With a thunderous crash, I raised my hands. Amid the chaos, I saw Yuna Ji cross her two black daggers, blocking Monster Yuna’s attack.
The entire world trembled violently. In the sky, black-green and soft white colors clashed fiercely, immense power sweeping through everything.
My ears roared. The howling wind carried the sound of shattering. I was flying backward, unable to stop myself. The force from the collision between the two had already destroyed everything around us.
"Instinct... named... Pioneer..."
A clear voice came through. I opened my eyes slightly—around me, only ruins remained. Countless bones had overturned from underground; the mountain peaks on both sides of the fortress had vanished. In a massive crater on the ground, endless white bones piled up, rattling as they slowly moved.
My vision was still blurred, but this was the second being I’d ever seen with dual Instincts. I had never imagined such a thing.
"Ethan, are you okay?"
Mr. Brown reached out a hand. His voice rang in my ears, still uncomfortable. I kept shaking my head as I grabbed Mr. Brown’s hand and stood up.
Above the crater, Yuna Ji floated, her entire body surrounded by white, ribbon-like streams of energy. I had never seen such power before—a force filled with hope, yet still constructed from Ghost Aura.
Across from her, Monster Yuna hovered in the air, holding a long spear in one hand.
Her long hair fluttered as Yuna Ji smiled—a beautiful sight. That was my first reaction. I had no idea how this battle would end, but I saw Yuna Ji’s true self. She was like a sun breaking through the darkness, dazzling beyond compare.
"Great power is always born from illusion. But do you really think this power can defeat me? Heh heh..."
Monster Yuna laughed coldly, a chill rushing toward me. I stood up and slowly floated over to them.
"Before we start fighting, can you tell me—why is this because of me?"
I stared blankly at Monster Yuna as she pointed a finger at me.
"Aren't you just like me? Ethan Zhang, we are the same kind of being. This world is lonely, boundless—and those who are alike are drawn together. So, your appearance made me want to awaken. In this boring world, you brought a hint of fun. Hahaha..."
I shook my head.
"I'm not like you, and I don't want to be—driven by my own desires."
"What's wrong with that? The living have desires. Without desire, how are you different from a walking corpse? Ethan Zhang, you'll regret this, no matter how today ends."
Yuna Ji turned her head. I nodded and floated off to the side. Sitting a bit farther away, I settled down atop the white bones. The battle between those two was about to begin, and I would watch every moment until the outcome was decided.
Thinking back on everything that happened here before, I realize now that Yuna Ji must have sensed some of it early on. That’s why she gave the Netherstone to Rufina Howard. Rufina's ability to control the Netherstone was no accident—she carries the bloodline of the Prime Ancestor.
Monster Yuna bent low, gripping her spear with both hands, ready to strike at Yuna Ji at any moment. The air was tense. Two powerful forces kept clashing, crackling as sparks flared in the space around them.
I took a deep breath and looked over. With a whoosh, Monster Yuna sprang into action.
With two sharp clangs, the duel began. Yuna Ji skillfully used her pair of daggers to deflect the fierce attack coming her way.
After parrying the spear, Monster Yuna immediately raised it with one hand. In an instant, a flurry of spear shadows appeared. I’d seen this move before when she fought Mr. Brown—the power of each thrust grew, with the final strike being the strongest.
Thunder rumbled in the sky, and sharp, piercing noises kept coming my way.
Yuna Ji was still handling things with ease, never flinching, always defending. This was a contest of power and skill, each side searching for a way to defeat the other.
Her movements were flawless—every dodge perfectly timed. My impression of Yuna Ji had always been her skeleton army, those undying troops, incredibly formidable. But thinking back to her duel with John Chou, she was completely at a disadvantage.
As I gained more strength and witnessed more battles, I came to understand: Yuna Ji’s direct combat skills were far inferior to Isabelle Frost and Mr. Brown.
I stood up—the barrage of thrusts was over. With a crack, fissures appeared in the air all around, twisting in many places. Monster Yuna raised her spear high and lunged at Yuna Ji.