***Inside the Cave – Omniscient POV***

The cave was dimly lit by the torches they carried, casting eerie shadows on the rough, uneven walls. The air was thick with tension as Dogo, Eldric, and Gareth faced each other, swords drawn. The stakes were high, and all three knew that only one would leave the cave victorious.

“Bring it on,” Eldric muttered, charging at Dogo with all his might. Dogo knew he was up against a formidable opponent. Eldric Giyu, the heir to the House Giyuson, was in the same rank as him. They both leveled up to Rank B Swordsmanship at the same time.

Dogo took a deep breath, focusing on Eldric’s movements. As Eldric swung his sword in a wide arc aimed at Dogo’s head, Dogo sidestepped, narrowly avoiding the strike. He countered with a swift slash aimed at Eldric’s midsection, but Eldric parried the blow with his sword.

“Nice move, Dogo,” Eldric complimented as he moved back.

Gareth took advantage of Dogo’s focus on Eldric and moved in from the side, aiming a precise th-ru_st at Dogo’s rib. Dogo noticed the attack and twisted his body just in time, feeling the blade graze his side. He spun around, swinging his sword to force Gareth back.

Eldric saw an opening and began to chant under his breath, his voice low and menacing. “Flame of the ancient forge, heed my call. Ignite and burn all in your path.”

“Swordsman Technique: Flame Slash!” His sword burst into flames as he swung it at Dogo.

Dogo’s eyes widened. He quickly invoked his own technique. “Winds of the northern sky, gather and protect.”

“Swordsmanship Technique: Wind Cutter!” His sword emitted a sharp blade of wind that met Eldric’s Flame Slash. The clash of elements created a burst of steam, shrouding the cave in mist.

“Is that all you’ve got?” Dogo taunted, trying to hide his nervousness. They were attacking him one after the other, giving him the chance to strike back. He wondered what would happen if they decided to strike at the same time.

“You guys are really something. Well, I guess it’s my turn to show you what I’ve got,” Gareth said as he emerged from the mist, his sword glowing with dark energy. “Shadows of the abyss, rise and consume.”

“Swordsman Technique: Abyssal Strike!” he chanted, his voice echoing ominously.

Dogo’s eyes widened. That was a forbidden technique. He wondered where Gareth had learned it from. Dogo knew he had to act fast. He braced himself and swung his sword in a wide arc. Only a divine energy could deflect a dark energy, and luckily his father had trained him personally. He knew some divine tricks.

“Divine light, protect and illuminate. Holy Barrier!” he called out loudly. A radiant barrier of light formed around him, intercepting Gareth’s Abyssal Strike. The impact sent vibrations through the ground, but the barrier held firm.

Gareth’s eyes widened in shock. He couldn’t believe Dogo had deflected his magic, and the barrier was still standing firm.

“You cheat,” Gareth growled, launching himself at Dogo. He leapt into the air while tossing his sword, grabbing the blade halfway up and flinging it like a spear towards Dogo. The sword hit the barrier, causing it to crack, and the force flung the two parties in different directions.

Seeing the change in events, Eldric didn’t waste any time. He lunged at Dogo with another fiery strike. “Flame Strike: Horizontal Slash!”

“Persistent, aren’t you?” Dogo muttered, deflecting Eldric’s sword with a powerful upward swing. He knew he couldn’t keep this up forever; he had to find a way to turn the tide, or he might end up losing. This duo meant to end his life.

Gareth circled around, looking for an opening. Dogo noticed his movement and quickly adjusted his stance. “Don’t you think only one of us is getting this ticket out of here? Once you both ki|| me, you’ll have to face each other.”

“Hahaha! Thank goodness you know you’ll die,” Gareth chuckled. “I’m not interested in the golden ticket. I’m only here to ki|| you.” Dark aura covered Gareth.

“Let’s see you try,” Dogo growled, focusing on both opponents. This was the moment he feared the most: the moment they were going to work together.

“Over here,” Eldric bellowed, coming at him again, his flames flickering menacingly. Dogo parried Eldric’s strike and quickly countered with a th-ru_st aimed at Gareth. Gareth deflected it with a swift motion, but Dogo pressed on, his movements becoming more aggressive. He swung his sword in a series of rapid strikes, forcing Gareth and Eldric to defend themselves.

Dogo was now fighting back with ki||ing intent. The cave became a testament to their immense power as they struck back with all their effort.

In the heat of the battle, Eldric saw an opportunity and alerted his partner. They had to work together to defeat their opponent. After all, he was the son of Lord Dougor, the ruling High Chancellor. Eldric was sure Dogo had some tricks up his sleeve. “Now, Gareth!” he shouted. Gareth nodded, and both of them lunged at Dogo simultaneously, their swords coming at him from different angles.

Dogo noticed the tension in the air as adrenaline coursed through his veins. He couldn’t afford to hesitate. “Steel of the unyielding mountain, grant me strength.”

“Swordsman Technique: Iron Wall!” he chanted, his sword glowing with a metallic sheen. He blocked both strikes, the force of the impact resonating through the cave.

The three swordsmen stood at a stalemate, each breathing heavily, eyes locked in determination.

“You can’t last forever, Dogo. Your energy will get weaker,” Eldric grinned loudly.

“I know, and that’s why I’m going to end this now.”

With a sudden burst of energy, Dogo launched himself at Eldric, aiming a decisive strike at his shoulder. Eldric barely managed to block it, but the force pushed him back. Gareth took the opportunity to attack from the side, but Dogo anticipated his move.

He turned swiftly, his sword meeting Gareth’s in a resounding clash. “You won’t defeat me that easily,” Dogo growled, pushing Gareth back with all his strength. He then shifted his focus back to Eldric, who was recovering from the previous attack.

