They were no longer in the field.

  Now, they stood inside a massive, dimly lit factory.

  Rusting metal beams stretched overhead, casting jagged shadows against the walls. The air was thick with the scent of oil and decay.

  Then—a voice echoed through the darkness.

  A voice that made Nigel’s stomach churn.

  "That was the Debianite’s illusion."

  It was her. The woman from earlier, her tone laced with amusement.

  "Now, let’s see what nightmare lurks in this one’s mind."

  A figure materialized before Nigel.

  Three men without faces, and at their feet—a motionless body. A boy.

  Nigel’s breath hitched. He knew that body.

  Unmistakable.

  The boy lifeless form burned itself into his vision, just as it had all those years ago.

  The woman laughed again, her voice like nails dragging across his skull.

  "Oh, what a fascinating scene!" she cooed. "Little friend’s dead, and all he could do was watch!"

  Nigel clenched his jaw.

  "None of this is real. None of this is real."

  He repeated the words, forcing himself to focus.

  If he lost himself to the illusion—this barely begun journey would end right here.

  He turned toward Dovak, who was still dazed from the earlier blow.

  "Dovak," Nigel muttered, grabbing his arm and hauling him upright.

  "That punch wasn’t real," he said, his voice firm. "Focus your mind. Not everything is real here."

  Dovak blinked, his brow furrowing as he rubbed his jaw.

  A second passed.

  Then—his expression shifted.

  "Holy shit." He rotated his jaw experimentally, then smirked. "You're right. The pain’s gone! That's impressive."

  "Good," Nigel said. "Now focus. Try to locate that bastard from before while I cover you."

  Dovak froze.

  "Wait, hold on—" He frowned. "Didn’t you just say none of this can hurt us?"

  Nigel’s expression darkened.

  "No. I said that not everything’s real here. They can still hurt us."

  Dovak’s grin returned.

  "Ahh, got it. Well then—"

  Then, without warning—

  He suddenly crouched into the most ridiculous stance Nigel had ever seen.

  It looked like he was sitting on an invisible toilet, straining with all his might.

  Nigel sighed, stepping in front of him and readying the Reaper.

  The air around them rippled.

  Then—at least ten Reikyjiaks appeared, charging at full speed.

  Nigel didn’t flinch.

  The moment they reached him, their bodies dissolved into smoke.

  A rich, amused voice rang through the air.

  "Splendid!"

  "Very few manage to see through an illusion so quickly."

  "Indeed."

  The woman’s voice returned, tinged with amusement.

  "This one has potential."

  A figure emerged from the shifting shadows.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  Nigel’s eyes narrowed.

  The left side of the figure’s body was distinctly feminine—slender features, delicate curves.

  The right side was undeniably male—broad-shouldered, sharp-jawed.

  Two people, fused into one.

  They both smiled.

  "You have the honor of meeting me!" the male half declared. "My name is Ty!"

  "And mine, Rel!" the female half added cheerfully.

  Then, in perfect sync, they spread their arms wide.

  "And together, we are—"

  "Not interested."

  Nigel cut them off without hesitation.

  Ty-Rel pouted.

  "How rude."

  "I must admit," Rel continued, unfazed, "I have no skill in combat."

  "But that’s what my dear Goh is for!"

  With a snap of their fingers, a new figure stepped forward.

  Another Reikyjiak. But this one was different.

  Larger. Far more menacing.

  Its humanoid arms were lined with multiple blades, and unlike the previous illusions, its hands were unmistakably human. It was real.

  "My dear… don’t hurt him too much," Rel cooed. "We’ll be needing him."

  The Reikyjiak didn’t hesitate. It lunged, fast.

  Nigel barely dodged in time, twisting his body just as Goh’s claws sliced through the air where his throat had been.

  Goh skidded to a stop, then turned sharply, rushing forward again—faster than before.

  This time, Nigel couldn’t evade completely.

  A powerful fist slammed into his stomach, knocking the wind from his lungs.

  He staggered back, momentarily dazed, pain flaring across his torso.

  Above him, Goh shrieked again.

  But this time, Nigel’s ears remained unaffected.

  He recovered instantly, and without hesitation, he swung the Reaper.

  Goh raised its arms defensively, ready to block—

  But at the last second, Nigel shifted his weapon.

  The Reaper morphed.

  Its blade extended.

  Goh’s left arm was severed instantly.

  The creature hissed, jumping back as thick green blood splattered across the floor.

  Nigel smirked. "Not so tough now, huh?"

  Goh’s mandibles clicked rapidly.

  Then—its severed arm twitched.

  From the open wound, something sprouted.

  A long, jagged blade, extending from where its elbow once was.

  It lunged again.

  Faster. Wilder.

