Chaos reigned in the Shadow Realm as the two legendary warriors, Thorn and Roman, clashed. Thorn’s power was cataclysmic, manifesting earthquakes that fractured the very foundation of the land. The earth itself screamed and tore apart under the sheer force of his power. Trees uprooted violently, massive fissures split open across the dark terrain, and rocks flew wildly through the air as the landscape reshaped itself violently. Amidst this apocalyptic scene stood Roman, his stance firm and balanced, completely unaffected by the seismic chaos surrounding him. His ability, Enhanced Combat Skills, granted him mastery of all forms of physical combat and reaction speed unmatched by any ordinary adversary. “Is this all the great Thorn can muster!?” Roman roared, his voice resonating above the cacophony. In a swift, agile maneuver, Roman flipped gracefully off a massive, airborne boulder. Thorn, laughing manically, drove through the same boulder effortlessly with a fierce surge of his earthquake energy, shattering it into fragments. “It’s been far too long since I’ve faced someone of your caliber, Roman! Let me savor this moment!” With that, Thorn drove his fist straight into the earth. A powerful shockwave erupted, hurling Roman off his feet. Roman landed heavily, balance shaken momentarily. Thorn seized the opportunity and charged forward, reaching out to seize Roman’s exposed arm. With uncanny reflexes, Roman countered by twisting around, gripping Thorn’s arm instead and violently slamming him into the ground. As Thorn hit the earth, he instantly activated his power once more, forcing Roman to leap back defensively. Rising from the crater, Thorn grinned fiercely, wiping blood from his mouth. “If you hadn’t reacted so swiftly, your arm would have been mine.” Roman chuckled bitterly, muscles tense. “Obviously. Do I look like an idiot to you?” Thorn laughed, eyes gleaming dangerously. “If you don’t show me something new, Roman, this victory will be overwhelmingly mine.” Roman smirked, his confidence surging. He concentrated, spiritual energy radiating around him in waves, his gaze turning cold and murderous. Thorn, sensing the challenge, eagerly matched the energy, smiling broadly with anticipation. Roman dug his feet deep into the cracked earth, assuming a combat stance, before launching himself forward with explosive force. He blurred into motion, shattering the ground behind him as he appeared instantly before Thorn, unleashing a relentless barrage of punches too swift to dodge. Thorn, overwhelmed by Roman’s speed and precision, desperately tried to deflect but failed repeatedly. Roman’s final strike connected viciously with Thorn’s abdomen, lifting him violently into the air. Eyes glazing momentarily, Thorn hung helplessly as Roman seized this decisive opening. Channeling his remaining energy into a single devastating blow, Roman smashed his fist squarely into Thorn’s chest. The impact hurled Thorn through an enormous tree, splinters and debris erupting everywhere. Inside the Shadow Inn, the members of the Strongest Guild stumbled inside, gasping desperately for breath. Rayne leaned heavily against the inn’s barrier, his voice strained with anxiety. “As long as those two monsters are out there, we’re trapped here.” Ryuji sighed bitterly, dropping to a knee. “Hopefully they kill each other, save us the trouble.” Aiko shook her head, conflicted. “Roman technically saved us. But this still feels too dangerous.” Yoshinori’s expression was grim. “For now, our best hope is to stay put and pray someone strong enough comes to help.” Itsuki, voice soft and uncertain, moved forward tentatively. “Is anyone hurt? Let me help.” Everyone shook their heads gently, trying to ease her worries. Itsuki looked around anxiously, her voice trembling. “This place… it’s even worse than I imagined.” Tetsuo laughed unexpectedly, determination flaring in his eyes. “If beings like that exist, we just have to become as strong!” Ryuji rolled his eyes, chuckling despite himself. “You’re the only idiot I know who’d want to pick a fight with something like that.” Tetsuo clapped him on the shoulder with fierce camaraderie. “You watch, I’ll surpass them both one day!” Rayne shook his head with urgency, motioning them towards the inn’s hall. “We need to stay focused. Let’s inform the guild master immediately and request backup.” But before they could move further, the Shadow Inn itself began trembling violently. “What the hell is happening out there?!” Aiko yelled, struggling to keep her balance. Rayne and Yoshinori exchanged a panicked glance, both realizing simultaneously the horrifying truth. “The barrier is failing! Brace yourselves!” Suddenly, the barrier protecting the Shadow Inn shattered spectacularly. Roman crashed through the ceiling, plummeting into the snow-covered ground below and creating a massive crater. “Shit!” Rayne shouted. “Everyone, run now!” As they scrambled desperately for cover, Thorn landed heavily in the snow, laughing darkly. “Oh, look at these tiny ants scurrying away.” He smirked maliciously at Roman. “That last strike nearly got me. Lesson learned, I won’t underestimate you again.” The inn’s protective dome failed completely, and the Shadow Realm swiftly reclaimed its territory. Snow instantly melted away, trees withered and rotted, replaced rapidly by familiar, dead, blackened soil. Yoshinori grimly surveyed the destruction. “Without this Shadow Inn, global trade routes will collapse.” Rayne nodded, urging everyone onwards. “We have no choice but to get away from here, fast!” Behind them, Roman stood slowly from the crater, groaning in pain but eyes fierce. “That hurt, you bastard.” Thorn chuckled wickedly, wiping blood away. “You should have thought of that before knocking me unconscious.” Roman cracked his knuckles, confident once more. “If you hated that, you’ll loathe this even more!” The ground beneath Roman’s feet exploded, launching him airborne. Mid-flight, he executed a vicious kick directly into Thorn’s chest. The impact resonated powerfully, throwing Thorn backward through several ancient, towering trees. Thorn rose unsteadily, summoning a shield of earth around himself. “That was nothing, Roman!” Roman dashed forward, roaring fiercely, “I’ll make you acknowledge me, you bastard!” A relentless onslaught of strikes battered Thorn’s defenses, finally breaking through and slamming squarely into his jaw. Blood spattered the earth as Thorn stumbled, dazed. But Thorn rallied fiercely. “Not bad! Now it’s my turn!” Clapping his hands, Thorn unleashed a massive shockwave, knocking Roman backward. Thorn moved forward menacingly, raising his arms to bury Roman alive beneath a colossal avalanche of stone. Roman evaded expertly, slipping through the chaos, landing a punishing blow deep into Thorn’s abdomen. “It’s over! This is my yard now!” Thorn flew backward, creating another massive crater. Both warriors lay panting, battered yet exhilarated by their brutal exchange. Roman stood slowly, extending his hand toward Thorn. “Round two?” Grinning with blood-stained teeth, Thorn clasped Roman’s hand tightly, respect gleaming in his dark eyes. “You’ve got guts, Roman. Let’s see how far they’ll take you.” The ruined landscape shuddered violently beneath their renewed assault, a testament to the devastating magnitude of their powers, forever reshaping the face of the Shadow Realm.