That evening, Kazuki and his group gathered in the tavern, their usual spot for post-match discussions. Lyra had just finished her own match and was in high spirits, recounting her victory with dramatic flair. But Kazuki's mind was elsewhere.
"I saw someone watching me during my match today," he said, cutting into the conversation. "I think they might be one of the demon king's spies."
Alaric frowned. "Did you get a good look at them?"
Kazuki shook his head. "No, they were gone before I could do anything. But I've got a bad feeling. We need to be more cautious."
Serena looked thoughtful. "If they're spying on us, they're likely trying to gather information on our strengths and weaknesses. We should be more careful about what we reveal during our fights."
Leo nodded. "Agreed. We need to start thinking of every match as more than just a competition. Every move we make could be giving the enemy information."
As they discussed, a familiar face approached their table—a competitor named Darius, known for his silent demeanor and strange fighting style. He had advanced far in the tournament but rarely interacted with anyone. Tonight, however, he seemed to have something on his mind.
"I overheard your conversation," Darius said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're not wrong to be concerned. There are forces in this tournament far more dangerous than they appear."
Kazuki and the others exchanged glances. "What do you know?" Kazuki asked, his voice low.
Darius glanced around cautiously before leaning in. "I've been keeping my eye on several competitors, and I've seen some unusual behavior. There are a few fighters who seem…off. Their abilities don't match up with what we know of them, and their magic feels tainted."
Kazuki's brow furrowed. "Tainted? You mean dark magic?"
Darius nodded. "Exactly. I don't have proof yet, but I think there are more spies among the competitors than we realize. They're not just here to win—they're scouting for the demon king's forces."
The table fell silent as the gravity of Darius's words sank in.
"We need to be careful," Alaric said finally. "If the demon king has infiltrated the tournament, we're in more danger than we thought."