As soon as the Asura Wolf entered its full Rage Mode, it unleashed its entire force. Spinning its massive body in a wide arc, it lunged straight toward one of the Illusionary Foxes. In a single brutal motion, it clamped its jaws around the fox's throat and hurled it away. The fox flew through the air and crashed violently into a massive stone pillar, making the entire rock tremble from the impact.
Ji-Hoon, who was hiding near the adjacent stone, felt a powerful shockwave ripple through his body. Though the explosion wasn't devastating at his position, it was still an attack fueled by a magical beast's raw power. The ground beneath him shuddered violently.
On the battlefield, the Asura Wolf remained in full Rage Mode. The Dark Illusionary Fox and another Illusionary Fox still had it brutally restrained—one clamped onto its tail, the other biting into its leg. The wolf let out a savage roar, its voice echoing across the battlefield.
On the other side, the fox that had been thrown away earlier lay sprawled against the stone, writhing in agony. Deep bite marks from the Asura Wolf scarred its neck, and blood flowed freely, staining its once-white fur crimson. Its face was already covered in wounds, and bleeding continued from multiple parts of its body. It no longer seemed capable of standing—yet, somehow, a faint strength still lingered within it.
Meanwhile, Ji-Hoon prepared himself. He steadied his breathing and sat down in a cultivation pose, crossing his legs and settling into a narrow corner beneath a deep crack in the stone. Faint rays of light seeped through the crack from above. The space in front of him was dimly lit, while behind him stretched complete darkness. He sat precisely between light and shadow, like the center of a Yin–Yang formation.
Fully prepared, Ji-Hoon spoke softly to Layla.
"Even if this crack collapses… even if Reapers appear inside this place—don't disturb me. Don't warn me either."
With a faint smile, he murmured, "Alright… let's begin."
On the battlefield, the Asura Wolf roared once more with overwhelming power. The sound alone sent chills through the area. It struggled violently, attempting to break free, but the two foxes held on with brutal determination.
The Dark Illusionary Fox tightened its grip on the wolf's tail, biting down harder, while the other fox dug its fangs deep into the wolf's leg. The Asura Wolf swung its body with everything it had, enduring the pain as its muscles swelled and its eyes turned blood-red. Its strength surged to a terrifying level.
With a sudden burst, it seized the normal Illusionary Fox by the throat. At the same time, the Dark Illusionary Fox braced all four legs against the ground, pulling the wolf's tail backward as if trying to tear it off entirely.
Even so, the Asura Wolf showed no fear.
With one explosive motion, it flung the normal Illusionary Fox away. During the attack, its jaws had completely engulfed the fox's throat—if the fox had been even slightly weaker, its neck would have been ripped apart. The fox was sent flying and slammed into a distant corner of the battlefield.
That area was already filled with chaotic clashes between fox beasts and wolf beasts. As the injured fox crashed among them, the surrounding beasts scattered. It slid helplessly across the ground and came to rest in a far corner, barely conscious.
Inside the darkness beneath the crack, Ji-Hoon was drenched in sweat. He spoke urgently to Layla.
"What do I do now? Hurry. I've gained full control over my mind."
Layla sounded surprised.
"That was fast. You're already an expert at this."
She then explained calmly, "You must sense your core. First, absorb Qi from the outside and circulate it through your body. As you do, your meridians will slowly open. At the same time, guide the energy within your body using your mind and direct it inward. Eventually, it will begin to gather at your core."
She paused before adding, "If you're talented, you might succeed quickly. Otherwise, it could take a week… or even a month."
Ji-Hoon exploded.
"A month?! Are you insane?! I don't even have one extra day! I haven't eaten or drunk anything—I'll die if this drags on!"
After a moment, he forced himself to calm down.
"The more time I waste, the deeper I sink."
He steadied himself once again, sitting cross-legged within his conscious world.
Layla chuckled softly and then fell silent. Ji-Hoon found it strange and felt a hint of suspicion toward her—but he ignored it and focused on his task. Just as he was about to begin, realization struck him. He shouted angrily, understanding why Layla had laughed.
"How could I be this foolish… I missed something so obvious."
Elsewhere, beneath the shadow of a stone, the heavily injured fox still lay motionless. Since it had fallen far from the main battlefield, no other beast attacked it—for now.
Above, the sky looked mysterious, evil, and strangely divine. Thick black clouds covered the heavens, pierced only by a single beam of heavenly light breaking through a barrier of clouds and pouring down toward the land. Beyond that narrow light, darkness dominated the sky. Within that darkness, stars shimmered with a demonic glow.
Beneath that sky, on one side of the battlefield, another elite fox lay wounded. It wasn't completely weakened yet, but its injuries were severe. Suddenly, massive footsteps appeared in its vision.
A beast was approaching.
And in the very next second—
It lunged forward.