The Bunny Girl kept attacking—punches, kicks, and blasts of magic. But the Headless King kept blocking her strikes, holding the line. Until his limbs could no longer move.
One of his arms was trembling from the pain of holding out for so long.
"I'm sorry," said Dyren. He stood up after hiding for so long behind the Headless King and Sniffy. "Now it's my turn."
He gently patted Sniffy's head and canceled the skill [Summoning Undead]. After dispelling the skill on Sniffy, he did the same with the Headless King.
He tapped the Headless King's hand. "Rest now! I don't want you to die."
The Headless King shook his head, as if rejecting the dismissal. But it wasn't his decision. Dyren was the master here.
Now, only he and the Bunny Girl remained. The two locked eyes. Dyren drew his weapon and prepared to fight.
He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
"Come at me, bitch," Dyren challenged.
His legs and hands trembled—his opponent was no easy foe. Even the Headless King had been powerless. Dyren had struggled just to fight the Headless King, sacrificing so much.
The Bunny Girl smiled, eyes sharp. "You've got guts, human."
[Aura of Dread activated]
[Sword Master activated]
She vanished. Dyren spun around and blocked the Bunny Girl's punch. His body was thrown back, and his arm felt like it might snap.
He twisted his sword, redirecting her punch to the side. Swiftly, he kicked her ribs.
Her body was flung quite a distance. She stood up with a look of disbelief in her eyes.
"How...?" She still looked confused. "How can a human like you land a hit on me?"
The Bunny Girl was clearly displeased. She held her right ribs. Dyren's kick had dirtied her fur. As a former Demon Queen, she felt humiliated being kicked by a human.
Suddenly, her magical energy surged. The ground beneath her shook. Dust and pebbles flew. Cracks formed where she stood.
"I'll kill you, human!" the Bunny Girl shouted.
She rushed forward—her movement too fast for Dyren's eyes to follow. He closed his eyes, relying on his instincts and sharpened hearing.
The [Sword Master] skill turned its user into a supreme swordsman. All combat aspects—especially instinct and hearing—were drastically enhanced.
"Left."
Clang!
The Bunny Girl's slash was parried by Dyren. He immediately ducked.
"Silent Wind Slash."
Slash!
Blood sprayed from the Bunny Girl's arm. She staggered back, clutching the wound with a face mixed with rage and shock.
Dyren still stood, his breathing calm. His hand trembled violently around the sword. The technique had strained his entire body.
"I... I did it?" he muttered.
The Bunny Girl glared at him. "You annoying human... I'll make you regret injuring me."
But Dyren gave a bitter smile. "I've been regretting everything since the beginning."
As the Bunny Girl lunged, Dyren stepped back, dodging strike after strike.
Frustrated, the Bunny Girl lost her cool. Her speed became absurd. Dyren was scratched several times by her nails, but he still kept fighting.
"Die, human!" she screamed.
Suddenly, Dyren stopped. The Bunny Girl halted in surprise, thinking he was up to something. But in truth, he wasn't. If she had attacked...
Unfortunately, she hesitated. And that's exactly what Dyren was counting on. He bet it all on her moment of doubt.
"Got you."
Slash!
Once again, the Bunny Girl was wounded. This time, across her chest. She stepped back, blood dripping onto the ground. She was dazed.
Dyren wouldn't waste the chance. He dashed forward. But at that moment, he coughed up blood.
"I'm almost at my limit," Dyren said, still running toward her. "I have to finish this now."
The Bunny Girl was still stunned. Dyren was already close. He raised his sword and channeled Mana into the blade. He swung with everything he had.
"Die."
BOOM!
Dyren's body was thrown by a sudden burst of magical energy from the Bunny Girl. He tried to get up but coughed blood again. When he finally stood, his vision blurred.
"Damn. I... I've reached my limit."
He still pushed on, but his whole body screamed in pain. He nearly collapsed, barely staying upright with his left leg.
Dyren tried to rise again. But that only made his body shake uncontrollably. The pain made him want to scream.
[Sword Master]
[Description: Greatly enhances the user's swordsmanship, making them a top-tier swordmaster. All aspects of combat—speed, reflexes, instinct, and hearing—are drastically increased.]
[Side Effects: The user's muscles operate at four times their normal strain. Prolonged use causes massive micro-tears in muscle fibers, nerve compression, and extreme fatigue. Worst-case scenario: temporary paralysis due to motor signals failing to reach muscles.]
And that was exactly what happened to Dyren.
His legs felt like they were filled with burning needles. His arms stiffened like cracked iron bars. Even turning his neck sent pain shooting down his spine. His body no longer responded. He fell again, face-first into the hard ground.
"I... can't move…" he gasped, breathing unevenly.
His fingers twitched slightly, but that was all he could do. [Sword Master] had pushed his body far past its limit.
The Bunny Girl walked toward him slowly. Her smile returned. "You fought well for a human. But you overexerted yourself."
Dyren could only grit his teeth, enduring the pain that engulfed his entire being. He knew—without a miracle, this might be the end of him.
The Bunny Girl stomped on Dyren's head arrogantly. "You'll die here, human!"
She raised her foot, intending to crush his skull.
"But this isn't over yet," Dyren said.
[Berserk]
[Description: Increases all user attributes by five times for 10 minutes.]
[Side Effects: After duration ends, complete muscular breakdown. Highest risk: heart explosion due to extreme blood pressure.]
Activate? [YES / NO]
Dyren didn't hesitate. He knew it was practically suicide.
[YES]
Just as the Bunny Girl's foot was about to crush his head, Dyren vanished. He appeared behind her, his sword already swinging.
The Bunny Girl grinned. "You… made all my fur stand on end." She laughed maniacally. "This is thrilling. Exciting."
She turned and blocked Dyren's slash. Her body was pushed back. Her hands trembled from the force.
"Let's finish this," she said with a smile.