In the competitor's section, Mist watched with growing tension. "This is bad," he said quietly. "Kira's Shadow Veil technique is legendary. She can make herself and her weapons completely invisible to the naked eye."
"Then how does anyone fight her?" Ragnar asked, his own experience with seemingly impossible techniques giving him sympathy for Krad's predicament.
"Most don't," Mist replied grimly. "They die."
Queen Hania leaned forward, her emerald eyes intense. "But he's not most people, is he? I've seen his power. There has to be something..."
Back in the arena, Krad was beginning to understand the true scope of his disadvantage. Kira wasn't just invisible, she was completely silent. No footsteps, no breathing, no rustle of clothing. It was like fighting a ghost.
Another attack came from his right. This time, Krad managed to partially deflect it. The impact sent him stumbling, and he tasted blood as a shallow cut opened on his arm.
"First blood to the Shadow Dancer!" the announcer called out. "But Moon Fist is still standing!"
"Not for long," Kira's voice whispered, seeming to come from directly behind him.
Krad spun, swinging wildly, but his fist found nothing but air. The crowd was on its feet, some cheering, others booing, all of them caught up in the impossible spectacle of watching a man fight an opponent who didn't seem to exist.
"Come on, Krad," he muttered to himself, trying to center his thoughts. "Think. There has to be a way. You broke through Barbara's curse. You can figure this out."
Another attack, this one a feint. Krad dodged to the left, only to cry out as pain blossomed across his back. Kira had used his dodge to position herself for a real strike.
"You're getting predictable," her voice taunted. "Most fighters do, when they can't see their opponent. They start to panic, start to make mistakes."
"Yeah, well," Krad panted, blood trickling down his back. "I'm not most fighters."
"No," Kira agreed, and for the first time, her voice carried a note of genuine respect. "You're not. But you're still going to lose."
The next attack came from above. Krad looked up to see nothing but empty air, but his instincts screamed danger. He rolled to the side just as something sharp embedded itself in the stone where he had been standing.
"An invisible throwing knife," he realized. "She's got a whole arsenal I can't see."
DING!
System Alert!
Situation Critical
Health: 78%
Recommended Strategy: Stop Getting Hit
"Stop getting hit?" Krad said incredulously. "That's your strategy?"
It's worked so far! Sort of! Maybe!
"I'm going to uninstall you after this fight," Krad threatened.
You can't uninstall me! I'm part of your soul now!
"Then I'll find a way to spiritually format you," Krad growled, dodging another invisible strike.
Despite his banter with his system, Krad's situation was growing desperate. He was accumulating small cuts and wounds, nothing immediately life-threatening, but they were adding up. Worse, Kira seemed to be studying his movements, learning his patterns.
"You fight well for someone who can't see his opponent," Kira observed, her voice now coming from somewhere to his left. "But you're beginning to slow down. How long do you think you can keep this up?"
"As long as it takes," Krad replied, but he knew she was right. His reflexes were impressive, but they weren't perfect. Eventually, one of her strikes would land somewhere vital.
He closed his eyes, trying to focus. There had to be something he was missing. Some way to level the playing field.
Then he remembered his fight with Queen Hania. How he had felt her presence, her spiritual pressure, even when her magic was trying to confuse his senses.
"Wait," he whispered, his eyes still closed. "I don't need to see her. I need to feel her."
DING!
New Skill Developing...
Lunar Sense: Detecting Spiritual Pressure
Synchronization: 15%
Krad's breathing slowed as he extended his senses beyond the physical. Every living being had a spiritual presence, a unique signature that couldn't be hidden by conventional means. He had felt it with Barbara, with Ragnar, with everyone he had fought.
"There," he breathed, his head turning slightly to the right. "I can feel you."
"What?" Kira's voice carried a note of surprise.
Krad's eyes snapped open, and he moved with sudden, fluid precision. His fist shot out, not at empty air, but at a specific point in space. There was a gasp of surprise and pain as his punch connected with something solid.
Kira flickered into visibility for just a moment, her form wavering like a heat mirage. She was crouched low, one hand pressed to her ribs where Krad's punch had landed. Her mask had cracked, revealing a glimpse of a young woman's face beneath.
"Impossible," she breathed, then vanished again.
"Not impossible," Krad said, his voice steady now. "Just different. I don't need to see you to know where you are."
The crowd erupted in cheers. They had just witnessed something incredible, a fighter landing a blow on the legendary Shadow Dancer.
"How?" Kira's voice was strained now, carrying hints of pain. "My Shadow Veil has never been penetrated before."
"Because you're not just hiding your body," Krad explained, his enhanced senses now locked onto her spiritual signature. "You're hiding your soul. But everyone's soul has a unique feeling, a spiritual pressure. And once I know what yours feels like..."
He moved again, this time anticipating her position. Kira tried to dodge, but Krad was already there, his fist connecting with her invisible form. She materialized again, stumbling backward, her breathing labored.
"You can run, but you can't hide," Krad said with a grin.
DING!
Skill Evolution Complete!
Lunar Sense Acquired
Effect: Can detect spiritual pressure within 50-meter radius. Effectiveness doubled during nighttime or in moonlight.
"Lunar Sense?" Krad felt the new ability settle into his consciousness. It was like gaining a sixth sense, one that painted the world in spiritual colors. "That's actually pretty cool."
"You..." Kira's voice was different now, younger, more vulnerable. "You're the first person to ever counter my technique."
"Sorry about that," Krad said, and he meant it. "But I really need to win this tournament."
"Why?" The question came out before Kira could stop herself.
Krad's expression grew serious. "Because I have friends counting on me. Because there are people I need to protect. Because sometimes, you have to fight for something bigger than yourself."
For a moment, the arena fell silent. Even the crowd seemed to sense that something important was happening.
"Friends," Kira whispered, her voice barely audible.