However, the flying knives were instantly cut down by Vitt with a sword swing at an invisible speed.
He casually waved his palm, sending the broken knife hilt back with immense force.
Ke Luoyi couldn't dodge, was hit hard in the abdomen, and was sent flying, also embedded in the broken bricks and tiles.
Vitt's gaze was like a biting beast, snarling coldly and angrily.
"I paid a hefty price to hire you two, only for you to put on a show for me?"
"Are you taking me for a fool? You two never intended to kill that guy, right?! Do you think I can't tell?!"
From the rubble, Runova clutched her throbbing wrist, painfully lifted her head, and felt a chill in her heart.
If she hadn't reacted in time just now, she would probably have been cut in half by that guy.
Is he also an executive of the Dark Faction?
Ke Luoyi, meanwhile, gritted her teeth, clutching her stomach, blood dripping between her fingers.
Damn it, the speed of an LV4 is indeed something I can't overcome, meow...
Just then, hearing Vitt's words, the two instinctively exchanged glances, both looking stunned, and after a moment of stunned, they blurted out in unison:
"So you too...? !"
And so, the two began to quarrel fiercely amidst their disarray.
"Why didn't you make it clear from the start—meow? You almost got me hit several times!"
"My fault? Who told you to attack him right away!"
"The cat was just trying to draw out a colleague, who knew the famous Black Fist would become the bodyguard of an assassination target, meow!"
"I also never heard of the countless-killing Black Cat, one day saving an assassination target!"
The two girls' bickering was even more intense than their previous fight, making Vitt's forehead veins throb, utterly annoyed, every word seemingly a deliberate slap in his face!
He was furious, roaring in a hoarse voice:
"Enough, you two—"
Before he finished speaking, Black Cat and Black Fist's eyes suddenly sharpened, and with an instant, unspoken understanding, they simultaneously moved, rushing at Vitt in unison!
Their previous fierce confrontation had already given them a complete understanding of each other's techniques and styles!
Runova roared, erupting from the front to draw Vitt's attention, while simultaneously unleashing a powerful punch.
Ke Luoyi, meanwhile, slid along the ground, plunging her dagger into the earth to forcibly slow down, circling behind Vitt, and swinging her poisoned beloved blade.
In an instant, a pincer attack, immediately forming a deadly situation!
Vitt was only surprised for a moment before he sneered and scoffed disdainfully.
"Two stinking LV3 outsiders, dare to challenge my LV4, which I earned by fighting and leveling up against the righteous in Orario? Pipe dream!"
His figure flickered, his right hand horizontally parrying Runova's iron fist with such force that Runova's face drastically changed, her eyes widening in disbelief.
With his left hand, he pulled a short knife from his bosom and, with a backhand, almost cut Ke Luoyi's neck.
Even fighting two against one, the two women still couldn't overcome the huge class difference and were no match, once again being sent flying like scattered leaves!
Runova slumped in the ruins, drenched in sweat, panting like an ox, completely devoid of strength.
"Hoo... Black Cat, where... is your proud phantom magic? You haven't gotten so senile that you forgot the incantation, have you?"
Ke Luoyi propped herself up with her dagger, her face pale, her arm trembling.
"I used it all on you, don't talk about me, where did your 'one-punch-to-demolish-a-building' strength go, meow?"
Runova pouted in dissatisfaction.
"It's all been used up trying to fight you to the death..."
Their tones were full of resentment and complaint, but as they spoke, it seemed to turn into a mutual compliment session.
A strange feeling simultaneously arose within them.
This guy seems pretty good.
Despite disliking each other, after a battle, they even thought it might be interesting to become companions with someone like this.
However, just as a subtle friendship was sparking between the two, Vitt's despairing voice rang out again.
"Heh, if it weren't to flawlessly eliminate that guy, your meager abilities wouldn't even register in my eyes."
"However—since you took the money and then played both sides, today I'll send you on your way first!"
It was fake to say the two girls weren't scared, but even so, the most timid Ke Luoyi, at this moment, scoffed and mocked.
"What's the point of talking about integrity with the scum of the dark world? If it's lying and deceiving you guys, even a god would forgive a cat, meow!"
Runova's lips twitched slightly, as if she wanted to laugh but had no strength to, so she simply echoed.
"We two are also scum of the dark world. Are you having some kind of problem in your head talking about morality and integrity with us?"
Vitt's eyes, stained with the mad crimson of his irises, sparkled, almost as if seeking the color of blood in a colorless world.
"Good, very good... Let's see if you can still be so stubborn when your limbs are severed!"
Vitt's killing intent surged, thick as substance, his body leaving trails of afterimages in the air as he charged furiously.
A chill ran through the two women's hearts, and they endured their injuries, trying to stand up,
But Runova's knees buckled, and she fell directly to her knees, her face pale and powerless.
Damn it, the previous fight with Black Cat had exhausted all her strength....
