Although Zenkichi's palm appeared light and effortless, the power within it was terrifying beyond imagination. That strike could easily shatter mountains, tear open the earth, and topple the balance of the world. The only reason it seemed airy was because his control over his own strength had reached an unimaginable level.
"Poof!"
A mouthful of blood burst from the dragon man's lips. He had underestimated Zenkichi's casual-looking strike, and now the consequence showed itself. His body trembled as he staggered backward, his eyes narrowing with wariness.
In an instant, he disappeared, reappearing several meters away to create distance between them. His voice, low and sharp, echoed in the void of the exile space.
"It seems… if I want to escape this place, I'll have to kill you first."
The dragon man no longer had any intention of maintaining this exile dimension. Zenkichi was far too dangerous. His focus shifted entirely toward survival and battle.
With a grimace, the creature reached behind his back. His massive tail detached with a sickening crack and, in the next moment, morphed into a vicious weapon—a blade forged of his own body. Though it lacked a traditional edge, the rows of jagged scales lining it gleamed like serrated steel.
Without hesitation, the dragon man charged. His body vanished into a blur, reappearing behind Zenkichi in a single step. The blade of scales cut through the air, slicing down toward Zenkichi's neck with killing intent.
The weapon cleaved cleanly—but only through an afterimage.
"Impossible!" The dragon man's eyes widened. He had struck, yet Zenkichi stood unharmed. It was nothing but a mirage.
The next moment, Zenkichi's calm voice cut through the tension.
"Your attack lacks precision." His expression was cool, unshaken. "Let me show you how to strike with accuracy."
Zenkichi raised his hand. The space itself seemed to tremble as energy surged toward him, drawn from every direction. In the blink of an eye, the gathered force condensed into a weapon within his grasp—a sword of pure energy.
It was not large, only three feet in length, but it carried an overwhelming presence. The blade shimmered with a lethal edge, as though it could slice through any defense in existence. The sharp aura it emitted pressed heavily against the dragon man, forcing him to stiffen.
The dragon man's jaw tightened. He could sense the sheer terror within that sword. His own weapon, refined from his body and tail, was a magical armament capable of cutting even the hardest metal. Not even vibranium could withstand its bite. And yet, this sword—formed merely from the surrounding energy—felt more dreadful than his own creation.
"This… is even stronger than my weapon?" he muttered, disbelief flashing in his eyes.
Zenkichi's gaze was unwavering. His voice was like cold steel.
"Dragon Slayer."
At his words, the blade responded as if alive. It expanded instantly, growing five, six times its original size. The energy within it roared, bursting forth like a storm. With a single motion, Zenkichi released the weapon. The colossal sword moved on its own, soaring forward with unstoppable force.
The dragon man's eyes widened in shock. He tried to raise his weapon, tried to defend—but the energy sword bore down on him mercilessly.
The exile space itself trembled, the air cracking as the weapon descended.
And in that instant, the dragon man understood. This was no ordinary opponent.
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