DIVINE STAR

Meanwhile, in the underground battle, the giant data burrowing owl soars through the air as a barrage of lasers strikes its wings. Undeterred, the owl dives, its razor-sharp claws slashing downward, killing several prisoners in an instant. With a powerful flap of its wings, it sends nearby prisoners and officers tumbling backward.

Hank steadies his rifle, charging a powerful laser shot. With a loud blast, a massive beam pierces through the owl's wing, leaving a gaping hole. As his rifle runs out of fuel, he tosses it to the ground and continues to shoot with his pistol laser.

Jen moves swiftly, bouncing off the rocks and the wall before launching herself straight into the hole in the owl's wing. Laughing, she spins mid-air, her daggers slicing through flesh as she tears apart the upper part of the wing. She crashes onto the ground, blood splattered across her entire body, while the owl shrieks in agony. Seizing the moment, the prisoners and officers rush forward, hacking away at the beast with their weapons.

Jen wipes the blood from her face and smirks. "That's one down!"

Meanwhile, the data worm continues its rampage, tunneling through the ground and devouring more prisoners. Crank charges forward, slamming his battle axe into the side of the massive creature. The impact sends shockwaves through its body, forcing it to emerge from the ground and crashes into the wall.

"Kid!" Crank shouts. "The last time I was here, we worked hard to cause massive damage to this thing. Find the weak spot and attack it!"

Yunbam dashes across the battlefield, scanning the creature. "If you already did massive damage, then where is it?!"

Crank dodges a crushing strike from the worm, using his battle axe to block and deflect its attacks. Rolling across the ground, he grins and yells, "Kid, my brain ain't as big as Boa's, so you'll have to find it yourself because I forgot!"

Yunbam shakes his head in frustration as he watches Crank holding his own against the monstrous creature. He quickly scans the worm's body, his eyes locking onto a crack along the lower half of its tail. "There!" He says with confidence. 

Yunbam rushes forward, driving his sword into the cracked part of the worm's body. The fracture deepens, but before he can strike again, the worm swings its massive tail, slamming Yunbam hard into the wall.

Crank then says. "Good job, kid!"

He quickly dodges another incoming strike, then dashes forward, bringing his battle axe down with full force onto the weak point. The crack expands even further, spreading across the worm's lower body.

Suddenly, the worm stretches its massive mouth open—wider than ever before—revealing countless rows of razor-sharp teeth. Crank's expression shifts. "Oh no… I can't dodge this one."

The worm's jaws snap shut around him, swallowing him whole. But then—its movements falter. It struggles in place, thrashing violently. Inside, Crank braces himself, pressing his axe against the roof of the worm's mouth while using his legs to push against the lower jaw, keeping it from crushing him. Blood drips down his face, but he grits his teeth. "Come on, guys—finish the job!"

Hearing his call, the prisoners let out a battle cry and charge forward, striking the weakened area with everything they have. The cracks spread rapidly until the worm's entire lower body is on the verge of collapse.

Yunbam, bloodied but determined, stumbles back onto his feet. Clenching his sword tightly, he charges in with a roar. "Stay alive, Crank! You're still needed in the Star Games!"

With a powerful thrust, he drives his sword straight into the weak spot, piercing through completely. Letting out a fierce battle cry, he pushes upward, slicing through the worm's body as he sprints up its massive frame. His blade carves deep, tearing through flesh and sending a waterfall of blood cascading down behind him.

As he nears the worm's upper body, Yunbam pushes harder and forces his sword into the upper hardened shell. With one final, mighty slash, the entire upper shell shatters.

The worm lets out a deafening screech before its massive body collapses, the impact breaking apart what remains of its armor. The prisoners waste no time—they rush in from all sides, hacking away at the dying creature, ensuring it never rises again.

Meanwhile, Boa moves with precision, dodging the savage strikes of the massive data badger. He counters with his spear, but each attack barely leaves a mark—the creature's skin is too strong.

"The skin's too tough," Boa mutters, "but every beast has a weakness!"

As the badger lunges again, he sidesteps and drives his spear deep into its eye. Blood pours out in thick streams as the beast roars in agony.

Boa then says. "Maybe if you three actually fought together like a real trio, this fight would've been harder. But I guess your brain isn't smart enough to process that!"

