The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order

Chapter 2326: Unleashing the mask

Ideonus could not hide the shock in his eyes when he saw Cain trigger Asura Form. It did not possess the obsidian enhancement abilities unique to his lineage, yet there was no doubt it shared the same fundamental properties when it came to energy flow and speed. The power surged through Cain’s body in violent waves, his presence growing sharper and more oppressive by the second.

Even so, Ideonus did not slow down.

The native continued striking without hesitation, his movements precise and relentless. The speed of their exchange climbed to a shocking level, snow and shattered ice blasting outward with every collision.

Cain was able to keep pace, but the obsidian enhancement granted Ideonus a subtle yet critical edge. It allowed him to resist the destructive force of Sky Devourer more effectively, preventing Cain from overwhelming him outright.

After blocking a strike from Sky Devourer with his invisible sword, Ideonus twisted his body mid-motion. Obsidian energy surged into his leg, compressing and hardening it to an extreme degree. The next instant, he unleashed a devastating kick straight into Cain’s chest.

The sound of breaking bones echoed across the snowy field.

Cain’s body was blasted backward, slamming violently into the ice wall. Massive chunks of frozen crystal exploded outward as cracks spiderwebbed across its surface. Pain rippled through every inch of Cain’s body, his internal organs trembling under the force of the blow.

But Ideonus did not relent.

He leapt forward, appearing in front of Cain in an instant, and brought his sword down in a crushing strike. Cain barely managed to raise Sky Devourer in time. The clash saved him from being cleaved apart, but the sheer force still sent him crashing through the ice wall, tearing flesh and muscle as he plowed into the frozen ground beyond.

Ideonus followed immediately, diving downward with the clear intent to crush Cain’s body before he could regenerate.

Yet just as he reached the edge of the crater, a burst of destructive essence manifested—so immense that it made the air itself tremble.

Before the native could fully comprehend what was happening, Sky Devourer flashed upward toward him, radiating a killing power so dense that his instincts screamed in warning. Ideonus barely managed to block the strike. His arm trembled violently, bones cracking under the pressure as he was blasted across the snowy field.

Blood leaked from the corner of his mouth.

The internal damage shocked him. His obsidian flesh did not merely coat his exterior—it reinforced his internal organs as well. The fact that Cain’s attack had still caused such harm was deeply unsettling.

”Had it landed point-blank, my life could have been in danger,” Ideonus realized grimly.

His gaze snapped back to Cain. Bone spikes had emerged from Cain’s elbows and knees, while jagged bone armor now covered his hands and forearms. Though Ideonus did not fully understand the nature of the transformation, it was obvious that it had drastically enhanced Cain’s strength and destructive energy.

Cain’s eyes were cold as he triggered Doomsday Incarnation. His grip tightened around Sky Devourer, and he launched forward like a dark scarlet comet, tearing through the battlefield.

Ideonus was immediately overwhelmed.

Cain’s speed and strength surged to terrifying levels, far surpassing what they had been moments earlier. Wounds began to appear across Ideonus’s body as Cain pressed the attack without mercy or hesitation. His strikes were ruthless, precise, and filled with pure killing intent.

The native had shown no restraint—why should Cain?

If given the chance, Cain would send Ideonus to the Scarlet Throne and devour his memories. Doing so would make the journey ahead far easier, granting insight into Origin Island and its inhabitants.

Ideonus clenched his teeth as he was driven backward by the overwhelming power of the Scarlet King. He leapt several meters away and fired a massive blast of obsidian energy, engulfing Cain’s figure completely.

For a brief moment, Ideonus thought he had gained breathing room.

The next second, Cain tore through the blast.

Using Imperium Dream, he cut the obsidian energy apart as if it were cloth, emerging from within it unscathed. He appeared directly before Ideonus, Sky Devourer blazing with scarlet flames. The sword cut through flesh, sending Ideonus flying into the distance, his body engulfed in burning energy.

It took Ideonus several seconds to regain control over his body. Even then, the scarlet flames clung to him, gnawing at his flesh. Cain watched calmly, suppressing his emotions as he analyzed the situation.

”I can defeat him,” Cain thought. ”But if I devour his mind, the people around him will become my enemies.”

As that thought crossed his mind, Ideonus rose from the ground with a small smile. He seemed indifferent to the flames flooding through his body, his violet eyes locked onto Cain with cold determination.

”This fight is just beginning,” Ideonus said.

He raised his right hand to his face. The energy around it grew rapidly, becoming so intense that Cain instinctively tightened his grip on Sky Devourer. Under Cain’s shocked gaze, Ideonus drove his fingers into his own face, gripping something unseen before tearing it free.

An obsidian mask emerged.

The mask covered Ideonus’s face completely, leaving only his violet eyes exposed.

”ARGHHH!” Ideonus roared as obsidian energy exploded from his body, his aura surging higher and higher.

Cain was shocked by the sudden burst of power brought forth by the mask. There was no time to analyze it further. Ideonus lunged forward with greater speed and strength than ever before.

Cain responded instantly, meeting him head-on with Sky Devourer.

Their swords collided, releasing massive waves of scarlet fire and obsidian energy in all directions. The ground cracked beneath them as the two clashed, teeth clenched and eyes blazing with power. Both pushed forward relentlessly, pouring more and more strength into the struggle.

Cain’s power had been steadily rising since the moment he entered Origin Island. The energy he absorbed from the island itself, combined with the vitality he devoured from Abominations and Masked Insects through the Scarlet Throne, had elevated him far beyond his former limits.

Yet even with all that, he was being pushed back.

His feet carved deep trenches into the ground as he struggled to maintain his footing. Finally, he lost stability entirely and was blasted once more into the ice wall. Before he could recover, Ideonus unleashed a massive blast of obsidian energy in his direction, engulfing Cain’s entire figure in the next instant.