Episode 45

I loved battles of strategy—not the straightforward kind like chess, but the intricate, real-time clashes that unfolded in combat.

Reading my opponent's intentions and concealing my own was thrilling. Each move we exchanged heightened the tension until, finally, victory brought an intense catharsis. This was why I preferred facing a skilled master over a mindless beast or monster.

Yet, no matter how much I enjoyed a particular dish, I couldn't survive on it alone. Sometimes, I craved a different kind of fight—one devoid of strategy, raw and unrestrained. And that's exactly what I sought at this moment.

Once again, I was locked in an all-out brawl with Hariba.

Hariba was undeniably strong—superior in strength, speed, and physique. But I didn't dwell on that. I was accustomed to fighting opponents who outmatched me. An all-out battle didn't mean winning through brute force alone. If that were the case, I'd have been reduced to a bloody mess long ago.

I didn't back down. I never did. I stood my ground against an opponent many times my size, locked in close combat.

A relentless gust of wind seemed to swirl before my eyes. One mistake, and my muscles and bones would be torn apart in an instant. Yet, under that crushing pressure, I held my own against this monster.

When facing a stronger opponent, survival hinged on two things: a keen eye and technique.

Hariba's fist missed me by inches, slamming into the tree behind me. The sheer force of the impact was a stark reminder of the destructive power he wielded. One direct hit would be fatal.

But dodging alone wouldn't win this fight. As I narrowly avoided his strikes, I focused on inflicting gradual damage, letting the dull pain accumulate in Hariba's body.

This is the right approach, but it is still a dangerous situation.

Although I appeared calm, my physical and mental stamina were draining rapidly. Dodging Hariba's attacks grew harder, not because I was tiring or he was speeding up, but because I was deliberately minimizing my evasive moves to focus on offense.

Then, Hariba's fist grazed my cheek and ear, tearing at my skin.

At this level, even a near-miss carried immense pressure. The sheer force reminded me what would happen if I got hit, and that thought alone weighed on me. This kind of exchange wasn't good for my mental state. It never was.

I let out a hot sigh in the midst of the fierce battle.

Sweat drenched my body, but my breathing remained steady. My head buzzed with excitement, my heart pounding fiercely. The rising heat felt oddly comforting—perhaps mastering the First Fire Technique had altered my mind slightly.

I dodged Hariba's fist once more, but this time, I reacted differently.

The moment I evaded, I seized his wrist. It was as thick as a log, making my grip seem more like a hand resting on it than a firm hold.

Flames erupted from my hand, surging up Hariba's arm and engulfing his entire body in an instant.

Despite the searing pain, Hariba swung his fist with desperate force. Though more of a frantic struggle than a calculated attack, his raw strength made it dangerous to underestimate.

However, the attack's trajectory was much simpler, and dodging proved easy.

I suppressed the urge to laugh. Showing any sign of ease here would ruin my plan.

"Lu, an—!"

Stop calling my name, you bastard.

As I cursed inwardly, Hariba thrashed violently like a beast shaking water from its fur. He moved so violently that the flames vanished in an instant. Even so, his body was hideously disfigured from the burns.

After a few more minutes of this relentless struggle, Hariba let out a scream so distorted it defied description.

I sensed the end was near. His massive fist came hurtling toward me, and I met it head-on, just as I had when we first clashed.

Baaang!

This time, I didn't fly back. I didn't even retreat. I stood firm, unwavering, as Hariba clenched his fists in frustration.

Was this his genuine reaction, or was it the sinister figure lurking in the forest pulling the strings? I didn't know—and frankly, I didn't care.

It makes me feel bad.

I hadn't entered the White Fire state, but I finally felt like I was getting back in shape.

Hariba was momentarily startled before throwing another punch.

I gritted my teeth and grinned. The First Fire Technique's greatest advantage was its cumulative power—the longer the fight dragged on, the stronger I became.

Baaang!

At this moment, I finally surpassed Hariba's power.

