In the end, all emotions were suppressed by the rising tide of anger. Overlord took a deep breath, glaring at Ronnel, who bent down to pick up the small cloth bag. His voice came out in a low growl:
"Human, I admit I underestimated you. You've got some ability, but don't think the same trick will work twice!"
Overlord's tone was unusually serious. The earlier arrogance had been replaced with focus—his intelligence seemingly back online.
At the same time, an intense aura of malice surged forth, rushing at Ronnel like a tidal wave. It wasn't just a simple attack; it was a deliberate show of strength.
"Oh? Looks like you've finally shaken off that childish smugness. Ready for a proper fight?"
Ronnel tucked the still-restless cloth bag into his pocket, then turned to face Overlord directly.
"Though you're not exactly a holy warrior, I wouldn't be dumb enough to use a move you've already seen and prepared for," Ronnel added with a smirk.
He clenched his fists, adopting the signature Shingen-ryu fighting stance. His aura surged as he braced against the malevolent energy emanating from Overlord.
"Hah! You're weakened from earlier—there's no way you'll match me now!" Overlord sneered, though he didn't move immediately. His words carried mockery, but his actions betrayed caution. Memories of Ging's reckless use of oaths and restrictions had clearly left him wary of Ronnel attempting something similar.
"That lunatic sacrificed his life for power... and this guy is his companion," Overlord thought grimly. Paranoia prickled at him, the fear of Ronnel pulling an unpredictable move weighing heavily on his mind.
"I'll finish this before he has a chance to think!"
In an instant, Overlord changed tactics. The oppressive malice dissipated, and he made his move.
"Hmm?" Ronnel frowned in confusion at the sudden shift.
But in that split second of hesitation, Overlord struck. His figure vanished from sight.
"Fast..." Ronnel muttered as his body moved instinctively. Years of training had sharpened his reflexes, and though his eyes couldn't track Overlord's movements, his mastery of aura allowed him to sense the attack.
"On the left!"
Without missing a beat, Ronnel activated Ko, redirecting aura to his left arm. He threw a decisive punch at a 45-degree angle.
But just as his fist was about to connect, a flash of silvery-white caught the corner of his eye. It was faint, almost imperceptible, but enough to set off alarms in his mind.
"Wait—there's no sunlight here. Where's that reflection coming from?!"
Reacting instantly, Ronnel tried to pull back his punch. However, the attack was already in motion. With no time to stop, he opened his fist, summoning a slender blade into his hand.
Clang! Clang!
The clash of blades rang out, sharp and jarring, sparks flying with each strike.
Then came a crack—a faint, eerie sound that made Ronnel's heart sink. The resistance in his hand vanished, and he felt the weight of his blade lighten.
A broken piece of his weapon spun through the air, and in his narrowed vision, he saw a streak of silver speeding toward his neck.
"If that hits, I'm done!"
The thought came unbidden, but Ronnel's training kicked in. Ignoring the danger, he tilted his head sharply to the side, narrowly avoiding the blade.
Whoosh!
The attack grazed past him, leaving a burning sensation on his neck and shoulder. Despite the dodge, the sheer force of the wind caused by the strike tore at his skin, leaving a bloody gash.
Drip... Drip...
Bright red droplets fell to the ground, forming a crimson pattern. The broken blade clattered to the floor with a hollow sound, its faint glow extinguished.
Ronnel exhaled sharply, wiping the blood from his cheek. "Looks like I was the one who let my guard down."
His eyes met Overlord's, who was now standing openly, his earlier movements a blur. Despite the injury, Ronnel's gaze grew resolute.
"This isn't the time to get reckless," he muttered. He slid the broken handle of his blade into his inventory, replacing it with an ancient copper saber. Its dull gleam carried a weight of history—and power.
Ronnel tightened his grip, his aura swirling in response. The earlier attack may have shaken him, but now his focus was absolute.
"This is far from over."
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