The morning still enveloped the Entertainment District, bringing a much quieter atmosphere compared to the night. Gone were the cheers of drunken customers and the flirtatious calls of the women. The streets, once bustling with noise, now seemed eerily empty.
However, the tranquility was disrupted by the shadow of a figure darting through narrow alleys, pursued by several tanned women in skimpy outfits.
"Catch him! Don't let him escape!" One of the Amazons shouted.
*SHUA!* *SHUA!* *SHUA!*
Charlie leaped onto the roof of a low building before sliding down into another alley, making good use of the Entertainment District's layout. Behind him, a group of Amazons from the Ishtar Familia continued their pursuit, jumping over obstacles and trying to close the gap.
Despite their numbers, Charlie didn't feel pressured. If possible, he preferred to remain passive. Only when there were no other options would he fight back, repelling the women who sought to capture him.
Although Charlie claimed to have discarded his idealistic nature from his past life, it didn't turn him into a bloodthirsty person. He only acted cruelly toward individuals he identified as evil. Normally, his personality remained kind-hearted.
"Alright, I've been patient enough."
His eyes glowed momentarily as his Six Eyes activated. In an instant, Charlie pinpointed the location of every Amazoness in the Entertainment District, but what caught his attention most was the largest source of energy in the area.
"Once I defeat the strongest member of the Ishtar Familia, they'll realize the gap in our strength and stop chasing me, right?"
With that thought, without wasting any time, Charlie changed direction and rushed toward Phryne's location.
However, his steps halted when a long-haired woman, her hair covering the right side of her face, stood before him, blocking his path with a large sword in hand.
Aisha Belka, one of the executives of the Ishtar Familia and a highly skilled Level 3 adventurer, specialized in close combat.
With a smirk, she swung her sword onto her shoulder.
"You've caused us enough trouble. Why not just surrender? Ishtar-sama wants to meet you personally. If you come quietly, I can ensure your experience will be... enjoyable."
"..."
Charlie didn't even bother to respond. He merely glanced at her before stepping forward, ignoring her presence as if she were nothing more than a passing breeze.
Seeing his overly relaxed attitude, Aisha's eyes narrowed.
"Are you underestimating me?"
*SWOOSH!*
Without waiting for an answer, she swung her sword in a horizontal slash. The sharp blade cut through the air at high speed, aiming for Charlie's body.
*CLANG!*
However, the attack had no effect. The large sword struck Charlie's body, but instead of cutting through flesh and bone, the blade bounced off as if hitting something harder than steel.
Aisha's eyes widened in shock. "What...?"
"You think an attack of that level can pierce the Armor of Fafnir?" Charlie countered.
*SWOOSH!*
Before Aisha could react, a punch suddenly slammed into her stomach.
*BAM!*
Her body lifted off the ground, flung backward, and crashed into the wall of a building behind her. Stones and wood cracked as her body created a large hole in the structure of the brothel.
Charlie didn't waste time checking on her condition. To him, this was just a minor distraction.
He resumed his steps, heading toward Phryne Jamil.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Phryne stood in the middle of the wide road, her giant body confidently blocking the path. Her frog-like face, with thick lips and rough skin, should have struck fear into anyone. However, instead of realizing how repulsive her appearance was, Phryne believed herself to be the most beautiful woman in Orario.
Seeing Charlie approaching her without fear, Phryne grinned widely.
"Kehkehkeh... Instead of running, you come looking for me? Such a brave man... or perhaps a foolish one?"
Her tongue flicked out, licking her thick lips with a hungry gaze. Her lustful eyes devoured Charlie's figure from head to toe, as if he already belonged to her.
"That fool Ishtar might want to capture you, but I have a better plan. Fufufu... You're quite handsome, far more appealing than any man I've met in this dump!"
Phryne stepped closer, her heavy yet quick steps radiating dominance and obsession.
"Come here, sweet boy, be mine! I'll drain all your energy and stamina until you can't stand! I'll break your body until all you can do is moan for more! Once I'm bored, then I'll decide if you're worth keeping alive!"
"..."
Charlie's eyes turned cold instantly. His indifferent demeanor signaled that he had identified the woman before him as an evil individual undeserving of mercy. Without uttering a word, he raised his hand, and in an instant, magical essence gathered in the air, forming a long ice sword with a transparent blue blade that glimmered under the night's light.
"So, you choose to fight, huh... A poor decision."
Charlie's silence made Phryne growl in annoyance. To her, the man before her was just another handsome youth who would become her plaything. It didn't matter if he was truly Level 4 as he claimed—Phryne was Level 5!
A one-level difference in Orario wasn't something to be taken lightly. Only a few could fight against someone a level above them!
With a wicked grin, Phryne stepped forward, her massive body shaking the ground with each step.
"Kuhkukhkukh! You think that little sword can hurt me, brat?! I'll crush your legs first, so you can't run away from me!"
*WHOOSH!*
She lunged forward with speed unbefitting her size, her thick claws aimed at Charlie's knees, intending to shatter them.
But...
*SWOOSH!*
Charlie swung his ice sword with one hand, effortlessly deflecting Phryne's attack. The large claw missed, and a cold icy breeze enveloped the surrounding air.
Phryne flinched. "Hah?!"
Before she could react further, Charlie tilted his sword slightly, allowing a layer of ice to encase Phryne's hand.
"What—?! Ice?!"
Phryne was momentarily stunned as she saw her wrist freeze. However, she was no ordinary adventurer. Despite her repulsive appearance and trashy personality, she was still Level 5—a battle-hardened veteran who had survived countless life-and-death battles in the Dungeon.
"This won't stop me, you bastard!"
With an angry roar, she exerted her raw strength, the muscles in her arm tensing.
*CRACK!*
The ice shattered into pieces around her. Shards of ice scattered, creating a brief cold mist in the air.
Phryne stepped forward with a menacing grin, staring at Charlie with wild eyes.
"How dare you underestimate me, you little brat?! I'll crush that arrogant face of yours! I'll destroy it until no one can recognize you! AHAHAHAHA!"
*WHOOSH!*
Suddenly, Phryne's massive body moved with speed that defied her size. Her feet slammed into the ground, propelling her forward like a bullet. Her massive fists shot toward Charlie—and not just one punch.
*SWOOSH!* *SWOOSH!* *SWOOSH!*
In an instant, Phryne's fists split the air at high speed, creating dozens of afterimages that made her attacks seem to come from all directions. The wind generated from each swing formed small whirlwinds around them.
However—
*CLANG!* *CLANG!* *CLANG!*
With an expressionless face, Charlie moved his ice sword with perfect precision, deflecting every punch without shifting an inch from his spot. His Six Eyes captured the trajectory of each of Phryne's strikes with absolute accuracy, allowing him to hold his ground without much difficulty.
Phryne growled in frustration. "Hah?! You're just blocking, huh?! Too scared to fight back, huh?! You coward!!"
"..."
But Charlie didn't respond. Only the movements of his sword continued to block every attack.
*BAM!* *BAM!* *BAM!*
The clash between Phryne's fists and Charlie's sword created loud impacts that echoed throughout the Entertainment District. The ground beneath their feet began to crack, spreading like a spiderweb due to the intensity of the battle. Every time Phryne launched a punch, the wind howled, causing the fabrics around them to flutter.
However, after a few seconds, Phryne's eyes widened.
"What?! Why are you still standing in the same spot?!"
Charlie had deflected all her attacks without retreating a single step!