Bang!
The Archangel of Peace's head was forced back by a whip kick. While reeling, it had to stop its skill cast and instead swung its spear-staff, smashing it with force toward the rabbitman who had no leverage in mid-air.
"Immovable Fortress!"
The rabbitman barked coldly, swinging a palm that seemed to shimmer with phantoms to meet the descending spear-staff.
Two clearly unequal forces collided. There was no image of the rabbitman being smashed down as expected; instead, he caught the heavy blow of the spear-staff using only a single rough palm covered in wounds.
Even the collision sound that should have been produced was absent, as if the Archangel of Peace's heavy momentum had vanished into thin air!
Lyle saw the Martial Skill information suddenly appear on the Status Panel and looked up at the two figures clashing in the sky.
He had always been interested in powerful Martial Skills. Given Brian's confident posture earlier, if he wasn't crushed directly, he likely wouldn't honestly exert his full effort.
And the rabbitman before him clearly mastered high-level Martial Skills as well!
"Immovable Fortress" is among the top tier of defensive Martial Skills in this different world; the preceding "Fortress" and "Heavy Fortress" are merely lower-tier versions.
This skill is a Martial Skill that "neutralizes physical attacks received."
For example, Clementine relied on this Martial Skill to easily block attacks from a greatsword over ten times her weight used successively by the Bone King, using only her slender short spikes.
The effect of "Immovable Fortress" sounds incredibly powerful, but it shouldn't be taken entirely at face value; or rather, the effects of many Martial Skills might not be as strong as imagined.
The limitations of human strength in this different world lead to certain issues in how the strength of Martial Skills is judged.
Lyle had always believed that the strength and effect of a Martial Skill were also related to Rank.
Just as Clementine could block the Bone King's attacks because the Bone King's physical attack was only at the level of a Rank 30 warrior.
The Martial Skill "God Flash" developed by Brian himself was described as having "One-Hit Kill" and "Unavoidable" effects.
However, even when combined with other Martial Skills to boost its strength, it was still blocked by Shalltear with a single finger.
Of course.
At the same Rank, a "Martial Skill" is not weaker than some class skills in terms of performance. Ultimately, it is human strength that limits the power of Martial Skills.
"He can release 'Immovable Fortress' with his palm? This rabbitman is... the mercenary bodyguard of Osko, the promoter of the Empire Colosseum."
Lyle recognized the opponent at this moment, a hint of surprise appearing in his eyes.
"Fortress" type Martial Skills do not necessarily require a shield or weapon to activate, because the effect is produced by successfully blocking the opponent's attack.
This requires mastery of vision, timing, and technique; if released too early or too late, the effect is lost.
Using a shield or weapon is simply to better grasp the timing, so that even if the activation fails, the user's body isn't directly injured.
The Head-Hunting Rabbit used his hand directly to activate "Immovable Fortress," showing exquisite skill and confidence.
Before this.
Lyle had some doubts: if the Empire sent people from "Ijaniya" for the assassination, why bother issuing such a high bounty?
Now it made sense.
The departure of the "Martial King" Gagaran didn't just affect the Empire; that great merchant Osko also suffered heavy losses.
"Head-Hunting Rabbit, is it?"
Lyle gave a light chuckle: "The great merchant actually sent out the strongest mercenary in his hands."
"Head-Hunting Rabbit" was a title, though not many people knew it. He was a top-tier warrior and Assassin, and although his fame wasn't prominent within the borders of the Kingdom and the Empire...
...he had a very high influence in the City Alliance, reaching a point where everyone knew him.
The Head-Hunting Rabbit possessed the strength to single-handedly hunt down and crush an Orichalcum-rank (Lv 21–23) adventurer party.
Lyle speculated his strength level was above Rank 25, but he likely hadn't stepped into the Hero Realm yet.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh—
Lyle briefly withdrew his gaze from the Head-Hunting Rabbit and the Archangel of Peace.
The eight Assassins scattered. Taking advantage of the Head-Hunting Rabbit stalling the Archangel of Peace, they formed a surrounding net and charged toward Lyle!
The eight Assassins swung their arms simultaneously from eight directions. Faint sounds of breaking air rang out as needle-shaped weapons the thickness of a pinky finger sliced through the air toward him.
"Magic Armor!"
A ball of magic power landed on Lyle first, forming a translucent armor that enveloped his entire body.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
All the needle-shaped weapons were blocked by the Magic Armor, falling to the ground with a dense clattering sound.
