Ji-Hoon made a strange expression. His eyes widened as he stared in silence, uttering not a word. His countenance had grown entirely dark—he had taken the jest amiss.
Is this truly my own will? he thought. Why doth she jest in so critical a situation? Perchance this hath gone too far…
Ji-Hoon began to feel as if he were being named a loser—one so useless that not even one in a trillion souls could fail so grievously. Slowly, that thought took root within him. For the first time, he felt, in truth, like a failure.
Then he heard a voice.
It was Layla's—soft, touched with sorrow, as though she withheld tears.
"Ji-Hoon… thou art in truth most talented. Had I known, I would have set thee to this task from the very first day."
Hearing this, Ji-Hoon's face flushed, then paled. Once more, he misunderstood her meaning.
So this is where I am to remain till the end, he thought bitterly. After coming so far… can this be all?
Layla's words echoed in his mind—the first day. His expression showed how deeply guilt had filled him.
Perhaps she speaks rightly, he thought. Had all ended on that first day, none of this would have come to pass. If only I had not survived that time…
Such thoughts drew him down into sadness.
It was then Layla spoke again.
"Hark, why hast thou turned so cold of a sudden? What hath come over thee?" she said. "Yes, thou hast failed this time—yet in return, thou hast gained something of far greater worth."
She continued, calm of voice, "Be not so downcast. Life doth not always follow the course we desire. Things do oft go awry. Rather than brood upon what thou couldst not achieve, consider what thou didst achieve."
Hearing all this, Ji-Hoon's expression changed. He appeared confounded, as though he did not yet fully comprehend.
For a moment, the entire place fell into silence. Ji-Hoon waited quietly, still confused, hoping for an answer.
After a time, Layla sighed, as though she had at last understood all.
"Why dost thou look upon all things with so dark a eye, thou fool?"
Meanwhile, upon the battlefield—
The Asura Wolf did utterly dominate the fray, employing all three of its skills. With its unique abilities, it could easily overpower beasts of equal level—yet now it fought an opponent far weaker than itself.
The outcome was already plain.
As the Asura Wolf grew more ferocious, the Dark Illusionary Fox could not keep pace. The battle had reached its peak.
Again and again, the fox was struck by the wolf's attacks and cast far away—yet each time it forced itself back onto its feet. But the Asura Wolf gave chase without mercy, attacking with brutal precision.
The fox's illusion skills scarce worked any longer. While they might confound lesser enemies, they were useless against the Asura Wolf. Its higher level allowed it to foresee every movement with ease.
In moments, the fox's body was covered in wounds, whilst the Asura Wolf stood nearly unharmed.
With overwhelming power, the Asura Wolf raised one massive claw and struck. The fox was sent flying ere it could even react. In the next instant, the wolf appeared before it once more—its speed was unnatural.
Teleportation.
Before the fox could recover, it was dashed across the battlefield again and again. For a brief moment, it seemed as though multiple wolves assailed it from all sides, filling the air with confusion—but it mattered not.
The Asura Wolf saw through all.
One by one, it destroyed every illusion. It moved so swiftly the fight became impossible to follow.
At last, the Asura Wolf appeared directly before the Dark Illusionary Fox.
With a single mighty motion, it pinned the fox to the ground beneath its forelegs. The difference in strength was absolute—the fox could not move.
Moments later, the battle was ended.
The Asura Wolf lifted the defeated beast and gave one final, violent shake ere casting it away like a broken doll. The body flew through the air, crashed against stone, and vanished into the rubble below.
That manner of power was of an entirely different order.