The Return of The Demon Emperor karsu!

As the intensity of the battle escalated, shards of energy burst through the air, and the clash of wills manifested in an endless struggle. But suddenly, silence blanketed the battlefield as if time itself had frozen. A colossal force emerged from the void, threatening to shatter the very balance of the space.

From the shadows, Qaranos stepped forth—not as a mere intruder, but as a declaration of dominance. With each step he took, the ground trembled in reverence, and a faint golden aura emanated from him, giving him the presence of a being beyond existence. Slowly, he raised his hand, and in that instant, an invisible wave of crushing pressure exploded outward, freezing every movement on the battlefield as though even the air itself had lost the ability to flow.

With a deep, commanding voice that pierced into everyone's core, Qaranos spoke with cold sarcasm:

"What do I see? The most cautious of men, like Karsu, and the most cunning of minds, like the Emperor—neither of you could sense my arrival? Even though I didn't hide my aura and had been watching in silence? What a disgrace!"

In an instant, Karsu and the Emperor exchanged looks of shock and disbelief. Their pulses quickened, and their thoughts froze on a single question:

"How did we not notice him?!"

Yet beneath the shock, frustration and anger seeped into them. Qaranos' interference had come at the most critical moment—the moment when each of them was on the verge of asserting dominance over the other. The Emperor turned slightly, his brows furrowed, his eyes blazing with resentment. Karsu, on the other hand, remained silent, yet a dark current of anticipation flickered behind his piercing gaze.

Then, with terrifying calm, Qaranos raised a single finger. In the blink of an eye, he took on the form of the Emperor—though without battle scars or signs of struggle, only a radiant golden glow outlining his body. He opened his mouth, speaking in a slow, deliberate tone, yet each word fell like a decisive hammer upon those present:

"How should I determine the outcome of the second phase now? There is no clear victor. From what I see, the Emperor has an overwhelming advantage in combat versatility—he didn't even need to move to crush Karsu. But there's something wrong here! The projection isn't supposed to have independent thought… it should be limited to pre-determined movements!"

Karsu's eyes widened sharply, as if a strange realization was creeping into his mind. Meanwhile, tension built in the Emperor's expression, his dissatisfaction growing at this cryptic analysis.

Qaranos continued, his voice turning sharper:

"The purpose of this phase was for Karsu to face a past version of himself that surpasses him in power—to memorize its attacks and develop counters. But this… this is something entirely different! If the projection can think freely, then this isn't the second phase at all… but the third! In this phase, the projection should match Karsu's current age, making the challenge far harsher! Then in the fourth phase, Karsu was supposed to face his own projection with only a third of his strength and half of his intelligence—to rediscover his optimal form. And in the fifth phase, he would battle a superior version of himself with doubled intelligence! But it seems the system made a grave error, merging all the challenges into one test!"

Then, turning to the Emperor, Qaranos fixed him with a gaze of unwavering authority before adding coldly:

"So… I must erase you, dear Emperor, to correct this mistake."

At that moment, the Emperor's fury erupted like a volcano on the brink of explosion. He clenched his fist, black sparks of chaotic energy crackling around him, before he roared:

"What?! How dare you say that?! I am the Demonic Emperor, the one who has crushed the world under my iron grip! And you tell me I must disappear?! Right when I was so close to victory?!"

Then, with a sly smile that barely concealed his underlying worry, he quickly added:

"I have a better proposal! Why not make Karsu's victory conditional on a single drop of my blood touching the ground? Meaning he only needs to wound me—not kill me! What do you say… oh great designer of this place?"

For a few seconds, silence stretched as if it lasted an eternity. Then, Qaranos raised an eyebrow slightly before smirking, speaking in a slow, amused tone:

"Oh… you figured out so quickly that I'm the designer? Interesting…"

But in an instant, the smirk vanished, his expression turning into a mask of merciless coldness as he responded without hesitation:

"And also… no, I refuse."

At that moment, the Emperor's absolute confidence cracked. His shadow wavered, his features tensed, and for a rare moment, vulnerability flickered in his eyes, as if his world was beginning to collapse around him. But he barely managed to compose himself before Qaranos continued, his voice carrying the final decree of the battle:

"However… I may reconsider if you agree to add a set amount of time—known to both of you—during which you cannot touch or harm Karsu after killing him. In addition, he will be granted the ability to use any technique he masters. And to make things even more thrilling… this will be Karsu's final stage!"

The battlefield fell into a suffocating silence. The once chaotic warzone, filled with clashing energies and bloodshed, now felt like a realm frozen in time. The weight of Qaranos' declaration pressed down on everyone, their minds racing with the implications.

The air itself seemed heavier as opposing energies clashed invisibly, creating an overwhelming pressure, like invisible walls trapping all within. The silence that followed Qaranos' words wasn't mere quiet—it was the stillness before a storm, the moment when one realizes the end is near… but at what cost?

Karsu turned his gaze toward the Emperor, his cold eyes reflecting a blend of deep contemplation and caution.

The Demonic Emperor let out a heavy sigh before speaking in a tone that carried a trace of defiance:

"So, you want time between each death? I admit you are impressive, but I am no fool to grant you what you desire without a price."

Karsu did not move. He did not even seem to take a deeper breath, only staring with unwavering composure as if he had foreseen this response. Then, he spoke in a calm tone, devoid of any tension:

"I am not asking—I am negotiating. Let's not waste time stating the obvious… in the end, it's in your best interest to give me time to prepare, or else this challenge loses all meaning."

The Emperor chuckled mockingly before crossing his arms and replying:

"Hah? So you want to convince me that this is for 'my benefit'? Karsu, don't insult my intelligence. If I give you time, that means you will analyze my movements, develop new strategies, and perhaps even master techniques you couldn't use in direct combat."

Karsu tilted his head slightly as if weighing his words carefully, then said in a steady voice:

"And do you think I won't do that even without time?"

The Emperor's smirk faltered, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. Karsu wasn't bluffing—he was simply stating the truth the Emperor refused to acknowledge.

Karsu continued in a low, yet confident voice:

"Each time I return, I will have gained new battle experience. I will adapt, even if I am given no time to rest. The only difference is that allowing me time makes the battle fairer—and more exciting even for you. Don't you want to see the extent of my capabilities? Or are you afraid I'll surpass you if given even a moment to breathe?"

The Emperor's brow furrowed slightly as he studied Karsu's words, refusing to fall into the obvious provocation.

"You're skilled with words, but I won't give you unlimited time. One minute. That's my limit."

Karsu's expression did not change as he responded immediately:

"Thirty minutes."

The Emperor laughed as if he had heard a joke.

"Thirty minutes?! Do you take me for a fool?! No, impossible. Three minutes, maximum."

Karsu, unblinking, replied with the same coldness:

"Twenty minutes."

After a tense exchange, the Emperor finally sighed before declaring:

"Fifteen minutes after each death… and that is my final offer."

Without a hint of triumph, Karsu nodded slightly, as if he had already predicted this outcome.

And now… the true battle was about to begin.