Billy and Mike muttered to each other as they watched a dark elf jump off the wall.

"It must be at least 15 meters high. Jumping down from there?"

"Yeah. Is that some new way to kill oneself?"

"Hey, Mike. Could you survive jumping from there?"

"Hmm, it's possible, but I think all my legs would break? Of course, if I use [Release], i'd be fine."

"Well if you're going to use [Release], I can do it too, buddy."

While they were chatting, the dark elf did several flips in the air and landed on the ground.

Thud.

The dark elf stood up as if uninjured, her movement as graceful as a large cat.

Clap, clap, clap, clap

Billy and Mike applauded her.

"Wow, that's impressive. She's totally fine?"

"So cool... I want to try it later."

The dark elf did not respond and walked over to the group.

Adrienne muttered.

"The dark elf with brown skin... The Empire's mad black panther, Fyat."

Fyat was a famous warrior. She was well-known for her beautiful appearance and skills, but more so for her temperament.

She goes crazy at the prospect of fighting a strong opponent. She purely enjoys duels with the strong.

Swoosh.

Theo drew his sword.

He instinctively felt it.

'It's dangerous to give her more distance.'

Theo aimed his sword at Fyat, who was approaching.

"Come any closer, and I'll cut you."

Fyat stopped walking at the exact distance Theo felt was dangerous.

Nay said,

Child, I sense an unusual aura from that dark elf.

Indeed, Fyat was emanating a menacing aura, as Nay mentioned.

Theo glared at Fyat.

'I wish we could talk this out.'

In the game, Fyat was a character who could communicate.

She was a slaughter maniac who had killed countless people over her 300-year lifespan, but only in one-on-one duels.

She had no interest in indiscriminate killing.

'But now, the atmosphere is quite different from the game.'

She used to have a calm coolness, but now she seemed like a volcano about to erupt.

Theo asked Fyat.

"I saw the corpses of paladins inside the checkpoint. Did you do it, Fyat?"

Fyat alternated her gaze between Theo's face and the [Demon Sword].

Curiosity appeared on her face.

"Yes. You're Theo Lyn Waldeurk, the one from the rumors. Who are the people with you?"

"We are an investigation team from the Order. Why did you kill the paladins?"

"I was on a mission. I was asked to kill all the witnesses."

Theo laughed incredulously.

"That's nonsensical. If that was the case, you should have ambushed us as soon as you saw us. That would have been more effective for achieving your goal."

"I wanted to, but things don't always go as planned."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I enjoy fighting the most."

Fyat said this as she grabbed the longsword she was carrying on her back. It was thicker and longer than the longsword Theo was using.

Theo's eyes widened slightly at the sight of Fyat's sword.

'That shape... is it [Eater]?'

[Eater] is a mythic artifact and the treasure of the second strongest guild on the continent, [Leading Mind], similar to Theo's [Demon Sword], a mythic artifact with balance-breaking effects.

The most distinctive effect of [Eater], fitting its name, is 'absorption of abilities.'

The owner of [Eater] gains one random trait from their slain opponent.

For example, if they kill someone with the traits [Sword Master], [Master of Mana], and [Weapon Master], they acquire one of those three traits.

Fyat said,

"Let's have a duel, Theo Lyn Waldeurk."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then I'll kill all your companions, one by one, until you beg to fight me."

Theo looked around at his companions and said,

"These kids aren't as easy to deal with as you think. Besides, unlike you, I prioritize my mission over personal challenges."

"Hmm. I guess I'll start by killing her."

Fyat looked at Siena and said,

Siena frowned, clearly annoyed.

"So it's the black panther from the Northern Forest. You're still alive?"

"Regrettably. The elven warriors of the Great Forest were nothing but weaklings."

"There's no need for a witch when we have you. Do you even realize how many elven warriors have died by your hand?"

"It was a fair duel. If they win, they take my life; if I win, I take theirs."

The elven warriors of the Great Forest revered martial arts.

Despite their different skin colors, they belonged to the same race and desired the beautiful and strong Fyat as a wife.

Fyat set a condition. She would become the wife of the one who could defeat her.

Thus, for over a hundred years, numerous elven warriors challenged her.

But they all failed. They all died, defeated by Fyat.

Siena snorted,

"For all that, you don't seem to be in great shape. You should know what losing an eye means for a warrior. Why don't you retire instead of blocking our way, Theo's way?"

"I paid the price to become stronger, and indeed, I have become stronger. The Sword Demon of the Great Forest is indeed strong."

Siena continued, puzzled.

"Have you lost your mind? The Sword Demon has been holed up in the deepest part of the forest for decades."

"He definitely claimed to be the Sword Demon."

"That can't be. The Sword Demon rarely fights. Did you, Fyat, set the Great Forest on fire or something?"

"No. I just went there and challenged him to a duel."

Siena said firmly,

"Ah, then it's definitely not the Sword Demon. You've finally gone senile, haven't you? With your eye injured and all, how about you seriously consider retiring?"

Fyat closed her eyes and pressed her brow.

After a moment, she opened her mouth again.

"We can always check again later. That aside, Theo Lyn Waldeurk. By mission, do you mean investigating the demon Shrine inside the [Ford Company]?"

It's a fact anyone could easily guess unless they were a fool.

Theo admitted it readily.

"What about it?"

"Then you have even more reason to fight me. My team members are currently resting in front of that place."

"You have a terrible hobby."

Theo said as he placed his hand on the sheath of his sword.

"Fyat, I will accept your challenge to a duel. But let my companions go ahead to the mission site without interference."

Fyat nodded.

"Fine. I have no need for spectators. What I want now is for us to clash swords with everything on the line."

Theo told his companions,

"You guys go ahead to the demon Shrine. I'll join you after defeating Fyat."

The companions nodded and prepared to leave.

Sara handed Theo a white bead the size of a coin.

"Take this."

"What's this?"

She took out a similar white bead and said,

"I made it with my holy power. People who have these beads can sense each other's condition from afar. If it turns black, it means the person is in danger."

"Got it."

Theo took the white bead from Sara and put it in his pocket.

"See you later."

The companions left, cheering for Theo.

Now, only Theo and Fyat remained at the site.

Whoosh

There was no conversation, just the sound of the cold night wind.

No conversation was needed.

Swoosh, swoosh!

Theo pulled out a dagger from his chest and threw it at Fyat. Then, he drew his sword and charged at her.

Clang!

As if she had anticipated it, Fyat deflected the incoming dagger with her sword.

Theo hadn't thrown the dagger to hit her but to disrupt her timing.

Clang!

Swords clashed. Neither Theo nor Fyat gave an inch, just pushing against each other in a test of strength.

The outcome was decided quickly.

Theo began to lose in strength in less than three seconds.

'No matter how much my physical abilities have improved, I'm no match for top-tier warriors.'

The weak have their own ways of fighting.

Theo didn't continue the power struggle with a buff.

Instead, he suddenly withdrew the force he was applying to his sword, aiming to throw Fyat off balance.

Fyat, a seasoned fighter, didn't stagger. She quickly regained her balance.

However, Theo's highly developed optic nerves caught a momentary gap.

'Fyat must have already figured out my reach. I'll use that to my advantage.'

Theo aimed for Fyat's left thigh and swung his sword.

Fyat, still expressionless, pulled her left thigh back.

But, swish

Theo's sword managed to graze Fyat's left thigh, albeit shallowly.

Theo had momentarily infused his sword with energy to extend its length.

Fyat immediately took several steps back with a backstep.

"You use interesting tactics, Theo Lyn Waldeurk."

A smile appeared on her previously expressionless face.