Henry had won the fourth challenge, and since it was worth 3 points, Dakota's group now had a total of 6 points. This meant that the other group could no longer catch up. It was impossible.
Dakota: "Well, looks like we won the fourth challenge... and I'm pretty sure we won the whole challenge too."
The group fell silent, but Andri's face showed a look of concern. After a moment, he spoke.
Andri: "...No, it's not over yet."
Dakota: "Oh? Really? Then what's the next challenge?"
Andri glared at Dakota, his expression hardening.
Andri: "The next challenge is going to be the same as the fourth one, but this time, it will be worth 10 points. And nobody will be helping me. So if I win, my whole group wins."
Hearing that Andri was going to face him alone caused Dakota to stumble backward, but he managed to keep his balance. He couldn't help but ask.
Dakota: "Why are you facing me alone?"
Andri: "Well, that's... you'll see when I fight you. Now, let's go to the strongest and longest magic barrier. We'll finish this challenge once and for all."
Andri was glaring at Dakota, but for some reason, Dakota noticed something strange. It wasn't just anger in Andri's eyes—there was also fear, sadness, and worry. Something was off.
Dakota: "Why does he look like that? Why does he look so scared? If he doesn't want to face me alone, then he should have said so. So why is he still doing this?"
Dakota was suspicious. He couldn't understand why Andri, knowing full well how much stronger he was, would choose to face him alone. His instincts were telling him something bad was going to happen. He felt a nervous tension rising in him, though he still accepted the challenge.
Dakota: "...Fine, I accept. This is the last challenge, right? Let's get this over with."
Andri, despite his shaking hands, managed to smile.
Andri: "I'm glad you accept... But before we begin the final round, I need to talk to my group first."
Dakota: "Me too."
With that, both Dakota and Andri went to their respective groups to ask a few questions before the final round began.
Dakota: "...That guy, he was scared when I accepted his challenge. There was fear, worry, and sadness in his eyes. My feelings are telling me something bad is going to happen."
Henry: "...Hmm. I don't know. The guy surely knows that you're on a whole different level than him, but he still wanted to fight you alone..."
Dakota: "That's what makes it suspicious. Why is he facing me alone? I'm so much stronger than him. This is confusing me, man."
Dakota scratched his head, lost in thought, when Ava spoke up.
Ava: "...Maybe his parents gave him something that makes him a lot stronger?"
Dakota turned to Ava, raising an eyebrow at her suggestion.
Dakota: "Something that makes him stronger, huh? That could be true. Maybe his parents did buy him something like that... But to get on my level or even beat me? There's no way they could find something like that for him."
Ava: "...That's true. There's no way he could still best you, even if he had multiple power-up pills."
Lucas: "She's right. There's no way you're going to lose this challenge, Dakota."
Dakota: "...I don't know. My feelings are still telling me something will happen."
Dakota's feelings had never been wrong before, and this time was no different. The more he thought about it, the more suspicious Andri's behavior seemed. If he were truly facing Dakota with no tricks up his sleeve, then why would his group look so worried? Why would they look like they expected him to die?
Dakota: "I don't know, man. This isn't adding up. There's something off about this whole situation."
Dakota glanced over at Andri and his group. They were huddled together, whispering intensely, and then they hugged Andri as if they were saying their goodbyes. This reaction was more than just concern—it seemed like they believed Andri was walking into a death trap.
Dakota: "What the hell is happening over there? Why do they look so shocked and worried? Is him facing me alone that bad? Nah, no way... They wouldn't be this shocked and worried unless Andri had told them he was going to die or something. But why would he do that? What is he thinking?"
Confused and uneasy, Dakota decided to find out. He started walking over to their group and called out to Andri.
Dakota: "Well then, Andri, are you ready for the final challenge?"
Andri didn't flinch. His face was set, determined.
Andri: "...Yes, I am. Let's go."
Just as they were about to head to the platform, Lana suddenly grabbed Andri's arm, stopping him.
Lana: "Wait, Andri, please don't do this! If you do this, you're going to die!"
Dakota: "What? The hell is he going to do that makes him die?!"
Andri shook his head, gently pulling away from Lana.
Andri: "Don't worry. They're just worried that if I face you alone, I'll die."
Dakota felt a chill run down his spine. He was now more certain than ever that something was off. He wasn't just fighting some overconfident challenger—this felt different.
Dakota: "Should I just cancel the challenge and lose? Nah, let's fight him."
Dakota stared at Andri, trying to read his emotions. He could see a hint of uncertainty, but Andri's eyes were still full of determination.
Dakota: "...Are you sure you want to do this?"
Andri: "...Yes, I'm sure. Now, let's go and start this fight."
Both of them walked to the fighting stage. As they stood on opposite ends of the platform, Dakota glanced over at Andri's group. To his surprise, they were crying, clearly devastated by the situation.
Dakota: "They're crying? Why are they crying for? This is weird, man. Just what the hell did Andri tell them?"
Dakota's suspicion was now at an all-time high. Why was Andri's group reacting this way? Were they expecting something bad to happen? Whatever Andri had said to them, it was clear they thought this challenge was more dangerous than it appeared. He couldn't ignore it any longer.
Dakota: "Is this really going to be that bad? Or are they just overreacting?"
Andri's expression had hardened as he stepped onto the platform. He didn't show fear, but his eyes betrayed something deeper—a silent plea for help, perhaps, or an acceptance of fate.
Dakota: "...Once again, are you sure you want this?"
Andri: "...Once again, I'm sure. Now, we should begin our fight."
Dakota looked at Andri, his feelings still gnawing at him. He couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was about to unfold. It wasn't just about the fight. It was about Andri's fate—and why he was facing Dakota, knowing full well how much stronger he was.
Dakota: "...Something bad is going to happen. I can feel it very clearly. Even if I hadn't had this feeling, I would still have said the same thing... This is going to be bad."
Andri's eyes locked with Dakota's, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze. Dakota couldn't explain it, but he felt a powerful sense of dread. Whatever was about to happen, it was going to change everything.