The badger, blinded in one eye, swings wildly in rage. Boa expertly dodges and seizes the moment—he thrusts his spear into the creature's other eye. Now completely blind, the badger snarls and thrashes, biting at the air in desperation.

Boa picks up a small rock and hurls at it. The badger, reacting to it, lunges at nothing. The moment its mouth opens, Boa launches his spear straight into the roof of its mouth. The beast convulses, screaming in agony as it writhes uncontrollably.

Boa wastes no time—he sprints forward and punches his arm deep into the badger's wounded eye socket. Muscles tensing, he lets out a roar and rips the entire eye from its skull.

The badger lets out one final, guttural howl before collapsing, lifeless.

Blood-soaked and victorious, Boa raises his fist and lets out a triumphant yell. The battlefield erupts as the prisoners and officers cheer alongside him.

Hank approaches, still catching his breath. "We actually did it… Thanks, Boa. You've done so much for us. Now, let's see what's ahead—whatever it is, even the nobles seem curious about it."

Just then, a dark presence fills the air.

A figure materializes nearby. Nox.

"I'm impressed," he says, his voice calm yet chilling. "You all managed to defeat my defenders."

The warriors immediately shift into battle stances, their weapons drawn. Nox stands before them, his black mask concealing his expression. His aura alone is enough to send a shiver down their spines.

Nox claps as his masked face unreadable. "The man of honor," he says smoothly. "How about a one-on-one duel? You and me. If you win, you get to uncover the truth behind your discovery. But if I win... you all leave."

Hank lets out a small chuckle and shakes his head. "This is completely out of line, but who cares? You're the damn Boa."

He tosses Boa a laser pistol. Boa catches it effortlessly, stepping forward until he stands exactly ten feet away from Nox. His gaze remains steady as he declares, "I accept your challenge with my utmost honor. This is what I've wanted from the very start—a fair battle against someone truly strong."

Nox hums in amusement. "I'll match you."

A black laser pistol suddenly materializes in his hand.

"But wait," he continues, his voice teasing. "You fight at your best with this weapon, don't you? Take it. Fight me at your peak."

Before Boa can respond, Nox lifts his other hand, and a black katana materializes out of thin air. He tosses it toward Boa, who catches it instinctively. Without missing a beat, another black katana appears in Nox's grasp.

From the worm's mouth, Crank emerges, his body bloodied but still standing. His eyes widen as he sees the standoff and immediately dashes toward them.

"Boa!" he shouts, but before he can get closer, Jen grabs his arm, stopping him.

"The boss is in a duel. Don't jump in."

Crank grits his teeth, his fists clenching. "I get it, Boa, you're all about honor. But don't forget how many brothers we've lost because of these creatures! Fight like you did against that damn data dragon!"

Boa exhales sharply as memories of the fallen prisoners flash through his mind. The men and women who fought alongside him, who died fighting these cursed data creatures. His grip on the katana tightens. His heart pounds with rage.

His gaze locks onto Nox. "You're the one behind all of this," he growls. "And I won't forgive you for what you've done to these people—people who fought so hard to earn back their freedom! I'll slay you in the name of honor."

Nox tilts his head slightly. "We both fight for the same reasons," he counters. "But mortals like you could never understand the bigger scope of it all."

A roar erupts from behind Boa as Yunbam and the rest of the prisoners and officers cheer for Boa. Their voices echo through the battlefield, urging him forward.

The battlefield erupts with flashes of red and black lasers as Boa and Nox fire at each other in rapid succession. Their shots collide mid-air, bursting into sparks as they swiftly dodge and reposition.

Then, in a blur of motion, they close the distance—clashing weapons in a flurry of steel and energy. At the same time, they continue firing their pistols at close range, narrowly dodging each other's shots with razor-sharp reflexes.

Boa quickly realizes that Nox is just as sharp, just as fast, and just as relentless as he is. Their blades meet again and again, each attack countered with seamless precision. Every strike is dodged or parried, and every laser is sidestepped by mere inches.

Nox swings his katana in a deadly arc. Boa barely dodges and counters, but Nox is already moving—countering the counter—and with a quick slice, Boa feels the sting of a cut across his back.

Blood drips down his body, but he pushes on and keeps fighting.

