Dragonmaniac's face, etched with the lines of a hardened warrior, was illuminated by the harsh sunlight."Old Dragon," Lily said coldly, "we're on opposing sides today. Let's hope this can be a civil meeting and an even more civil parting.""Civil?" Dragonmaniac sneered. "You've got the nerve to talk about civility now? Who started this? Who killed first? My brother blew himself up because of your 'civility.' Don't underestimate my intelligence. Thank you for your cooperation."Lily raised her sword, her eyes cold. "So, what do you want to do about it?""Duel or a brawl," Dragonmaniac replied, "your choice. Since you're a woman, I'll give you preferential treatment."Lily's face turned as cold as ice, and even Snow Night Fairy's eyes narrowed in anger.Flying MM couldn't help but laugh. "Look at our captain," she chuckled. "She might not talk much, but when she does, she doesn't mince words."Edward, however, felt a pang of frustration. His captain was overplaying her hand. In the heat of battle, did gender really matter? Dragonmaniac seemed to have forgotten the old adage, "All is fair in love and war."Lily stared at Dragonmaniac for a long moment before replying, "I'll duel you. Today, I'll show you that a woman can take you down."Dragonmaniac's veins bulged. They'd both thrown down the gauntlet, each striking at the other's pride.Both groups retreated a few dozen meters and put away their weapons.The game had a rule allowing duels between opposing factions. If both parties agreed, death would not result in a level down, a rule primarily designed for high-level players as leveling beyond level 25 was notoriously difficult.Lily gripped her sword, her stance poised and aggressive. Her aura was intimidating, and those watching could tell she was a formidable opponent.Her sword was similar to the ancient swords used by warriors, but it glowed a vibrant green. The Qimen team was nervous. It was likely a rare green item, and they wondered about its special abilities.When Dragonmaniac revealed his weapon, even Snow Night Fairy's eyes widened in surprise.A K57 combat knife, a Swiss-made blade renowned for its slenderness, sharpness, and piercing power. It glowed a deep blue."Could it be a blue item?" the crowd whispered."It is a blue item," Dragonmaniac boasted, "don't say I didn't warn you. Be careful."Both groups were astonished. A blue K57 combat knife was incredibly valuable.Even Edward's jaw dropped. He had never seen a sky-blue item before. While white items were common, red items were plentiful among level 20+ players, and purple items were rare enough to be flaunted. As for green items, Edward only had his sensor. Now, Dragonmaniac was wielding a blue combat knife, undoubtedly a deadly weapon."Fine blade," Lily said, her eyes flashing, "taste my sword!" She charged, her blade aimed straight at Dragonmaniac's chest. Dragonmaniac sidestepped effortlessly.Lily's attack missed, and she leaped into the air, spinning to deliver a downward strike. Their blades clashed, sparks flying as steel met steel.The first exchange was over. Lily landed, a "-566" damage number floating above her head. Dragonmaniac was unscathed.Most of the onlookers hadn't seen how she'd been injured, but Edward had. Dragonmaniac had used an underhand grip with his left hand, and when their blades crossed, Lily had hesitated, allowing him to graze her wrist. It was a subtle move, barely noticeable from other angles."Fourth Sister," Snow Night Fairy approached.Lily raised a hand to stop her, sighing, "Nice swordsmanship." She downed a vial of gene serum and charged again, her attacks far more aggressive this time. She unleashed a flurry of warrior skills: Heavenly Cross Sword, Gale Seven-Strike, and Heavenly Wolf Explosive Slash.Despite using the same moves, the impact was vastly different when performed by Lily. With the gene serum enhancing her strength, every strike sent sparks flying from Dragonmaniac's knife. Yet, Dragonmaniac's movements were incredibly fluid, always managing to parry her attacks with a flick of his wrist. His blue-quality knife seemed to have an edge over Lily's green weapon, dealing significant damage with each strike.The clash of steel was a mesmerizing spectacle for the onlookers. The skill and precision on display were truly a sight to behold.Even Riwan, Lily's subordinate, was impressed. Seeing the K57 knife dance in Dragonmaniac's hand, he felt his own blade was nothing more than a butcher's knife compared to a samurai sword.Edward, the calculating strategist, analyzed the duel. Dragonmaniac, being level 30, likely had at least 4500 HP, and with his warrior's constitution, probably closer to 6000. Lily was likely similar. However, the difference in their equipment gave Dragonmaniac an advantage, and Lily's health was dwindling faster.Suddenly, a thought struck Edward: if he could see this, surely Dragonmaniac could too. This prolonged duel was benefiting Dragonmaniac more than Lily.His heart sank as he realized something else. While everyone was engrossed in the duel, Snow Night Fairy and the tech specialist had disappeared.Quietly, Edward withdrew and drew his Desert Eagle, heading towards the control panel.The new reporter, noticing Edward's movement, followed suit.