"Though it seems unsporting to challenge an opponent who has been through such strife, I hope you understand," the Steel Knight said in a muffled voice, "this is war."
Huai Shi dismounted, glanced around, and finally looked up at the ephemeral shadow in the sky, full of doubt. "If it's just you, can that be called a war?"
"It was I who requested this," the one shrouded in steel said. "If I can handle this bounty alone, then the Legion Leader will personally mark the pupil of the Eye of Nightmare on my Shield."
By his side, the Duel Great Shield was large enough to cover his entire being. It bore the emblem of the Eye of Nightmare, hollow and empty, signaling his 'immature' status.
Only by being personally granted the insignia of the Eye of Nightmare by the Legion Leader could one become an official member of this Hell Legion.
Until then, no matter how long one served, what wars they fought, or how many enemies they reaped, if their abilities went unproven and unrecognized, they would forever be unable to shed that mark of naiveté and weakness.
"If you're still insistent on not backing down, then bring it on, young man!"
The Sublimator from the Abyss took up his Flame-shaped sword and decreed sternly, "Beneath the witness of this single eye, we shall duel. There will be no interference from others, and no other outcome, as we shall fight to the death."
"If you defeat me, it means my trial has failed, and the Eye of Nightmare will no longer meddle in this affair."
"I'll come over, but unfortunately, the horse is ridden by someone else, so it's not too convenient to use…" Huai Shi shrugged nonchalantly, stepping forward and called out, "What should I call you? I mean, at the very least, I should be able to give you a tombstone afterward."
"Richard," he said, "—Exiled Richard."
The Third Stage Sublimator revealed his name, displaying the breath constrained within his shell, as the phantom of a Griffin rose up behind him.
In that moment, his iron boots crushed the concrete beneath.
The Duel Great Shield shuddered and surged forward.
It was as if a chariot was advancing. When the non-human form beneath the Armor exerted force, brutal Power burst forth, propelling the super-heavy Armor. It thundered ahead, creating a roaring gust of wind.
Huai Shi retreated step by step, pushed by the wild force of the great shield. She plowed two furrows through the broken concrete beneath her, feeling the Terrible Power contained within the brief collision.
The shock made her palms tingle.
Against such an enemy, I should skirmish and deplete him using my own specialty. Richard could never catch up with my speed. But now I cannot flee. If I keep backing off, Richard, probably losing patience, might go straight for Ai Qing. I can't retreat. So then… I'll use the method of not retreating.
She inhaled deeply, her face turning red, then immediately pale with a hint of cyanosis.
Scorching sweat evaporated into a mist, rising from her bared hands and visage, as her muscles visibly and fiercely pulsed.
As if they had been scorched red hot.
Huai Shi heaved a long sigh, exhaling the burning breath from the depths of her chest. The Mountain Ghost's flames rose from the split in her chest, shrouding her form once again.
The advance of the Duel Great Shield came to an abrupt halt just before Huai Shi's raised and outstretched fingers.
Behind the Armor, Richard lifted his eyes in surprise, and then understanding flashed. "Is this the move you showed in the rookie competition? What a formidable technique…"
The Flame-shaped sword whooshed down, carving a deep fissure in the ground as Huai Shi evaded.
Following that, Richard swung, and the weighty Longsword struck against the Duel Great Shield.
Sparks flew.
Like the drumbeat of an advancing army.
"You truly are a worthy adversary to fight against." Richard looked at Huai Shi with eager anticipation. "Come then, Lord Prince!"
"—Win, or die!"
Amidst the Griffin's screech, its wings unfurled. A dazzling radiance enveloped Richard's Armor as the enemy advanced step by step toward the burning Mountain Ghost, launching an assault.
Huai Shi responded with the Axe Blade unfolded in her hand, friction causing hot sparks to fly.
Wielded against the descending Flame-shaped sword.
The sharp sound of steel collision burst forth again.
Huai Shi stepped back once more, but this time, she wasn't overwhelmed by that terrifying force.
With the Mountain Ghost Stigma, which allowed for the continuous repair of her physique, and the Overload State, which temporarily sacrificed her constitution to boost her strength, Huai Shi's own muscle Power had finally crossed into the realm of Third Stage·Ether.
She felt volcanic power coursing through her pulses like molten lava.
The Mountain Ghost smirked. The Axe Blade in her hand shifted, and with a reverse grip, she drew the Sword of Virtue, charging forward.
"—Come at me again!"