Rieze was the first to attack.
He launched a series of bare-handed assaults, his fists enveloped in light that formed gloves topped with sharp blades.
The lion, despite its massive size, displayed astonishing agility. It didn't need to leap; it simply moved its enormous torso swiftly to dodge.
Ulturion followed Rieze, waiting for the precise moment when the lion's lower body would be most vulnerable. His fist cloaked in a radiant aura, he leaped four meters into the air and struck the beast squarely in the stomach.
Seizing the opportunity, Rieze transformed his light into a massive, straight-edged sword. It seemed as though he was gliding from side to side in the air, but the sharpness of his blade reverberated throughout the entire city.
Meanwhile, Dono, with his chains, conjured a tornado around the lion. With a firm grip, he tightened the chains, binding the beast's colossal body.
Everything happened at lightning speed from the lion's perspective. After dodging several of Rieze's attacks, it felt a tremendous weight crash into its stomach, immobilizing it for a mere two seconds. In that brief moment, Dono's chains ensnared it completely. Then, it saw Rieze spinning his sword.
Floating in the air, Rieze charged at the lion. He wasn't spinning his blade for mere show but to catch the beast off guard. As the lion grabbed the chains with its paws and yanked Dono toward it, Dono, pouring all his strength into his arms and legs, tried to resist. It was futile—the lion's massive frame overpowered him.
But Dono, far from giving up, pointed a finger to the sky. High above, a cloud began to spin, faster and faster, so rapidly that it dispersed the surrounding clouds. The water took the shape of a vortex, thin and piercing, brimming with destructive power.
Feeling himself being pulled toward the lion by the chains, Dono flashed a wicked smile. He lowered his finger toward the beast, and the immense vortex, spinning on itself, hurtled straight at the lion.
It was Rieze's moment to strike. At a speed that made the wind howl, he thrust his blade right at the lion's throat, poised to sever its head.
But the lion, still battered in the stomach by Ulturion's relentless blows, launched itself into the air, momentarily escaping the onslaught. Regaining its focus, it saw Rieze hurling a barrage of glowing circles at it. Airborne, the lion went on the offensive. It cloaked its claws in an aura that extended their reach, making them even more menacing, and slashed at Rieze, tearing open his stomach and throat.
Yet, instead of collapsing, a brilliant light burst from Rieze's body. Still alive, he lunged at the lion. The beast, giving him no opening, struck again, piercing his body. But Rieze, even impaled, clung to the lion. With a mischievous smile that made even the beast hesitate, he whispered:
"Did you know that a light clone's explosion can be devastating?"
Snapping his fingers, he stared straight into the lion's eyes. His body exploded, and a blinding light surged toward the beast. Thinking it had nothing to fear, the lion let the light make contact. But as it touched, an unbearable heat coursed through its body. The light scattered around it, settling on its skin. Though its body showed no wounds, the searing temperature made it feel as if it were burning alive.
The lion could no longer focus on its three enemies. Rieze, walking on the ground, locked eyes with it and said:
"You killed for pleasure. Now you'll pay the price… But it won't be me who delivers the final blow. I leave that pleasure to Dono."
On the ground, his face bloodied, Dono roared, consumed with rage:
"You'll pay for dragging me across the ground like a dog!"
He glanced at his vortex, which had taken a moment to reach the ground. Rieze had bought him the time he needed. The lion, still airborne, was completely unaware of what was about to hit it.
"Die, and let your brain splatter!" Dono shouted.
The vortex crashed down onto the top of the lion's head, and the beast let out a deafening roar from the impact.