"She should understand that no one will agree to such a request."
Ethan laughed softly.
The sound was not loud, but it was sharp, cutting cleanly through the tense silence that blanketed the white jade bridge.
"In that case," he continued calmly, "don't blame me for being cruel."
Lunara's eyes narrowed.
"The sword has no eyes," she said coldly.
"If someone is injured, they can only blame themselves for being weak."
Her voice carried no emotion, as if she were merely stating a fact carved into the laws of the world.
"And you said it yourself. If you can't beat me and get hurt, it's because your skills are inferior."
The moment her words fell, Lunara opened her arms.
Her body slowly lifted from the bridge, floating into the air as if cradled by invisible currents.
The next instant—
Her expression changed.
The calm frost vanished, replaced by a terrifying sharpness. Black fire ignited within her pupils, burning silently yet violently, as if staring into the abyss itself.