The sudden situation...
...caused the eight Assassins to pause. Their gazes simultaneously shifted toward the direction the magic had just come from.
They saw!
The Emerald Leaf Witch walked over, cold as frost, and stood beside Lyle, whispering: "My Lord."
"The magic came just in time."
Lyle looked up, his neat black short hair fluttering slightly as he smiled faintly.
Hearing these words, the Emerald Leaf Witch's shoulders trembled. She lowered her gaze, not daring to look at Lyle, a flash of terror appearing in her eyes.
Others didn't know, but how could she not? Her master's true strength didn't lie in faith system summoning magic, but in magic power system offensive magic.
The power her master displayed now was merely a disguise. Because of this...
...thinking of this...
...the Emerald Leaf Witch couldn't help but feel a chill down her spine, and a bead of cold sweat formed on her forehead. Because once her master used his magic power system strength...
...then it was very likely no one on the scene would survive. This didn't just include enemies, but even... them!
She was able to survive the last incident because of the "Alchemy Technology for Artificial Monsters," but during this time, her master hadn't mentioned it even once.
The Emerald Leaf Witch highly suspected that if her master revealed his true power again, there was a possibility he would silence her along with the rest.
"How can she be free?"
"Where are those Magic Casters from the Death Spreading Sword Sect!"
The leader of the eight Assassins quickly looked toward the small hills on the left and right and discovered the corpses of those two Magic Casters.
Not only that, the people from the Death Spreading Sword Sect had completely collapsed and fled after seeing Brian blown away in one hit.
Even if an Assassin shouldn't have superfluous emotions, the current situation still caused the hearts of the eight Assassins to sink.
"We might all die here, everyone."
The leader of the eight Assassins spoke without any emotional fluctuation and drew a short sword from his waist.
The other Assassins remained silent, but their movements were not slow at all as they followed suit and drew their short sword weapons.
Swish!
The eight Assassins moved simultaneously.
Roar!
"Enlarge!"
"Darkness!"
A surge of magic energy flew from the Emerald Leaf Witch's chest and landed on the Ghost Hound, causing its size to double; this was the power of the White Mist Witch.
And the "Darkness" magic released by the Emerald Leaf Witch instantly stripped the light from this range, plunging the surrounding area into a pure dark environment.
"All of you, die!" the Emerald Leaf Witch said coldly: "Plant Entanglement!"
"Chain Cyclone"!
The Ghost Hound immediately followed in coordination.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Dull sounds like tearing cloth came from the darkness, and a thick scent of blood spread. As the dark energy dissipated, eight mangled and broken corpses were scattered on the surrounding ground.
Huff... huff...
The Ghost Hound panted heavily, clearly somewhat exhausted.
A Move like "Chain Cyclone" could normally only be used once a day by an ordinary Ghost Hound. Even though Little Black's Physique had been significantly boosted by devouring Dragon blood, using it twice in one go was still a huge drain.
"Emerald Leaf, you two go and deal with all those fleeing mercenaries." Lyle ignored the corpses of the Assassins on the ground and spoke calmly.
"Yes."
"Yes."
The Emerald Leaf Witch spoke first, followed by the White Mist Witch's faint voice coming from her chest.
Whoosh—
The Twin Witches leaped, disappearing nimbly from the spot to pursue the group of fleeing mercenaries.
Lyle's gaze returned to the Head-Hunting Rabbit, who was entangled with the Archangel of Peace. The offensive between the two sides was exceptionally fierce.
"Strike Against Evil!"
"Immovable Fortress!"
The spear-staff collided with the palm, and both forces dissipated.
"Flow Acceleration!"
The Head-Hunting Rabbit's speed surged. After quickly approaching the Archangel of Peace, he leaped, his heavy fists striking like raindrops.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The silver armor on the Archangel of Peace vibrated incessantly. It flapped the wings on its back, ascending to pull away, and swung its spear-staff again.
"Strike Against Evil!"
"Immovable Fortress!"
It was a repetition of the same attacks.
But the Archangel of Peace was clearly in a suppressed state; otherwise, it wouldn't have been completely held back by the Head-Hunting Rabbit.
"I see. When the Rank advantage doesn't exist, the simple attack methods of summoned monsters are easily seen through by an opponent of the same Rank."
Lyle nodded thoughtfully, his lips curling into a perfect arc: "What will you do next? Those Assassins are all dead."
