The majestic nature of the fox was still present; however, her radiant shine had dimmed noticeably.

From what Michael and the others had observed, the illusions created by MSAP-8 were overly reliant on their cores, leading to exhaustion. Even if they were surrounded by the searing heat of the star they tread on, they would need to rest at some point... While the mimics did not seem to carry that weakness. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Given that the mimic on his trail had originally been created to stop the subjects of the Iskra Titan, Michael had to grasp the true purpose of this trial in record time.

’Due to their seemingly endless stamina, the replicas are already meant to be stronger than the originals. Plans would be rendered useless since the copies are incisively familiar with our thought patterns. Overpowering is out of the question since they copy the techniques too... Maybe the answer is to gain a new technique after the mimic has been born or introduce an outside variable to your advantage...’

Thinking back, Michael knew that the strongest and smartest illusion he had encountered on the Sun was the six-tailed fox.

She had displayed supreme intelligence. Waiting for the perfect moment to strike her empowered rivals, then teaming up with the Lords to get rid of the Guardian and open the gates to the inner ring.

She had even displayed a certain degree of partnership by not attacking the Lords after their mutual foe was slain.

Not exactly beaming with options, Michael chose to bet on the wicked nature of the fox.

"Hopefully I won’t come to regret what is about to come." He murmured.

Flexing his legs to the limit, he jumped. His trajectory was set directly toward the fox that ran across the sky, uncaring of the abrupt shifts in gravity.

Having perfectly timed the leap, he landed on her back with grace.

HOWL!

Startled by the sudden increase of weight on her back, the fox reacted instantly, thinking a new foe had managed to sneak up on her.

Her mimic capitalized on the opportunity. Conjuring dozens of swords made of light, it hurled them toward the real fox.

Yet before any of the weapons could pierce her, Michael’s eyes shone.

With his Psychokinesis technique, he used a portion of his spiritual reserves to halt them in place.

After all, actions spoke louder than words.

"Easy, girl. We can help each other." Michael spoke in a reassuring voice. One eye locked on the fox’s replica, the other on his own mimic.

Assuming that the fox would cooperate was certainly optimistic thinking, based solely on the behavior Michael had observed so far.

Noticing the swords halting mid-air, coupled with the lack of pressure she would have felt had Michael carried any ill intent, the fox chose to stop struggling to get the man off her back.

Though she knew that forming a temporary alliance was the only way she could defeat her mimic. The fox wasn’t happy in the slightest that a magnificent creature such as herself was being used like a mount.

Sadly, beggars couldn’t be choosers.

Snorting in disdain, her hind legs bent as she charged straight at her replica.

If the man riding her truly was going to help, she was determined to make the most of him.

Visibly startled, the fox’s copy backed away. With the addition of Michael’s presence, the advantage the mimic had held was pretty much gone.

However, the fox wasn’t going to let the imposter off so easily.

Letting out another fearsome howl, she conjured two light swords. These ones, more lethal than those before.

Rather than firing them off, the swords moved to either side of Michael, staying stationary.

"Handy." He chuckled, getting hold of them.

Although he often fought with a single blade, he was an expert in all forms of warfare. Whatever the weapon, he was capable of wielding it like an extension of his will.

Chasing after her mimic, the fox sped off.

Meanwhile, Michael’s mimic frowned. Allowing them to build up too much distance would make catching up impossible.

After all, the mimic had Michael’s limitations; matching the fox’s agility was a pipe dream.

Summoning its copy of Angel back, the replica made her assume shotgun form before firing off the hook.

Extending a wide distance in barely any time, it embedded itself in the fox, propelling the mimic forward.

Ignoring the sensation of having her leg pierced, the fox tracked down her own mimic, neglecting the twisted gravitational pull around them.

"Ready?" Michael murmured, sitting upright on her back.

In response, the fox sent a few images directly into his mind.

Finding her idea admirable enough, he turned around, his eyes locking onto the approaching figure of his imitation.

"You never give up, huh?" Michael scoffed. "Well, you are supposed to be a perfect replica of me... so I guess that’s a given."

A clash between them appeared inevitable.

Or so it seemed, until Michael and the fox abruptly changed directions.

Utilizing Lightning Surge and Riftstep to close the distance, Michael managed to reach the imitation of the fox.

As for the real one, she turned sharply, her jaws opening wide. A light brighter than her body illuminated the surroundings as a fireball began to charge.

The plan was rather simple. Since killing a superior copy of themselves was out of the question, Michael and the fox traded targets.

Taken by surprise, the mimic changed Angel’s shape, morphing her into a shield before taking the strike head-on.

With the gathered momentum ruined and no way to get past her, the mimic had no other choice but to call back its replica of Devil, relying on him together with Angel to push forward.

At the same time, Michael leaned off the replica of the fox, his eyes shining with a crimson color and a faint hue of gold due to the Archwarlock technique fueling him with power caused by the mental attacks his foe was employing.

Using the two light swords like climbing equipment, he threaded his way upward along the colossal creature.

"Now... How do I go about killing such a thing?" He wondered out loud.