Because his situation was, in fact, somewhat similar to that of Mephis Gram, the "Beast God Reincarnation."
The only difference was that their objectives were completely opposed.
Therefore, he would not actively interfere with the ritual's progress, and the eventual outcome might differ as a result.
But all of that remained uncertain.
Mephis wanted to enter the top three and become one of the final three. Then, using that status to interfere with the ritual, he would achieve his goal and revive the "Beast God."
Dark, however, did not want to interfere with the ritual, nor would he do so.
But given his current condition, even if he did not interfere with the ritual, he could not be absolutely certain that he would remain unaffected by it.
If he truly became one of the final three...
He had not originally entertained that thought.
Especially after losing to Professor Jones.
He had clearly felt his own shortcomings.
But after his duel with Professor Lily, he suddenly realized that Professor Kazel had no reason to keep winning, either.
If his next opponent was not Professor Kazel, but Senior Pandora, then he would not be without a chance of winning.
Hmm...
Though saying so might anger his senior, Dark believed that he could win.
And if he defeated Senior Pandora, he would thoroughly enter the top three and become one of the final three.
At that point, if anything unusual happened, there would be no turning back.
His Demon God Bloodline had originally been as steady as a rock, but after the last incident, the Demon God's residual consciousness had actually awakened once.
He had no choice but to carefully consider the effects that might arise afterward. "Fourth place in the World Cup is already an unexpectedly excellent result."
"If my next opponent