Ke Luoyi gritted her teeth, trying to force an incantation, but only felt her vision darken, almost fainting.
My magic power is already overdrawn, meow...
—Is this... our end?
Have the sins committed in this life finally come to retribution?
A hint of desolation and relief swept through their hearts, and the two, holding their respective regrets, smiled helplessly and slowly closed their eyes.
However, at this moment, a gentle but firm figure swept past like the wind, quietly standing before the two, casually shielding them from the killing intent.
"So you two were trying to help me, although I don't know why, but since that's the case—"
Rhode, with his hands casually in his trench coat pockets, squinted at the ferocious-faced Vitt and said calmly.
"I'll take care of this beast."
"Just right, I also have a score to settle with him."
Runova and Ke Luoyi, who had resigned themselves to fate, opened their eyes in astonishment.
Blocking their path was the very guy who had only recently joined the Familia, and was even listed as an assassination target!
"Rhode..."
Runova pursed her lips, looking at his slightly slender but firm back, a strange and novel feeling suddenly rising in her heart.
Is this what it feels like to be protected by a companion...?
Ke Luoyi's ears, hidden beneath her hood, twitched, her mood also very complex.
She had originally thought she could do nothing but kill in her life, but she never expected her blood-stained dagger could also be used to save people, and receive a reward...
At this moment, this Black Cat even felt that Rhode's courageous stand and approval were more precious than hundreds of millions of Fali.
The two women's hearts were a mix of emotions for a moment, and an indescribable joy and happiness ignited within them.
But...
"This guy is strong..."
Runova gritted her teeth, supporting her weak body, and staggered to her feet.
"You, who just joined the Familia, are no match for him. Let me hold him off, you go quickly! Go find reinforcements!"
Ke Luoyi also gripped her dagger, swaying as she stood up.
"That's right, aren't you good at escaping, meow? The cat will buy you time!"
Watching the two of them still trying to resist him at this point, Veit's crimson pupils burned with rage.
"Heh heh... Do you think I'll make the same mistake again?!"
This scene was so similar to when Rod was rescued by Kaguya and Laila back then.
"But it's also completely different from then. Can you two withstand a single blow from me now?!"
Runova and Ke Luoyi's faces turned grim, but they couldn't find the words to retort.
They understood that they truly had no power to fight back now; they were merely relying on their spirit to put on a brave front.
However, Rod's expression was calm, and his tone was indifferent.
"Yes, the situation is indeed different. This time, I don't need to run."
Upon hearing this, Veit glared at Rod like a malevolent spirit, his face twisting even more as he roared with a sinister laugh.
"Stop putting on an act!"
"Instead of sneaking away, you appear before me. You've been assimilated by those fools who adhere to exaggerated creeds, haven't you?!"
"This time, do you think you still have a chance to slip away from my grasp?!"
Veit's lips curled into a crazed smile, his crimson pupils filled with a wild confidence that sought to tear everything apart.
He stepped forward, step by step, a terrifying aura swirling around him. Each step he took created spiderweb-like cracks on the ground.
Suddenly, he let out a beast-like howl, lunging forward fiercely. The longsword in his hand, accompanied by a whooshing sound, slashed down, as if to cleave Rod and everything around him in two!
"Die for me!"
Runova and Ke Luoyi cried out almost simultaneously, forcing themselves to rush towards Rod, trying to push him out of the danger zone.
"Quickly, get out of the way!"
But in that flash of lightning, Rod let out a soft, sigh-like chuckle, spreading his arms and gently pressing down.
The two women were instantly held by Rod, one on each side, their shoulders grasped. His warm, strong hands made their hearts tremble for a moment.
"Trust me~"
No one had ever promised them anything with such a resolute attitude.
They only felt something flutter gently in their hearts, and for a moment, they even forgot their fear.
The next instant, Veit's merciless blade struck.
However, the expected screams and blood did not appear.
This powerful, hateful strike, capable of cleaving an entire street, seemed to have cut into an invisible barrier, with only the air trembling slightly!
No matter how Veit roared and exerted himself, he couldn't push it forward an inch!
Rod remained standing in place, his expression unchanged, simply staring directly at Veit, as if mocking him for his lack of strength.
Veit's wild laugh froze on his face. He gritted his teeth, letting out an incredulous roar.
"This is impossible! Impossible—!!"
Veit froze, then with disbelief, he suddenly sped up, wildly swinging his longsword, unleashing his full power repeatedly.
Each strike carried his Lv4 brute strength, but all attacks "vanished" into thin air before Rod, the blade unable to penetrate even a millimeter!
Veit's forehead veins throbbed, his eyes filled with madness and distortion.
It was so close, why couldn't he hit him?!
Meanwhile, Runova and Ke Luoyi, held in Rod's embrace and experiencing that sense of security as if the world had quieted, stood stunned.
Huh?!
That terrifying attack, which they themselves couldn't resist, was just so casually blocked by this guy?!
