Elius didn't reply.
He simply narrowed his eyes and sent all five swords spinning at once toward the beast's neck, attempting a coordinated, devastating strike.
WHUM-WHUM-WHUM-WHUM-WHUM!
The air screamed as the swords blurred into silver comets.
The hippopotamus-man grunted, twisting his thick neck at the last second, letting the flat of the swords impact instead of the edge.
A huge shockwave exploded from the impact point, rattling the arena.
Dust and bits of shattered floor tile lifted into the air, swirling around the two fighters.
When the debris settled — the King of Beasts still stood there.
Bruised.
Bleeding slightly from the nose.
But smiling.
A slow, dreadful smile.
"Just wait..." he growled, voice dripping with savage glee. "Just wait till I get my hands on you."
Elius felt a brief twinge of irritation.
He hated arrogance from those who had no right to be arrogant.
Yet, he admitted, this creature had earned some of it.
Still, it was only durability.
