"Go!"
With the cat-person youth's low shout, the killing intent in the arena reached its peak!
Swish!
A male prum brandished his sword and closed in, using his small stature to execute nimble footwork as he thrust toward the opening in Eiji's stance.
So many openings!
His heart swelled with disdain.
Facing a siege from so many opponents, this guy didn't even adopt a stance that would allow him to counterattack instantly—instead, he stood casually, just like an ordinary person who knew nothing of combat.
The outside world had hyped him up beyond reason, calling him the strongest swordsman, a rarity among men—they must have been completely fooled by his face!
The moment he moved, as if sharing a single mind, the other three prums also sprang into action, attacking from three other directions with hammer, spear, and axe.
Their timing was impeccable, their coordination flawless—as if they had instantly understood each other's intentions and executed the most optimal strikes.
"The Flamegold Four Warriors—individually, they're only Level 5."
The cat-person youth narrowed his eyes, his gaze locked onto Eiji as if trying to see through his thoughts.
"But when the four of them fight together, even an ordinary Level 6 is no match for them. This guy is only Level 5—he should be defeated in an instant—"
Yet, on Eiji's face—merely Level 5—he saw not the slightest trace of unease.
In the blink of an eye, Eiji extended both hands.
From somewhere, he drew two swords.
Facing the combined assault of the four, he stretched out his arms left and right, sweeping both blades toward the incoming sword and spear.
A direct counterattack?
How foolish!
The cat-person youth sneered inwardly. In a situation like this, the obvious move was to first break out of the encirclement, then use speed to engage them one-on-one and defeat them individually. A frontal clash would surely collapse his stance instantly!
Even if he could block the sword and spear, there was no way he could stop the hammer and axe!
That was what he had thought—but the scene before him left him stunned.
The boy's twin swords intercepted the swiftly thrusting sword and spear with uncanny precision, then traced two semicircles in the air, redirecting the sword and spear toward the hammer and axe.
"We can't stop it!"
The sword-wielding and spear-wielding prums both felt a chill in their hearts.
Their weapons were as if caught in spider silk, uncontrollably deflected into their comrades' weapons.
The other two were caught off guard, and the four's coordinated attack was instantly broken.
Seizing the moment of their confusion, Eiji took a step forward, charging toward the spear-wielding prum with wind-like speed.
"So fast!"
Before the spear-wielder could even steady his grip, his vision blurred—his heart filled with terror.
Without a sound, a flash-like slash descended upon him.
The speed of that strike was beyond what an ordinary person could perceive. The prum had no chance to resist, his eyes rolling back as he collapsed.
"Gale!"
The other three roared in fury, raising their weapons to attack him together.
But if their four-man assault had been dismantled in a single move, three were even less of a threat.
In just over ten seconds, the three dwarves fell one by one, unconscious.
The cat-eared youth's sinister gaze swept over the four figures.
"Relax, my blades are merciful. They won't harm anyone without my command."
Eiji casually swung his twin swords.
His relaxed demeanor left the surrounding crowd stunned, their faces filled with shock and fear.
"He actually defeated the Greif brothers so easily?"
Even the elf holding a white magic staff couldn't help but show astonishment.
"Truly no ordinary opponent!"
The elf gripping a black demon sword also tensed as if facing a formidable enemy.
They had thought the four Flame Gold Warriors would be enough to handle him, yet he disposed of them with such ease. Now it seemed even their duo might not gain any advantage.
Both were Level 6 adventurers—one wielding the White Demon Staff, the other the Black Demon Sword—renowned veterans in Orario, even nicknamed the "Twin Riders of Light and Darkness."
If even they doubted their chances, there was likely only one person who could deal with this guy—
Boom!
The sound of splitting air roared first.
A black shadow shot forward from the crowd like a dark bullet piercing through the atmosphere.
The cat-eared youth, his face filled with murderous intent, took action personally.
His movement alone seemed to stir the very air, as if his human form could shake heaven and earth, unleashing violent winds that forced the surrounding onlookers to pale and retreat in terror.
"Allen... he's actually getting serious?"
"In a way, he must feel threatened too!"
"But this means that guy is done for!"
The crowd scattered, yet their expressions remained confident.
Allen Fromel.
Known as the Goddess's Chariot, he was one of Orario's few elite Level 6 adventurers.
Most crucially, he was the undisputed "Fastest in All of Orario"!
"So fast!"
The speed he unleashed even shocked Eiji.
Eiji had thought reaching Level 5 made him exceptionally quick, surpassing even Loki Familia's fastest, Bete, in footspeed. Yet the cat-eared Allen's speed surpassed his by a noticeable margin!
"But speed means nothing before me!"
With a thought, Eiji stepped forward.
Boom!
Mana cycled through his legs, granting him a burst of speed that left everyone aghast.
The air split apart, sound waves crashing against them.
Fierce winds tore up soil and flowers, turning the field into chaos.
"Hey!"
In the corner of Allen's vision as he sprinted at full speed, Eiji's figure appeared, calm as a spring breeze.
"What?!"
Allen's eyes widened in disbelief.
How?
He was Orario's fastest adventurer—not just Level 6 but equipped with skills that enhanced his speed. How could a mere Level 5 catch up?
Refusing to accept this, the cat-eared man gritted his teeth and pushed his speed even further, determined to settle this contest.
But he didn't realize his speed would only become fuel for Eiji's growth!
Slap!
That figure caught up from behind again.
Then a palm struck his face, sending him tumbling to the ground.
"I told you—next time you look at me like that, I'd give you a few slaps!"
"When did you ever say that?!"
Allen gritted his teeth and jumped up from the ground, a large handprint glaring on his face.
"I told myself—!"
Eiji's face broke into a radiant smile.
The surrounding crowd suddenly held their breath, some unable to suppress looks of infatuation.
"Bastard!"
Allen's eyes were bloodshot as he roared.
This was outright humiliation. His face burned, his eyes brimming with murderous intent.
"That's enough."
But just as he was about to strike, a deep, resonant voice came from behind.
The tall, lean figure of a boar-man appeared in the wilderness, his expression unreadable.
"Lady Freya wishes to see him. All of you, stand down."