A dramatic encounter is called fate.
And Ryuu experienced that feeling once again.
She stared blankly at the black figure that streaked across the high sky.
She was like a child witnessing a dragon fly off into the distance, sinking into shock and stupor.
Never met, yet strangely familiar, as if in a dream.
Ryuu felt a surge of emotions for reasons unknown.
Joy and sorrow, union and separation.
She gasped for air, overwhelmed and breathless by this sudden emotional eruption.
What's happening?
What on earth is going on?
Ryuu didn't understand what was wrong with her.
She didn't know that in this world, there were true threads of destiny.
And she was even less aware that these threads could be manipulated!
The intensity of the reaction triggered when these threads collide varies from person to person.
And as this cruel and regrettable encounter, which should not have belonged to Ryuu, was about to unfold.
Her body began to tremble before her consciousness caught up.
Boom, boom, boom!
In the high-altitude battlefield, the mutual assault between Bete and Tione had reached a fever pitch.
In these brief two minutes, they had exchanged hundreds of blows.
Fists and legs moved so fast they were a blur, and the impact against flesh was a continuous roar!
Whenever one was repelled, it was accompanied by the shattering of large stone steps and the destruction of the surrounding area.
Compared to the Piranha Plants' destruction in the town, this spot was in no way inferior!
Bang!!
Tione landed a face-smashing punch, snapping Bete's head back and sending his nose gushing blood!
She grabbed her opponent's arm and violently swung him down onto the ground in a circle, like shaking a rag doll, slamming Bete back and forth across the stone.
"Aaaahhhh!!"
The exasperated Bete kicked out, mercilessly connecting with Tione's face, trying to break free.
But to his surprise, even with that, the mad woman showed no intention of letting go!
Boom!!
He was swung again, this time his body directly smashed through a large section of the wall, nearly burying him in a pile of rubble!
"Die!!"
Tione took advantage of his dazed state to follow up with a punch.
However, as she stepped forward, her calf was swept by Bete's kick, instantly throwing her off balance.
Bete seized the opportunity, landing a vicious elbow strike directly to Tione's side, the force penetrating her body!
This guy normally disdained hitting women.
But the Amazon in front of him could no longer be classified as a woman!
She was a raving tigress!
As Tione gasped for air, clutching her side, Bete scrambled to his feet.
At the same time, he tensed his back leg, preparing to unleash a powerful shot aimed at her jaw!
If that hit, even Finn would be forced to lie down quietly!
Grrrk!
Bete's leg muscles contracted with full force. The explosive power contained within was so immense that as he raised his leg, his foot actually whipped out sharp wind blades!
This deadly scythe-like roundhouse kick shot directly towards Tione's head!
It's over!!
Bete's eyes were filled with rage and excitement.
At this moment, he wasn't just thrilled by the fight.
He was also filled with elation from the prospect of defeating a powerhouse of equal rank!
Stupid woman, just lie down quietly...
Squish!
Just as Bete twisted his waist and hip, about to deliver the winning blow.
A sudden change occurred!
In a corner he hadn't noticed, a pain exclusive to men erupted from bottom to top, like a clap of thunder!
"Eeeeh!!!"
Bete's entire body instantly froze! His expression was twisted. He looked down in disbelief.
This distance, how did she hit it!!?
"Are you the only one allowed to use weapons?"
Tione smirked. At the critical moment, she had drawn the short knife from her waist.
With a surprise backhand draw, she successfully connected with the back of the blade to Bete's family jewels!
This was the power of a Level 5!
A true balls-to-the-wall strike!
Even if they didn't shatter, the yolk was certainly scrambled!
Both of their movements stopped simultaneously. Bete, after enduring for a few more seconds, couldn't hold on any longer.
"Ughh!!"
He withdrew his leg, still stubbornly maintaining a look of singular resilience despite the pouring sweat on his face.
However, his constantly trembling body and gnashing teeth betrayed him.
"Tch!"
Tione was ecstatic. Although she looked quite battered herself, seeing Bete suffer brought her immense joy.
