"Unless you have no regard for human life, find your own battlefield devoid of any innocent blood."
Gyuri's words of wisdom reverberated within Ryder's soul. The latter's eyes were fixated on the four traversing individuals toward the depths of the Lizardmen Territory.
If not for the fact that this was his last phase of training, allowing Gyuri to take the initiative to lead her so-called "Daddy," Ryder would find it difficult to track the current location of the defector from the Venerable Sky Clan.
Observing from a distance while concealing his presence, with the intention to show Lihan's true nature to his own companions or the villagers, Ryder patiently waited some distance away. He was calculating every move and the approaching Lizardman Patrol only he could spot, knowing full well this territory when everything was still just a game.
After some time, Ryder's first battle filled with uncertainty began after suddenly revealing himself as he lunged a surprise attack from atop the nearest tree.
Considering the scream and the words of hostility, Ryder deemed his action as perfect.
***
"Run! Now!" Ryder screamed from the top of his lungs. Meanwhile, Lihan's killing intent was increasingly becoming palpable. It would prove fatal even to the likes of innocent civilians.
After all, killing intent in the Chuuni World per the design of the Yandere Corporation's MILF Goddess pertained to the oppressing Chuuni Qi that disrupts the atmosphere in the surroundings. It was not mere malice to murder someone in cold blood out of spite.
"B–but Lihan…? A–and you?! T–The Stripper!" It took some time, but Madam Ran eventually realized her savior's identity was considered criminal based on Lihan's testament.
But now, witnessing firsthand the malice exuding from Lihan himself, Madam Ran and her two children had their minds troubled. They couldn't accept what this situation meant.
They could not come up with a possible explanation. It was difficult, but if there's one thing…
"C–come here! Run!"
Madam Ran's children's safety became her priority.
Seeing the leaving three individuals whose countenances were pale, with their bodies sweating from cold, Lihan chuckled. It was as though his cut-off hand did not matter.
"Ah, my cover's been blown. I guess it's time to find a new village, huh?" He paused for a second or two before glancing at Ryder who was holding a cheap katana to the point that it's laughable.
It was then that Lihan asked, his face serious, "Did the Venerable Sky Clan send you?"
Ryder remained silent, his black eyes fixated on him, gauging his next possible fatal move.
"No, I don't believe so. You're just a newbie Awakener hunting mere goblins. Ah, do you mind me asking? What's with your appearance? Did you get robbed on the way here?"
In front of Lihan's flickering disguise, Ryder was not wearing any clothes. He only donned [The Stripper's Mask] and brown shorts like a true destitute deprived of any necessities for survival.
'Yes, I've been robbed of my right to resist! Damn it! Let's finish this!' Ryder thought, recalling Gyuri's punishment bestowed on him for disappointing her in the last minute of hellish training.
"Clothes would not make any difference. Take them off before you fight him or else I'll cut off what's down there until you bleed to death!"
"I don't speak to psychopath bastards."
It was his first words for Lihan before engaging in the life-and-death battle.
***
"NPCs have predetermined settings, that's why it is possible to predict an NPC's action even if it's programmed as a complex entity. However, you have to remember, Daddy… That was in the game, Cosmic Nomenclatures, so expect a different set of moves just in case. Hehe."
[Blade of Heart, Blade Arts First Technique: Throbbing Slash!]
Several illusory blades to cut off Lihan's chest and head appeared in front of him, causing his perception to be burdened for a moment as though his heart suddenly stopped. However…
"Is this supposed to be a joke?" His words echoed.
The condition for it to physically manifest, which was the 'fear' of getting cut was rendered invalid. Lihan clearly was aware that he was stronger than the man in front of him. And that the latter's action was merely insanity for reasons he wouldn't bother to know.
"Perception of Mist, Illusory Arts First Technique: Reversal Strike!"
At that moment, two grey daggers appeared in Lihan's grasp. At the same time, Ryder's senses tingled to the extreme, sensing the incoming attack as Lihan approached in quick strides.
However…
'It's from all sides!' Ryder realized that daggers conjured from Chuuni Qi appeared out of nowhere.
But it was too late.
Stab!
Stab!
Stab!
Several ones pierced his skin, both arms and body. After that, these mist daggers disappeared, leaving no traces behind.
"Argh! D–damn it! I-It's painful!" Ryder's breathing instantly turned ragged.
Seeing this, Lihan couldn't help but guffaw.
"Huh? HAHAHA! I don't know how you managed to make a surprise attack, but a severed hand can be reattached using a substantial amount of Chuuni Qi. It's not like you even noticed considering you're overthinking things.
"Anyway, I thought I would regret it… sparing you back then. Sigh. But seeing you right now makes my blood flutter!
"Here I come, The Stripper!"
Lihan did not stop, but Ryder remained silent with his thoughts only known to himself. The thing though, the former didn't care whatever was running in the latter's mind.
"Perception of Mist, Illusory Arts Second Technique: Double Reversal Dagger Strike!" Lihan shouted with a wide grin on his countenance.
Through this technique, the surroundings seemed to quake, and something underground was drilling toward its own escape.
If the Reversal Strike was the manifestation of mist daggers in all directions, the Double Reversal Dagger Strike was a technique of manifesting condensed Qi as daggers… but from below the ground!
In less than two seconds, hearing the maniacal laugh of the bastard who had murdered seemingly senseless, Ryder opened his mouth to speak.
"Lihan, can you come to daddy?"
Ding!
[The true essence of the Divine Title: [Come to Daddy, Chupapi!] has been realized!]
[You have become a predator of the weak!]
[Your overall stats have been temporarily doubled!]
"Blade of Hearts, Blade Arts Second Technique: Coiling Love Slash!"
At that moment, the katana in Ryder's grasp blends to fluidity, temporarily turning into [urumi]—a flexible whip-like sword.
Lihan's eyes widened, witnessing the coiling blade around him and his opponent who seemed at death's door.
This attack according to Gyuri tests the factor known as [speed] and [reflect]. In this case, Ryder was about to reflect Lihan's incoming attack. However, it would go these ways depending on the condition.
First, both Ryder and Lihan would be hit critically.
Second, whoever's faster to dodge will live.
Third, considering Lihan's surprised face, his momentary loss of composure would prove fatal.
Moreover, under this technique named by the Starlight known as "Daughter with No Daddy," the opponents would be rooted in place and caged within the expanding katana.
It was a death cage!
Seeing the unknown technique for the first time, Lihan did not back down…
Clasping his hands with the mist daggers, he screamed to his heart's content,
"CHUUNI EXPANSION!"