The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order Chapter 2326 Unleashing the mask

Shock was visible in the eyes of Ideonus as he watched Cain activate his Asura Form. Although it lacked the obsidian augmentation unique to his own bloodline, there was no mistaking the identical core principles regarding speed and the flow of energy. Violent surges of power pulsed through Cain’s frame, causing his presence to become increasingly sharp and suffocating with every passing heartbeat.

Despite this transformation, Ideonus did not falter.

The native warrior pressed his assault without a moment's pause, his strikes remaining relentless and pinpoint accurate. The velocity of their clash reached staggering heights, sending sprays of snow and pulverized ice flying into the air with every heavy impact.

Cain managed to keep pace, yet the obsidian enhancement provided Ideonus with a marginal but decisive advantage. It granted him the resilience needed to withstand the catastrophic force of Sky Devourer, stopping Cain from seizing total control of the engagement.

Ideonus parried a blow from Sky Devourer using his invisible blade before twisting his body mid-air. Obsidian energy flooded into his leg, compressing the muscle until it was as hard as diamond. In a flash, he drove a lethal kick directly into Cain’s sternum. The sickening crack of breaking bone resonated across the frozen wasteland.

Cain was sent flying backward, his body slamming into a wall of ice with immense violence. Massive shards of frozen crystal erupted as spiderweb fractures raced across the surface. Agony flared through Cain’s entire being, his internal organs vibrating from the sheer impact. Ideonus, however, gave him no room to breathe.

Leaping forward, the native appeared before Cain in a heartbeat and swung his sword down in a heavy, crushing arc. Cain barely managed to position Sky Devourer in time to block. While the parry saved him from being split in two, the momentum still drove him through the ice wall, tearing through muscle and skin as he was plowed into the frozen earth on the other side. Ideonus followed him down instantly, diving with the intent to shatter Cain’s body before his regeneration could take effect.

But as he reached the crater's rim, a sudden explosion of destructive essence manifested—a force so massive it made the atmosphere tremble. Before Ideonus could process the shift, Sky Devourer flashed upward, emitting a killing intent so thick that his survival instincts screamed in terror. Ideonus only just managed to intercept the strike. His arm shook violently and bones fractured under the weight of the blow as he was hurled across the snowy field.

A thin trail of blood escaped the corner of his mouth.

The internal injuries he sustained left him stunned. His obsidian flesh wasn't merely a surface coating; it fortified his internal organs as well. The fact that Cain’s strike had bypassed such defenses was deeply alarming.

“If that had hit me directly, I might have died,” Ideonus thought grimly.

He turned his gaze back toward Cain. Sharp bone protrusions had burst from Cain’s knees and elbows, while a jagged layer of bone armor now encased his forearms and hands. Though the exact nature of this change eluded Ideonus, the massive spike in Cain’s physical strength and destructive energy was undeniable.

With cold, predatory eyes, Cain activated his Doomsday Incarnation. He tightened his hold on Sky Devourer and shot forward like a streak of dark scarlet light, carving a path through the battlefield.

Suddenly, Ideonus found himself completely overwhelmed.

Cain’s speed and raw power had ascended to terrifying new levels, dwarfing his previous state. Fresh wounds began to open across Ideonus’s body as Cain unleashed a merciless, unceasing barrage. Each strike was cold, calculated, and saturated with pure murderous intent.

Since the native had shown no mercy, why should Cain?

If the opportunity arose, Cain intended to send Ideonus to the Scarlet Throne and consume his memories. Such a feat would simplify his journey by providing vital knowledge about Origin Island and its people.

Ideonus gritted his teeth, forced backward by the crushing might of the Scarlet King. He leaped several meters back to create distance and unleashed a colossal wave of obsidian energy, completely swallowing Cain’s silhouette.

For a fleeting moment, Ideonus believed he had found a reprieve.

A second later, Cain ripped through the energy blast.

Utilizing Imperium Dream, he shredded the obsidian energy as if it were mere fabric, stepping out from the wreckage unharmed. He materialized right in front of Ideonus, Sky Devourer wreathed in roaring scarlet flames. The blade bit deep into flesh, launching Ideonus into the distance as his body was consumed by the burning heat.

It took several moments for Ideonus to stabilize himself. Even then, the scarlet fire continued to cling to his skin, eating away at his flesh. Cain watched the scene with a calm, analytical mind, keeping his emotions in check.

“Defeating him is within my power,” Cain mused. “However, if I consume his mind, I will make enemies of everyone associated with him.”

As that realization took hold, Ideonus stood up, a faint smile playing on his lips. He seemed completely unbothered by the flames ravaging his body, his violet eyes fixed on Cain with icy resolve.

“The real battle is only starting,” Ideonus declared.

He brought his right hand up to his face. The energy swirling around him intensified rapidly, becoming so volatile that Cain’s grip on Sky Devourer tightened instinctively. To Cain’s astonishment, Ideonus plunged his fingers into his own face, grasping something invisible before ripping it outward.

A mask made of obsidian appeared.

The mask settled over Ideonus’s features, hiding everything but his glowing violet eyes.

“ARGHHH!” Ideonus let out a primal roar as obsidian energy detonated from his form, his aura skyrocketing to new heights.

Cain was startled by the immense power surge granted by the mask. There was no time for observation, as Ideonus charged forward with more speed and ferocity than ever before.

Cain reacted instantly, meeting the charge head-on with Sky Devourer.

Their weapons clashed, sending massive ripples of obsidian energy and scarlet fire in every direction. The earth split beneath them as they locked in a stalemate, eyes burning with power and teeth bared. Both combatants pushed themselves to the limit, pouring every ounce of strength into the struggle.

Cain’s power had been on a steady rise since his arrival on Origin Island. The energy drawn from the island itself, combined with the life force harvested from Masked Insects and Abominations via the Scarlet Throne, had pushed him far beyond his old boundaries.

Yet, despite his growth, he was being forced back.

His boots carved deep furrows into the ground as he fought to stay upright. Eventually, his balance broke, and he was sent crashing into the ice wall once more. Before he could regain his footing, Ideonus fired a massive concentrated blast of obsidian energy, drowning Cain’s entire body in darkness.