Next morning, Lass finally got up with Ikarisa by his side, for once not having to worry about her whereabouts. When he finally left the bed, he had spotted yet another message directed to their room. This time from none other than the general herself.

'Hey kiddo. Sorry if I surprised you by finding your hotel room but thanks to my connections and you being an all time star thanks to the tournament it was pretty easy. Listen I'm not gonna drag ass this message a lot and I'll just get straight into the point. You probably don't have what it takes for the tournament finals so I'm gonna cut you a deal. Enter the first match today and just surrender on the spot and I'll give you 250k Merits and a goodbye kiss. Please just do so and avoid hurting yourself. Heista.'

He was both surprised and angered at the same moment. If he truly didn't possess the skills to make it to the finals and win then was all of this for nothing? Was he just a small town boy with big dreams? Thankfully the little moving bundle motivation had heard him reading the message.

"Don't you dare! Lass, you have gotten this far and risked so much! You'd be a dummy to give it all up now just because of a message of some random lady we found on the streets yesterday! You're going and that's final!"

With that and a sparkling look in her eyes it was more than enough to make Lass want to get up and give it his all. He lift himself up, thanking Ikarisa, before they both realized that he had, yet again, been late. They barely made it in time for the provocative announcer to make comments on their situation.

"Hey-hey village boy what happened?! You got stuck in bed sleeping it out or what?!", the announcer eagerly said.

"Just...just start the thing please. I'm in no mood to deal with the likes of you.", Lass scoffed at the announcer.

"Oh being a little grumpy today as well I see? Very well then. Ladies-"

Before he could finish his sentence and start the match someone walked in the arena that was highly unexpected.

"Cut it out Assimore I wanna do something first.", Heista said as she cut in.

"Wait, wait a minute. The announcers name is Assimore?", Lass said, containing his laughter.

"God dammit Heista! Once again you're trying to ruin my awesome and robust public image!", Assimore cried in despair.

"Yea-yea whatever asshole. I just need a minute so back off and do something else ‘till I'm done!", Heista replied with a powerful look on her face"

With that she turned around and looked at Lass.

"So...I guess that your greed wouldn't let you get away with a fourth of the price, huh? You wanted it all?", Heista asked.

"Just who the hell do you think I am? I'll admit I did start this cause we came broke to Reingard but I'm not doing it for that anymore. I'm keeping up because I have to prove to both myself and morons such as you...I'll not be defeated so easily. Even though this is all new to me, both my abilities and power. I will not lose.", Lass said with a fire in his eyes.

"Good one! Fighting a battle where you yourself don't know your powers and limits! I myself don't know where that determinant attitude came from...but I'll be honest. I kinda like it! Now then, I shall be all the way up there in the VIP seats watching your ass get kicked. But please even if you do get your ass kicked just try not to get it kicked too much. We wouldn't want you to get hurt too much right kiddo?

"Say that one more time and you'll be the next to face me. No matter how much you flex your muscles and power at me...I won't budge. No matter their size.", Lass said as he took out his sword.

With that she left up for the seats. Lass struggled as he wandered how someone with her attitude could be a VIP or a noble to have such a seat to begin with. But he couldn't dwell on it for long. He then shrugged off her words and focused on the target. Thankfully for him, the announcer had lost his cheerfulness which was music to Lass's ears.

"Alright now that we got that out of the way let's just begin...village boy versus Rafgo or whatever.", Assimore said in a dull, uninterested way.

"Sure then Mr. Ass, I'll give the people a good show.", Lass said with a smug.

“Oh really mature, what are you, 6?! Coming out of a guy who’s name is also L-Ass, it’s precious!”

”At least I start with something else other than my Ass.”, Lass came back.

“Ohut it village boy! It's Simore for short!", Assimore said, obviously annoyed. "This revelation will be detrimental to my follower count on all social media platforms...my attractive full-of-mystery guy persona is ruined!", he whispered.

"Vengeance is served dead cold for you, you annoying little shit. Been waiting for a chance like this since the tournament started. Off you go.", Lass smiled as he waved his hand away from the announcer.

With that Lass turned around and faced his opponent suddenly realizing that he should've been out of here long time ago...but he seemed...different.

"Wait a minute, what? Didn't I pulverize your face last time? How are you back?", Lass asked.

"You bastard! Thanks to all those idiots being hurt last time in the monster attack the casualties where too much and there had to be a draft to make at least the final round and I was drafted. Thanks to you I was humiliated...my pride! Thanks to you my life is ruined. And now...now you'll pay me back with yours!", Rafgo screamed.

"Such high rise of intellect within a timeframe like this. This isn't at right at all.", Lass said, taking his stance and preparing for the worse.

With that, Rafgo jumped right at Lass this time with a fierce charge and a clear intent for killing.

"Hap!", Lass swiftly blocked Rafgo's attack, coming face to face with him. "What the hell is this?! You where never this strong nor intelligent! What did you do?!"