·····
"How did he do it..."
The two girls murmured softly, expressions of disbelief on their faces, but a strange sense of relief in their hearts.
From a perspective only Rod could see.
A colossal, dark figure, like the Dragon Lady Apophis crawling out of the abyss, gently embraced him with her hands, blocking all attacks for him.
After accumulating double the IBM particles capacity of all demi-humans in the entire demi-human world.
Even if an Lv4 full-power attack could break through IBM particles' defense, it would never be able to catch up to the almost seamless regeneration speed of IBM particles!
Veit scoffed loudly as he chopped.
"Are you just going to cower there motionless? What about settling the score?!"
Veit was certain that Rod must have used some precious defensive magic tool, and as long as he forced him out, he would surely be able to cleave him apart with a single sword strike!
Facing Veit's provocation, Rod merely raised his right hand lazily and waved it casually.
At the same time, Apophis's massive right arm swept out fiercely, as if distorting space itself, instantly delivering a solid, sweeping blow!
Veit couldn't react to this invisible attack at all. After a cry of agony, he spat out blood.
His entire body was instantly sent flying by an irresistible force!
He arced through the air, piercing through stone walls and shattered towers, carrying countless shattered rocks as he flew awkwardly towards the sky!
"Wait for me here; I still have something to tell you two."
The roar of collapsing walls still echoed in the air.
After dropping that sentence, Rod, with his hands still in his pockets, leaned forward, his feet suddenly gathering strength.
Boom—!!!
The flagstones beneath his feet shattered inch by inch, and he shot into the sky like an arrow!
.... ....
In the sky, Apophis had already spread her colossal, night-like wings, catching his body and carrying him directly towards the direction Veit had flown.
Veit, spitting blood in the air, struggled to open his eyes, but what greeted him was not the sky, but Rod's merciless, downcast gaze.
"The free sky does not belong to you; hell is your eternal destination."
Veit's eyes suddenly widened.
Rod's right leg seemed to transform into a sharp whip, and with Apophis's cooperation, it lashed down fiercely at Veit's abdomen with a whistling sound!
"Ugh—!"
Veit didn't even have time to scream before he plummeted like a meteor, creating a massive crater in the ground, with dust and smoke obscuring the sky!
He lay bleeding in the deep pit, blood flowing from the corners of his mouth, his eyes still filled with unbelievable anger and horror, his pupils trembling violently, as if even his eyeballs were about to pop out from that last blow.
"Damn it... How could this be!!!"
Rod, looking down on everything, calmly retracted his foot. Apophis calmly folded her wings, carrying Rod as she slowly descended.
He extended his right hand towards the deep pit again, and like a conductor directing an orchestra, he casually gestured in the air.
The next moment, Veit, without warning, was struck by a huge invisible fist, his body soaring into the air at an astonishing speed, flying directly towards Rod.
Veit forcibly suppressed the pain in his body, instantly somersaulted in the air, coughed up blood, and laughed loudly in mockery.
"Hahaha... Fool! You dare to engage me in close combat? Go to hell!"
Veit laughed excitedly, his veins bulging, his muscles instantly tensing, and his longsword sweeping horizontally.
Before his words finished, Rod, expressionless, instantly drew his blade, bringing forth a black cold gleam, like a meteor piercing the sky.
Their weapons collided.
A blinding shower of sparks erupted the moment their sword spines clashed.
The bluestones beneath Rod's feet groaned under the strain, and spiderweb-like cracks exploded outwards, centered on the two of them!
The shockwave from their clash overturned shops on both sides of the street, sending shattered glass and wood splinters flying everywhere!
The two exchanged glances, one filled with resentment, the other with calm.
The next moment.
Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang—
Flashes of blades and swords, afterimages intertwined.
In the blink of an eye, countless slashes passed, the sound of continuous strikes overwhelming their hearing like a tidal wave.
In the high-speed offense and defense, invisible to ordinary people, Veit undoubtedly suppressed Rod like a wild beast, even managing to wound him occasionally!
But...
The wounds inflicted one second disappeared the next.
It was as if his attacks on Rod were merely illusions!
What was with this monster-like recovery ability?!
Moreover, theoretically, their attributes were vastly different; he should have been sent flying the moment they made contact, but for some unknown reason, Rod was barely able to contend with him!
Veit refused to accept this reality, roaring as he dramatically twisted his upper body to unleash a A flash of robes , spinning and slashing like a super-speed top, the terrifying sword storm almost engulfing Rod entirely.
"You, with your meager strength, think you can defeat me?!"
Before this move, even an Lv3 would surely fall!
However, soon, the confidence in Veit's eyes began to waver.
He found that he could only barely suppress Rod, and even—couldn't truly harm him!
Whenever he swung his sword to attack, the opponent could always precisely block, counterattack, and even... his movements became more and more skilled!
Veit suddenly realized, glaring angrily at Rod.
"You're actually imitating my moves?!" Little.