She didn't rush to treat her wounds. Instead, she crossed her arms and stood there, savoring Bete's stubborn resistance.
She was just waiting for the moment he would finally break!
Damn her!!
Bete's eyes were practically bulging.
The description "a slight melancholy" was entirely inadequate.
Tidal waves of pain were relentlessly assaulting his lower body, spreading throughout his entire being!
"You..."
"You bitch..."
Bete cursed, trying to continue the fight, but he couldn't even lift his legs now.
"Hmph, you rotten man, all you can do is talk tough after the fact."
Tione mercilessly mocked him: "Not even able to dodge a sneak attack like that, just goes to show how stupid you are."
"Who cares how big you are, with a tiny brain, you can only blame yourself!"
Feeling the built-up frustration instantly relieved, Tione calmed down.
She no longer intended to indulge Bete's antics. She reached for her pouch to get a healing potion.
"Alright, I've had enough fighting."
"You selfish, arrogant bastard, go play in the mud on the side."
"In any case, I need to..."
Whoosh.
A faint sound of air being cut came from overhead.
Tione and Bete, both highly perceptive, instantly noticed it. The two looked up together.
And this fleeting glance signaled the beginning of the tragedy.
What is that!?
They saw a figure completely encased in deep-colored heavy armor, falling rapidly from above, arms outstretched.
His tattered cloak whipped loudly behind him, and from within the faceplate, a cold, bone-chilling gaze was cast.
The entire person looked like a giant eagle diving for its prey!
Facing the "Angry Serpent" and "Ferocious Wolf," whose momentum had greatly dwindled after their intense fight, the figure showed no fear. He attacked them with the attitude of a predator!
"Hey! Who are you—"
Before Tione could finish her sentence, the figure accelerated his dive, rushing towards her with immense weight!
Perhaps noticing the hand Tione was reaching backward with, the figure instinctively and deftly drew her other short knife.
And this action saved her life!
Zheng!
A profound draw sound echoed in mid-air. The armored figure, without any hesitation, drew the long blade carried on her back.
The reverberation sounded utterly murderous!
She raised both arms high, the blade carving a dangerous arc in the air!
And the sound of the long blade cutting the air during the descent demonstrated just how powerful this single strike was!
Tione frowned deeply, crossing her two knives, ready for the impact!
Her strength was unparalleled among Level 5s; she might not even lose against a Level 6!
But just as she thought she was fully prepared and could definitely block this downward strike.
Clang!!!
Boom!!!
These two explosive sounds rang out almost simultaneously!
The moment the weapons connected, sparks were swallowed by the dust!
With just one strike, a large splash of blood burst forth from Tione's shoulder.
Beneath her feet, the shockwave spread wildly, nearly collapsing all the stone steps.
The excessively intense pressure, like a battering ram crashing through a city gate, completely breached her defense.
Tione was now half-kneeling on the ground, struggling to bear the long blade that had already sliced into her shoulder!
This force... Level 6!
Both Tione and Bete realized this at the same time!
And the latter didn't hesitate for a second.
The moment Tione fell into danger, he forcibly activated his body and launched an attack towards the armored figure's back!
Slap!
The opponent didn't even look. She simply reached back and grabbed Bete's ankle.
With an even easier motion than Tione, she casually swung him, swatting him to the ground like a mosquito!
"Cough, ugh!"
This time, the impact truly injured his internal organs.
Bete's skeleton shook, and blood spilled from his mouth.
Shhhlaaa—
Tione took the opportunity to slide her blade and break free.
She rolled over to Bete's side, wanting to take out the healing potion from his pouch.
But when she reached back, it was empty!
"Looking for this?"
From within the heavy armor, a cold, feminine voice spoke.
In her hand, she held Tione's pouch.
Seeing this, the two heavily wounded adventurers' faces instantly grew grim!
"It's you then!"
Bete suppressed the intense pain and climbed up, his eyes capable of devouring someone.
"That damned murderer!"
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