Screw it.

Screwing it, Ferris was the first to break free from the mental shock of the situation, using the pause to dash forward through the closing doors and slip through the narrow opening.

Ferris grabbed Executor by the gaps between his chest muscles, using them as a solid hold to shove him into Artemis's smaller frame.

But Instead of striking while they were tangled, Ferris chose to run, keeping his distance and playing it safe.

With his essence surging wildly underneath the skin of his legs, he tore through the city streets at incredible speed—but even that might not have been enough.

Boom!

A thunderous clap echoed behind him, followed by a red light that painted the streets like falling rose petals.

She transformed! Ferris realized, but he didn't dare look back because there was a corner just a few dozen meters ahead.

However, when his ears caught the sound of screaming behind, he had no choice but to turn his head around for a quick peek.

"!!!" What the—?

It wasn't Artemis screaming, turns out, it was actually Executor, his massive body flung through the air like a ragdoll by the wyvern's sheer strength. The sight alone made Ferris freeze for a second.

She threw him like a baseball! Ferris had no choice but to press his brakes suddenly, skidding across the asphalt as his mind caught up to what his eyes were seeing.

For a wyvern, Artemis would make for a great pitcher given the absurd speed she could generate with her inhuman arms, each motion bursting with explosive power that could pulverize stone.

Not to mention, her aim was quite precise.

Might as well make use of it. Ferris concentrated the essence around his arms, forming a makeshift sword of essence.

I'll use his speed to my advantage, he can't dodge midair, especially when he's spinning around like a baseball, Ferris thought, steadying himself as the incoming blur of Executor drew closer.

Ferris planted his feet on the asphalt as if they were nailed in place, essence reinforcing his stance. As long as he oriented his arm correctly, he didn't even need to swing, the cut would make itself with the right placement of his arms.

He adjusted his blade to the right position. This angle's good—

Clap!

"Huh?"

Just before his sword essence could strike Executor's skin, their positions suddenly switched—and so did their momentum.

Ferris twisted midair like a cat, barely managing to land on his feet despite the violent spin caused by Artemis's powerful spin throw.

He slid across the pavement, his brand new and legally acquired shoes screeching against the road, before regaining his balance. When he looked up, Executor was standing exactly where Ferris had been moments ago.

But something about it bothered him.

We should've collided just now… so why didn't he try to kill me then?

Did he delay his teleportation on purpose?

Exhaling a warm breath, Ferris straightened his posture, still trying to make sense of what just happened.

Seeing the distance between himself and Executor, Ferris started small talk.

"That's an interesting blessing you have there. What is it?" He smiled faintly.

Executor began to walk toward him.

"It allows me to switch the position of two objects," he bluntly replied.

That easily? Ferris's eyes twitched but only slightly.

Still though, there was definitely more to Executor's blessing, but he practically spilled the main function of it... This guy is...

A person not of these lands... But I don't recall any cultures in my old world who are very...

Exhibitionist... Ferris averted his wandering gaze and landed it solely on the simple yet ornamental helmet piece of Executor.

Ferris shook his head.

A warrior's a warrior.

This guy didn't take advantage of that situation because...

He wants to enjoy a good fight, I thought he'd be more cautious. Ferris could see right through Executor's motive.

Just in time with Ferris's conclusion, Executor began to speak beneath the openings of his helmet.

"Come to me, swordsman! Let us drench our bodies with each other's sweat and blood!

Let us be like two lovers in this glorious midnight! The moon shall be our witness!" Executor shouted, without a hint of shame or embarrassment.

Every single word that came out of his mouth was true and just. Even Ferris's instinct and experience deemed them to be true, but...

That's such a weird way to say it! Ferris understood Artemis at that point. And also, the crimson barrier is blocking the moon!

"A two versus one, isn't that unfair?" Ferris questioned.

"Nay! This is completely and totally fair. Though if Miss Artemis doesn't want to join me...

I do not mind being on the losing end against a master like yourself.

You see, when I first laid my eyes upon you, my muscles couldn't help but quiver. It's unfortunate that white-haired woman came to your side. I was so jealous."

"..." Someone block my ears...

Ferris sighed and looked up, spotting Artemis in her newly transformed wyvern form soaring straight into the sky. She hovered high above the rooftops, her silhouette glowing faintly against the red night.

Then he felt it, the buildup of essence. A dim glow began to pulse between the cracks of her scales and the gaps in her teeth.

"You're right," Ferris said, pointing upward. "I don't think she doesn't want to join you."

Executor followed his gesture, turning just in time to witness the sight for himself.

Ironically, the same force that had flung Ferris earlier—Executor's blessing—had helped him escape faster, hurling him farther down the street.

The moment Executor looked toward the sky, Ferris seized the opportunity, darting into the now closer street with a turn, putting as much distance as possible between himself and the blast zone.

A second later, Artemis's maw opened wide and the road ahead of her erupted in a torrent of blazing firestorms.

Directly from her mouth, the beam was the diameter of a drinking cup. But even with the small size at the start, thanks to the distance and the effects of pressure, that tiny beam enlarged into a wave that melted the very streets Executor was standing on.

Fortunately for Executor, he was able to switch positions with a random object in the alleyway he saw near him, somewhat keeping himself safe—but the heat was still unbearable.

Executor began mumbling under the torching heat, "Tch, we're so not for each other...

And here I thought I could get myself a battle sister to fight alongside with...

Hmm...

Oh!

This actually feels like a sauna. This is good for my body.

I take back everything I said just now."

Meanwhile, Ferris was still making a break for it. The smell of smoke and molten asphalt followed him as he darted through narrow streets.

With both wings fully formed, Artemis easily caught up, flying above and watching Ferris from the sky.

She dove down and landed on an unfinished building, perching on the construction crane used to lift materials from the street below.

Before the crane could snap under her weight, she melted the steel frame and reshaped it into a slightly bent javelin.

While Ferris ran, a chilling howl echoed above him.

He reacted instantly, stepping to the side just before a massive javelin slammed into the ground, cracking it open.

Did she just throw a javelin at me? Ferris couldn't believe it.

For a wyvern, she really loves not making enough use of her wyvern form! Ferris shouted inside, a bit insulted that she wouldn't take him seriously.

Before he knew it, another javelin cracked the earth.

But instead of stopping, Ferris chose to do something Artemis wouldn't expect.

He yanked the javelin that was taller than himself out of the ground, flooding his arm with essence until his grip alone crushed and compressed the steel.

Above him, Artemis was already diving, but by the time she realized what he was doing, it was too late.

"Eat this!"

Ferris hurled the javelin with all his strength, sending it hurtling straight toward her stunned face.

Reacting instantly, Artemis unleashed a blast of flame, melting the javelin midair into liquid metal. The molten spray splattered across her face, blinding her temporarily.

But even blinded, she didn't stop. Artemis continued plummeting straight toward him.

Taking advantage of the moment, Ferris leapt upward, vaulting over the crashing wyvern and landing on her back like a gymnast.

He grabbed her single horn tightly, holding it like a steering handle.

"Get off me!" she screamed, though she couldn't do much about it due to her anatomy.

Slice!

Ignoring her screams, Ferris swung his bare sword essence and sliced her horn clean off.

There was no blood that was spilled, but the way Artemis roared made it clear she felt every bit of pain.

"Fuck you!" she shouted, thrashing her head wildly like a guitarist mid-solo.

But because of her long wyvern neck, it was more like a violent, uncontrollable rodeo.

Clinging on tightly, a thought crossed his mind.

Is this what Miss Evening wanted to see?

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.