Krovanis narrowed his eyes. "How did you manage to escape?" he asked, suspicion sharpening his tone. Then a dark smile tugged at his lips. "Oh, don't tell me..."

Before he could finish, a voice came from behind him.

Renny.

Krovanis turned, a low chuckle breaking into a full laugh. "Unbelievable," he said, shaking his head. "How cunning this Ezraphor is, eh? You freed Ravuto and set this all up?" His grin widened, sharp and cruel. "Did you really think this prisoner could take me down? That he could free you from the punishment I'm about to inflict on you?"

Renny's tone was steady. "Oh, he won't be doing it alone. It'll be a combined effort."

Krovanis laughed louder now, the sound echoing through the area. "Combined effort? I'm a grade five demon, boy. That demon..." he pointed at Ravuto, "was barely a grade four when I sold him off. And as for you," He jabbed a finger at Renny. "You're a repeat demon. I could have five of you and still rip you limb from limb, use your souls as souvenirs."

Renny smirked. "Krovanis, you talk too much." He drew the Fracture Dagger. "Let's put your grade power to the test."

Beside him, Ravuto unfurled his Pest Thread — a long, buzzing cord woven from living insects, writhing and shrieking as if eager for blood. He cracked it once, the sound cutting through the air. "I've waited for this," Ravuto said, voice low and seething. "I've envisioned this day for years."

Krovanis looked at both of them and said, flatly, "You're really serious." A smile creased his mouth. "Well... this will be fun. I get the chance to deal with a past adversary and my present nuisance at the same time. Hell's being generous tonight."

He summoned his demonic weapon: the Mirror Fang — a fat blade of glossy black glass, its spine scored with tiny runes that resembled grinning mouths. He held it steady and said, "Well then, come receive your punishments."

In one accord, Renny and Ravuto charged from opposite directions, closing on Krovanis in the center.

Krovanis began defending against both attacks at once, Mirror Fang flashing in brutal, seamless motion. He blocked Renny's strikes from the left, then turned sharply to fend off Ravuto's from the right, his speed terrifyingly precise, like a machine made for war.

In a swift blur, Krovanis cut through Renny's guard, slicing his arm, just a shallow wound, barely a scratch. But it was enough. Renny stumbled back, clutching his arm. Then, the dizziness came. His breathing grew sharp, uneven. The cut began to widen… tearing further open, flesh splitting before his eyes. His arm was falling apart, the skin peeling back as though being shredded by invisible claws.

"What… what's happening?" Renny gasped, panic cracking his voice.

Meanwhile, Ravuto and Krovanis were locked in furious combat, thread against blade, strike against strike, sparks snapping each time Mirror Fang met the pest-thread whip. Ravuto's movements were desperate but skilled, each lash meant to catch Krovanis's throat or leg, but the Omekro's weapon always found its mark, deflecting with unnerving grace.

Renny staggered back, trying to think through the haze. It was just a cut, he told himself. Just a cut. But the pain… it felt real, too real. His vision blurred, blood pooling at his feet, or was it? He closed his eyes, forcing a long, shuddering breath. Then it struck him, Krovanis was an Omekro.

Of course. Demons of illusion. Every weapon, every spell designed to twist perception, to drive their enemies to madness.

Renny exhaled, forcing his mind still. "It's not real," he muttered. "It's not real."

Slowly, the horror peeled away, the torn flesh, the dripping blood, the half-severed arm all dissolving like smoke. The original cut returned to view and was bleeding only lightly.

He clenched his teeth. "Damn," he hissed. "Such a troublesome strike. If that cut had been any deeper…" He glanced up at Krovanis, still clashing with Ravuto. "…the illusion would've been harder to break."

He steadied himself, eyes narrowing. I can't get cut again.

But Krovanis was immensely fast, faster than either of them could have imagined. He wasn't a Grade 5 for nothing. Every motion carried purpose and brutality; each swing of Mirror Fang cut through the air like thunder. Renny knew if Ravuto wasn't here, holding the front line, he'd be as good as dead already.

No, I have to be mindful, he thought, steadying his breath as he watched Ravuto struggle to keep his footing under the relentless onslaught. Krovanis's strikes were too clean and precise, each one forcing Ravuto closer to breaking point.

Renny activated his demo eyes. He needed to give Ravuto space, a warning. With a hissed incantation, he cast Dreznar Vohl – Shatterfall.

The ground between them cracked, then exploded into fragments, stone and ash scattering violently as the floor caved in. Both Krovanis and Ravuto were forced back, the shockwave pausing their exchange.

In a flash, Renny appeared beside Ravuto, who was panting heavily, sweat dripping down his face.

"Why the hell did you do that?" Ravuto demanded, eyes darting toward Krovanis, who stood on the opposite side of the fissure.

Renny raised his bleeding arm. "When he struck me," he said quickly, "the wound started spreading, it wasn't real, but it felt real. It's his blade. It casts illusions, makes you think you're falling apart. Don't get cut."

Ravuto's eyes widened slightly, realization dawning. But Krovanis only smiled. "That won't save you," he said darkly, stepping forward, Mirror Fang humming with energy. "Your fall is inevitable."

He vanished.

In an instant, Krovanis appeared right between them, movement too fast to follow, and spun in a perfect circle, blade carving a deadly arc. Blood erupted from both Renny and Ravuto as they were thrown backward, deep gashes running across their chests. The pain was unbearable, real or not; it seared through them, the illusion feeding on their fear.

Krovanis didn't pause. Before Renny could recover, he appeared before Ravuto, blade raised high.

"You'll be the first to fall," he snarled, driving the weapon down.

But Renny moved just in time. "Dreznar Vohl – Shatterfall!" he roared again, slamming his palm to the ground.

The earth beneath Krovanis splintered open, collapsing into a jagged pit. Krovanis stumbled, losing his footing just long enough, and in that instant, Ravuto surged forward, his whip slashing across Krovanis's face.

The pest-thread came alive, buzzing and crawling into the wound as the swarm began feeding on him, biting deep into his cravings.

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