"What… is this?" thought David. His attack hadn't reached Astra.
"What kind of trick…" he wondered, quickly stepping back toward Xyng, trying to catch his breath.
Astra stood calmly, eyes cold and calculating.
"His strike… almost shattered my Absolute Defense. A technique that can withstand even high-tier attacks. My demonic orb is still recharging…"
He narrowed his eyes.
"Well then. Let's see. It's almost time to move to the next stage."
Absolute Defense — Astra's technique capable of protecting him from those a whole rank above his own. Anyone weaker would need to burn through a massive amount of energy just to scratch the barrier.
David prepared to strike again, but Xyng's voice stopped him.
"Brother… look at me."
David turned. Xyng's eyes were filled with sadness.
"What is it?" David asked.
"Why can't you enter the state of flow? Are you unsure of yourself? Or are you simply angry because they hurt our friends?"
Xyng took a step forward.
"Anger is a powerful thing. It makes us stronger — but it also blinds us. Listen to me, as a brother and a friend.
Don't let rage consume you. Every motion, every breath — it should be one with your mind. Do you understand?"
Hearing those words, David smiled faintly. Removing his blindfold, he looked at Xyng with his black eyes and said softly:
"Thank you. I understand now. You brought me back."
The demon stood not far away, waiting for his techniques to recharge.
David turned his gaze toward Astra and thought,
"With one strike… I'll enter the flow. I can do this. I will do this."
His eyes sharpened with focus. Astra frowned.
"What kind of concentration… is this?"
The next instant, David dashed forward — so fast the air itself trembled. The demon barely managed to think:
"I need to dodge—!"
But it was too late.
David's fist slammed into Astra's stomach. The shockwave exploded outward; his right arm was wrapped in dark energy. The barrier cracked, split, and then — shattered completely.
Both of them screamed:
"GRAAAH!"
Astra was hurled back, smashing through trees as he flew dozens of meters away.
Xyng, watching this, broke into a wide grin and laughed madly:
"Ahahaha! Excellent! Wonderful! You did it — you entered the flow!"
David stood, looking up at the sky.
"What… is this feeling? Why do I feel like this? Damn… it feels amazing!" he said with a wild smile.
Turning back to the demon, he added,
"Hahaha… damn, I feel so fucking good! I want to keep fighting!"
Xyng looked at him thoughtfully.
"The One-Strike Flow State… when you enter it, even for a split second, your strength multiplies by more than two hundred percent. All your techniques recover, and your energy comprehension doubles.
But the downside — overwhelming arrogance."
He sighed, watching David tremble from the overflow of power.
Stepping closer, he placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Brother, calm yourself. I know the feeling. Control it."
David's eyes blazed with madness.
"Calm down? How can I calm down at a moment like this? No! I'll crush everything that stands in my way!"
Xyng frowned.
"Hmph… he's already entered the second stage — Arrogance. Not good."
At that moment, Astra appeared again, holding his head.
"You hit me pretty damn hard, kid… even broke my Absolute Defense. But why are you looking at me like that? What's that arrogance in your eyes? You think I'm beneath you?"
David gave him a cold look.
"Don't talk shit."
Xyng stepped forward.
"Brother, if that's the case, let's fight together — as one. Are you ready?"
David smirked.
"Even if I'm arrogant, I'm not stupid enough to lose control. Let's do it. Together."
"Then let's begin," said Xyng.
And both — he and David — charged straight at Astra, who had already restored his techniques.
Astra grinned.
"Come then…"