Liam kept running toward us at an unnatural speed.
Crazy George was chasing after Liam with staggering movements. It looked as if he was enjoying the chase.
When Liam reached us, claws burst rapidly from George's body, aiming for Liam's head.
The claws looked like octopus arms.
They drew closer to Liam's head, threatening imminent death.
It looked like Liam was going to die here.
But...
Cut...
Blue flames appeared before the person within them emerged.
"I don't recall giving you permission to kill him, did I?"
Sylvia sliced through George's extended claws with the golden sword hanging at her waist.
Even I hadn't noticed when she had moved to cut the claws.
"..."
Crazy George looked at his hands.
When he saw the severed claws, he smiled once more before new ones emerged.
George's terrifying laughter continued for a while before he turned to Sylvia.
He looked at her, and before any warning or words, he launched an attack.
Strike.
Strike.
Strike.
The sound of blows and flying sparks filled the air.
The flames were burning both nearby and distant trees.
The noises flooded the empty clearing.
The sounds of their strikes sliced through the wind.
I couldn't even keep up with them with my eyes.
"Damn... how are they this fast?"
When I turned to Mary, I saw her eyes darting left and right.
Could she really keep up with them with just her eyes?
"Mary, can you tell who's controlling the battle?"
Mary smiled before answering,
"She's just toying with him."
The sound of continuous strikes persisted until something flew past my head.
"Kim, watch out!"
Mary pushed me aside before I felt a sting on my forehead.
That strange object left a small cut on my cheek before creating a large crater in the ground.
When I looked at the object, I saw it was one of Crazy George's claws.
Did I almost just die?
How could a fragment from a sword battle fly with such force?
A battle between monsters.
That's the only accurate description for the current situation.
Continuous strikes and waves of blazing sparks.
I looked at Sylvia as she fought the monster.
Her presence was overwhelmingly majestic.
Her unshakable gaze and fluid sword control made it seem like the blade was part of her body.
Her fighting style was a seamless blend of slashes and dodges.
Crazy George couldn't even land a hit on her.
"We have to help her, Mary!"
I shouted.
Mary turned to me, looking confused.
"You know she's the one controlling the fight, right?"
"We have to help her, Mary!"
I insisted.
Just as I was about to convince Mary, the idiot stepped forward.
Of course, it was Liam.
He put his hand on my shoulder before speaking.
"Don't worry. She can defeat him."
"Even if we interfere, we'll just get in her way."
Mary agreed with Liam's words.
Why is this idiot trying to act cool?
Does he think he's some manga protagonist or something?
But the most annoying thing of all... he actually managed to convince Mary.
If you were trying to make me angry, congratulations — you succeeded.
I looked at him coldly before speaking.
"Are you ready to take responsibility for your words?"
"Yes."
He said it with confidence — as if he were the one fighting.
I could only sigh.
"Fine. Just remember, you started this—"
Before I could finish, a giant severed hand flew past us.
Looking closely, it was Crazy George's hand.
Liam looked at me and jumped with joy.
"I told you I was sure! Sylvia can't lose, ever!"
When we looked at the battlefield, Crazy George was on his knees, missing an arm, while Sylvia hadn't even received a scratch.
It was as if the battle had been one-sided all along.
George stared at the blood pouring from his severed limb.
"Aaaaah... AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
George's screams echoed throughout the entire forest.
Sylvia covered her ears before stepping forward.
"I didn't expect you to be scared of this monster, Mary."
Mary remained silent and didn't say a word.
"Tch..."
Sylvia clicked her teeth before raising her sword to finish the beast.
Fall...
Sylvia's sword came down hard on Crazy George's neck.
But—
The sword went flying before Sylvia was struck by George.
"It's starting."
A new arm emerged from Crazy George's body, and his endless smile vanished, replaced by a chilling coldness.
Even Mary shielded me behind her, while Liam was still sitting on the ground in fear.
When Sylvia and Mary realized the monster before us was no longer underestimating us...
George stood up and calmly brushed the dust off his hair and body.
He finally looked at us — but this time, everyone understood the true power of this creature.
"This is what I was
afraid of."
....To be continued
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