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Edward, slumped beside the cave wall, was drained of strength. But seeing Viba's fist coming at him, he bit his teeth, stood up, and dodged to the side. Viba's iron fist hit the rock wall, causing a slight tremor that flickered the glass oil lamps, making the cave's light flicker.
While worrying for Edward and conserving her own strength, Mengdie noticed the flickering lights and had a sudden inspiration. To save energy, she didn't shout but whispered to a girl next to her, who then shouted out loud —
"Fire!"
Fire? What fire? Edward, while maintaining a safe distance, thought carefully. When he saw the flickering lights again, he finally understood Mengdie's intention. He turned and rushed towards the cave wall, raising his giant sword and smashing the glass oil lamps. One lamp wasn't enough, so he broke two, then four! With continuous destruction, his sword was soon covered in lamp oil, and with a touch of the flames, a sword ablaze with roaring fire appeared in his hands!
"Bear monster! I'll make roasted bear paws out of you!"
With the flaming sword in hand, Edward's spirit lifted, and he charged forward! Seeing the burning flames, Viba was obviously hesitant to clash directly and tried to knock the sword out of Edward's hand. In this moment of hesitation, he received a sword strike on his leg, emitting the smell of roasted meat from the wound. The excruciating pain forced Viba to retreat again.
"Rat, you've got some skills!" Viba, holding his wounded leg, stood in the distance, glaring at Edward. Edward, fearing distraction, didn't dare to respond. Mengdie, however, was secretly pleased.
(Hmm, I can clench my fists now. In another five or six minutes, I should be able to continue fighting. Edward, good job! Keep dragging it out!)
But just as Mengdie was pleased with Edward's delaying tactics, Viba, slightly at a disadvantage, revealed a cold smile. He loosened the hand covering his wound and reached into his chest, as if searching for something.
"Rat, I indeed underestimated you. As an apology for underestimating you, I'll use my real strength to fight you now!"
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Real strength? — Both Mengdie and Edward were momentarily stunned. At that moment, Viba pulled out his hand, holding a small black pill in his enormous palm.
"Heh heh, wait for your death."
With a lift of his hand, the pill went down his throat.
The first second, Viba had no reaction.
The second second, his bronze skin turned pure black.
The third second, the wounds visibly healed at an observable rate.
The fourth second, the healing completed, as if he had never been injured.
The fifth second...
"I'm ready! Hahaha, come on!"
After a burst of arrogant laughter, Viba clenched his fists together, producing a sound reminiscent of clashing steel. Waves of discomfort echoed through the cave.
Mengdie sensed something was wrong and quickly said, "Be careful! Don't rush to attack..."
"Leave it to me, Miss Mengdie!" Perhaps buoyed by his earlier success, Edward, wielding the flame sword, rushed towards Viba, unable to discern the situation properly for Mengdie's sake! He ran to a flat spot on the cave wall beside Viba, kicked hard against the wall, and leaped towards Viba's back like an arrow leaving the bow. He adjusted the flaming giant sword, aiming at Viba's shoulder and striking down heavily!
"Clang——！！！"
Sparks flew, and the impact, like striking steel, numbed Edward's hands! But before his surprise could fully form in his mind, Viba's cruel smile was already in his sight...
Another punch, the black, metallic fist like a hammer, hit Edward in the chest and abdomen. His light armor caved in, and the sound of breaking ribs was a dull response. This time, he didn't fly towards the wall. The uppercut sent him flying up to the cave ceiling, his back hitting hard. Blood gushed uncontrollably from his mouth...
"Thump..."
Falling to the ground like a limp worm, the falling dust seemed to bury him. His ribs were extensively fractured, and his spine had significant cracks. But upon hitting the ground, he quickly supported himself and rolled to the side. The giant sword symbolizing the royal Silver Moon, still tightly gripped in his blood-stained hands!
"Huff... ha... ha... huff... ha..."
He gasped heavily, each breath accompanied by blood spitting from his mouth. The pain tormented him, making him want to lie down! But, the reality told him that he couldn't lie down yet, there were many... especially that girl, who showed endless reliance on him!
"Heh... ha... ha... ugh..."
Using the giant sword for support, Edward finally stood up. His forehead was bleeding from a cut, and his face was covered in blood, his vision seemingly blurred. His trembling legs were unstable; without the support of the sword, he might have collapsed immediately.
"I... I haven't... not yet... not defeated—!"
With a loud shout, he pulled out the now flameless giant sword and assumed a combat stance again! Facing Viba's incoming kick, he mustered his last bit of strength to hold the sword sideways, narrowly dodging and then striking hard at Viba's ankle!
"Clang——！！！"
The sound of metal clashing rang out again, the flying sparks carrying a bit of Edward's defiance and helplessness...
"Hahaha! See that? See my strongest body? In front of such a body, you're only fit to shine my shoes! Did you enjoy hitting me just now? How about I crush your bones and mold you into a meatball now!"
Laughing loudly, Viba crouched down and reached out to grab Edward, who was now kneeling on the ground...
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