There was pure confusion in Cain's eyes as he watched the Crimson Exarch appear beside him inside the arena. The Nep-Demon wasn't the only one shocked; everyone beyond the milky-white translucent force wall wore the same expression of disbelief and bewilderment.

The Overseer turned toward the Crimson Exarch, his gaze cold and unreadable, as if trying to assess the situation. For a moment, silence reigned, then his energy began to rise. The air trembled as his aura surged past the Early Alpha-Omega Overgod Rank, continuing to climb higher and higher.

An immense, suffocating force materialized, locking both the Scarlet King and the Crimson Exarch within a cage of raw power.

It seemed the Overseer had detected what he deemed a violation of the rules and had decided to unlock his full power and kill them both.

"Cain!"

Meylin's voice rang out in dread as she rushed forward, but the instant she touched the glowing barrier, she was hurled backward violently.

Cain clenched his teeth, trying to move, but he couldn't. Rage burned in his chest, not toward the Overseer, but the Crimson Exarch. He didn't know how the man had entered, but he had definitely not asked for his help, and now his intrusion had triggered the Overseer's wrath, and there was no way the two could survive that.

The Crimson Exarch, however, looked utterly calm. His expression was serene, even as the oppressive power closed in around them. He raised his hand, releasing a golden stream of energy that merged into the force wall, blocking all sight and sound from the outside.

Then he spoke.

"There is no cheat. This is an individual challenge. We are one, or else I could not have crossed that wall. Test us and you will know the truth."

The Overseer seemed to analyze those words for a moment before acting. His eyes flared with golden light as his will extended, flooding into Cain and the Crimson Exarch. The two men gasped, feeling their bodies, souls, and very essence being dissected and examined.

It lasted only a few seconds, but to them it felt eternal.

Finally, the force receded, and the suffocating aura vanished.

"You two are indeed a single individual. The rules have not been broken. The fight can carry on."

The Overseer's voice was calm once more.

On the other hand, Cain froze. His heart pounded in disbelief as his mind struggled to comprehend what he'd heard.

They were one?

He and the Crimson Exarch shared unsettling similarities: their titles, appearances, innate command of the Flow, and, most impossibly, the presence of their Thrones — unique manifestations of the soul that should have been impossible to replicate.

And now the Overseer, an entity of immeasurable power, had declared them the same being.

Questions swarmed his mind like storms of lightning, demanding answers.

But before he could speak, the Crimson Exarch's calm voice cut through his spiraling thoughts.

"You will not find the answer now. Focus your mind on the battle. Once we win and leave this place, I will tell you everything you need to know."

Cain exhaled slowly, forcing himself to steady his racing thoughts. He wanted to tear the truth from the man's soul right then and there, but this was neither the time nor the place.

He tightened his grip on Sky Devourer, channeling his will through the blade until the Crimson Light flared through every vein of his body. His aura burned hotter, sharper, alive with the hunger for battle.

The Crimson Exarch smiled, seeing Cain's resolve ignite. Then, without hesitation, he reached up, grabbed the bandages covering his eyes, and tore them away.

Cain's focus was still fixed on the Overseer, yet he caught a fleeting glimpse of the Exarch's eyes, and the sight stopped his breath.

They glowed with a radiant, crystalline red light, deep and endless, like twin stars carved from divine rubies. Intricate geometric patterns shimmered within them, lines and shapes that seemed to transcend the boundaries of reality itself.

They were mesmerizing, eyes that could pierce through the fabric of existence.

The Crimson Exarch noticed Cain's awe and smiled with quiet pride.

"You obtained the bloodline that man forgave so a body and soul could attune with The Flow to the ultimate level," he said softly. "I obtained his eyes. My Gift from the Sixth Ring was the Red King Eyes."

A spark of understanding flickered through Cain's mind.

The Red King was still a mystery to him, and he did not really know anything about him. Yet if that man had created this Sacred Dimension, his power must have surpassed comprehension, perhaps even reaching beyond the Third Realm.

"I need you to give me an opening," the Crimson Exarch said suddenly, his tone sharpening. "I have to land a clean shot. If it hits his head, we win."

Cain stared at him, skepticism flickering across his face. The Overseer was beyond powerful, a being whose mastery of the Flow defied logic. The idea that a single attack could end the fight seemed absurd.

The Crimson Exarch caught the doubt in his eyes but didn't waver. His attention remained locked on the Overseer.

"Just give me the opening," he said quietly. "I'll show you. But understand this, we only get one shot. If he Diverts or Redirects it… we lose everything."

Cain was silent for a long moment. He didn't trust the Crimson Exarch, yet if there was even the slightest chance to win, he had no choice but to take it.

Finally, he nodded.

The Overseer's voice echoed once more, calm and unwavering as he resumed his sacred duty.

"Challenger cultivation base: Middle Archdeity."

His aura shifted, lowering until it matched Cain's own. Even faced with two beings, he adjusted only to a single rank — as if acknowledging their unity.

"Defeat me, and you will advance to the Eighth Ring.

The battle will not end until you defeat me, retreat behind the force wall, or perish.

The duel will begin in one minute… or upon your first strike."

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