While Soma was making his way towards the First Prison of Hell, Kuro and Dai were engaged in bitter training. They were pushing themselves to the limit by utilizing all of their strongest techniques against each other.

“I won’t hold back Dai!”

“Neither will I, Kuro!”

Kuro started off with an appetizer attack.

“Pegasus! Syu Sei Ken!”

Dai answered with his own move.

“Earth Strash!”

The two had powered up tremendously on the previous weeks. This allowed even their ordinary attacks and techniques to power-up with their respective rise in Aura and Cosmos. Even though Kuro can move as fast as the speed of light, Dai’s recent power-up of receiving the Mother Dragon’s Blessing allowed him to keep up with the former.

Kuro performed a feint with his Sagittarius Bow, but Dai managed to find out in time. Dai countered with his own faint via his Dagger, and Kuro was able to identify it as well. As of the moment, the two were evenly match.

“Cheiron’s Light Impulse!”

“Avan Strash!”

“Cheiron’s Dark Impulse!”

“Sky Slash!”

“Cosmos Infusion! Yang God Slaying Arrow!”

“Ultimate Dragon Crest! Gigadein Infusion! Gigabreak Strash!”

The two were unleashing all of their ultimate techniques at the same time. The barrier placed by Pop and strengthened by the other members of the Yin Yang Corps could barely contain the power that the two were releasing during their fight.

“At this rate, our Mana and Cosmos will dry up while those two will still continue to fight!”

“What strong cosmos! I simply cannot imagine Kuro’s power once he is able to balance his Yin and Yang cosmos to the limit.”

“Dai has gotten extremely powerful after the Mother Dragon’s Blessing. I think he can handle Hadlar with ease now.’

Even when powered by Minakatoru, Pop’s barrier was slowly being eroded away by the clashing Draconic Aura and Yin/Yang Cosmos of the combatants. After the time it takes for an incense to burn, the two were still at it. Both of them were also able to invent new attacks that transcend the old ones.

“Draura Infusion!”

“Gigadein Infusion!”

“Merazoma Infusion!”

“Minakatoru!”

“Ultimate Sky Wave Avan Strash!”

A huge slash containing the powers of Dragon Aura, Merazoma and Gigadein were magnified 5 times by the Minakatoru spell. Dai directed it towards Kuro as his ultimate attack. Kuro responded in kind.

“Yang Cosmos Infusion!”

“Yin Cosmos Infusion!”

“Yin Yang Symbol Coalesce!”

This was Kuro’s first attempt to combine his Yin and Yang Cosmos’ into his God Slaying Arrow.

“Ultimate Yin Yang God Slaying Arrow!”

A vortex half golden and half black can be found rotating around the GSA shot out by Kuro. In half a breath’s time the two ultimate attacks met. A huge explosion comparable to a fully powered Nuclear Bomb created a huge mushroom cloud that penetrated the stratosphere. Different elements of Fire, Lightning, Dragon Aura, Yin Cosmos and Yang Cosmos can be found in a ten thousand feet radius of the attacks.

After the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, the explosions subsided. Two figures, both battered and without energy can be seen panting for their breaths. Kuro was kneeling on one knee while Dai was on both knees. Both the Gold Saint and the Dragon Hero found themselves devoid of any physical and mental power.

“I must admit Kuro, you are extremely powerful.”

“The only downside is that after your ultimate attack, you will be in a weakened state.”

“The same can be said of you, Dai.”

“With your recent power-up, I was unsure if I could defeat you even with my last attack.”

“It seems that we can call this a draw.”

“Agreed.”

Both men dropped on their backs and laid on the ground. After a couple of breaths both of them fell asleep due to the extreme exhaustion of their powers.

“Levitation!”

“Let’s go back to the Imperial Castle!”

“We can all get sufficient rest there.”

Pop used his simple levitation spell to carry the two unconscious men without any effort. It has now been nearly a week and The Combined Army of Athena, World Guild Heroes, Forces of the Church and Vampire Hunters should be arriving soon. Several preparations have been made to ensure that the Imperial Castle will be defended at all costs in order to bring the Whole Army via the Teleportation Spell of Avan. Even Leona’s father, the Imperial King, is willing to use all of his blood essence in order to ensure that the Imperial Barrier will not be breached.

Around the Imperial Castle, numerous fortifications can be seen. The other members of the 2 Divisions of the Yin Yang Corps present could be seen going around strengthening the fortifications with spells, blessings and traps. A fresh batch of Steel Saints arrived just in time in order to make up for the deficiency in man power. Numerous wanderer adventurers, magicians, healers and heroes could also be seen helping out.

By now, most of the young and old people have been safely evacuated into the Imperial Castle. The only ones remaining outside are the ones who chose to fight. They recent deaths of the village caused by Hadlar and Flazzard were still fresh on everyone’s mind. As such, the strong willed residents of the Imperial Kingdom vowed to themselves that it won’t happen again.

With the aid of healing spells, Kuro and Dai were able to wake up after the time it takes for half an incense to burn. They both immediately got into meditative poses in order to recover their lost Cosmos and Dragon Aura with the aid of potions.

Several notifications rang on both their minds.

“Ding!”

“You have initially mastered the Yin Yang Cosmos Combination.”

“You have initially mastered the infusion of the Yin Yang Cosmos into the God Slaying Arrow.”

“Proficiency in both Yin and Yang Cosmos has increased!”

“Proficiency at 10%!”

“You have initially mastered the Dragon Aura in your body.”

“You have initially mastered the infusion of the Dragon Aura in your Dragon Crest.”

“Proficiency in Dragon Aura has increased!”

“Proficiency at 10%!”