  It slashed in a frenzy, aiming for Nigel’s vital points—

  But Nigel was faster.

  He dodged every strike—until Goh faked a feint.

  Nigel instinctively dodged right, and Goh’s fist swung for his face.

  He barely tilted his head, avoiding a direct hit to the nose.

  "Not this time."

  His Reaper came down in a single, brutal arc.

  Goh tried to block, but Nigel tensed every muscle in his body, adding a burst of raw strength.

  The blade sliced straight through, and the Reikyjiak’s body split in half.

  Nigel exhaled, watching the corpse hit the ground.

  Then, a piercing scream tore through the air.

  "No! What have you done?!"

  Rel stared in horror at the remains of her creature, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps.

  "You… you killed him!"

  Her eyes filled with tears, shimmering with raw disbelief.

  Meanwhile, Ty’s half of their face twisted into pure, seething hatred.

  Their voices merged into one, dripping with venom.

  "I will remember you. And one day, I will return what you’ve done to me."

  With those final words, their bodies dissolved into swirling black smoke, vanishing into the illusion.

  But the world remained warped.

  Nigel’s grip on Reaper tightened.

  He turned back toward Dovak.

  His companion was still locked in deep concentration, his face contorted with effort.

  Minutes ticked by.

  Then, suddenly—

  Dovak’s eyes shot open.

  "I found him!"

  Without hesitation, he sprang to his feet and ran.

  Nigel followed instantly, weaving through the ever-shifting illusion as the world around them morphed chaotically.

  One moment, they were running across a vast plain. The next, they were inside the city.

  Next—darkness. An empty, endless void.

  Fifteen minutes passed in this twisting nightmare.

  Then, at last, they arrived, and what they saw sent a deep chill down Nigel’s spine.

  The man who had attacked William stood before them.

  But he was different now.

  Taller. Horribly thin.

  His body was pitch black, a shifting void in human form—except for his head.

  His cracked, leathery lips stretched into a grotesque smile, revealing rows of sharp, rotting teeth.

  He did not move.

  He only stared, his hollow, empty eyes flicking between Nigel and Dovak.

  Their bodies tensed.

  Weapons drawn.

  Then—he spoke.

  "Well done."

  His voice was deep, hoarse—inhuman.

  "You’ve found me."

  He spread his arms, his monstrous frame casting a twisted silhouette against the shifting world.

  "Allow me to introduce myself."

  His grin widened.

  "I am Charles. Owner of the Illusion Circus."

  He let the name linger, as if expecting applause.

  "Few ever reach me. My companions are scattered across the city, entertaining the other participants. But you…"

  His head tilted at an unnatural angle.

  "You are not the first to stand before me today."

  Then—

  His arm rose.

  His long, skeletal fingers pointed directly at them.

  "Let me give you a demonstration."

  A crushing force slammed into Nigel’s chest.

  His knees buckled instantly.

  The sheer weight of it was indescribable.

  Like being pressed beneath a collapsing building.

  Dovak dropped beside him, muscles straining under the invisible weight.

  Neither of them could breathe.

  Their bones creaked under the pressure, and Nigel realized—

  If this continued, their bodies would explode from the force alone.

  Dovak’s fingers twitched.

  Then—his eyes flashed, and his wristband displayed a message

  [ Null Pulse ]

  A shockwave of energy radiated outward, shattering the overwhelming force like glass.

  The instant it lifted—they surged forward.

  Seizing the opening.

  Nigel swung his Reaper.

  Dovak brought down his black greatsword.

  Their weapons rushed toward Charles—

  But he did not move.

  Their attacks never landed.

  An unseen force intercepted mid-air, redirecting their strikes downward.

  The ground cracked beneath their redirected power—

  And then—

  Charles grabbed them both by the throat.

  He lifted them effortlessly, their bodies dangling like broken dolls, and slammed them into the ground.

  The earth trembled from the impact.

  Before they could react, his fist came crashing down toward their skulls.

  Nigel rolled—just in time.

  The impact shattered the ground where his head had been.

  Dovak evaded in the opposite direction and countered with a swift, upward slash.

  His blade collided with Charles’ chest—

  It barely left a scratch.

  Nigel followed up with a sharp, precise strike to the ribs—

  Charles didn’t react.

  He only smiled.

  With a single, inhuman shove, he sent them both flying.

  Dovak managed to keep hold of his weapon. Nigel did not.

  His Reaper skidded across the ground, spinning end over end before landing several meters away.

  But it didn’t matter. He wasn’t helpless.

  His hands flew to his belt, drawing the twin daggers he had taken from his first kill in the Tournament.

  Then—he lunged.

  He knew. He could see it.

  The difference in power between them was overwhelming.

  But that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to try.