The arena was silent.
Not out of fear—but reverence. Everyone knew this match wasn't just another round. It was a clash between two Sovereigns. Two anomalies. Two monsters.
Minwoo stood at the center, cloak fluttering, Nexus Blade pulsing with quiet rage.
Across from him, Rael emerged from a mirror suspended in midair. Her feet didn't touch the ground. Her eyes shimmered like liquid silver.
Minwoo didn't respond.
The bell rang.
The Mirror Realm
The arena warped instantly.
Stone turned to glass. The sky fractured. Minwoo was no longer in the tournament—he was inside Rael's domain.
Reflections surrounded him. Not of the crowd. Not of Rael.
Of himself.
One version was younger—still hiding under the table, clutching a dull knife.
Another was older—bloodied, broken, kneeling before a Sovereign he couldn't defeat.
A third stood tall—eyes cold, blade dripping, surrounded by corpses.
Rael's voice echoed.
Minwoo closed his eyes.
Shadow pulsed.
The reflections attacked.
Minwoo moved like a storm—cutting through illusions, dodging phantom strikes, ignoring the whispers.
Minwoo struck the final reflection.
It shattered.
Rael appeared behind him, blade drawn.
He turned.
Their weapons clashed.
Steel against glass.
Shadow against memory.
The Break
Rael staggered.
Her mirror cracked.
Minwoo stood over her, blade raised.
He struck.
The mirror exploded.
Rael dropped.
Aftermath
The arena returned.
The crowd was stunned.
Minwoo stood alone, breathing steady, blade humming.
Kinro watched from the stands, eyes glowing gold.
The bracket board updated.
One final name appeared.
No guild. No title. Just a symbol.
A fang wrapped in flame.
Kinro's expression darkened.
Minwoo sheathed his blade.