Meanwhile, in the observation room, Gabriel assured everyone present that their safety was guaranteed and that no harm would come to them. Lisa and Koichi were doing everything possible to ensure the safety of the people in the observation room.
On the battlefield, Haruto, Jason, and Marlo faced their opponents. Marlo found himself matched against Dylan, who appeared disinterested, almost bored with the fight.
Dylan: Aren't you going to do anything? Come on, bring it.
Marlo: (to himself) He's forcing my hand. His confidence is palpable. It must have something to do with him absorbing my earlier attacks. If I want to figure this out... (closes his eyes) "Stay calm and focus on the enemy in front of you.
Drawing his two daggers, Marlo took a deep breath, centering his mind. Suddenly, Dylan felt an unsettling chill in the air.
Dylan: Why's it so cold all of a sudden? (glances at Marlo) I see. So it's your technique. Whatever. I can take it.
Marlo: [WHITE: FROSTBLADE SLASH]
Marlo unleashed a flurry of ice slashes toward Dylan, but as they reached him, they were absorbed by the invisible barrier surrounding him.
Dylan: (to himself) If he knew his attacks won't work on me, then why would he do it anyway?
Just then, Marlo appeared behind Dylan, catching him off guard. He attempted to slash Dylan with one of his daggers. Dylan evaded the strike, but the right side of his face was instantly encased in ice. He quickly distanced himself from Marlo
Dylan:What? How did that hit me? Wait…I know why…..
Marlo: I have your technique all figured out. Your technique allows you to absorb any technique that is thrown your way. But your technique won't work if you don't know the attack is coming right?
Dylan: (sighs)
Marlo:Exactly. That's why my ice attack connected. You weren't expecting it, so it slipped through your barrier.
Dylan: (still looking bored) So are you expecting me to applaud you? I'll let you know now that you only figured out one aspect of my technique. I'll show you the other. [WHITE: RETURN]
Suddenly, Dylan launched Jason's lightning attack, which he had absorbed earlier, at Marlo. Quick-thinking, Marlo created an ice shield to block it.
Marlo: (to himself) That was Jason's attack. (realizes) I get it. Whatever techniques are absorbed, he can send it back. Then it's safe to assume that he also has the ice slashes I used earlier. And I can assume that he can only send the attacks back once. So he won't be able to fire Jason's lightning anymore. But my slashes however.....
Dylan: You weren't expecting that where you?
A shadow monster emerged from the forest, lunging at Marlo, but he swiftly froze it in place.
Marlo: No I wasn't. But now I totally get how your technique works. So I know how I will approach you now. (poses with his two daggers)
The battle began in earnest
Dylan's lighter technique is called the "Absorption Area" and it is a technique that absorbs any other technique thrown at its user and it also allows its user to make use of the absorbed attack but it can only be used once. However, If he doesn't make use of the absorbed technique it will disappear after an hour.
Marlo Kiroshima's lighter technique is called "CryoBlade Arts" and it allows him to freeze up any attack or person who approaches him. He can very much manipulate ice without the use of the daggers but he had taken a liking to the weapons and therefore decided to make his technique work in sync with the daggers.
Meanwhile, Haruto was locked in a fierce duel with Veto, a psychopathic member of the Kaimi Daja. Their swords clashed repeatedly, showcasing their mastery. Haruto managed to counter every sword strike, but Veto's speed made it increasingly difficult to land a hit.
Veto: (laughs) This is exhilarating! I haven't had this much fun fighting in ages! What's your name?
Haruto: (sighs) I'm Haruto. Haruto Myogu.
Veto: (smiles) Haruto Myogu. I'll make you remember your name after I kill you.
Haruto: Huh? That's not fair! You didn't even introduce yourself. How am I supposed to remember it?"
Veto: The name's Veto! Now that we've exchanged pleasantries, let's keep fighting! (assumes a battle stance)
Haruto: (thinking) The problem is his insane speed. I need to use my technique to stop his movements.
Haruto dropped his needle sword and removed his jacket, gathering lighter energy in his hands. The fabric transformed into numerous threads that converged through the hole in his dropped needle sword.
Veto: (to himself) He's using his technique.
Haruto: [WHITE: STITCH CRAFTING]
The threads surged toward Veto. He leaped into the air, thinking he could evade capture, but the strings followed, snaring his left leg and pulling him to the ground. Though he quickly cut the strings with his sword, another set wrapped around his right hand, making it difficult to move. Soon, his legs and left hand were bound as well, the threads tightening around his throat.
Veto: Damn it! I can't breathe... What is this technique?
Haruto: It's my lighter technique that controls the fibers of any cloth I touch, strengthening them with my lighter energy. A pretty useless technique, to be honest. Don't get me started on its perfect manifestation—it hurts like hell, and I hate using it. (notices Veto's struggle) Trying to break free will hurt a lot more, though. But don't worry, I need you alive for questioning.
Veto: TSK!! WHY NOT JUST KILL ME???
Haruto: We need to interrogate you to understand why you attacked us.
Veto: Damn it!!
Haruto Myogu's lighter technique is called "Stitch Crafting" which as explained before allows him to control the fibers of every cloth he puts his hands on. He can also strengthen the strings of the fiber with his lighter energy making it difficult to cut. And all strings must converge in the hole of his needle sword for the technique to be more effective.
However...
Veto had no recollection of his parents, having been raised by an abusive guardian. This constant abuse taught him to endure pain, resulting in a drastic shift in his mentality. The torment he faced made Haruto's technique feel insignificant.
Veto: (to himself) NO!! IF IT'S PAIN I CAN TAKE IT! IF IT'S PAIN I CAN TAKE IT!! IF IT'S PAIN I CAN TAKE IT!!!!!!! (attempts to break free)
Haruto: (noticing Veto's lighter energy surge) He's trying to break free!?
Veto began to strengthen the lighter energy around his body and began to break free from the strings. Haruto began to strengthen the lighter energy around the strings to restrain him further but Veto despite the tremendous pain, began to overpower him and he eventually broke free but not without some injuries.
Even while he was bleeding from different parts of his body, Veto still picked up his sword and began to attack Haruto with a rush of slashes forcing Haruto to defense stance. However, Veto was moving faster than he was earlier and was able to land slashes that Haruto couldn't counter on time.
Both combatants were now bleeding from numerous cuts.
Haruto: (to himself) Damn it. He broke free from that and took all that pain? He really is a monster.
Veto: (laughs hysterically) WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO NOW!!??
Haruto: : (sighs) I really didn't want it to come to this, but you pushed me too far. (begins to undo the stitches on his arms, blood flowing freely)
Veto: (confused) Is he cutting himself???
Unbeknownst to Veto, he had pushed Haruto to unleash a power he was reluctant to reveal. As Haruto's lighter energy began to gather within him, Veto rushed to attack, hoping to end Haruto before he could complete the transformation. But it was too late.
Haruto: [PERFECT MANIFESTATION: CRIMSON BINDING]