[The curtain slowly rises, revealing a battlefield amidst crumbling ruins. Dust and sand swirl through the air. Everything is silent—except for the heavy breathing of the one still standing.]

You stand amidst the haze, eyes locked on the figure of Shan Yue lying on the cracked stone ground. The fight had ended far too quickly for someone hailed as the "God-level Descendant." Every strike he threw at you was full of raw power—but lacked any finesse. There were no tactics, no feints. He simply charged at you over and over, as if the only instinct he recognized was brute force. And that was exactly why you won... effortlessly.

Suddenly—

"So it's just the two of us now?"

A low voice echoed from the body that should’ve been unconscious. Your eyes widened as he slowly pushed himself up from the shattered ground, his black cloak fluttering slightly in the wind. He straightened his back slowly, as if savoring the moment, and then a smile curled on his lips—A smile that didn’t belong to Shan Yue.

"You realized, huh?"

He tilted his chin up slightly, a glint of cold confidence in his eyes. Those eyes had changed—no longer calm, but sharp and mocking. Like a serpent sizing up its prey.

You furrow your brows, sighing in annoyance as you stepped forward and spoke coldly, demanding him to return Shan Yue—because your fight with him wasn’t over.

But he refused, without hesitation.

"Fight me instead."

You cursed inwardly, frustration flickering through your chest. Even though you knew this wasn’t really Shan Yue... it was still his body. You couldn’t go all out—not when your duty was to protect him.

The fight began again.

Only this time, it was different. He was faster, sharper—matching your rhythm like he could read your thoughts. You began to realize… this wasn’t an ordinary fight anymore.

"Focus, will you?"

His voice whispered by your ear during a split second dodge.

"If you keep holding back... you’re going to lose."