Shortly after, the pressure suddenly eased off everyone, and they began to breathe a sigh of relief... that breath was the most precious thing in life. The radiance that had surrounded the skull faded away, then it fell to the ground—but it was no longer silver as it had been the first time; instead, it remained as it had appeared when it rose into the sky… golden in color.
Silence blanketed the place. Everyone watched the skull with a silence tainted by awe. On some faces, a look of greed appeared; on others, a reflection of deep, hidden fear.
Mihon was the only one in the square unaffected by that aura. Yet, when he saw everyone's knees bending to the ground, he didn't want to draw attention—so he bent his knee, albeit belatedly.
However, the moment he heard the voice emanating from the skull, he was affected like the rest. The voice sounded as though it came from the depths of the ages… ancient, terrifying, chilling to the bone. That voice alone was enough to make the strongest beings in this world tremble in fear.
And as the pressure emanating from the skull subsided, everyone remained hesitant… Did they dare touch it? Mihon was not among the hesitant—he moved toward it without a trace of doubt.
When the king saw him, he swiftly moved to block his path, but Lilar stood in his way, smiling:
—"Why the rush, Your Majesty? Why not let the younger generation handle this thing?"
The king growled:
—"Out of my way, you wretch!"
He lunged forward with his spear, but Lilar was ready. From his small jar, he unleashed a wave of water that formed into a solid shield, easily blocking the king's strike.
The clash between Lilar and the king broke out, and Lilar maintained full control over the battle, even while carrying the small boy on his shoulder the entire time. He was superior… In fact, he was toying with the king, as if the whole affair were nothing more than a training session for him.
But while the king was preoccupied with Lilar, others moved to block Mihon's path.
The first was Driko, followed by Felix.
Driko had earlier decided to leave, but the moment he witnessed what had happened, he changed his mind… He had to get the skull!
Felix lunged at Mihon once again, striking swiftly with his sword.
Mihon ducked—
The blade passed over his head—
Then he countered with a swift attack.
From beneath his sleeves, a black and red ooze emerged, laced with glowing violet eyes.
Suddenly, it formed into a bloody chain and shot toward Felix!
Felix quickly leapt back—
But the chain wrapped around his leg,
Lifted him into the air,
Then hurled him violently toward the stands.
BOOOOM!
At that moment, Driko had already clashed with Youray, who blocked him from approaching Mihon.
Meanwhile, Raiven continued his battle against Blue ran, while the knights were once again locked in fierce combat with Raven's followers and the strangers clad in black.
The battlefield had erupted into chaos once more.
Suddenly, Loren leapt into the arena, heading straight for the skull.
At first, he had no desire for it—
But after witnessing everything that had unfolded, he decided it might hold a great secret worth the risk.
But he wasn't alone.
Even Lebran descended into the arena as well, the target clear in his eyes… the skull.
The two faced each other.
Loren smiled and said:
—"Our wager was left unfinished. Why don't we settle it now—with a fight?"
Lebran replied without hesitation:
—"Agreed."
And he charged at Loren.
But in the heart of the stands, only one woman moved: Dorana, with her followers behind her.
Her gaze was fixed entirely on Mihon.
Even the skull didn't seem to interest her—she hadn't moved until now.
But then, she stood up—
And descended toward the arena with astonishing speed—
Only to stop suddenly, standing right in front of Mihon.
Mihon halted, silently staring at her.
She spoke calmly:
—"What's your name?"
Mihon was caught off guard by the question, and replied without taking his eyes off the skull:
—"What concern is it of yours?"
Dorana stepped closer, her eyes carefully examining his face—
Then smiled as her gaze landed on the two black dots above his left eyebrow.
With a faint smile, she said:
—"Are you… Mihon?"
Mihon stepped back in shock.
—"How do you know my name?"
She chuckled gently:
—"How could I not know someone from my own family?"
The entire place froze.
The battles stopped.
All eyes turned toward Mihon and Dorana.
Mihon scowled.
—"What nonsense are you saying? Get out of my way."
She smiled and said:
—"Why the rush? You want the skull? I'll help you."
But Mihon didn't hear her final words.
He dashed forward toward his goal—the skull.
Then Felix intervened once more, blocking him, having returned from the stands in torn clothes.
And just as Felix stepped in his way again—
He saw a fist flying toward his face at blinding speed…
BOOM…
Felix was launched like a leaf in the wind, crashing hard into the stands.
The fist belonged to Dorana.
She then raised her voice, her fury erupting like thunder:
—"No one touches him…
Or I'll turn this city into your grave!"
The king was stunned. He turned to her and said:
—"Lady Durana! What is the meaning of this?"
She replied, pointing at Mihon:
—"I told you before… anyone who touches this boy, I'll turn the city into his grave!"
Lilar smirked and said mockingly:
—"It seems this little friend… isn't so easy to reach!"
As for Mihon, he heard nothing—
His eyes were fixed solely on the skull.
Amid the silence laced with tension,
Driko suddenly burst forward toward Mihon, leaving Amis frozen in shock.
Seeing him, Amis immediately rushed after him at full speed.
But when Dorana saw Driko heading toward Mihon, she launched herself at him with all her might.
The king, noticing her movement, abandoned his fight with Lilar and dashed toward Driko as well…
For despite Driko's betrayal—
He was still his son…
Flesh of his flesh.