"You might have peeked at some fragments from my mind, but your understanding of those fragments is not as deep as you pretend. You are not as knowledgeable about my past and the otherworld as you claim, are you?"
Lady Allen’s expression slightly stiffened; she could only read the most superficial information.
She wisely didn’t refute directly, only saying, "What nonsense are you talking about, child?"
"If you could truly read my mind, you would know I am not someone who is easily scared away."
Ron’s voice grew more confident:
"Now, let me guess your truth—you are a special extraordinary item, capable of transforming and peeking into some target’s memories, accumulating energy by devouring souls."
Ron looked around at the various bizarre items displayed:
"And this ’Maze Pawnshop’ is just a trap you set up to collect the necessary soul energy."
Lady Allen’s face began to twist, and her voice became less amiable:
"Smart little fellow, much sharper than I expected, so in that case..."
With a strange hum, Lady Allen’s form completely disintegrated, replaced by a mass of translucent, constantly writhing leather-like substance.
It twisted and deformed in the air, eventually consolidating into Ron’s form: from hair to clothing, even the determination in his eyes was identical.
"I had intended to give you a dignified exit opportunity."
The being shaped like Ron spoke, its voice completely identical: "But since you’re bent on seeking death, then..."
It suddenly raised its hand, and a sound wave vibration shot straight at Ron!
Ron sidestepped to dodge, simultaneously deploying his own sound wave vibration in counterattack.
The two invisible energy waves collided in the air, sending ripples visible to the naked eye, the shockwave shattering several jars on the walls.
"It’s useless." The transformer revealed a cold smile identical to Ron’s:
"I can perfectly replicate every ability, every skill you have."
In its hand suddenly appeared a weapon identical to Ron’s Ironwood Sword, even flashing with the same anti-magic runes:
"Come, let’s see who’s the stronger Ron Ralph!"
Ron quickly adjusted his breathing, bringing his body into the optimal state with the Crown Breathing Technique.
Meanwhile, he noticed Andre still standing motionless like a statue, evidently bound by some strong spiritual control.
"Rest assured, he has been completely hypnotized by me."
The transformer said, its voice completely identical to Ron’s: "This is a contest between us, no outsider interference needed."
With that, it thrust its blade with the same sword momentum as Ron’s.
Ron raised his sword to parry, the two Ironwood Swords clashing, erupting in dazzling sparks and a sharp metallic collision sound.
At the moment the blades met, Ron could clearly feel the powerful force contained within the opponent’s sword form, almost equivalent to the great increase in power after he transformed into a Bloodline Knight.
Every strike of the transformer was extraordinarily precise, its sword tip always aimed at Ron’s vitals, forcing him to constantly shift defensive stances.
"Every breathing rhythm, every swordsmanship move of yours, I know it all."
The transformer’s voice came from between the interlocked blades, with a tone of mockery: "You cannot defeat your own shadow."
Ron remained unfazed, gripping the sword hilt tightly with both hands, spiritual power and bloodline power surging simultaneously within him.
He tried to break the opponent’s attack rhythm with the special rhythm of the Crown Breathing Technique, while avoiding getting caught in the transformer’s rhythm.
The transformer seemed to perceive Ron’s intent and changed its attack pattern three times in succession.
The sword momentum was like a violent storm, each strike carrying a crimson burning magic power, slicing through the air with a sharp whistle.
Ron was forced to retreat continuously, until his back against a wall of the pawnshop, unable to retreat further.
"Backed into a corner now?" The transformer sneered, its sword tip aimed straight at Ron’s throat:
"With skills like these, you think you can become my master?"
Ron calmly watched the transformer, attempting to deploy the Ring of Brilliance, hoping to break the opponent’s defense.
Golden-red energy condensed in his palm, swiftly expanding into a bright ring sweeping towards the transformer.
The ring cut through the air, stirring up a hot wave, illuminating the entire dim interior of the pawnshop.
However, to everyone’s shock, the transformer also condensed an identical ring.
The two energy rings collided in the air, creating a deafening explosion, neutralizing each other, transforming into a sky full of golden-red light fragments.
"I already told you, I can perfectly replicate every ability of yours."
The transformer repeated smugly to exert psychological pressure on him, a sneer appeared on its face that Ron never had:
"Whatever technique you use, whatever magic you cast, I can counter with equal or even greater power!"
Ron’s heart sank.
He was indeed at a disadvantage in battle: the transformer not only replicated his appearance and abilities, but even mimicked his thought process uncannily.
What’s worse, the transformer seemed to possess a more abundant energy reserve, each attack filled with frenzy, and showed no signs of fatigue.
Their battle spread from inside the pawnshop to the alley outside.
The clashing sound of swords echoed in the narrow space, magic energy fluctuations causing the surrounding walls to emit dust and rock shards to break free and scatter everywhere.
Ron unleashed a series of precise sword strikes, each targeting the transformer’s vital spots, the sword momentum like flowing clouds and water, continuous and unending.
The intricacy of the Corona Swordsmanship was fully displayed at this moment, the sword edge traced a complex and beautiful arc in the air, intertwined with light and shadow, like a deadly dance.
But the transformer could always perfectly defend with the same moves and even find opportunities to counterattack.
Its movements were so smooth, as if it already anticipated Ron’s every intention.
"How is it, starting to feel despair now?"
The transformer taunted, its sword blade igniting a deeper crimson hue—that was the manifestation after fully activating the Red Blood Flying Dragon Bloodline:
"I not only possess all your abilities but also powers that you are unaware of!"
Ron was compelled to retreat, sweat soaking through his clothes, his breathing becoming labored.
He attempted all the skills and spells he master, but the transformer could always counter them and even retaliate with faster speed and greater force.
What was more concerning was that he could feel his stamina depleting rapidly.
Both his muscles and spirit started signaling fatigue, while the transformer seemed to have endless vitality, its offensive growing more ferocious.
"You are Ron Ralph, but you are not the best Ron Ralph." The transformer’s voice echoed in the alley:
"I have all your power, plus the energy I’ve collected before to support it, how could you possibly defeat me!"
A strong sound wave vibration suddenly struck, Ron had no time to fully evade, getting partly hit, his body crashing into the wall, the tremendous impact almost suffocating him, a trickle of blood emerging from the corner of his mouth.
The transformer slowly approached, its steps steady and exuding a sense of oppression, a victorious smile on its face, each step causing the ground to tremble slightly:
"Accept the reality, you are no match for me."
Ron slowly exhaled, activating the scales armor and self-healing effects brought by the ’Red Blood Flying Dragon’ bloodline, so his injuries were far from dire.
His hand quietly reached into his bosom, knowing he carried something the opponent absolutely did not have...