The four men exchanged thoughtful glances. Though still suspicious, they lacked evidence to disprove his claim. For now, the mystery of Morca's second awakened remained an enigma.
---
Just because Tyler Sherman awakened the Dark Frost class did not mean she possessed two classes. Emmett Lee's claim made far more sense than engaging in baseless arguments, so the four other Red Mask men chose not to press the matter further. Each of them harbored their own thoughts but kept them to themselves.
Meanwhile, Emmett Lee wore his signature smile, already strategizing his next move, how to get Morca out of this place without anyone tracking them. However, he pushed those thoughts aside for now. "Every moment has its own problem to counter," he reminded himself, shifting his focus back to the present.
The audience was enthralled, their excitement palpable. Watching this so-called human devil perform on the stage was beyond exhilarating. It was rare, even among awakened rank experts, to witness such an overwhelming display of strength. The battles of the remaining contestants had been postponed, everyone's attention remained fixed on Morca's terrifying prowess.
After some time, the referee stepped forward to announce the results.
"Crimson-Black has emerged victorious! He will challenge the final battle tomorrow at 9:30 AM. Make sure to arrive early and witness his astonishing combat skills firsthand! Will he reveal even more of his strength? Come and find out!"
The referee's voice echoed throughout the arena, prompting a murmur of disappointment from the crowd. Many wanted the next battle to take place immediately. However, after witnessing today's incredible spectacle, they were content to wait. Their excitement now centered on tomorrow's match, eagerly anticipating what Morca would unveil next.
At the center of the ring, Morca sat cross-legged in deep meditation, his eyes closed. Unaware of his surroundings, he remained lost in silence, unable to hear anything after losing his hearing due to the aftereffects of his Crimson Moon Thread skill.
"Tomorrow will be the final day of the two-day Ring Battle. I need to be in peak condition," he thought. With that resolve, he allowed himself to sink into a state of complete tranquility.
Unbeknownst to him, his soul drifted into a familiar yet breathtaking realm.
The dark hall stretched endlessly, illuminated by an infinite array of colorful stars. The polished floor reflected the celestial brilliance above, and the walls, as mesmerizing as ever, stood tall and imposing. At the very heart of the chamber sat Morca's clone, garbed in black. His ink-black hair swayed as though it had a life of its own.
As Morca's presence solidified within the hall, the clone opened its eyes. The very fabric of space seemed to tremble under its piercing gaze.
"You look better without the patch over your eye," the clone remarked, its voice calm and unwavering, almost as if sharing an inside joke.
The moment Morca heard those words, something within him stirred. It was an odd sensation, an instinctive agreement with the statement. The feeling was perplexing, akin to telling a blind man he looked better without his guiding stick. Yet, deep down, Morca sensed the truth in those words.
Despite the strange comfort he felt without the patch, he could not afford to leave his left eye exposed. The bizarre occurrences whenever he glimpsed his reflection in a mirror were enough to make him wary. It was not just a danger to himself but to those around him. Until he could fully control whatever power resided within his eye, it would remain covered.
As if reading his thoughts, the clone continued. "You don't need to worry. It won't harm you. In fact, it will only make you stronger. You would have already died back in the ring if not for it, when you faced the second awakened fighter. Be grateful for what you have. Soon, you'll realize just how foolish you've been, hiding it all this time."
Morca frowned, his curiosity piqued. "What do you mean? Does it hold a mystery I'm unaware of?"
"Is that your first question?" the clone asked, a smirk tugging at the corner of its lips.
Morca hesitated. As much as he wanted to uncover the truth about his left eye, he knew there were more pressing matters at hand. He had already decided, he wouldn't rush into revealing its secrets. There were still too many unanswered questions.
"No, not now. I have other things I need to ask first," Morca replied firmly.
"Suit yourself. But don't regret not knowing now. By the time you awaken its full potential, you'll understand how much time you've wasted hiding it," the clone said nonchalantly. "So, what are your two questions?"
Morca took a moment to think before speaking. "Why were you sent from the Oblivion Realm to guard this place?"
It was a seemingly simple question, but Morca knew better. He had spent time analyzing how to extract the most information from his clone without asking too directly. This question was deliberately crafted to unveil a deeper truth.
The clone stood from its seated position and gazed upward at the infinite expanse of stars. With a single step, he moved from the center of the hall to a dark corner, as though space itself bent to his will.
"The darkness is deep. The unknown is far more terrifying than we can comprehend. Mysteries will only be revealed in time," the clone said cryptically. "But I will tell you this, I have never been to the Oblivion Realm."
Morca felt his legs weaken. Had he just wasted one of his questions? That answer only led to more uncertainty. If anything, it raised even more doubts in his mind.
Sensing his thoughts, the clone continued. "I have never been to the Oblivion Realm because I had no reason to.. at least, not until you appeared here in this hall. And let me make this clear, no being in existence can trap me here. No one... except you. You alone have the power to both imprison and free me."
Morca's breath caught in his throat. "How..." He tried to hold back his curiosity, but he couldn't stop himself. The thought was absurd, how could he possibly have control over such a powerful being?
"I'm getting to that. No matter how ridiculous it may seem, you are the only person who has authority over me because we are one. However, you are not yet strong enough to do so. All you need to focus on now is getting stronger. When the time comes, you will understand everything. But I will tell you one thing... only when you defeat me, without me holding back, will I be freed. And at that moment... you will ascend to the Oblivion Realm."
Morca swallowed hard. The moment he defeated his clone, it would be freed... and he would ascend?
He couldn't help but feel there was far more to this than what the clone had revealed. The deeper he dug for answers, the more mysteries seemed to surface. A bitter smile formed on his lips as he pushed the thought aside. That was a problem for the future.
Second question...