"This...this is how revenge can fuel you. So feel it. Feel my revenge!"

"I might actually have to retract my previews statement of intelligence. Well at least he can talk so that's a minor improvement.", Lass scoffed.

He managed to knock Lass out of his stance grabbing and tossing him to the other side of the arena. He then glared at Heista and as she had gotten out of her seat. Clearly both Lass and her knew something was not right...but she couldn't do a thing. She just was paralyzed and forced to watch.

Rafgo then jumped straight at Lass again trying to mercilessly stab him but that time, he saw his face up close again. He saw his eyes...scarlet red. Something was seriously wrong. As he grabbed Lass and launched him back to the other side again, he saw his waist. Rafgo had that black, malevolent looking, glowing rock around his belt. He had hid it too well for others to see besides up close...but what he said next. It sealed Rafgo's fate almost immediately.

"So how does it feel?! Being destroyed by the one you looked down upon?! And no I won't end it with you...after I'm done I'll hunt down that little Wolven friend of yours and I'll rip her tail apart before killing her too. And that little shy moron you escort all the time...I'll slaughter her. I'll make sure her last seconds on Riza are the most painful that can be! Now die!”

"W-What?! I...I won't.", Lass said as he paused, grabbing his head from the momentary pain.

"Tsk. So insignificant. Come on already...you know you want this, let me at 'em.", the voice inside Lass echoed.

"Hahah. He is all yours. Go for it.", Lass chuckled, placing a smile on his face and letting go of his control.

Something at that moment...made him snap. Lass felt an unbelievable hatred grow within him. Overwhelmed by the sheer rush of emotion he completely lost control of his body. He almost fainted, but he managed to keep himself together, thanks to "him", shifting the way he looked in the process. Still the rage had completely took over.

"My oh my me. Finally a clear shift. Been a while. Now...", 'Lass' said as he pointed his sword menacingly with a smile at Rafgo. "I'll make sure that shitty pride of yours is the sole reason for your final moments to be amongst the worst to be felt by mere mortal bugs. Let us begin.", he said as he menacingly approached with a mad laugh, spreading his arms as if he where to hug Rafgo.

He couldn't hold on to anything...it felt as if he was erased from this world. As if he was just gone. And someone else had taken his place and body.

"Kill! Destroy!", Rafgo screamed as he smashed the ground

He could see everything. He could hear everything. He could even feel his every emotion...and hear every single thought. But he could only watch like he was far away...paralyzed and unable to move. 'Lass' hit Rafgo way too many times and it was clear that he was way out of his league. He could simply not stop. All he was aiming for. All he was thinking...was taking away Rafgo's life. 'He' was getting ready for the finishing blow but then...something even stranger had happened. Lass felt some sort of light...someone reaching out to him. And trying to save him. They momentarily made him stop...and let him take control back.

"Don't give up yet! You can take control back.", the distant voice echoed.

"Hmph. Imbecile. Have you no shame to realize the clear effort of kindness I'm putting to ensure 'our' wellbeing?", 'Lass' replied.

"This is not 'him'. 'He' is hurting.", the voice worryingly said.

'Lass' paused, looking at his body. Horribly bleeding and awfully corrupt and broken, it was clear that it was not just the work of adrenaline indulging 'him' in such a state.

"Hah. How weak. Fine...I'll admit my mistake over the rush of battle, if that makes you feel better. Your turn.", the voice in Lass's head scoffed at the voice in the distance, giving control back to Lass himself.

"Tseh! This took a bigger toll than I expect.", Lass panted.

"Apologies. Now, finish him off while at it. Do not divide yourself with the troubles of morality. This 'thing' is far gone anyway. Show them grace, by granting them death.", the voice in Lass's head scoffed.

Lass then managed to take back control, slamming his sword to the ground and grabbing Rafgo. He still had whatever devilish power came over him. This time slightly weaker, but he was in control. He then snapped Rafgo's entire arm, which was holding his blunt weapon onto. It was through his thick armor. But it still snapped like a twig. Proceeding further, he then grabbed the part of his armor next to his waist that he had implanted the glowing stone on and ripped it clean off. He then succeeded into turning that stone to dust with his own bare hands. It was scary to even come close to thinking that a such a creature possessed such power. Because even if he was in control. That clearly wasn't 'Lass'.

"I don't think...he isn't a monster, still. Too intelligent.", Lass said.

"Oh for the love of the gods. Enough! This ends, here!", the voice inside Lass's head screamed, taking full control of Lass's body.

"Wait!", Lass and the voice in the distance yelped.

"I'll make sure to cherish every single moment of this merciless slaughter. Be grateful. Your blood will be used by none other than me to paint the bigger picture!", the voice inside Lass's head menacingly said as he laughed.

After that 'he' immediately got full control back and it seemed that whatever damage was done on him from all of Rafgo's hits had been completely healed. Lass was...feeling fine. But Rafgo not so much. After he broke the stone, Rafgo was starting to feel dizzy and 'Lass' immediately pushed Rafgo away from him out of pure reaction.

