[Pratik]: Your tricks won't work any longer.
Crocus' Dark Energy wavelengths had been analysed.
Now, Pratik could neutralize the anti-healing effects.
Within seconds, his wounds began closing.
Every injury healed… except one.
A thin slash across his forehead.
A mark left by Wedgermio long ago—back when Pratik had no healing, no range shiftlings.
Just raw struggle.
Crocus' expression turned bitter.
He needed to end this quickly.
Ardhrasar needed time.
[Crocus]: Seems like I'll have to eliminate you using brute force.
Crocus transformed.
A massive dragon erupted into existence, his roar echoing through the void of Shadow Lord.
Pratik formed his magic hammer, coating it with Dark Energy Reserves.
He lunged.
Midway—
[Pratik]: Range Shiftling, Amplification.
His speed surged.
His attack power spiked.
The hammer met Crocus' dragon breath—
BOOM.
A massive shockwave exploded outward, launching Pratik away.
Crocus' wings ignited.
Another roar.
A sea of flames burst outward, charging at Pratik at supersonic speed.
Pratik widened the distance—but it didn't matter.
The flames kept closing in.
So he did the only thing left—
He took it head-on.
Dark Energy coating activated.
Bad move.
These flames weren't normal.
They burned through his coating.
Crocus dropped back into Dragoling form and punched straight through the weakened defense.
Now—
It was a pure brawl.
Pratik struggled.
He always did in close combat.
Even with amplification, Crocus' movements were overwhelming.
[Pratik]: Town Enact.
The void trembled.
Then—
It changed.
Buildings rose from nothing.
Skyscrapers, monuments, entire city blocks formed instantly.
A complete urban battlefield.
Crocus paused—
Just for a moment.
That was enough.
Pratik vanished into the city.
He ran through narrow streets, compressing his Dark Energy output, masking his presence.
Thinking.
Planning.
Surviving.
Then—
A sound.
Like an engine roaring.
BOOM.
Half the city vanished.
Dragon breath.
Crocus was back in dragon form, flying above, raining destruction.
Another blast landed near Pratik.
Severe burns.
Pratik healed instantly, amplifying recovery.
The impact still sent him flying.
Crocus landed beside him, shifting forms.
[Crocus]: Wasn't that early?
[Pratik]: Huff… I hate to admit it.
(pause)
"…But this whole sequence gave me an idea."
Pratik stretched.
Jumped lightly.
Warmed up.
Crocus frowned.
What is this kid—
[Pratik]: Trigger 1, Acceleration.
Dark steam burst from his body.
And—
He vanished.
Crocus reacted instantly—
Too late.
A deep slash appeared across his waist.
[Pratik]: Oops. Missed the spot.
He reappeared behind him.
[Pratik]: Even with this speed… control's still trash.
Gone again.
Another slash.
Then another.
Then dozens.
Crocus narrowed his eyes.
(Crocus thinking): A mid-battle evolution… impressive. But unstable. He can't control his trajectory.
Pratik appeared again at a distance.
(Pratik thinking): This sucks. Speed's insane… accuracy's garbage. And I don't know how long I can maintain this.
He dashed again.
Crocus calmly chanted.
White foam began spreading around him.
Expanding.
Covering the battlefield.
Pratik charged—
And vanished.
(Pratik thinking): Pre-set teleportation…? No. The foam tracks me. The moment I enter range, he auto-shifts.
He backed out immediately.
Trigger shut down.
The steam faded.
Pratik dropped to one knee.
Breathing heavily.
And then—
The foam spread faster.
Crocus shifted to dragon form again.
His wings beat violently, accelerating everything.
The roar returned—
Loud.
Piercing.
Like a high-pitched engine tearing reality apart.
Purple lightning rained down.
The Shadow Lord dimension trembled under the pressure.
(Pratik thinking): This is bad… really bad.
(pause)
…Wow. I'm thinking about life mid-fight. Did I just become a philosopher?
(pause)
Yeah, no. I'm cooked.
The shockwaves intensified.
Crocus stared down.
At a small figure.
Walking toward him.
Slowly.
Calmly.
Maybe surrendering.
Or maybe not.
Pratik kept walking.
No fear.
No hesitation.
Lightning crashed around him.
This next move—
Would decide everything.
[Pratik]: Trigger 2… Density.
To be continued…
---
EXTRAS
Ranking System:
Z > W > S > A > B > C > D
Top Range Shiftlings (Known):
1) Zeroth Dimension (ZZZ+ Tier) — Krishna
2) Vow Exchange (WWW+ Tier) — Arun
3) Hell Unleash (WWW Tier) — Kae
4) Soul World (WW+ Tier) — Gomo Taka
5) Hyper Gravitons (W Tier) — Nayaka
If compared to them, Pratik's range shiftling would be placed under S Tier.