The clash shook the battlefield.
Kael and the bandit leader collided at the center of the road, their movements blurring into streaks of light and shadow. Each impact sent shockwaves rippling outward, forcing everyone else to retreat further.
Daren gritted his teeth as he stepped back.
"This… isn't normal," he muttered.
Sera's eyes stayed locked on the fight.
"No," she said quietly. "It isn't."
⸻
The bandit leader attacked relentlessly.
His strikes were heavy, aggressive, filled with killing intent. Every blow aimed to overwhelm, to crush.
Kael met them head-on.
Not retreating.
Not hesitating.
Golden energy flowed smoothly through his body, enhanced by the Ring of the First Pulse. His movements were sharper now—more precise, more refined.
Their fists collided again.
BOOM!
The ground beneath them cracked.
Kael slid back a few steps.
The bandit leader stood firm.
A grin spread across his face.
"Not bad," he said. "You're stronger than the others."
Kael exhaled slowly.
"You talk too much."
The leader laughed.
"Confidence. I like that."
His aura surged again, even stronger than before.
"Let's see how long it lasts."
He charged.
Faster this time.
More dangerous.
Kael didn't dodge immediately.
Instead, he watched.
His Origin Perception activated fully, tracking the flow of energy through the leader's body.
The buildup.
The release.
The timing.
Everything became clear.
The leader's fist shot forward.
Kael stepped to the side at the exact moment—
Then countered.
A precise strike to the ribs.
CRACK.
The leader's body twisted slightly from the impact.
But he didn't fall.
Instead—
He smiled.
"You're learning fast."
He retaliated instantly, his knee driving upward.
Kael blocked—but the force pushed him back several steps.
Both of them stopped.
Breathing steady.
Eyes locked.
The air between them felt heavy.
⸻
Above the hills—
The two hidden figures continued watching.
One of them spoke quietly.
"He's adapting."
The other nodded.
"…Too fast."
Their gazes remained fixed on Kael.
"This isn't normal for someone at his level."
⸻
Back on the battlefield—
The bandit leader's expression changed slightly.
The arrogance faded.
Replaced by focus.
"Enough playing," he said.
His aura condensed.
Not expanding wildly—but tightening.
Becoming denser.
More dangerous.
Kael felt it immediately.
He's serious now.
The leader moved again.
This time—
No wasted motion.
No excess energy.
Just pure efficiency.
Kael reacted.
But this time—
The attack landed.
BOOM!
The strike hit Kael's shoulder, forcing him back.
The ground cracked beneath his feet as he slid several meters.
Pain shot through his arm.
Kael steadied himself.
His expression didn't change.
But his eyes sharpened.
Good…
This was what he needed.
Pressure.
Real pressure.
The Origin Core pulsed in response.
Stronger.
Faster.
The ring on his finger glowed faintly.
Kael stepped forward again.
His aura flared.
Golden light surged around him once more.
The leader smirked.
"That's more like it."
They clashed again.
Faster.
Harder.
Each exchange more intense than the last.
Blow after blow echoed across the battlefield.
Neither giving ground.
Neither backing down.
⸻
Around them, the remaining bandits had begun to fall.
The escort team, now regaining control, slowly pushed back the attackers.
But no one interfered with the central fight.
They couldn't.
The level of that battle—
Was beyond them.
⸻
Sera watched closely.
Her eyes filled with disbelief.
"He's keeping up…" she whispered.
Daren shook his head slowly.
"No… he's not just keeping up."
He clenched his weapon.
"He's pushing him."
⸻
Suddenly—
The bandit leader jumped back.
Creating distance.
His chest rose and fell slightly faster now.
Kael stood opposite him.
Calm.
Steady.
Golden energy still flowing.
The leader wiped blood from his mouth.
Then smiled.
"…You're definitely not normal."
Kael didn't respond.
The leader's gaze shifted briefly—
Toward the hills.
A subtle movement.
Barely noticeable.
But Kael saw it.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
So there really is someone else.
The leader chuckled softly.
"Looks like I don't need to finish this myself."
Kael's expression didn't change.
But his senses sharpened instantly.
The air shifted.
A new pressure descended.
Heavier.
Colder.
More dangerous than anything before.
From the top of the hill—
One of the hidden figures stepped forward.
Slowly.
Calmly.
But with a presence that made everyone on the battlefield freeze.
Even the bandit leader stepped back slightly.
Respect.
No—
Caution.
The newcomer spoke.
"Enough."
A single word.
But it carried absolute authority.
The battlefield fell silent.
Kael looked up.
Their eyes met.
And in that moment—
He knew.
This opponent…
Was on an entirely different level.