***

My fist was firmly stuck in Hariba's solar plexus. I felt like I had pushed past his bloated muscles, reaching deep into his organs.

Something dripped from Hariba's mouth—saliva or blood, I couldn't tell.

I didn't want to get closer, so I kicked him instead. It wasn't much of a secret that this kick mimicked Seren's earlier kick. But it was far too advanced to be mere self-defense.

It's a pretty good martial art. Where did Seren learn it? No. This isn't the time to be thinking about that.

Hariba collapsed. For now, I doubted he could move. In my last attack, I'd focused on explosive power to break through his insides rather than his exterior. Judging by the results, the strategy had worked.

Now, it is time to show off my acting skills!

I groaned in pain, dropping to my knees. My face twisted as if I couldn't move. "I was hit..."

Not bad, right?

I immersed myself in the performance, even grading it. Sure, someone studying my complexion could spot my fake acting, but the night was pitch black. Even with good night vision, no one could make out my expression clearly.

Gasping in pain, I collapsed on the ground. This was what acting was all about!

However, it seemed the other party had no intention of taking the bait.

Did that jerk just leave?

If so, this performance was beyond absurd.

No matter how shameless I was, doing something like this alone in an empty place would naturally lead to a harsh reality check.

Had I made a mistake? Was the mastermind never here to begin with? Was Hariba's hesitation in a cluttered area just a coincidence?

Then, I heard the faint crunch of grass. It was so soft I almost missed it, like the sound of insects in a forest.

It is coming this way.

Finally, I would see the mastermind's face.

I waited for them to get closer. The moment they were within reach, I lunged and stretched out my hand to grab them, but it only swept through empty air.

Did they dodge?

I glared at the figure standing a short distance away, wrapped head to toe in a dull robe that concealed their identity. Their physique suggested a man, but simple camouflage could easily hide their gender.

"Do you still have the energy to move?" The voice was unmistakably male.

"Who are you?" I asked politely, expecting nothing.

His response caught me off guard. "You have grown a lot."

"Who are you?" I repeated.

"You don't need to know."

Then why act like you know me?

Regardless, his voice confirmed he was a man.

I stood still for a moment, then suddenly extended my hand and used Fire Wheel, shooting a palm-shaped flame toward him.

Calmly, he flicked the hem of his robe. Beneath it lay a darkness deeper than the night sky. To my surprise, the Fire Wheel vanished into the robe without a trace.

There was no impact, no sensation. The outcome defied my expectations, but I had already closed the distance between us the moment I released the flame.

The mysterious man flicked his robe again, and this time, something like a chain poured out.

Not magic? A blessing, then? Or a curse?

Whatever the source, his intent was clear: he aimed to restrict my movements.

Without slowing, I added a subtle sway to my upper body.

I was grateful for Kayan's Hidden Steps. The chains missed me entirely, and the mysterious man seemed momentarily confused.

Seeing him step back in a hurry, I grabbed one of the chains and yanked it with all my strength.

The mysterious man's body lurched toward me.

I clenched my fists, ready to strike his jaw when he came within range, but something interrupted my plan.

I ducked just in time. A chain whizzed past from behind me. Had I not reacted, it would have coiled around my throat.

What? How did the chain that was flying backward change direction? Is it a relic of the gods? Or something else?

More chains surged from behind, faster than before. I stopped pulling the mysterious man and focused on dodging.

The number has increased?

The chains had doubled. I glanced back and saw why: another figure, dressed similarly, stood behind me.

The mysterious man said sarcastically, "You didn't expect another person, did you?"

"You feel triumphant just because you've got a friend?" I shot back.

"Then how about two?"

"What?"

At this moment, a hand burst from the ground beneath me and seized both my ankles.

"What the—?!" Even I hadn't seen this coming.

The sudden grip stalled my movement for a split second—just enough time for a chain to shoot forward and coil around me, layer after layer, until I was completely bound, like an insect trapped in a web.

The mysterious man burst out laughing. "Capture complete."