The ogre swung again.
Arthur leaned back just enough for the claws to pass inches from his face.
His grin widened.
"This is getting fun."
The explorers slowly stopped trying to keep up.
At first they were still fighting beside him.
But soon it became obvious.
Arthur was handling most of the pressure himself.
Every attack from the ogre met a counter.
Every heavy swing was redirected.
Every opening was exploited.
Ryn lowered his shield slightly.
"…Since when did he get this ridiculous?"
One explorer laughed weakly.
"Feels like we're the backup now."
The captain watched quietly.
Arthur moved through the battlefield like someone dancing through danger.
Intent Step carried him through narrow spaces.
Intent Weave twisted the path of incoming strikes.
Execution Intent struck back with brutal precision.
And the layered flames kept weakening the ogre little by little.
The lean ogre roared in frustration.
Its massive fists hammered the ground repeatedly.