"Summoned angels don't suffer from stamina depletion or exhaustion."
The Head-Hunting Rabbit moved quickly, occasionally dodging the Archangel of Peace's normal attacks. The intent to retreat had already sprouted on his expressionless face.
The distance between him and the target wasn't far.
But the Head-Hunting Rabbit knew very well that although he could suppress the Archangel of Peace, he couldn't break through this angel's line of defense.
Whether it was the Death Spreading Sword Sect or the Assassins from "Ijaniya," they were all a bunch of useless trash!
The Head-Hunting Rabbit cursed inwardly.
Mission failed. Retreat!
"Flow Acceleration"!
The Head-Hunting Rabbit's fierce exchange with the Archangel of Peace paused as his figure instantly retreated to pull away, turning to run.
"It's too late to leave now." Lyle's gaze turned cold.
Whoosh!
The Archangel of Peace flapped its wings and gave chase. The advantage of Flight in the air was completely incomparable to movement on the ground.
In a single breath!
The Archangel of Peace had flown above the Head-Hunting Rabbit's head, its three-meter-tall shadow looming over him. The spear-staff radiated a holy luster as it swung down heavily once more.
Boom!
Facing the attack falling from above...
...the Head-Hunting Rabbit's rabbit ears twitched. A ferocious cold smile actually flashed across his expressionless face. His fleeing movement paused, and then he raised his arms to protect his head.
"Magic Resistance Fortification!"
A pale blue light flashed.
Bang!
The heavy blow smashed into the raised arms, producing a dull roar. This time, he actually didn't use "Immovable Fortress" to block.
Lyle was somewhat surprised, but he soon understood why the Head-Hunting Rabbit did this.
"Pfft..."
The Head-Hunting Rabbit spat out a mouthful of blood. He allowed the force of the spear-staff hitting him to explode, and his body flew out uncontrollably.
However!
When he took the hit just now, the Head-Hunting Rabbit had clearly found a precise angle; the direction he was blown was toward Lyle's position.
He never intended to escape at all!
Whoosh!
The Head-Hunting Rabbit's figure flew toward him. In mid-air with no leverage, he actually used his flexible body to force a mid-air twist.
Only then did Lyle notice that inside the sleeves of the damaged maid outfit, the man was wearing two magic bracers.
"Lord Tang, Lord Osko asked me to tell you."
The Head-Hunting Rabbit flipped in the air, shedding most of the momentum before landing on the ground, carving a deep furrow as he steadied himself. He looked up at Lyle seven or eight meters away and spoke with full killing intent:
"No one can take anything from his hands without paying a price!"
Bang!
"Activate!"
The Head-Hunting Rabbit kicked off the ground violently. The boots on his feet flashed with a magical light; this was a magic item that could increase speed.
In an instant!
The Head-Hunting Rabbit turned into an afterimage, lunging straight for Lyle. At such speed and distance, the Archangel of Peace had no time to return.
"Ability Boost!"
"Strong Strike!"
"Heavy Fist Smash!"
In a split second, the Head-Hunting Rabbit activated three Martial Skills simultaneously, raising a strong, powerful fist and punching toward Lyle's throat.
Multiple "Martial Skills" can be activated at once, but due to the limits of each person's "Focus Capacity," there is a limit to how many can be used at once.
For instance, the Kingdom's strongest warrior, Gazef, at his Peak, could activate at most six Martial Skills at once without using the magic item "Dragon's Secret Treasure."
As for Brian, because he possessed the Talent "Focus Capacity Boost," he could activate even more Martial Skills.
With this punch thrown, the air in front seemed to suffer severe compression, exploding like a burst balloon as it came crashing down fiercely.
Flash!
A brilliant light appeared.
An angel holding a golden shield, also three meters tall but with a more burly build, blocked the path in front of Lyle.
Archangel of Observation (Lv 28)
Dong!
The astonishing calloused fist smashed heavily against the golden shield, producing air ripples like waves and an echoing hum like an ancient bell being struck.
"This is..."
Seeing the Archangel of Observation blocking the way, its body radiating a pale white light, the Head-Hunting Rabbit's heart sank completely to the bottom.
He lost!
To think he still hid such a trump card in that situation.
That's right; since the opponent had the ability to summon two Tier 3 angels simultaneously, he should also be able to summon two Tier 4 angels.
However, this was just too astonishing. Where on earth did such a powerful person come from...
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