Chapter 485: The Battles That Followed
"Good Meal!?"
"What does that even mean?"
Hodel blinked in confusion. Did Ryuunosuke think they were fools? Was he planning to eat them? There was even a rumor spreading across the sea that the Dragon Hunter Pirates ate people.
For a moment, genuine fear flashed through him.
At this point, he wasn't even thinking of defeating Ryuunosuke. His only thought now was to get as far away from him as possible, or hope someone else would come help.
But the others were focused on Wade's mission: capturing Roy. Whether they would assist was uncertain.
"It means… enjoying the show," Ryuunosuke said.
"But since you already attacked me, you're not planning to leave so easily, are you?"
"You made your choice, so you'll pay the price."
Power surged through his hands. His enhanced telepathy spiked, blasting Hodel away once more.
Ryuunosuke's true target was Cynthia. As long as she remained active, killing Hodel would be nearly impossible.
"Oh no… this guy…"
Cynthia mounted her fawn in panic, rushing to escape his range. Someone like her—built for support and harassment—couldn't withstand a berserker amped to the maximum with mythical equipment.
"This little deer is one of your protective devices, right?" Ryuunosuke called out, closing in.
"One moves, one attacks. Add a defensive blessing. Not a bad setup."
"But because of that, you sacrificed something too, didn't you?"
"Like your speed… and your own defense."
His voice sounded as if it were right beside her ear.
Cynthia didn't dare look back. She feared that if she did, she'd find Ryuunosuke's blade already descending on her.
All she could do was pray for rescue.
Bang.
A sudden impact slammed into her, throwing her and the fawn off course.
A split second earlier, Ryuunosuke had raised his blade to kill her. But Hodel erupted with wild strength, appearing in front of Ryuunosuke and forcing the attack aside. He was still sent flying, but he had delayed the killing blow.
Neither of them was dead yet, but they were both in bad shape.
"So this is the power of the Guardians?"
Ryuunosuke hovered in the air, watching the two fall into the sea.
"Feels like you're hiding something."
On the ancient Guardian ship, four figures shifted their attention toward him.
They were now forced to choose.
Capture Roy as ordered, or save Cynthia and Hodel from certain death?
If they followed orders, they would stay back and wait for Wade's signal. But that meant letting Cynthia and Hodel die. And Guardians were few. Each one was unique. Losing two would cripple their strength against the Evictors.
"You two go support Lord Wades. The two of us will assist Cynthia and the others," a middle aged man said, removing his cloak.
A younger man chewing gum followed behind him.
Ryuunosuke smiled as they approached.
Perfect. He had intentionally spared Cynthia and Hodel to draw the others out. Hearing stories about the Guardians was one thing—fighting them personally was better.
Soon, the newcomers reached the two fallen Guardians.
"Captain Ryuunosuke, it seems you intend to continue attacking us," the middle aged man said sternly.
From a distance, he hadn't sensed it. But up close, Ryuunosuke's aura was overwhelming. Cynthia and Hodel were not weak—yet they had been defeated by this young man alone and with no suspense.
How could someone his age possess such terrifying power?
Even if Ryuunosuke had been training since the womb, it had barely been over twenty years. Meanwhile, these men were centuries old.
"Hey, hey. Don't get the situation twisted," Ryuunosuke said.
"You attacked me first. Are you saying only you're allowed to strike others?"
The middle aged man fell silent. Ryuunosuke was right. He had been sitting quietly on the ship earlier. They struck first. Now that things had backfired, they couldn't blame him.
But apologizing? Impossible. Their pride wouldn't allow it.
"If that's the case," the man said coldly, "then don't blame us for being unreasonable."
"Sika, move!"
He launched himself toward Ryuunosuke as black thorns grew in his hands.
"Kirakol, can you please respect my opinions?" the younger man sighed.
"He's clearly strong. And you still want to rush in? Really?"
Bang.
A bubble burst from Sika's mouth.
Suddenly, an unstable power distorted the space around Ryuunosuke.
Boom.
The explosion detonated beside him. He reacted instantly, avoiding the center, but the blast left impact marks across his Dragon Hunting Armor.
Had he taken that blow point blank, he would've been injured.
"Not bad," Sika said, stepping farther away.
"With reflexes like that, no wonder you beat that idiot Hodel. Kirakol, this guy is dangerous. Be careful. I'm keeping my distance."
His plan was obvious—support from afar, stay alive, avoid being targeted. He wasn't as durable as Hodel or Kirakol. If Ryuunosuke focused on him, he could vanish instantly.
"Hodel, if you're still alive, get over here!" Kirakol barked.
"Cynthia, you and Sika will assist us."
"We're capturing Ryuunosuke."
Kirakol hurled a long thorn toward him. The flying spikes twisted through the air with deadly accuracy, while Kirakol charged forward holding two black thorns.
The next clash was about to begin.
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