The entire shadow field moved at once.
Massive pillars of darkness collapsed toward the demon general.
Chains rose from the ground like serpents.
Blades and spikes of shadow filled the air from every direction.
At the center of the storm, the demon general was locked in Shade's massive grip.
The giant shadow guardian tightened his hold.
The demon's arms were pinned.
His body restrained.
Shade's deep voice echoed.
"Master. Now."
Ren raised his hand.
The shadows surged faster.
Like a tidal wave of darkness crashing down.
Arlen watched from the edge of the battlefield.
His eyes widened.
"That's going to crush him."
The demon general looked up at the descending storm of shadows.
For the first time since the battle began—
His expression turned serious.
The shadows collided.
BOOOOOOM.
The entire battlefield exploded with dark energy.
Massive shockwaves tore through the forest.
The ground cracked open beneath the impact.
Shadow pillars shattered.
Trees collapsed across the surrounding area.
Even Arlen had to shield his face from the blast.
The explosion of darkness lasted several seconds.
Then—
Silence.
The shadows slowly settled back into the ground.
Dust and dark energy drifted through the air.
At the center of the battlefield—
A massive crater had formed.
Arlen slowly lowered his arm.
"Did that actually work?"
Ren stood quietly.
His eyes focused on the crater.
Shade also looked downward.
For a moment—
Nothing moved.
Then suddenly—
CRACK.
A loud sound echoed from inside the crater.
The ground shifted.
Arlen's expression hardened.
"That doesn't sound good."
Another crack followed.
Then another.
Dark energy began leaking from inside the crater.
The ground exploded.
BOOOOM.
A violent surge of demonic power burst upward.
The shockwave pushed back the remaining shadows.
Ren's coat moved violently in the blast.
From the center of the crater—
The demon general slowly stood up.
His body was covered in wounds.
Dark blood ran down his chest and arms.
But he was still standing.
Still alive.
Arlen stared.
"That attack should've crushed him."
The demon general wiped blood from his mouth.
Then he began laughing.
A deep, rough laugh.
"Yes."
His voice echoed across the battlefield.
"Yes, this is it."
His red eyes glowed brighter than ever.
"This is the kind of battle I wanted."
Ren remained calm.
But the shadows beneath his feet moved again.
The demon general raised his head.
His aura surged violently.
Stronger than before.
More unstable.
"You humans…"
He looked directly at Ren.
"…are far more interesting than I expected."
Suddenly—
His energy spiked again.
Even the shadow field trembled.
Arlen felt the pressure immediately.
"What the hell…"
The demon general raised both arms.
Dark energy gathered around his body like a violent storm.
"This fight ends now."
Ren narrowed his eyes.
The shadows responded instantly.
But the demon general moved first.
His speed had increased again.
He appeared directly in front of Shade.
His fist slammed into the giant shadow's chest.
BOOM.
This time—
The impact shattered part of Shade's body.
Dark fragments exploded outward.
The demon general attacked again.
Another strike.
Another shockwave.
Shade was thrown across the battlefield.
The giant shadow crashed into multiple shadow pillars before stopping.
Arlen stepped forward again.
His sword glowing.
But the demon general turned instantly.
His gaze locked onto him.
"You are still alive."
Before Arlen could react—
The demon appeared in front of him.
A single punch.
BOOM.
Arlen was launched across the battlefield.
He crashed through several broken trees before hitting the ground.
The demon general slowly turned back toward Ren.
Now—
Only the two of them remained standing.
The shadow field trembled beneath their feet.
The demon general smiled again.
Blood ran down his face.
But his eyes burned with excitement.
"Now it's just you and me."
Ren stepped forward.
The darkness around him deepened.
The real final clash was about to begin.