Eldric and Gareth exchanged a quick glance, a silent agreement passing between them. They both attacked Dogo in unison, their swords moving in perfect synchronization. Dogo gritted his teeth, bracing himself for the onslaught.

“Enough!” Dogo roared, gathering all his energy for a final strike. “Blade of the eternal sky, strike true and end this battle. Sky Cleaver!” His sword glowed with a brilliant blue light as he swung it with all his might. The energy from the attack created a shockwave that rippled through the cave, forcing Eldric and Gareth back.

Eldric and Gareth were sent crashing into the cave walls, their swords clattering to the ground.

Dogo stood in the center of the cave, breathing heavily, his sword still glowing with residual energy. “I told you,” he said between breaths, “the House Dougor never trained a coward.”

“Hahaha…”

“Why are you laughing when it’s clear you’ve been defeated?” Dogo asked, surprised, as Gareth struggled to get on his feet.

“You still don’t get it, Dogo. This is your end,” Gareth replied, dipping his hand into his pocket and showing Dogo a blue, circular pill.

“You know what this means, right?” Gareth asked, swallowing the blue pill.

“That’s the Blue Elixir. It’s effective for boosting spiritual energy,” Dogo muttered, his gaze falling on Eldric, who chuckled as he swallowed a pill as well.

They both swallowed the Blue Elixir pill, temporarily boosting their energy while Dogo’s own energy was drained.

“It’s time to end you once and for all,” they both said in unison, leaping into the air and forming dark energy in their hands.

This was no swordsman technique, and Dogo was aware of it.

Dark blasts formed circular shapes in their hands as they focused all their energy into the attack.

“I won’t let you do that,” Dogo cried out, holding tightly to his sword as he leapt into the air, charging towards them with full speed, not waiting for them to intensify their attack.

“Swordsman Technique: Astral Cut!” he chanted loudly, unleashing his blade on them. But at the same time, they sent their dark energy blasts. His blade tore through the dark energy blasts, but the force was too overwhelming. He was sent crashing hard to the ground, his blade flying out of his grip.

He crashed on the ground, spitting out dark blood as he held onto his stomach.

“You’re really strong, Dogo, but it all ends now,” Eldric stated as he interlocked arms with Gareth, releasing something far more nefarious. A spirit beast created from their energy.

“This is a forbidden swordsman technique. How did you learn all of this?” Dogo asked, trying to get up but pressed to his knees. The aura dominating the area was choking him.

“While you were busy chasing all the girls in the nation, we were busy improving our ski||s,” Gareth chuckled.

“Beast of the Infernal Spirit, attack,” they both chanted. The beast launched at them instantly, aiming to devour Dogo, when suddenly a dark wave swallowed the beast and it vanished instantly, causing the duo to fall hard on the ground.

Dogo turned to see a young man standing behind him, his left hand stretched forward.

“Kael,” the trio called at once, shock and fear in their voices. A smirk appeared on Kael’s face as he stepped forward.

“You told me he’s dead,” Eldric cried out.

“Darius was supposed to have taken care of him,” Gareth replied, still in a state of shock.

“You small fries have the guts to send amateurs to me,” Kael said, his voice echoing through the cave.

Dogo spat out blood from his mouth and grabbed Kael by the leg. “You should run… They’re both dangerous,” he warned, causing Kael to chuckle.

“They’re insects to me,” he smirked, which infuriated the duo.

They picked up their swords and charged at him at once, leaping high into the air with their swords raised, when a force pushed them away.

Kael had just released 40% of his magical essence, and they couldn’t even withstand it. Even Dogo couldn’t bear it anymore and fainted.

“You’re a Nexus Mage,” Gareth cried out, struggling to get on his feet.

“You should’ve known before now,” Kael replied, folding his arms.

“But that won’t stop us. We will ki|| you and then that brat,” Eldric said with renewed determination.

“I’d love to see you try. Give me your best.”

“Swordsman Technique: Inferior Flame Slash!” Eldric chanted as he leapt into the air.

“Swordsman Technique: Ultimate Abyssal Strike!” Gareth also chanted as he leapt into the air from the opposite direction while Kael stood calm with his arms folded.

ALEXA – UNIQUE Ski||: KING OF THEFT HAS BEEN ACTIVATED.

They suddenly felt emptiness inside them as Kael countered their powerless attacks with both his arms.

“What happened? What did you do to us?” Gareth asked, shocked, when a slight smile curved on Kael’s lips.

“I stole your technique. I was waiting for you to activate them, and now that you’re finished, let me end this,” Kael said as he released the Infernal Spirit Beast into the air.

“You stole that too?” Gareth asked, shocked.

“No, I devoured it, and now it’s mine,” Kael replied as the Spirit Beast devoured both Gareth and Eldric within a minute. This was the power of a Spirit Beast – a devourer whose master is also a devourer.

“My Lord, I brought you the Ancient Treasure,” Kael heard the voice of Red King Dire. He turned to see the cursed warrior on his knees, presenting a blue glowing amulet in a spherical shape.

“Wow, I knew you wouldn’t fail me, Dire,” Kael said, taking the amulet from Red King Dire and slipping it into his pocket.

“Search for other treasures in the Valley and report to me once you’re done. I need to return to the city,” Kael said as he picked up Dogo and slung him over his shoulder like he weighed nothing.

“I’ll do as you ask, Master. I’ll present even the smallest treasure here to you,” Red King Dire replied as Kael started walking away, a greedy smile plastered on his face.

Kael – the King of Theft, a greedy being who plans to devour the world.