"What the-what is this?", the voice inside Lass said.

"I tried to warn you!", the distant voice said.

"Hmph. Whatever. I'm done here.", the voice inside Lass scoffed as he gave control back.

Rafgo then started vomiting blood...a lot of it. At one moment he stopped, but he was trying to still let it out. Something was clogging his throat. He continued to try. And what followed next, was one of the most gruesome and gory things Lass, and everyone around him had ever had the displeasure of seeing in their life. Rafgo vomited his own heart out of his own body, followed by a large splatter of blood...it was terrifying. And the feeling that went down his spine was indescribable.

His heart was just there...dropped down on the floor. Still fully functional as if nothing had happened. But instead of pumping blood...it pumped some sort of red muck. Lass didn't think twice before grabbing his sword and stabbing the thing until it was done for. Such faith...he wouldn't wish to his worst of enemies.

He had lost all feelings of where he was and what was going on. But then something worse had happened...the entirety of the arena looked up. And then they saw something even more terrifying gliding down. Kalimo...the legendary member of the Frigo race who had lost all his mind and willpower and had instead given in to his primal instincts. He was a total monster that had grown way out of normal proportions. Horribly disfigured at his face as well, with his eyes being both cut due to attempts to take his life and his mouth slit open to the sides from whatever torture he had to endure.

That...beast of a monster dropped into the arena landing on to Rafgo's body squishing it to oblivion. The sight was terrifying...gruesome. So horrible that could fuel nightmares for a lifetime. The entire arena was ordered to evacuate, but the warriors once again stayed there and took their stance...including Lass. Whatever had happened to Rafgo he was sure, it was that "things" fault. And no matter how good or bad both Kalimo and Rafgo once where...they where still warriors. One of them. And Lass was going to avenge, not them, but their now shattered title. They all took their stance but the thing was too strong. Arrows took flight, bullets did too. Still clashed and all put their deepest effort to take it down. But it was to no effect. It's skin had hardened and iron was quick to break. It's breath of fire was enough to melt mountaints whole, took away the lives of those who dared to show resistance in it's way. It was easy for it to just knock every one of them away like they where mere mosquitos to it. Then as the beast was about to take Lass's life Heista jumped in front of him, finally taking action, and blocked the beast with just her giant claymore.

"God dammit kid, get up! I ain't gonna sit around here and save you all the time so just do so!", Heista yelled at Lass.

"I-I can't. What happened...what Rafgo suffered. The sight of it...", Lass hesitated.

"Now don't get all scared and stuff cause if that sword smells your fear you're dead! Now lift yourself up and let's go!"

"B-But I...", he replied, still in shock.

"Huh I see...could work.", Heista whispered. "So this is it? This is how you're gonna protect everyone you love? Pretty damn pathetic if you ask me."

"What?"

"Yea-yea go on and play hero. We all know in the end you're just gonna die like the miserable creature you are. Just another body in the pile.", Heista kept on provoking.

"That's not it...you do not know me.", Lass said as he got up.

"Yea right! You're just gonna sit there and cry all day, it's what you're good at. Much like her. But don't get any ideas cause once that giant dragon kills your friends and that little lover of yours I ain't going to save them, just watch like I did before..."

"Hmm? She is trying to provoke your powers out of you? How uncouth.", the voice inside Lass's head said.

"Since when did you get so active?", the distance voice replied.

"I have my reasons. Lass. I'll show you the true end of power. This entire situation is but a salt to the wound...such a drag on. Use this and finish them all off. A one-sided slaughter would be most enjoyable at the end of it all.", the voice inside Lass's head laughed.

"But if he uses any more of that power than this-", the distance voice said.

"Please. Look around you. You think he has a chance if he doesn't use the powers that are rightfully his?", the voice inside Lass's head replied.

"Dammit...", the distant voice said.

"Alright. This damn brute...now disappear!", Lass yelled as he reused his powers.

Lass then got the same horrible feeling like before. But this time...this time he knew it was for good. He knew he had control. He managed to punch the entire, massive dragon in the air as if it was just a feather.

"Worthless! Away with you.", Lass scoffed at the enemy.

He then proceeded to piecing the beast straight through its chest and out its back. He then did it again, and again, and again. With only thing in mind to erase it's existence...after that everything just stopped. He looked around him for a bit and saw a couple of wounded contenders. All before he started fading out. He almost dropped to the ground before being caught by Heista.

"Huh. Not bad kid...not bad at all. I guess you deserve some rest...I'll get you to the hospital but make sure to be up for it tomorrow at the grand finale against the previous KoK champion. Even if it'll be unofficial after all this rising hell. Would be disappointing if you don't give me a show...after all you ain't all that hurt.", Heista said.

All Lass could see then was the road getting bigger and bigger as they where leaving the arena...and he could do nothing, but stare back at it. Her words calm and she herself collected. Only thing he could do was wonder...who was she, really? For her character was one he had started to remember...