The man was releasing massive amounts of red aura, making everyone take a step back.
"What the heck is this? Is this a skill?" Derek asked.
"Your guess is as good as mine," Annie replied.
The group didn't have much time to ponder this as the man stood up laughing, his muscles bulging.
"Brawler's skill—Battle Beast," he said, laughing. "Brace yourselves!"
As he said those words, he was suddenly in front of Harden, and his fist was already in motion.
"Huh? He's so fast," Harden thought as he raised his arm to block.
As soon as the fist made contact, Harden was sent flying and tumbling through the sand.
"He's way stronger," Harden thought, struggling to get up—only to be met with an uppercut from the man.
The man wasn't done. He leapt into the air, interlocking his fingers, and slammed them down onto Harden, who was still midair.
"Cherish the breath in your lungs, boy... it'll be your last," the man said with a sinister smile as he approached.
Just then, Raizo came swirling in, activating the skill Cherry Blossom Slash. A gentle pink aura surrounded his blade, but the man simply blocked the attack with one hand, pushing Raizo back.
Raizo didn't relent. He ran toward the man, hacking and slashing from different angles while the man effortlessly blocked each attack.
The man threw a fist at Raizo, but Raizo ducked, swirling around him. Leaping into the air, he activated Six Paths Slash.
However, the man predicted it, slamming his Calamity Fist against Raizo's blades, shattering them in the process. He then slammed Raizo into the ground, lifted him by the throat, and sneered.
"A swordsman without his sword is useless," the man said, tightening his grip. "In the end, you're just useless in the face of danger. But don't worry—I'll put you out of your misery."
"You're... wr...ong... I'm... I'm not... use...less..." Raizo struggled to say, flicking his finger and activating the samurai skill Swordless Barrage.
Little lines appeared on the man's face, and blood trickled from them.
"You're something else, boy," the man said, seemingly excited. "It's just sad you have to die like this."
"He's not! As long as we're breathing, we won't relent!" Mike yelled from behind, spinning his spear enveloped in a green aura as he activated the knight's skill Chivalry of a Brave Knight.
"Ooh, interesting," the man said as his fist collided with Mike's spear. A loud bang rang out—the impact shattered Mike's weapon, and he lay on the ground at the mercy of the muscular man.
The man walked up to Mike and said, "Seems like you'll be the first one to go."
But right after that, Derek came swooping in with his blade aimed at the man's head. The man swerved under the strike, dodging the blade, then made a swift turn, slamming his fist into Derek. But Derek didn't relent—he continued fighting.
Meanwhile, Annie tugged on Harden's shoulder and whispered, "Hey, I have a plan."
"Alright," Harden responded.
After Annie had told Harden and Raizo her plan, Harden ran toward the muscular man, and Raizo followed. The man threw his fist at Harden, who dodged with a backflip as Raizo unleashed a flurry of Swordless Slashes on the man's chest.
Harden closed the distance and used the assassin's skill Poison Cloak, releasing poison into the man's body.
In return, the man kicked Harden in the side. Raizo was about to suffer the same fate when chains suddenly wrapped around the man's leg, pulling it back—just enough time for Raizo to escape.
Furious, the man broke the chains and rushed at him.
He appeared in front of Raizo and slammed his leg down, performing an Axe Kick. Raizo barely escaped, and the man's leg slammed into the ground—only to be pulled up by a sandworm. The man effortlessly killed it.
He went after Raizo again, but Harden swooped in, performing a Crescent Kick as a blue aura enveloped his leg. The kick connected with the man's face, pushing him back slightly.
The man staggered, dazed. The poison's working, Harden thought as he activated the skill Rupture—but it wasn't aimed at the man. He slammed his palm against the ground, causing a horde of sandworms to erupt.
The man fought back, killing sandworm after sandworm as Harden ran between them, dodging attacks. Eventually, the man caught up to Harden. Harden charged and attempted a knee strike, but the man blocked and pushed him back.
Harden then performed Blink Step, appearing behind the man. A yellow aura enveloped his fist as he used Dead End Fist, slamming it into the man's back.
A loud bang echoed. Crack. Harden wasn't sure if it was his fist or the man's back that broke.
The man threw an elbow. Harden ducked—allowing a fireball to strike the man's face. Then Harden noticed blood and a vertical slash over the man's left eye.
Nice one, Raizo, Harden thought.
He then activated Rupture: Reinforced Dual Impact, basically the Rupture skill under reinforcement with both hands. The man spewed blood as he staggered backward, trying to stay on his feet.
"Now!" Amy shouted as she threw a small, glowing red orb at Harden.
He caught it and charged at the dazed foe.
The man recovered and threw his fist. Harden bent his head, ducked, and placed his leg behind the man's to throw him off balance. He then slammed his Calamity Fist into the man, knocking him down.
The man coughed violently.
Harden forced the orb into the man's mouth and activated Rupture before jumping away.
The man, dizzy from poison and the onslaught, noticed his body glowing.
And then—
SPLAT.
He exploded.
The battle was over.