With a sudden move, he tosses his laser pistol into the air.

Boom!

The pistol explodes, momentarily stunning Nox in a bright burst of energy. Boa lunges forward, seizing the opportunity and slashing Nox across the side.

But instead of flinching, Nox simply chuckles. "Smart. But that was a gamble… and it didn't pay off well."

Before Boa can react, Nox launches into a devastating combo—katana slashes mixed with precise laser shots—forcing Boa onto the defensive. Every attack comes faster and harder, his body struggling to keep up.

Then—BAM!

Nox delivers a powerful strike, sending Boa sliding backward as he barely manages to block.

With a flick of his wrist, Nox drops his pistol to the ground.

"You know," he says, with his chin up high "I thought a noble would be the first to defeat my defenders. But it seems they're too busy doing their own thing, but I guess they have enough resources to make lower-class mortals do their dirty work."

His masked face remains unreadable as he continues.

"But you… with your skill set, you're strong enough to even match a noble in combat."

Boa exhales sharply, gripping his katana tightly.

Nox's voice darkens, his presence intensifying.

"But I am different from them. I am on another level, the kind of level that even you will never reach in your lifetime!"

Then—he vanishes in blinding speed

Boa barely has time to react before Nox appears in front of him, charging at full speed—faster and stronger than ever before.

Boa immediately goes on the defensive, his arms feeling the weight of Nox's relentless strikes. His mind races as he struggles to keep up.

"This guy…" he thinks to himself as he barely keeps up. "He was holding back the entire time. And I've been fighting at my absolute best…!"

He dodges a strike—just barely—but his body is already reaching its limits.

"He's right… he is on another level…"

Nox's blade nearly grazes his throat, and Boa barely parries.

But then, he remembers their faces—the prisoners, the fallen, the ones who fought for freedom, who believed in him all this time.

He can't lose.

He won't lose.

His eyes blaze with determination.

"But I can't give up now."

Boa grips his katana, planting his feet firmly on the ground.

"This is for the sake of everyone!"

And with a roar, he charges forward.

The two warriors clash in a blinding flurry, their katana blades meeting at the speed of light. Each strike is a blur, their swords creating sparks in the air as they slash and counter, leaving small cuts across their bodies. Their movement is fluid, yet brutal—one wrong move could mean defeat.

Nox's muscles tighten, veins pulsing as his strength intensifies. His next strike meets Boa's katana with so much force that Boa's blade snaps in half. Boa barely has time to react before Nox delivers a vicious slash, cutting Boa across the body.

But despite the pain and the broken weapon, Boa refuses to fall. With what remains of his katana, he catches Nox off guard, slashing him on the side of the neck. Blood pours from Nox's wound, but he sidesteps quickly and, with a quick motion, he stabs Boa in the arm.

Boa grits his teeth and rips his arm free, swinging his broken katana once more—this time cutting the lower part of Nox's mask, revealing his mouth.

In that moment, Boa spots the black pistol on the ground and seizes it. He fires a barrage of lasers at Nox, who tries to dodge but takes a shot to the shoulder, blood splattering from the wound.

But Nox is quick. He parries the shots with his katana, then kicks a small rock with great force into the pistol, causing it to explode in Boa's hand, also causing his fingers to explode in the process. Boa screams in agony, but still, he does not give up.

With savage precision, Nox stabs Boa through the stomach, sending him to his knees.

"You lost," Nox sneers, "But I'll see you soon again."

He kicks Boa off his katana, sending him sprawling onto his back, gasping for breath.

In an instant, Yunbam charges in to Boa's side, followed closely by Jen and Crank, who are ready for the next fight. Their stances are firm, prepared for whatever comes next.

Nox, unfazed by their presence, raises a hand and snaps his fingers.

The ground trembles violently, and debris begins to rain down, signaling the beginning of the collapse. The entire area is about to fall apart.

"Accept my terms… or die here," Nox says coldly, his voice unwavering as the destruction grows around them.

Hank's voice rings out urgently. "We need to leave now or else we'll all die!"

Without hesitation, the team retreats, Crank grabbing Boa and carrying him away, his movements quick despite the peril. As they run, Boa turns his head, his gaze meeting Nox's. The smile on Nox's face is chilling as the debris falls, blocking their view of him.