at the same time.
They both turned their heads sharply, locking eyes. In a split second, they were grabbing each other's collars, foreheads clashing with a loud thunk.
"You stupid, dumb, selfish son of a bitch!" Olorun barked. "I ain't fighting in no damn cold!"
"You're an idiot!" Kenji snapped. "We can easily beat him! Don't tell me you're scared!"
"I'm not scared, dumbass! I'm cold!"
"I'm cold too, but you don't see me using that as an excuse to skip a fight with this oversized teddy bear!"
Agharna let out a slow, rumbling chuckle. "Are you two finished with your lovers' quarrel? Because I'm ready when you are."
Kenji lets go of Olorun and sighs. He unclasps his cloak and lets it drop to the frozen ground with a heavy thud, his breath now steady, focused.
Olorun clutched his arms, clearly freezing, teeth chattering. "Kenji, for the love of God, let's just run. This guy ain't normal."
But Kenji didn't respond—his gaze was locked on Agharna like a hawk sizing up a lion.
Olorun narrowed his eyes. "You're really not gonna listen to me, huh?"
"Run, Olorun."
Olorun blinked. "What?"
"I said run."
"You just want me to run? Dude, come on now. This ain't one of those noble sacrifice things, is it?"
"I can handle him. Trust me."
There was a moment of silence, just the wind whistling past them.
Olorun clenched his jaw. "Fine. I'll run. But if you die to this bastard, I'm haunting your ass."
Kenji smirked without turning to him. "I won't."
Olorun grumbled something under his breath and took off, disappearing through the snow-dusted forest.
Agharna's crimson eyes followed him briefly, then returned to Kenji. "So, you want to fight me alone."
"Yeah. That purple cat—Paw, right? He said you're the strongest in World 1. I wanna test that theory myself."
Agharna grinned. "Then what are you waiting for?"
He spread his arms wide, taunting. "Do it. Attack me."
Kenji exhaled slowly, lowering his stance as both blades hummed in his hands