The shattered remains of the stone guardian dissolved into countless particles of light.
For a brief moment, the arena fell completely silent.
Then—
The sky cracked.
A deep, echoing fracture spread across the gray heavens above, as if reality itself was being torn apart. Golden light seeped through the cracks, illuminating the battlefield in an otherworldly glow.
Kael didn't move.
His gaze remained steady, his senses fully expanded.
The pressure…
It had changed.
What was coming next—
Was far beyond the previous guardian.
The ground trembled again, but this time it wasn't violent.
It was heavy.
Oppressive.
Like the weight of an entire mountain pressing down on the arena.
Then, slowly—
A figure descended from the cracked sky.
Not massive.
Not monstrous.
But human.
Or at least, shaped like one.
It landed silently in front of Kael.
White robes formed from pure energy draped its body. Golden markings flowed across its skin like living runes. Its eyes glowed faintly, carrying an ancient, unreadable depth.
Kael narrowed his eyes.
This opponent…
Was far more dangerous than the previous one.
Because it wasn't relying on brute force.
It had awareness.
Intelligence.
The figure raised its head.
Then spoke.
"Final Trial… Initiated."
Its voice was calm.
But absolute.
Kael exhaled slowly.
"So you're the last one."
The figure said nothing more.
It simply stepped forward.
And vanished.
Kael's eyes widened slightly.
Fast.
He turned instantly—
Too late.
A palm strike slammed into his side.
BOOM!
Kael was sent flying across the arena, crashing into the ground and rolling several times before stopping.
Pain shot through his body.
Far worse than before.
He pushed himself up quickly, eyes sharp.
This opponent wasn't just strong.
It was precise.
Efficient.
Every movement carried intent.
Kael steadied his breathing.
The golden energy around him flickered again as he activated Origin Flash, repositioning himself instantly.
The figure appeared again.
Right in front of him.
No wasted movement.
No hesitation.
Their fists collided.
BOOM!
The impact sent shockwaves across the arena.
Kael's arm trembled slightly.
The opponent didn't move.
Not even a step.
Kael's eyes narrowed.
Stronger than me…
Not just slightly.
But clearly.
For the first time since awakening Stage 2—
Kael was at a disadvantage.
The figure attacked again.
A simple movement.
A straight strike.
But it carried overwhelming pressure.
Kael dodged narrowly, feeling the force tear through the air beside him.
He countered with Origin Pulse, golden energy bursting forward.
But the figure moved.
Effortlessly.
It sidestepped the attack as if it had seen it coming.
Then struck again.
BOOM!
Kael was forced back.
His breathing grew heavier.
It's reading me…
Not just reacting.
Predicting.
Just like his own Origin Perception.
The realization hit him instantly.
This thing… uses the same principles as the Origin Core.
Kael wiped the blood from his lip.
Then smiled.
"Good."
If his opponent used the same foundation—
Then this wasn't just a fight.
It was a test.
A mirror.
The figure attacked again, faster this time.
Kael didn't retreat.
He stepped forward.
Their movements collided in a blur of gold and white.
Strike after strike.
Impact after impact.
Each exchange shook the arena.
Kael's body took hits.
His breathing became heavier.
But something else was happening.
His movements were changing.
Refining.
Adapting.
The Origin Core pulsed faster with every exchange.
Not unstable—
But evolving.
Kael began to see more.
Not just the attacks—
But the intent behind them.
The flow of energy before movement.
The exact moment of release.
His dodges became tighter.
His counters sharper.
The gap—
Was closing.
The figure paused briefly.
For the first time—
It seemed to observe him.
Then it spoke again.
"Adaptation… recognized."
Kael exhaled slowly.
Golden light gathered around him once more.
His body was battered.
His energy partially drained.
But his eyes burned with determination.
"I'm not done yet."
The final phase had only just begun.
And Kael—
Was still rising.