Eron arrived at the battlefield and frowned, glancing at the three figures standing in the center.
"Tch... figures. That guy again."
Eron muttered as his gaze settled on Zain.
"The arrogant brat who passed the combat trial way too easily. Looks like he's trying to steal all the glory again."
He stepped forward with crackling confidence.
Flicker noticed first. "Huh? Who the hell's this punk? Another hero brat?"
Skritch frowned. "Did we invite another clown to the party or something?"
Eron casually rolled his shoulders, smirking as lightning danced along his arms.
"You're looking at the next big thing. Name's Eron—get used to it. I'm the one who'll be putting you freaks down today."
Flicker blinked, confused for a second, then turned toward Zain with a sneer.
"This your backup dancer or what?"
Zain tilted his head with a shrug. "Don't know him."
Eron's face twisted in irritation.
"Hey! Don't ignore me like that, you bastards!"
Flicker's grin vanished. "Tch. You've got a big mouth. Fine—you die first!"
SWIP
Flicker instantly flung three fingertips toward Eron.
Eron's eyes widened slightly.
He didn't know exactly what their abilities were, but his instincts screamed danger.
"Not happening."
With a snap of his wrist, Eron unfurled a steel whip from his side.
Electricity surged from his palm, running through the metal.
CRACK—CRACK—CRACK!
In one fluid motion, he snapped the whip mid-air, striking each fingertip projectile with pinpoint precision.
They burst apart before making contact, the thunder-infused steel crackling as sparks exploded outward.
Flicker reeled back slightly, startled.
"The hell—? He deflected them?!"
Eron spun the whip once more, pointing the electrified tip toward the two villains.
"I'm not here to play sidekick. I'm here to steal the damn show."
He turned his head slightly, glancing at Zain with a smug expression.
"So why don't you step back, Heavenly Demon. Let a real hero handle this."
Zain raised his eyebrow, then casually brushed some dust off his coat.
Without a word, he looked around, found a half-shattered concrete block nearby, and sat down.
"Hm? Oh, sure. Go ahead."
Zain said flatly, waving him off.
"Do your thing. Steal the spotlight. I'll just enjoy the show."
Eron blinked. "Wait… seriously? You're just gonna sit there?"
Zain leaned back slightly. "You wanted the stage. I'm just being polite."
Flicker and Skritch exchanged glances, a little thrown off.
"What the hell's going on here? Are they taking turns?" Skritch muttered.
"I don't know, but I'm getting real tired of being treated like warm-up practice," Flicker growled.
Eron pointed the whip at them, smirking confidently.
"Don't worry. You won't have to worry about warm-ups when you're both face-down on the ground."
Zain gave a low chuckle from the side.
"...He's going to get his ass kicked."
He muttered under his breath, smiling faintly as he crossed his arms.
---
Skritch cracked his neck, annoyed.
"Alright, if this clown wants to be first, I'll break his legs before he finishes his next sentence."
"No, no—he's mine!"
Flicker snapped, his hands twitching violently.
He launched more of his fingertips in rapid-fire succession.
"Let's see how long he can dance!"
Zzzrrtt—!
Eron's whip lit up again, lightning arcing down its length.
He twisted his body, snap!
His arm lashed out in perfect rhythm. The whip cracked three times in quick succession.
CRACK–CRACK–CRACK!
The flying fingertips projectiles exploded harmlessly in midair.
"You really don't learn, huh? Try something new!"
Eron shouted, grinning as he surged forward.
He rushed Flicker with his fist crackling in thunder.
Flicker raised his arms, trying to shield himself—but too slow.
BOOM!
Eron's Thunder Punch slammed into Flicker's gut, sending the gangly enforcer flying backward.
Sparks jolted through his body as he crashed into a wall with a grunt.
Skritch's eyes widened.
"Tch. Okay, you got one clean shot. But let's see how you handle me!"
He vanished with Quick Step, reappearing beside Eron and immediately spinning into a fierce Spinning Kick.
Eron raised his arm to block—BAM!
The impact knocked him sideways, dragging his boots across the dirt.
"Gnh—! Damn, your legs hit like a freight train."
Eron winced, sliding to a stop.
Skritch landed smoothly and pointed at him.
"Told you, brat. You're not stealing anyone's spotlight today."
Eron wiped blood from the corner of his mouth and smiled.
"Good. I'd be disappointed if you broke after one hit."
From his seat, Zain raised an eyebrow.
"Not bad... he's actually holding his own. For now."
He leaned forward slightly, curious.
"But let's see how long that confidence lasts."
---
Skritch narrowed his eyes, cracking his knuckles.
"Alright, hotshot—let's take this up a level."
He glanced over his shoulder and spotted a half-buried wrecked delivery truck in rubble.
With a burst of Quick Step, he darted behind it and slammed his heel into the bumper.
Hard Kick and Spinning Kick were combining into one brutal kick.
CRRRRREEEAAAAKK—!
The ruined truck screeched as it tore loose and barreled toward Eron.
Eron's eyes widened.
"You've gotta be kidding me!"
Thankfully, the truck was huge and not moving fast, making it easy to dodge.
After dodging to the left, Eron snapped his whip forward at Skritch.
The crackling steel line soon wrapped around Skritch's ankle.
ZZZZZTTTT—!
Lightning surged down the whip, electrocuting Skritch in a surge of raw energy.
Skritch gritted his teeth, smoke rising from his skin, but—
He held on.
"You think I can't handle a little zap?!"
With a roar, Skritch spun on his grounded leg and swung the one entangled by the whip.
He used Eron like a counterweight. The force ripped Eron off his feet and yanked him straight into the air.
As Eron was mid-air, the disoriented and bloodied Flicker had recovered a bit.
He chuckled and grinned as he pulled three fingertips loose again, flinging them to Eron.
"SURPRISE, bitch!"
THWIP—THWIP—THWIP!
The three detached fingertips embedded themselves into Eron's chest and face.
Zain's eyes widened slightly.
"Tch. That's bad."
BOOM—BOOM—BOOM!!!
The Impact Tags detonated in a tight triple burst.
Smoke and flame burst outward and when they were gone—
Eron's body dropped to the ground like a broken doll, his limbs sprawled and face scorched.
He was unconscious, knocked out cold in a single coordinated strike.
Skritch panted and cracked his neck.
"Guess that's what happens when you try to play hero."
Flicker wiped blood from his lip, still twitching.
"You still watching, fire-boy? You're next."
Zain stood up slowly, eyes calm.
"...Took you long enough."