Lia's blazing spear was inches from Ren's chest.
In her mind, the battle was already over. No more games. No more dodging. The gap had been closed.
Her flames burned hotter than ever, and her muscles were pumped with explosive power from her rune.
Her eyes gleamed with fiery confidence as she lunged forward, ready to finally make Ren taste defeat…
Then Ren smiled.
Not a nervous smile. Not a playful grin.
It was the kind of smile that said: Gotcha.
"What—" Lia started.
But she didn't finish.
Because in that same instant, Ren's rune on his forearm pulsed with light. It shimmered with a subtle gray glow as his entire body twisted slightly, not to dodge, but to redirect.
Every ounce of momentum he had, every leftover force from his chain swings, was instantly transferred into one brutal yank.
The chain screamed.
